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I HEAR AMERICANA SINGING: There are dozens of excellent singer/songwriters out there who tap into some vein of what has been dubbed--for lack of a better term--Americana. Two of them will hit town this week for one special performance.
True story: One night a few weeks ago I was perusing my collection of seven-inches (that's vinyl singles, bub) and came across a band I hadn't listened to in a year or so. The band was Varnaline, a favorite of mine from a few years back, and I spent the rest of the night listening to its recorded output, wondering exactly what had happened to it after its record company, Zero Hour, had gone belly-up. The question was answered the very next night after I bought a copy of the new No Depression; there was a lengthy article touting a new Varnaline album, Songs in a Northern Key, as the band's best. It seems that Steve Earle was a Varnaline fan, too, and he rescued the band from its label woes by releasing the new disc on his E-Squared imprint (a division of Artemis Records). After finally getting my hands on a copy of Songs, I can attest that it sounds just like all the other Varnaline records I own, and that is a good thing. The band is led by Anders Parker, who writes the songs, sings 'em, and plays guitar on them. The formula is basically this: The acoustic songs are gentle and delicate, if slightly rough-hewn, while the rockers are deceptively dense in contrast, accentuated by an ever-present layer of fuzz over the top of it all. But the real focus of both varieties is the gorgeous melodies Parker writes, which already seem etched in the mind as they unfold before you. Parker has been compared to Neil Young in the past, but that's only because there's really no one else to compare him to. Tucson audiences have become familiar with singer/songwriter Richard Buckner from his extended visits to town over the last several years. Buckner is still touring on the strength of one of last year's most interestingly ambitious albums, Hill (Overcoat), recorded in Tucson at Wavelab, and featuring Calexico as accompanists. Because he's widely acknowledged as one of Americana's most gifted lyricists, many questioned why Buckner would work with existing material--as opposed to writing his own--which is exactly what he did on that album. Hill takes The Spoon River Anthology, Edgar Lee Masters' book of poems focusing on a variety of dead townsfolk in the fictional Illinois town of Spoon River and the way their lives were interwoven, and sets several of the tales to music. The album is comprised of one long track (that is, no ability to cue individual songs), which weaves seamlessly from tale to tale, with short instrumental interludes separating some of the songs. The result is sublime, a melancholic song cycle well suited to Buckner's voice, which recalls a huskier and more emotive Randy Travis, and the world-weary melodies he's written suit the tone of the material to a tee. Richard Buckner and Anders Parker of Varnaline perform at 9 p.m. on Sunday, September 9 at Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave. Admission is $8. For more information call 884-0874.
In case you missed the episode, the band competed against two others, a trainwreck of a band from Las Vegas called Venus NV and Dog Voices, a pack of New Jersey mooks whose idea of humor was to have a gopher plushie on stage with them (ha ha, get it?). All I can say is this, folks: The fix was in and it was in big. Our beloved Eastern European heroes were put through the wringer by not only big-haired, harebrained "celebrity" judge Sebastian Bach, but by the mysteriously anonymous "man in the booth" who was the judge for the third and final round. I don't want to spoil it completely because you'll get the chance to witness the events unfold for yourself when the band replays the broadcast as part of its extravaganza performance this week. The show will also feature a piñata bash, a Sebastian Bach look-alike contest, a free victory toast, and a very special surprise guest (whose last name may or may not rhyme with "cock"). Oh yeah, and the ZZs will be playing a slew of cover tunes for your listening (dis)pleasure, too. Witness the mayhem as The Zsa Zsas, along with special guests Bebe and Serge, set up shop at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 7 at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Advance tickets are available for $8 at Zia Records, and you can call 798-3333 for further details.
David Rose performs at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 7 at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. Tickets cost $10 at the door, $8 for students and seniors. For more information log onto www. daveguitar.com.
Last time I checked the UA was still a dry campus, so Robinson and Co. should be pleased with their choice of venue this time around as The Black Crowes, with special guests Beachwood Sparks, perform at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12 at Centennial Hall. Advance tickets are available at the Centennial Hall Box Office, by phone at 621-3341, or online at uapresents.arizona.edu.
Asylum Street Spankers perform at 9 p.m. on Friday, September 7 at Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave. Admission is $10, and you can direct all calls to 884-0874.
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum performs with Tucson noiseniks Cortex Bomb at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11 at Solar Culture, 31 E. Toole Ave. Cover is $5, and that number again is 884-0874.
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