August 25, 2004 Music » Sit & Spin

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Rating: 1/2
--John Schacht

Rick Spreitzer
Dirt Tracks
www.rickspreitzer.com
A perfectly nice garden-variety roots record, Spreitzer's "Dirt Tracks" occupies the more staid-but-articulate, WNCW-end of Americana. Think Guy Clark, or RB Morris, and you're in the same ballpark -- though not quite the same league. In this genre, where story telling is as much of the draw as the music, separating yourself from the pack via lyrics or music is critical. Spreitzer doesn't -- but that doesn't make the record a failure, of course. (The one truly standout moment -- the little used full-choir sound that closes the record with a bang on "Good Medicine.") More varied instrumentation than on his 2002 Meanderthal is a welcome development, and additional accents from JD Wilson, Steven Carpenter, Mike Orlando (all credited on mandolin), Jill Lurie (harmony vocals) and Rodney Lanier (lap and pedal steel) add textural depth. But the record's strength is its Achilles' heel; it's the accents (particularly Lurie) that often threaten to steal the spotlight from Spreitzer and his songs. In the end, a push.

Rating: 1/2
--John Schacht

Simplified Act 1
www.simplifiedmusic.com
Truth in advertising here, as Simplified eschews the fancy for funky with an EP of seven songs mostly about the ladies. Chicks who "wiggle," chicks who "jiggle," chicks who giveth and chicks who taketh away. Not exactly N.O.W material, but it's safe to say that's not who's listening to this radio-friendly fare. Located musically somewhere between Semisonic, Sugar Ray and Sublime's island-tinged rhythms, there's no questioning the band's proficiency. They recently won the regionals in a national Battle of the Bands contest, and the EP comes with a radio edit of the projected single ("Picture Perfect"). At this early stage it's hard to see how Simplified will stand out from their peers -- but then that could be a plus for where they're headed.

Rating: 1/2
--John Schacht

Robin Rogers
Crazy Cryin' Blues
www.robinrogers.com
With pipes that give Bonnie Raitt a run for her money, Robin Rogers has been a blues staple in our neck of the woods for many years. Along with husband/guitarist Tony Rogers, she can do the duo thing or bring on a full-band blues assault. The latest chapter in the couple's journey is the musically solid, yet diverse new disc Crazy Cryin' Blues. The Jim Brock-produced record kicks off with the staple "Hesitation Blues" and doesn't let up till the last note is played. Rogers can be as effective crying in a mug of beer as she is belting out innuendo-laced hot blues. She brings in the harp when needed and the piano adds sweet icing on a couple of the tunes. The gospel-charged number "It's a Blessing" shows Rogers' range as she easily breaks from any blues constraints. Brock adds various percussion treatments and other musicians chime in with their own flourishes to help round out a consistent record.

Rating:
--Samir Shukla

Michael Reno Harrell
Grit & Wit
www.michaelreno.com
Harrell's Southern wit and storytelling are in fine form on this 2-disc live set recorded at the Evening Muse. On Grit & Wit, Harrell spins quaint tales of family picnics and "Southern Suggestions," while plucking the acoustic guitar and breaking into song when the mood suits him. He was a "professional songwriter in Nashville" for many years and now travels the countryside telling his tales and playing simple, yet nicely written tunes. It's all about the South and as Harrell tells it, "You don't have to be from the South to be a Southerner, you just gotta live here and like it." Harrell's countless gigs and travels bode well for his warm-hearted and funny stories. The peculiarities of being a Southerner obviously come naturally to this native son. The tale told in "Picnic" alone is worth plopping down bucks for this recording.

Rating: 1/2
--Samir Shukla

Creative Loafing periodically devotes Sit & Spin to local releases. We welcome any CD submissions for review from local musicians and bands -- the only caveat, it must be available for purchase for the general public. Please include artwork, as much information about the making of your record as you can, and where interested listeners might find it.

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