Sound advice

The Willie Myette Trio, Hosehead, and more

by Michael Caito

Willie Myette

In rounding up more recent releases, from halls to cinemas, it seems that we haven't discussed parameters lately. Despite precious space limits, here goes, for those who may have tuned in recently.

This space previews and reviews recordings and occasionally live performances, with a majority reserved for those locally based. Players, if there's an important gig coming up and you only have a rough or demo to submit, that's fine as long as you mention it. We need to receive things the Friday before the Thursday issue. If it's Monday you're probably S.O.L.

As much of a time-consumer as it may be, nothing grabs interest as quickly as a handwritten letter. Those get read end to end, and while bulk mailing may limit this in most cases, scribblings should be made whenever you think it best. It's guaranteed that if we get recordings we'll listen, though guaranteeing ink is impossible. The CD is now, for better or worse, well within the budgets of many due to technological advances. Thus the quality and sheer volume of releases sometimes seem inversely proportional. Today's CD is practically '89's business card, which is very odd. That does not mean calling or e-mailing at mec484@yahoo. com isn't encouraged, as a reminder to see whether it got here. Deal.

If you have a Website, mention it. Our online version, through intrepid work by the Web admin cats, has live direct links and stories are archived for a year. We check sites. Personal disclaimer: copyright your content. While we're talking protocol, I've witnessed many scrapes involving bands mass-copying e-mail lists from other bands, sending them out as their own then denying it, weasel-like, when busted. There are ways to hide recipients of e-mail lists, just as there are ways to make hard drives spin so fast that they melt (heh-heh). Ask. For those who have read this before, patience appreciated.

Willie Myette Trio: . . . this is jazz (Jazzkids records 9-song CD; www. jazzkids.com)

Back in my East Side days, I enjoyed submariner visits to the PBC where Tish Adams sang frequently with pianist Myette. Zipped in and out, the happier for having heard the always-stylish Adams over Myette's keys. On his debut the founder of the Jazzkids educational program (and Berklee grad) is on his own in a trio, and the style remains.

Drummer Jack Menna is usually fantastic, and on . . . this is jazz he's on point, joining Myette and bassist Mark Carlsen in an energized romp through the pages of Myette's book o' standards. Most happenin' tracks include the opening "If I Should Lose You" and "Be My Love." Recorded live, with production help from Bill Harley and engineering by jazz vet Peter Kontrimas, the energy is high throughout, whether the trio swing through a ballad like "Little Girl Blue" or sizzle on the time-worn yet tricksy "Autumn Leaves." Affable without giving superfluous treatments, Myette at times seems to be playing catchup with the rhythm section, but never enough to trash the vibe. Herding in the youngsters from his Jazzkids program to sing Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom" at the end is cutesy, but it does underscore the seriousness of Myette's devotion to music education. Never a bad thing.

Various Artists: Go (Sony/Work 14-song motion picture soundtrack CD); The Matrix (Maverick 13-song motion picture soundtrack CD)

You'll probably end up having the mediocre No Doubt single from Go driven through your skull incessantly, but there are a few other noteworthy tracks, including Philip Steir's take on Steppenwolf's classic "Magic Carpet Ride," Fatboy Slim's "Gangster Tripping" and Jimmy Luxury & the Tommy Rome Orchestra's excellent "Cha Cha Cha." Forgettable donations from Goldo, Eagle-Eye Cherry and another Natalie imbroglio make this a definite renter. Conversely, the Matrix soundtrack is a faceful of noise from Ministry, Marilyn Manson, Prodigy, Rage, Rammstein, Deftones, Monster Magnet and more, and though most of these are re-released cuts, it's essential driving and/or headphones material for the rapidly-improving weather. Manson starts things off with a boom (hey I said he wasn't original, I didn't say he was terrible) on "Rock is Dead." Silent Bob favorites Rammstein are typically, Teutonically ominous/hilarious on "Du Hast," and Monster Magnet's "Look to Your Orb for the Warning" sears. Since The Matrix features Keanu Reeves (and despite Laurence Fishburne, who's generally decent), there is no way I will ever see this flick, but the soundtrack passes on crunch alone.

Hosehead: El Crapola (Poopypants Records 11-song CD; angelfire.com/biz/poopypantsrecords)

Read the above line again. Questions? Cumberland quartet get it all over themselves. Funny, loose hardcore/oi if you're in the mood, but the opening instrumental "Enter the Crapola" shows how good they could be if they kept both hands on their instruments instead of having an instrument in each hand. Harmless juvie rock works better with actual songs. "Fatty (Was a Prom Queen)" and "Greg's Swingin' Single Lifestyle" did make me laugh a little, but not like Gringo or Double Nuthins or One Ton Shotgun or LUV's or . . . .

STARS & BARS. Sony artists Dangerman are in town on Tuesday opening for Citizen King at the Met. So go, because you will hear more from this band, reminiscent of Fastball stuck down south. "Let's Make a Deal" kicks off a fine debut, and for more info hit www.dangermannyc. com. Sleeper o' the week. On Saturday night, if for some reason you stay in, there's a live Webcast from Stone Soup, where Atwater-Donnelly make an appearance, and Soup history with the Webcast.You need RealAudio Player which is free, and then go to http://www.soup.org/users/stonsoup/. (There is no "e" in "stone" in their URL.) Mike Bilow and Obert pere help run the tech end (Obert fils being too busy recovering from Fools Week), and Aubrey Atwater proves a multi-media triple threat with the release of her new book of poetry, Don't Bother the Phoebe, and a new recording Daily Growing: Aubrey Atwater Live In the Classroom. You will need to be connected to the RealAudio server that night . . . follow the links.

Benefit time Sunday for veteran and respected soundman Frank Davidson, who has worked with tons of area bands on his own and now for Soundstage Audio. The man some call "Grimace" has been brawling with a brain tumor of late and this show, featuring Itchy Fish, Paradox, the Threats, Rat Salad and Scoobie Snacks, will help defray medical costs. It's on Sunday at Big Daddy's from 5 p.m. till whenever. Donation is 10 bucks; call Dennis at Soundstage (751-0650) with questions. Good luck, Frank.

The Philharmonic brings in two guests, as conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya takes the podium on Saturday at Vets and greets Russian pianist Alexander Shtarkman for a Shostakovich concerto. Also on tap: Strauss' Death and Tranfiguration and Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony. Shtarkman will also give a Master Class at Brown's Grant Recital Hall (which seats 150) on Friday at 4 p.m. That's free and open to the public.