Listening with Lee Zimmerman

The Court & Spark: Witch Season and Dead Diamond River
(Absolutely Kosher)

Unlike some of their more traditional Americana brethren, The Court & Spark don’t always take the road well traveled. Cerebral ruminations are as much a part of their approach as the tales of the heartland that’s at the core of the roots rock persona.  With both a new album and EP, the band is given plenty of opportunity to further focus some of the more elusive aspects of their subtle sound.

Dead Diamond River provides a teaser in the form of a five song EP that navigates a fine divide between the band’s more spatial set-ups and the affable, folk-like serenades represented by “First Light at Avalon” and “Hallelujah II.” Short but surreal, it’s an ideal set-up for the new full-length opus, Witch Season, the first Court & Spark album to fully reveal the band’s bewitching charms. While the ethereal rumblings still churn below the surface, popping up occasionally via songs such as “St. John the Evangelist” (a rumbling instrumental reminiscent of John Fahey’s transcendental meditations), “The Wandering Tattler” and “Titov Sang the Blues,” the majority of the album is surprisingly accessible. “Sundowner, You” and “With the Horseshoe King” provide the set’s mellowest ballads, melodies imbued with a natural grace and easy-going affability. At times, the band’s gentle sway brings to mind the Workingman’s Dead-era Grateful Dead, due in large part to an unceasingly cheery disposition that permeates such songs as “Hallelujah I,” Suffolk Down Upon the Night,” “Denver Annie,” “Out on the Water” and the title track. It’s a calming, ear-to-ear grin of a feeling that makes these some of the best songs on their resume, at least so far.

While it’s tempting to label them as cosmic cowboys, the Court & Spark are making their presence known, metaphysical and otherwise. As their name implies, theirs is a perfect meld of ember and embrace. 
For more information, visit www.absolutelykosher.com.
 
Geraint Watkins: Dial W For Watkins
(Yep Roc)

Geraint Watkins is probably one of the best-known unknowns in music today. The fact that he doesn’t have a marquee name doesn’t diminish the fact that his credits cover some of the biggest stars in rock ‘n’ roll. After all, this is a guy whose keyboard skills have graced albums by Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, Van Morrison and Nick Lowe, to name but a few of the leading lights whose albums have been graced by his services.

As is evident by Dial W for Watkins, Geraint is an old-fashioned kind of guy, a musician with a deep love and appreciation for rhythm ‘n’ blues, New Orleans style barrelhouse blues and the taste of zydeco. In fact, this 14-song set scans a veritable history of pop genres, with nothing sounding more recent than the early ‘60s. The fact that there’s only one cover in the bunch —an altogether unlikely but thoroughly rambunctious jumpstart on the Beach Boys classic “Heroes & Villains”—confirms his credibility. All sound like classics from another era in their own right. It’s an impressive survey of styles, from the soul styling of “Soldier of Love,” “I Will,” “Bring Me the Head of My So-Called Lover,” and “Only a Rose” to the jaunty pop shuffle of “The Whole Night Through” and “Heaven,” the Cajun twist of “Be My Love” and the jump n’ jive of “Go West.” The titles seem as familiar as the sounds, but to Watkins’ credit, the music is all his.

Whether or not this launches Watkins on a solo career remains to be seen. Given the fact that of all his superstar associations, only Lowe is along in support, seems to suggest his big-name clients want to horde his talents for their own projects. For the rest of us however, we ought to dial up Geraint as long as we’re so inclined. 
For more information, visit www.yeproc.com.
 
Various Artists: Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster
(American Roots Publishing)

A bit of history: Stephen Foster was the quintessential American songwriter of the early 19th century, a man whose music is still revered 140 years after his death. The composer of such classics as “Beautiful Dreamer,” “Camptown Races,” “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight,” Oh! Susanna,” “Swanee River” and “Jeanie with the Light Brown Head,” Foster was the first important composer this country ever knew, and his standing still ranks him as one of the nation’s most influential writers even today. Like the young nation itself, his music was a melting pot of divergent sources, incorporating songs of slaves with the elegant traditions of the old world. The fact that so many contemporary artists still cite his influence bears testimony to his lasting legacy.

American Roots Publishing, a musical collective of roots-inspired musicians, has wisely chosen to make this Foster tribute album its first release and the results are simply superb, a seamless meld of such powerful Americana icons as John Prine, Roger McGuinn, Alison Krause, Michelle Shocked and Mavis Staples with some of the most indelible music ever composed.  To hear the Mavericks’ Raul Malo croon “Beautiful Dreamer,” Mavis Staples wail the sorrowful “Hard Times Come Again No More” or David Ball capture the lilt of “Old Folks at Home” is nothing less than revelatory, a link from past to present that erase the dividing lines between generations. Likewise, Roger McGuinn’s soothing serenade on “Jeanie” conjures up memories of the mid-period Byrds, proving that pop music both then and now draws on the same sources. “Gentle Annie by Ollabelle,” Michelle Shock’s “Oh! Susanna,” The Duhks’ “Camptown Races”—all attest to the fact that great music is indeed timeless, lessons learned from the startling success of the Cold Mountain and O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtracks. 

Kudos then, to those who conceptualized this project and the artists involved in bringing it to fruition. And kudos to Stephen Foster, a musical genius who paved the way for Americana music and the wonderful traditions that would be reaped in his wake.

For more information, visit www.americanrootspublishing.org.

CBS4 Sets the Stage for the Latin Grammys
 “Countdown to the Latin Grammy Awards”
Goes Behind the Scenes and Brings Out the Stars
 

Again this year, WFOR/CBS4 will kick-off the celebration of the Latin Grammys with an exclusive preview of this all-star spectacular.  The half-hour special, “Countdown to the Latin Grammy Awards,” will be broadcast on Wednesday, September 1 at 7:30pm, immediately preceding CBS’s live two-hour telecast of the 2004 Latin Grammy Awards ceremony from Los Angeles at 8pm.

The special looks at every aspect of the awards presentation, including profiles and interviews with the performers and honorees. Segments include:
The Road to the Latin Grammys—A look at the short but colorful history of the Latin Grammys and its journey from Miami to L.A.

An interview with George Lopez:  El Rey de las Risas—MTV’s Daisy Fuentes goes one-on-one with the irrepressible host of the Latin Grammys on the set of his hit TV show.

Up close and personal visits with Miami’s own Latin music superstars—CBS4 News anchor Maggie Rodriguez goes one-on-one with Marco Bissi from EMI Latin who gives her the inside scoop on a new Latin Grammy’s compilation CD. Maggie also speaks with the most winning Latin Grammy artist ever, Juanes. Columbian singer/songwriter Soraya sings a snippet from her new CD. Miami’s own Emilio Estefan takes viewers backstage in L.A. as part of Gloria Estefan’s Farewell Tour.  Plus, Miami resident and 2002 Grammy winner Jorge Moreno gives us a tour—and a serenade—on location at his South Beach home.

A look at the contenders for Best Female Pop Album—An up-close look at the nominees, including interviews with Jaci Valasquez, Paulina Rubio, and Ednita Nazario and profiles of Rocio Durcal and Rosario.

Profiling the contenders for Best Male Pop Album—A look at some of Latin music’s biggest stars—Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Obie Bermudez, Luis Miguel and David Bisbal.

A Preview of Best Music Video—Lynda Lopez from WCBS looks at this current crop of stars—Cafe Tacuba, Robi Draco Rosa, Roselyn Sanchez, Kevin Johansen and Molotov.

Latin Grammy Glam—Daisy Fuentes uncovers the latest looks groomed for the Grammys, from fashion to make-up. Clinique, the Latin Grammy’s official cosmetics company, gets the once-over.

Spotlight on Santana: A Living Legend—A tribute to the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year, Carlos Santana.

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