Music
Music is one of my passions. You won't read about the top-name national acts (that you are already hearing on the radio, anyway) here, but you will read about people who are exceptional musicians and deserve your ear -- people who, if you're fortunate enough to catch them in a club or bar, might set you back five or ten dollars a head, or perhaps only the price of a beer, and where you might be only ten or twenty feet from the stage.
This is real music. This is what I like. (New -- added "Venues", below.) (Particularly if you're from outside of the Houston area and know someone who deserves mention, I'd appreciate an email or 'feedback' (on the forum page) to tell me about them and point me to more information.)
For now a listing of a few artists; most have active links below. I'll continue to add more detail and new artists, so come back once in a while! Musicians are listed in the order I've posted them or updated the posting... newest on top... these are not sorted by 'quality' or genre.
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The Best of Houston Music
Also see the Nuzilla Online Cafe link on the, well, *links* page for more great independent music.
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Hazmat Modine Blues... with a twist! I first heard these guys by accident on YouTube.Com, in a video originally played on Russian television. All I could think was *wow!*. Find their videos on YouTube here. Lost Fox Train is a harmonica solo that is incredible for its dexterity... and just when you think he can't play any more spectacularly, he starts *vocalizing* at the same time he's playing. Ho Lee Cow.
It's a rather unusual sound, with a pair of harmonicas, a tuba, a drummer, a saxophone, guitar(s), and the occasional "exotic" instrument. I tell you... it works, and works well. The band is New York City-based, and I sure hope to have a chance to hear them live sometime. I recommend the CD, available from their web site or at CDBaby. Wonderful, different, stylish, fun, compelling -- great music!
Stan and Paul Acoustic guitar singer/songwriter duo; they perform lots of comedy music, plus some more serious pieces. At their best, they are on a par with The Smothers Brothers. You can catch them from time to time in Houston; I highly recommend them for a fun evening of music. Songs like "Victoria (hasn't got any secrets)" and "National Bank of Dad" deserve to become classics. "Bangalore" may be the world's first commentary on outsourcing set to surfing music. "Fire Ants" and "Cereal Lover" are just plain lots of fun. (also look up Jen Rathbun and her cereal song!)
The Bad Plus Jazz. Wow. A piano (sometimes two), an acoustic bass, and drums... and three very talented young guys that make the kind of music you keep discovering something new in each time you listen. The only album of theirs I have so far is "Give", but I recommend it highly. Thanks to one of the papers in San Diego for the pointer (could have been the daily, could have been the weekly 'alternative' paper).
And the damndest part is, I swear my truck runs better when I've got a Bad Plus CD playing!
Tom Russell America's songwriter? I don't know how to describe what he does, but it's folk, it's western, it's Americana, it's a little bit of tex-mes, it's history (not all on the same song, thank goodness!) Tom sings about his life and loves, and about other lives that could be yours... or even if it would never be your life, you feel like you know that person when he's done singing. He's had a prolific career over the last 25 years or so... plays in Houston a few times a year at the Mucky Duck. See him if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed. He's written a song about the famous Houston lawyer Richard "Racehorse" Haynes; I was fortunate enough to be in the audience once when Haynes attended his first Tom Russell concert. That was pretty cool!
Carolyn Wonderland Incredible voice and musicianship. Austin-based, Houston native. I can't recommend her enough.
The Stone Coyotes (This family *rocks*)
Gary Seber Gary plays a unique style of guitar. Call it 'fingerstyle percussive' or something... you'll see him and go 'wow!' His style is mostly with both hands over the top of the neck of the guitar, and uses percussion (hitting) on the strings rather than strumming or picking. This means that he can play with eight or more fingers simultaneously, leading to very fast-paced, intricate compositions with lots of harmonics.
Smythe and Taylor (Folk) Lots of humor, lots of fun, but some really poignant and insightful songs as well. TC Smythe and Gary Taylor are really involved with Houston's independent music scene, and I very much appreciate the countless hours they've spent, often with little (if any) payback. (Oh -- Sandy and I liked Smythe and Taylor enough that we had them perform at our wedding. What a special thing that was, and not expensive, either. They also do house concerts... what fun!)
Little Charlie and the Nightcats (Blues. Damn fine music. Their song "I'll Take You Back" (live cut on Alligator Records' 30th Anniversary set) is incredible classic blues.)
Paul Brasch (Blues. Like sitting on a porch somewhere in Mississippi and having a few of the best bluesmen come by and play for a spell. Acoustic Delta blues that's as clear, clean, and contemporary as anything you'll find out there. His version of "By and By" is one of the most soulful tracks you'll ever hear -- palpably mournful. Available from time to time on Amazon.Com or Djangos.Com .) His CD is on the Burnside Records label; use the 'artist search' link and find lots of good music.
Jimmy Lee Smith (If you love blues and *ever* come across his CD, BUY IT!) The CD is "you keep saying you're leavin'... I'm Already Gone". It's all his own compositions. Him on electric guitar and vocals, a drummer, a bassist: essential, compelling, original. Brown Whiskey is in my list of ten blues tracks I'd have to have, if I could only pick ten. Note -- this is not "Jimmy Smith", a much more published bluesman.
Wendy Rich (St. Petersberg, Florida area) How can she not be better known? Native of Alvin, Texas, she started singing hard rock here; moved to St. Petersburg about 1990 and changed her style. Completely. And for the better. Yes....
Bluesy, Jazzy, sultry, sweet. Listening to some of her songs a week ago, I had somewhat of an epiphany. I'd thought I liked her for her voice and the lyrics of her songs. What I realize is that she -- or someone she works with -- is one hell of an *arranger*. Now, this is strange; I've never especially noticed the arranging or lack of arranging on a CD before. But listening to the instrumentation on her CDs made me appreciate just how good it could be.
"Fremont John" Ashton(Key West) Good folk. Plays in one of the bars there; well worth stopping in for a beer. Plays a mix of his compositions and covers, which is probably what you have to do if you play in a bar... but his work is excellent. He's got a great voice, fine guitar work, and is a wonderful storyteller. I bought two of his CDs when in Key West and am happy I did... now wish I'd gotten the other one, too!
Zwee (Watch the intro video at www.zweemusic.com -- it's one of the most compelling videos I've ever seen) Jazzish. Sax, drums, guitars, vocals, bass. An unlikely bunch, but "Tapioca" is awesome. Watch the video and see what I mean. They may be playing semi-regularly in Houston at a funky casual restaurant called St. Pete's Dancing Marlin. Worth a stop for the music, if not the food.
Monte Montgomery (Simply one of the best guitarists in the US today)
Druha Trava (Czech/Slovak band that occasionally tours in the US. Jazz/bluegrass/folk fusion) They've got some tour dates coming up, including September 21 in Houston at McGonigel's Mucky Duck. I'll do my best to be there with Sandy...will you join us?
Richard Shindell (Folk. New England area. Fantastic songwriter and balladeer. Iwannaseehimsobad!)
Venues
"The Duck" -- Mcgonigel's Mucky Duck, a small club with a great selection of beer and wine, plus good food. One of Houston's premier music venues, with live music every day of the week.