Real Gone Music artist: X - Under The Big Black Sun - New release review

I just received the newest release, Under The Big Black Sun from X. Of course if you're a fan of punk or alt. rock music you know that this excellent release came out originally in 1982. Bassist and vocalist John Doe and co conspirator Exene Cervenka led the way in the LA punk scene with guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer DJ Bonebreak. Opening with the Hungry Wolf, X establishes it trademark sound. Duet vocals, grinding rhythm guitar and firm drums. Motel Room In My Bed follows with Exene taking the lions share of the vocals and you can really see where even bands such as The Donna's got their influence. Riding With Mary is a solid rock track with confident drumming and solid guitar riffs. Come Back To Me is a mellow bluesy ballad with smooth vocals from Exene and sax work by Zoom. Title track, Under The Big Black Sun, is a really top notch pop rocker with edge. Because I Do cuts loose at warp speed, but keeping it simple is where it's at. Doe and Exene trade off on lead vocals and quick bursts of guitar occasionally break the rhythmic pace. Blue Spark has a contagious rhythm and trademark vocals. Very cool. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, a traditional folk blues track gets a Latin/island treatment and shows the band experimenting with different sounds. Excellent even by today's standards. Real Child Of Hell is a punk rock track with a solid rock base. Showing real musicianship in construction the band rips and you just hold on and enjoy. How I (Learned My Lesson) is probably one of the songs most closely associated with X's sound with Exene and John Doe trading vocals. Zoom keeps the solid rhythm on guitar but occasionally throws in a Ventures run and even takes a cool solo on this one. Excellent! Wrapping the original release is The Have Nots, a smooth paced heavy footed rocker. There are 6 bonus tracks on the release, starting with the "single" version of Riding With Mary. Pared down and tight it's an essential track. Having a little fun with Marty Robbins' El Paso, Exene does a lead in to a real ripper of a track followed by an instrumental version of Because I Do. These instrumental interludes really show the musical power of this band.  Universal Corner is a live cut recorded at the Country Club in Rosedale, Ca. in 1982. A rowdy rocker with loose slung guitar solos this track is cool. A single mix of Breathless led by Excene is a fast paced rocker with very simple construction and rockabilly guitar riffs.  Nice! Wrapping the release is a live recording of How I (Learned My Lesson) recorded in Detroit in 1982. This track is a great conclusion with electric flare. Zoom lays it out there more live than on studio cuts and it really is a fitting conclusion to a super release.


If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Bloodshot Records artist: Exene Cervenka - The Excitement of Maybe - New Release Review

I just received a copy of Exene Cervenka's new recording, "The Excitement of Maybe".
Many know Exene as a lead member and co-founder of the legendary Los Angeles punk rock band, X.

Following the formal breakup of X, a band she still performs with on occasion, Exene continued her transformation into a more formidable solo artist by continuing to write musically, releasing critically acclaimed solo albums (1989’s Old Wives’ Tale and 1990’s Running Scared), within the print medium through poetry and books, in spoken word performances, and as a visual artist. She has also been a member of the groups Auntie Christ, the Original Sinners and the Knitters.

In this, Exene's latest endeavor, she puts together a collection of songs about being in love, loves lost and forgetting love. “In the early sixties I heard great song after great song. Ray Price, The Shirelles, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Brenda Lee, Ray Charles. And almost all of them love songs. Sad ones, happy ones, funny ones, tragic ones. That’s what five year- old Exene figured out. But love, on the other hand, I can’t ever seem to figure out.”

Exene's newest endeavor runs the gamut of orchestral accompaniment, horn sections and pedal steel guitar. The simpler tunes like "Alone in Arizona" and "Long Time Ago" showcase the sensitivity of Exene's voice and writing capabilities. "I Wish It Would Stop Raining" has the haunting minor harmonies of an Appalachian folk song with fiddle accompaniment.

This is the continuation of a journey by a successful artist which if sure to add more followers to an already solid fan base.
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page (available in over 50 languages). I will not relay senseless nonsense. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here