From Nashville to Brooklyn

Tony Peyser
Mirror contributing writer
  
   Tonight’s Top Story by singer-songwriter Jason White is an especially adroit pop album. “Trust Fund Junkie” is about a knucklehead rich kid on drugs who you should hate but can’t. White recently performed at a songwriter showcase in Nashville where he lives. When he played “Trust Fund Junkie,” my friend Kim Webber said cooks came out of the kitchen to hear how it ended. It’s that great a song. The wistful and melancholy “Woman Of The World” further demonstrates White’s melodic and storytelling gifts.
   On It’s The Sound, L.A. power popster Tracy Spuehler’s lyrics navigate through various stages of love: missing it, trying to hold onto it and kissing it goodbye. “Keep Your Coat On” threads this thematic needle even more deftly as she admits to someone she’s attracted to that she still has feelings for someone else. I don’t know how Spuehler does it but she makes these lines —- “You better be safe or you’re gonna be sorry” — sound like a pop symphony with Brian Wilson smiling in the front row.
   When “Dust To Dust Blues” started blasting from my CD player, my head spun around so fast I might still need to see a chiropractor. This track on Delilah by JT & The Clouds is a loose-limbed stomper, equal parts Jerry Garcia and Lowell George. It’s folky roots rock with soul. Singer, songwriter and lead vocalist Jeremy Lindsay has left The Bay Area for The Windy City. Judging by his debut album with this new band, the move was an excellent idea.
   “That’s It” bursts out of the starting gate like a thoroughbred ready to score a Kentucky Derby upset. It’s from Goin’ Down South, the third CD by Atlanta-based blues band Delta Moon. This is as intoxicating as a first sip of Southern Comfort. Their mix of acoustic and electric slide guitar gets a boost from Gina Leigh’s Bonnie Raitt-style vocals, which she struts big time on “I Want To Go.” The slow groove of “Night-clubbing” (a David Bowie song) shows Delta Moon can cover material as well as write their own.
   The Damnwells can definitely rock but there’s also a low-key, dreamy side to these Brooklyn boys. I was smitten with the sly “I Will Keep The Bad Things From You.” It’s a kicked-back, slightly whacked but sincere love song: “I will feed you fries with steak sauce/I will keep the price below cost.” On Bastards Of The Beat, The Damnwells mean well and do well.
   Amazon has Tonight’s Top Story for $16.98. Miles Of Music has It’s The Sound for $12.99 and Bastards Of The Beat for $11.98. CDBaby has Goin’ Down South for $14.99 and Delilah for $12.97.
   * On August 5, The Damnwells play The Troubadour and Janis Ian’s at the Santa Monica Pier with Richie Havens. On August 6, Dave Alvin and Amy Farris play The Troubadour. On August 10, Tracy Spuehler’s at The Hotel Café.
   * The Goofy Band Name Of The Week is … Rebel Without A Cosby.