Sights for Sore Ears

Tony Coulter here, there, anywhere, evening wear -- with a bundle of bits and booms: five-fold sounding artistry, plus my new fall line of jackets d'LP.

And now, will you, won't you ... step across the border?

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JC & Co.: French Place Afternoon (JC Records, 2008) 7" EP

Let's begin the sound roundup with a recent release from Texas musician (and astute record collector) Jason Chronis, who -- though primarily a bass player -- performs all parts here, save the drums of Matt Simon and the Italian soundtrack--ish wordless vocals of Cari Palazzolo. I've given you the haunting title track from this self-released four-track EP below. Incidentally, Chronis has also been a member of the bands Belaire, Low Red Center (who do a crackerjack simulation of the '80s minimal synth sound), and Voxtrot.

Thee label:

JC & Co: French Place Afternoon

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The Tree People (Jeff Stier, left; Stephen Cohen, right):

Next up is a wonderful Oregon group (based initially in Eugene, and then in Portland), whose two founding members -- Stephen Cohen (guitar, vocals) and Jeff Stier (flute, recorder, percussion) -- have developed their own subtle and refined, yet emotionally gripping brand of psych folk. The band's first LP, self-titled and from 1979, has slowly built a well-deserved reputation, and on its reissue it got a fair amount of airplay on WFMU (as you can see here). The group's second and third albums, though, have garnered comparatively little attention -- and no hearing on FMU. This seems to me to likely be for two reasons: the second album -- Human Voices, from 1984 -- originally appeared only as a limited-edition cassette, and thus made no impact whatever outside of Eugene; while the third album, It's My Story, came out just this year, after a 26-year gap. Frankly, many fans of the early material would probably assume that the group couldn't possibly be as good as it used to be -- but it is ... and the proof is below.

Sadly, the Tree People broke up almost as soon as their new album was released -- Jeff Stier has decided to retire from performance. Stephen Cohen, always the principal songwriter, and bassist Rich Hinrichsen do plan to continue with new collaborators under a new name, however (you can keep abreast of developments here). For my part, I'm just glad I was able to catch the group's final U.S. concert -- which, oddly, doubled as a CD-release event. Wish you could have been there.

The Tree People: Human Voices (1984/ RE: Guerssen, 2009) cassette, vinyl, CD

The Tree People: Grandfather

The Tree People: Dance

The Tree People: It's My Story (Guerssen, 2010) LP, CD

The Tree People: It's My Story

The Tree People: Sunday

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The Solid British Hat Band:

Let's turn now to two LPs with an unusual purpose: to serve as aids in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. The principal mover behind both is Englishman Ken Wilson -- who is not only a singer/songwriter, but also a respected and longtime force in ELT (English Language Teaching; more commonly known in the U.S. as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL). Despite their didactic purpose -- and the attendant need to enunciate with extreme clarity -- many Solid British Hat Band songs hold up quite well as songs, both lyrically and musically. They are also marvelously blatant attempts to indoctrinate the youth of foreign lands into the hippie/lefty viewpoint -- for which I applaud Mr. Wilson wholeheartedly. And now that I've finished applauding, let me point out that the drummer on the 1971 LP is none other than Pentangle's Terry Cox.

For Wilson's own detailed and entertaining rundown of the genesis of the Solid British Hat Band and its first recording have a look here and also here.

The Solid British Hat Band: Mister Monday & Other Songs for the Teaching of English (Longman, 1971) LP

The Solid British Hat Band: Going To

The Solid British Hat Band: Tomorrow Will Be Wonderful

Ken Wilson & the Solid British Hat Band: Goodbye Rainbow (Longman, 1974) LP

Ken Wilson & the Solid British Hat Band: Questions

Ken Wilson & the Solid British Hat Band: Not Enough Ways

Ken Wilson & the Solid British Hat Band: Along the Road

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Stewart Brodian: Self Made Man (Mountain Records, 1983) LP

Let us turn from the classroom now ... or perhaps not really: Stewart Brodian -- then of New Jersey, now of Pennsylvania -- began working on his 1983 LP Self Made Man while still in college, and one of its songs ("When I Get Home to You") was written during a class on The Art of Persuasion (he wasn't paying attention). Whatever its origins, Self Made Man is full of fine, ever-so-slightly post-punky DIY songwriting and exists in its own altogether unique universe. Brodian is heard on guitar, bass, and piano, and is supported by a rhythm section and lead guitarist/vocalist Betty Anne Dodd.

These days Brodian still records and performs periodically. He is also currently DJing on a number of Pennsylvania radio stations (see here for the details) -- and ... working as a Howard Stern impersonator (see below for the proof).

Stewart Brodian:

Stewart Brodian: State of Mind

Stewart Brodian: I Am a Planet

Stewart Brodian: Special Lady

(While you're at it, have a look at a great live clip of Brodian performing "I Am a Planet" right here.)

Brodian Being Brodian: Brodian Being Howard Stern:

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Tony Powers: Home-Made (no label, 1971) LP

Let's finish up the audio portion of today's post with a recording by New York native/ Los Angeles transplant Tony Powers, who started his musical endeavors as a Brill Building songsmith (his hits include "98.6" and "Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry," and his songs have been recorded by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Darlene Love, and Kiss). While working for Don Kirschner, Powers decided he'd had enough of assembly-line pop, and set out to record an eminently unglossy and personal record, which he dubbed Home-Made and self-released. Home-Made's songs veer between caustic social commentary and morose meditations -- it's this latter mode I've featured below, in line with my own morose tendencies.

Powers has continued as a songwriter/performer, and has built up something of a cult reputation. He's also developed a parallel career as an actor; you can find out more about both of these things here.

Tony Powers: Song for Man (The Sad Song)

Tony Powers: To Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin (And Some People I Actually Knew)

For an added bonus experience, have a look at a 1983 video of the Tony Powers song "Don't Nobody Move (This Is a Heist)," which first appeared in embryonic form on Home-Made. Finally, watch for Powers as Jimmy Two Times in this clip from the 1990 Scorsese mafia flick Goodfellas.

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It's time now for some things to look at: mostly album jackets -- with one small quilt thrown in for good measure. Enjoy....

Paul Mauriat Orchestra: Listen Too! (Philips, 1965) LP [detail]

Art: Steff Lienwohl