11/19/02

There's a lot going on in the next few weeks, so listen up:

Milwaukee-based jazz musicians Mr. Fun will play at Eddie's Attic on Friday November 22nd. "Surprise guests" are expected to appear, apparently. Doors open at 9pm with Daemon label mate Paul Melancon opening the show. For more info, go to: Eddie's website, or call 404 377 4976.

Also on the 22nd, Guy Clark returns to the Variety Playhouse. His latest album is The Dark (Sugar Hill) so expect a generous portion of new songs as well as the old ones. If you've never seen or heard him before, here is your chance. Don't blow it.

The Ataris will play at the Cotton Club on November 27th, with openers Sugarcult, Autopilot Off and Rufio. Doors: 6:30pm with The Ataris on stage at 10pm. Their debut album is expected in February from Columbia Records.

On November 29th, Billy Joe Shaver plays Smith's Olde Bar, promoting his new release Freedom's Child (Compadre). The show starts at 9pm.

Charlottesville, Virginia based Bella Morte's latest, The Quiet (Metropolis) has hit the shelves. Their music is a blend of Goth, Synth-Pop, Punk and Dark Wave, according to the press release. If that's the case, the album title should prove to be something of a misnomer… Sounds interesting, though. The band plays the Masquerade on December 13th.

By the time you read this, Kim Richey will have already played her Atlanta gig. If you're lucky, you were there. If not, treat yourself to her fine new album, Rise (Lost Highway) which sounds even better than the previous three. Among other worthwhile new releases, The Pretenders' Loose Screw (Artemis) stands out. One does have to wonder, though, if the title refers to Ms. Hynde herself, who is a militant vegetarian and has been known to excoriate audiences for their carnivore proclivities. Anyway, check out this which contains the full album, lyrics to all the songs and interview clips with the lady in question.

While you're in the mood, go here and get into the wonders of Epitaph rockers Ikara Colt and their album Chat and Business.

George Harrison's final album Brainwashed (EMI) sees the light of day on November 19th, and it's a beauty. Harrison worked on it for several years, on and off, before succumbing to cancer last November. Favorite tracks, so far, are 'Stuck Inside a Cloud,' 'Rocking Chair in Hawaii,' 'Any Road' and the old standard 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.' Listen to some of it on the Brainwashed player and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the album was completed.

The old limelight hog strikes again: I think it's unfortunate, not to mention selfish, that Paul McCartney decided to put out a live album just one week after the Harrison release. It's easy to see why George always had such a low opinion of Paul. You would think that someone at EMI would have put his or her foot down. Cowards.