Last week your columnist had the pleasure of trekking to Dallas (bleh!) and dropping by Bass Propulsion Laboratories, home of exceptional producers Todd and Toby Pipes (John Price, Hi-Fi Drowning, Collin Herring), where Locke is putting the finishing touches on his band’s still-unnamed full-length, due out this spring. With adventurous washes of sound and beats that Locke calls “crisco” (as in “country” and “disco”), the new Calhoun sound had the singer-songwriter a little worried about whether he could easily reproduce the music in a live setting. The answer: Let’s just say there’s a whole lotta rehearsin’ goin’ on. For Calhoun’s show Saturday at the Aardvark (2905 W. Berry St., 817-926-7814), pray you get a sample of what may be the best guitar-based rock record to come out of the Metroplex, in, well, eons. (I shit you not.) With Johnny Goudie, Rebecca Creek, and JJ & The Rogues.
… Congratulations to former Fort Worth resident Delbert McClinton who picked up a Grammy last week for Contemporary Blues Album of the year, Cost of Living. In a genre that most musicians approach as a precious museum artifact that is beyond dusting up and polishing, McClinton proves that with a touch of country, a soupçon of rock, and a whole lot of indefinable and unique personality, the blues can still retain its sonic DNA and do what it’s supposed to – provide a serious catharsis for listeners (while maybe inspiring them to shake their booties).
… While we’re on the subject of home-grown heroes, allow HearSay to cut really close to the heart and tell y’all about a c.d. release show happening Friday at MacHenry’s (7618 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817-377-0202). Country-ish singer-songwriter Jeff Prince – fellow Weekly employee, Cubicleland neighbor, and all-around nice guy – is celebrating his recent full-length, Hey, Love! (reviewed in this paper, Jan. 4, 2006). With a big, powerful voice and fleet fingers, Prince could easily, as they say, quit his day job. Note: Contrary to what the club has been saying, there is no cover charge. … Speaking of c.d. release shows this Friday, if your tastes run more toward groovy-glammy-and-punk-ish indie rock, do not miss the cut*off at the Wreck Room (3208 W. 7th St., 817-348-8303). Talk about kick-ass records: The band’s Rorschach e.p. is phenomenal. Visit www.myspace.com/thecutoff.
… Back on its old location on Throckmorton Street, the Black Dog Tavern made its name as the place to be on Sunday nights, when the club hosted a jazz jam. Now in its new location near the Cultural District (2933 Crockett St., 817-322-8190), the Dog will continue showcasing free-swingin’ jazz on the Lord’s Day, but the first Sunday of every month, from 4 to 7:30 p.m, will belong to the Jazz Monsters, a bona fide big-band jazz orchestra in the likeness of Duke Ellington’s and Benny Goodman’s. Where the hell they’re gonna set up is another question. The show is free. Check out www.jazzmonsters.com.
Contact HearSay at hearsay@fwweekly.com.
