WET SOUNDS - TSUNAMI OF SOUND LIVE AT GARY SOHMERS POP CULTURE EXPO!

  It's a wild weekend at the Pop Culture Expo up at the Shriners' Auditorium in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Walking into the event on Saturday, May 24, attendees were treated to an instrumental onslaught as the Tsunami of Sound performed in a big tent at the entrance, the sonic vibrations echoing off of the building in the parking lot and reverberating through the atmosphere.  A very fun way to introduce the fans of pop culture to what was an extraordinary event.

     You knew something was up heading towards the exhibition facility known as the Aleppo Shriners Auditorium as tons of cars were parked on the street way before the entrance.  Upon entering the huge event center there were all sorts of characters from a fully-dressed Spiderman (of course) to a giant yellow robot creature from Transformers (obviously with a person inside working it) to a really huge person walking around as a Monty Python character.  Who knew that along with the thousands of CDs and vinyl albums and comic books and autographed posters there would be this carnival inside the carnival of people dressing up for the occasion?
__________________________________________________REVIEW
CD: WET SOUNDS
ARTIST: Tsunami of Sound

     Drenched in the reverb of guitarist Dave Esposito, the classic "Mr Moto" gets the whammy bar and lots of love and care opening up this dynamic and authentic perspective on instrumental surf rock.  The two minute and fifty-two second rendition of the Belairs classic - which originally clocked in at 2:09 on Surfside records - is splashier, echoey-er (is that a word? Well, it is now!!) and a tad more elaborate.  This New England based group (a quartet, though without Arlington's Bob Damiano they performed as a trio on Saturday and still had a big sound,) take their favorite surf rock classics and "wet them up" - adding lots and lots of reverb, thus the album title Wet Sounds - a take-off on the Beach Boys Pet Sounds.

Mr Moto by Tsunami of Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeNF4zD3W44

Listen to the original by the Belairs on Surfside records
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgHFxPGMg4M

    The articulate original, "Pearl Harbor, written by Esposito, fits in perfectly with the material the group embraces, drummer Rick Sanger keeping the back beat solid and grooving.  Sanger told Visual Radio on camera at the event that he wrote the third song, "Crystal Pier," on keyboards and brought it to the group, recording the CD at Damiano's studio in Arlington.  It starts with drums, of course, and has a Beatle-esque intro (say, "I Saw Her Standing There" rhythm guitar or countless other early Beatles' guitar musings - check out the Beatles here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrRUpvuBWQE )  before "Crystal Pier" regresses (or evolves) into the surf rock motif that is the ultimate goal here. At 3:47 it is the longest track on the disc.  Come to think of it, an instrumental of "I Saw Her Standing There" would be a nice addition to the group's repertoire.

   David Esposito's "Motor Oil" - a two minute and seven second exercise and pulse-pounding creative audio emissions goes on an adventure, experimenting with ideas in the context of a two minute romp, keying off of Aerosmith's "Same Old Song and Dance" riff.  The three originals sandwiched in between the covers, "Mr. Moto," "Spanish Flea" and "Wild Weekend." 

     "Spanish Flea" is a lot more Dick Dale than the light (and very famous) Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass rendition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxsOXOPni0o  off of Alpert's Greatest Hits album (a variation of the song was also the theme to The Dating Game TV show.)  This fluid and coherent rendition is the perfect warm-up to the rave-up "Wild Weekend" that follows.  A song that started out as a theme to a radio show, after the Rockin' Rebels brought it to the Top 40 it has become a surf-rock staple.  On Wet Sounds guitarist Esposito explores the nuances of the cavernous melody. Check out a couple of live versions by the band here:
  
Hear Tsunami of Sound perform "Wild Weekend"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VLflPuZnFE

Wild Weekend, Patriot Place, Foxboro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW9fePTD7eU   If you dig The Ventures, "Let's Dance" by Chris Montez, Dick Dale and the classic sound of the 60s, get it updated on this tour-de-force.  For fun, give a listen to both the Rockin' Rebels rendition:

"Wild Weekend" The Rockin' Rebels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVf144-Ccj4

as well as Roxy Music sax player Andy Mackay's  Wild Weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rplw3Szuu8

and the NRBQ version of "Wild Weekend" with lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orW-ZBYgTmg

_________________________________________________________

TSUNAMI OF SOUND
Jamie Huggins on bass
http://www.tsunamiofsound.com/jamie-huggins

David Esposito Guitar
http://www.tsunamiofsound.com/david-esposito

Rick Sanger on drums
http://www.tsunamiofsound.com/rick-sanger

Bob Damiano on guitar / keyboards / recording
http://www.tsunamiofsound.com/bob-damiano


SOME LIVE MUSIC FROM TSUNAMI OF SOUND

Tsunami of Sound live - "Penetration"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG3ddGPsVYQTsunami of Sound "Rawhide"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsVi1mcXIoA
___________________________________________________
Andy Mackay of Roxie Music Wild Weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rplw3Szuu8

NRBQ "Wild Weekend" with lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orW-ZBYgTmg

"Wild Weekend" The Rockin' Rebels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVf144-Ccj4

The following information is from YouTube off of a very cool site, Colorradio.com. Check out that page (link below) for lots of inside information:

The Rockin' Rebels career began when Buffalo, New York disc jockey Tom Shannon and his partner Phil Todaro wrote a theme song, "Wild Weekend," for Shannon's radio show. The song -- originally a vocal -- became a local favorite with his listening audience, and the light bulb went on over his head when he was deluged with requests for a copy of a record that doesn't exist. While hosting a record hop, Shannon was approached by a local high school band on the bill, the Rebels, named after Duane Eddy's backing group. The band asked Shannon if they could play an instrumental version of his theme song. Shannon hadn't thought of the tune as an instrumental, but after hearing the group's version of it, he quickly booked them into a studio. Released on Todaro and Shannon's own Marlee label in 1959, the record was a big hit regionally, kicking up enough noise to secure the band a spot on Dick Clark's Amercian Bandstand.  Read more here:
http://www.colorradio.com/rockinrebel...

PERTINENT OTHER MUSIC FOR AFICIONADOS:

The Routers  "Wild Weekend"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iZ9CqPNC5w

The Lively Ones - Surf Drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neqw-YlicY8


Telstar The Tornadoes 1962
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrEPzsx1gQ

A different group, the Tsunami Surfers performing "Mr. Moto"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy2BfhiAV9U


____________________________________________________________

GOLD DUST

Classic album sells for hundreds of dollars on the internet

The Couper Brothers / Gold Dust have renewed interest with their original Gold Dust vinyl going for megabucks on the web.   Scott Couper and his brother Jay Couper are putting the finishing touches on their  new CD - "Gold Dust - 29th Aniversery Deluxe Edition"  which features their first critically acclaimed 1986 album "Gold Dust" in its entirety, bonus studio tracks, rare live tracks and a bonus DVD with live performances, rehearsals and other fun stuff.

Three of those bonus tracks not on the original release are “Fear of the Unknown,” “Try Again,” and “You’ve Got A Lot To Learn.”  Here are reviews of those three “lost” songs re-mastered and ready to be unleashed upon the planet.

Fear of the Unknown
The Couper brothers, also known as Gold Dust, create simple songs with complex arrangements and straight-ahead themes.  “Fear of the Unknown” is a different direction where the riff borders on Rush-like attitude with a Leslie West’s Mountain undercurrent on the drums, Jay Couper doing a couple of nice Corky Laing-ish runs.  The two minutes and sixteen seconds don’t have keyboards of heavy production, as the duo has employed on some of its other material.  This is no-nonsense in your face, snarling guitar taking the listener down a dark path, the rabbit hole that takes one to the world where the sentinels crawled through the Matrix.  A nice song if the Wachowski brothers ever resurrect the series and do a Matrix IV.

Try Again
Guitarist Scott Couper is on vocals here on four minutes and two seconds of crunch rock.  Scott uses the Richard Nolan lecture lyric (with, perhaps, some Nolan influence on the singing style) as the guitars build a framework, a rhythm buzzing while the lead notes blitz like red hot meteors showering down.  Should help bring more attention to the earlier titles that were initially issued on the vinyl release.

You’ve Got a Lot To Learn
The three minutes and seven seconds of “You’ve Got A Lot To Learn” is about disagreement, circular guitars and a constant rhythm bolster the harmonies on this admonition not looking for a response.   The intentional low-fi production from these two excellent musicians is what is back in vogue in 2014, so the timing is perfect as vinyl collectors to go wild on this classic material.  Can’t wait to hear all the bonus stuff.
 Scott Couper writes out the sheet music to their compositions, and the guys spend countless hours honing the material.  Which is why there’s such a run on the first pressing making this impending reissue all the more exciting.

The guys showed up for the Original New England Compact Disc & Record Expo at the Dedham Holiday Inn earlier in 2014.  Maybe they'll be at the next one in September

Sept 14 Original N.E. Compcast Disc & Vinyl Record Expo
http://recordexpo.blogspot.com/


Record Expo September 14 2014  Twitter
https://twitter.com/CDrecordexpo

Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Record-Expo-The-Original-New-England-Compact-Disc-Record-Expo/124130514355260

Joe Vig's ongoing History of Boston Rock & Roll

Table of Contents

http://rocktableofcontents.blogspot.com/

REVIEW: Nelson Slater - from Steam Age Time Giant

  #1 on the Joe Vig Top 40
http://joevigtop40.blogspot.com/2014/05/top-40-may-2014.html

Hear the CD/LP here:
http://steamagetimegiant.bandcamp.com/album/steam-age-time-giant

  Nelson Slater's Steam Age Time Giant is a stunning collection of melodies and eclectic modern new-millennium-new-wave avant-garde underground rock.  Opening track "This Thing"  has a poignant as well as yearning lyric which borrows nicely from Elton John's 1973 masterpiece Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, specifically the gem "High Flying Bird."

Elton John's High Flying Bird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWv4CJ3jVQ4&feature=kp



       "Broken Hard" could be a major hit if reinterpreted for a young alternative rock band, maybe with some Ric Ocasek production.  The jazz/folk/punk on Steam Age Time Giant leaning more towards Yoko Ono's work with Ornette Coleman.
The ideas spring at you from north, south, east and west, over, under, sideways, down - Nelson has no shortage of imagery and audio reinvention.  "Slaves of the Modern Age" is exactly what the Velvet Underground should be doing in 2014, but Lou Reed's college pal, Nelson Slater, is doing it for them.   "Check Yourself" is another short, snappy and highly inventive escapade.  Just as Tommy James rarely copied himself, "Hanky Panky" so different from "Crimson & Clover" so different from "Three Times In Love" - like Bobby Hebb stretching chord patterns and realigning melodies so that "Sunny" sounds so different from "A Natural Man" which sounds so different from "Proud Soul Heritage" or "My Best Friend" - the brilliant composers keep seeking new frontiers.   "Check Yourself" borders on R & B with folk/punk undercurrents and fades away almost in mid-stream. 


      "Just a Taste" takes minimalist music to another world, the concept de-volving further with "Get Straight" - perhaps the long-awaited sequel to the Modern Lovers "I'm Straight"
I'm Straight - Jonathan Richman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_exvKnrK6g


  "Lonely Weekend" is not the lost weekend  nor is it Andy MacKay's In Search of Eddy Riff - it seems to be a cover of the great Charlie Rich's "Lonely Weekends."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mXyYTquXRc&feature=kp

A youthful Andy Mackay along with saxophone and cat stare out from the front cover of this compelling instrumental LP recorded between February of 1974 and June of 1975. Opening with a cool cover of "Wild Weekend," the Top Ten 1963 hit for the Rebels, this is fun stuff from the artsy realm of serious U.K. musicians. With less complexity than listeners have come to expect from Roxy Music alum, an innocent ballad like Skeeter Davis' "The End of the World" becomes transcendent by way of simple instrumentation -- Mackay's sax as the lead instrument, tasty guitars, and keys filling in nicely. There is a definite '60s feel to this album, perhaps a testimonial along with the reinterpretation of the four covers included in this mix of originals and traditional songs. Mackay's "Walking the Whippet" is like some rave amendment to the number one surf rock hit from 1962, "Telstar" by the Tornadoes. The back cover has what looks like a nuclear rocket tilted right with a sax shifting left against a cloudy background. The version of Motown's "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted" leans more towards Muzak than the experimentation one would expect from this Roxy crew. Former bandmate Eno along with his replacement in Roxy Music, Eddie Jobson, and the usual suspects, John Porter, Paul Thompson, even Deep Purple's Roger Glover, all conspire and bring inspiration to this highly listenable project. The arrangement of Schubert's "An Die Musik" changes the mood dramatically. Whatever fueled the Ferry/Eno split, the creative ideas of individual members of RM started spreading out over many solo discs at this point in time, from Phil Manzanera's Diamond Head to Eno and Ferry's multitudinous albums on their own. Guitarist Manzanera's disc sounds more like a test of Roxy's themes, a good supplement to the contributor's various facets, while here Andy Mackay just seems to be expressing himself and having fun. Released on the cusp of what the French would call thenouvelle vague, containing flavors of girl group instrumentation and other '60s musical references, there is a good balance between familiar songs -- The Beatles' "Long and Winding Road" and atmospheric pieces like "The Hour Before Dawn" or the album's high point, "Pyramid of Night (Past, Present and Future," both composed by Andy Mackay. The Mackay/Eno composition "Time Regained" is also worth noting. Good background party music that will keep your guests from leaving.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-search-of-eddie-riff-mw0000061308

1.	This Thing 03:28		download
	2.	Broken Hard 03:13		download
	3.	Slaves Of The Modern Age 02:31
	4.	Check Yourself 02:44
	5.	Cat Stu at Hal and Al's 03:11
	6.	I Dream You 03:15
	7.	Do You See 02:43
	8.	Just A Taste 02:05
	9.	Get Straight 04:38
	10.	Lonely Weekend 02:07
	11.	Panic 03:10
	12.	Complete The Story Now 03:00

about

Everything’s changed since 12/21/2012. For Nelson Slater, his current band STEAM-AGE TIME-GIANT, the world, our solar system and the future of human kind .If Nelson Slater can re-emerge from the obscurity that has cloaked him and his work for 30 years then we truly have proof that the impossible can happen. The appearance of the Death Asteroid that came to announce our doom was answered by the heroic and generous Meteor that showered wealth and hope down upon us. Embedded in the packaging and content of this new vinyl LP are keys to a survivable future for the human species. The listener follows songs through their winding path from future to past, from galaxy to neighborhood bar . And the suspicion arises that we may be witnessing the birth of a STAR. 

Mikey Wax
Self-titled CD
Review by Joe Viglione

    Mikey Wax’s eponymous sixth CD (by my estimate, from Wikipedia and http://www.mikeywax.com/ ) is the work of a seasoned writer/vocalist/keyboardist, issuing a dozen perfectly crafted songs – both musically and lyrically – embellished by top notch production from Scott Cash and Ed Cash.  With all the music invading my P.O. box this particular disc has remained in the players at home and in the car for a good week now, which is an indicator of its potential staying power.  

     The effervescent production and performance on the opener, "You Lift Me Up" - pave the way for an in the pocket collection of memorable pop songs,  all unique with a separate personality to each.  Cher could easily duet with Mikey on "You Lift Me Up," a throwback to her 1998 “Believe” phase that saturated the dance clubs,  superb guitars closing it out at around the 3:20 mark.  Things shift immediately sound-wise, from the dance hall of the opener to 70s-friendly pop radio on "Bottle Of Jack."  This is quite an amazing moment on the disc and worthy of attention.  Everything about it gets five stars, from his superb voice on the chorus to the distinctive words.  It is most clever lyrically as well as in its musical design.  Very, very nice.  In a perfect world it’s a big hit.

   "Only One," written by Mikey and Jonny Wax, is powerfully direct in its delivery, the definite  vocal with punctuation marks from the producers as found in The Supremes’ “Reflections” and “Love Child” (not comparing the songs, just noting the solid production.) It reminds this reviewer of the days of Paul Young - the voice of the early Paul Young recording in the new millennium, that is. Scott and Ed Cash's production is as dynamic as anything on Top 40 in the days of yore and its crisp voicing of each instrument complementing, not overpowering the singer. is a plus. 
   These compositions, all drenched in heavy romantic themes, offer something different musically cut after cut. The aim is definitely the market James Blunt conquered and with the strong hooks from "Hang On" to "Alive in New York City" and throughout, this new disc from Mikey has a very good chance of reaching that wider audience.    “Baby Don’t You Let Me Down” engages a bit of country pop, back when Olivia Newton John, Anne Murray and Kenny Rogers ruled the airwaves while “Let You Run” comes in with a driving groove and an accompaniment that resembles a modern-day “wall of sound,” a powerful ensemble that gets even bigger as it rolls on into “Alive in New York City.”  His voice is terrific here -  “Alive in NYC” written solely by Wax, the lingering guitar under the chorus adding textures to this key element of the dozen songs that comprise the CD, material that is chock full of romantic promise that every lover wants to hear.
     The piano on “The Calm” is taken straight out of Elton John’s “Grey Seal” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a trick Elton (lifting influences from here and there) employed most frequently.    Wax even appears to sing “no, I ain’t no Elton John” in the final track, “Last Great Song,” unless it’s a Lady Mondegreen – misheard lyric, though malapropisms don’t appear to be part of the formula at play here. The tune is blanketed by a warm, lush production surrounding the singer’s attractive vocal with the huge chorus reaching a crescendo.

     "Take Me Home" is another powerful melody that will stay in your head after you leave the car or wherever else you play CDs.  It evokes the ardent emotional attachment found in Paul Davis’ classic hit, “Cool Night” where he beckons “come on over….”   Following the concept up with “Walking on Air” is a smart segue, bringing into the new millennium the serious style that Davis, Stephen Bishop and Gino Vanelli added to Top 40.  “Walking on Air” may be my favorite track here, tight and exciting production gives Wax the opportunity to deliver the spot-on vocal which shimmers with exuberance.  An irresistible hook and excellent break that tugs you right back into the chorus. 

    “With the rooftop down/and the stars shining bright” gives the punch to what started out as Mikey Wax the balladeer on the opening to “Fall Back in Love.” It’s another song that seems to consciously be different structurally and melodically from all the other selections, though the theme remains undeniably romantic.   For those of us who couldn’t stand the insufferable Rick Astley and/or Michael McDonald’s ‘swallow your tongue while singing” routine, this artist’s delivery entertains and adds to the music, never getting in the way. If only Mikey Wax was around back then to sing on what became annoying radio; annoying due to the lack of a sincere voice, where the sensitivity of a Richard Marx was needed.  When Mikey wants to “take you on a date and start all over” you really believe him.

    Of the twelve tracks only one brings the four minute mark, the finale, "Last Great Song."  Co-written by Scott & Ed Cash and Mikey Wax, the piano ballad is driving me crazy in trying to place the 70s male vocalist who set a similar mood.  There’s a lot to absorb, and appreciate, on Mikey Wax the record, and it is hardly cliché to say there’s not a bad track here, because everything works together as a cohesive unit. It’s a bouquet of, as stated at the outset of this review, perfectly crafted pop music delivered with honesty and delivered in an entertaining and very appealing way.   



   Mikey Wax will appear on Visual Radio at 8 PM on Thursday, June 5, 2014    WinCAM - Winchester Community Television  and at The Middle East nightclub 1 PM on Sunday afternoon June 8th.

http://calendar.boston.com/cambridge_ma/events/show/370377053-mikey-wax

SPECIAL NOTE on VISUAL RADIO
Frank Dello Stritto discusses the film
Killers from  Space @ 8:45 PM  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047149/  

Best of Visual Radio cablecast last week:
http://medford.patch.com/groups/access-tv-producer-/p/debut-tonight-the-best-of-visual-radio--60-min...

Watch 29 minutes of the Best of Visual Radio here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5xPjot54Os

http://medford.patch.com/groups/access-tv-producer-/p/video-footage--30-minutes-of-the-best-of-visua...

COPYRIGHT (C)2014 Joe Viglione all rights reserved.

Nelson Slater's brilliant "Better" live plus review of Steam Age Time Giant

http://steamagetimegiant.bandcamp.com/album/steam-age-time-gianthttp://steamagetimegiant.bandcamp.com/album/steam-age-time-giant

	1.	This Thing 03:28		download
	2.	Broken Hard 03:13
	3.	Slaves Of The Modern Age 02:31
	4.	Check Yourself 02:44
	5.	Cat Stu at Hal and Al's 03:11
	6.	I Dream You 03:15
	7.	Do You See 02:43
	8.	Just A Taste 02:05
	9.	Get Straight 04:38
	10.	Lonely Weekend 02:07
	11.	Panic 03:10
	12.	Complete The Story Now 03:00

about

Everything’s changed since 12/21/2012. For Nelson Slater, his current band STEAM-AGE TIME-GIANT, the world, our solar system and the future of human kind .If Nelson Slater can re-emerge from the obscurity that has cloaked him and his work for 30 years then we truly have proof that the impossible can happen. The appearance of the Death Asteroid that came to announce our doom was answered by the heroic and generous Meteor that showered wealth and hope down upon us. Embedded in the packaging and content of this new vinyl LP are keys to a survivable future for the human species. The listener follows songs through their winding path from future to past, from galaxy to neighborhood bar . And the suspicion arises that we may be witnessing the birth of a STAR.

Studio creations, live blasts and tour favorites from their most recent hit parade. Production and design by Derwent, McAuley and Slater .

credits

released 13 March 2013

Published on May 1, 2012

Steam Age Time Giant performing "Better" at Used Kids Records, April 21 2012.
Nelson Slater - Keyboards, Vocals
Stu Sinn - Trumpet
Ryan McAuley - Sax
Dave Fricke - Guitar
Greg ? - Bass

Thanks to the wonderful staff at Used Kids, especially the wonderful young woman, whose name escapes me, who recorded this video for us.

Post Production by Ryan McAuley at Norwich Gardens Studio, Columbus, OH.

contact us at : steamagetimegiant@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9z4ndAQyd4