Murder Ballad Ball

Show recap: Murder Ballad Ball 5 - The Verdict

(Photo by Sondra Freeman)
 
Another Murder Ballad Ball has come and gone, leaving a ghostly smile playing about the lips of those who attended that will be a source of puzzlement well in the coming week to those we come in contact who didn't attend.
 
Saturday night, The Verdict, was seven hours of music by some of Kansas City's best musicians performing at The Living Room Theater. The music got started at 6:00 with A.J. Gaither doing a one-man set playing his homemade cigar box guitars and a kick bass, doing mostly original material, except that gospel number he snuck in there because hey, the crucifixion is the most famous murder of 'em all, right?
 
Next up was perennial KC bluegrass favorite Loaded Goat, romping through a five-song set that had the crowd that was starting to trickle in and fill up the place on their feet and dancing from the first notes of “John Hardy” to the final notes of “Six Feet Down.”
 
Next up was David George and cellist Christine Gross doing a stripped-down six-song set of Crooked Mile tunes that had the crowd that was ready to ride off and rob the Glendale Train with Loaded Goat a few minutes before paying rapt attention so as not to miss any of his subtle turns of songwriting phrase.
 
The fourth act of the night was Damon Parker who did a solo-set—just him and his electric piano—reminiscent of Dr. John and New Orleans. His rendition of “Seven Spanish Angels” gave me goosebumps, and the strains of “Night Train” hung in the room long after he had left the stage and the next act was setting up.
 
Mikal Shapiro put together an all-star ensemble for her set, with the one-and-only Betse Ellis on bass, Amy Farrand on drums, and Chad Brothers on lead guitar. Her set opened with a version of “You Are My Sunshine” that my Nana never sang to me, moved into her original song “Technicolor,” followed by “Dublin Reds,”(her interpretation of Townes Van Zant's “Dublin Blues”) and they finished their set with the timeless Leonard Cohen classic “The Future.” Here's hoping we see more of this project in the new year—these musicians just jell when they come together. Each and every one of them is absolutely fabulous in their own right, but never has the phrase “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” been more fitting.
 
 
Anthony Ladesich—Kansas City's answer to Steve Earle—was up next, and he played seven original songs, each one a narrative, and each one a true murder ballad. His set started with “To Vanish and Fade,” a haunting tale of a man who kills the banker who comes to foreclose on his home, then segued into the even more haunting “Down Bellfontaine,” about a serial killer stalking and murdering his first victim. The tune that stuck in my head was “In the Cut”: “we'll get in quick and get out quicker, we'll get high when we get done” about two guys who rob a liquor store, but it's a double cross, and one of them kills the other one—but he got high when he got done.
 
Kasey Rausch, who never disappoints, delivered a knock-out set with alternating supporting musicians. Her first song was “I Used to Love Her,” sang with her sister Kim Rausch McLaws; the sisters delivered some of the tightest harmonies you'll ever hear this side of the Ryman. She finished her set with the Rural Grit All-Stars doing another superb rendition of “Seven Spanish Angels.”
 
The Rural Grit All-Stars have been holding the fans of roots music in thrall for years. I worked for Roger Naber at the Grand Emporium when the Rural Grit Happy Hour got started, and when the news spread through the music community that he had sold the bar, the most common question I got was, “What's going to happen to Rural Grit?” (It has had a couple of homes since then, but it's still going strong, Monday nights from 6:00-9:00 at The Brick, and the cover is still only three bucks.) The All Stars performed their own set, and its various members performed with other acts throughout the night, especially Betse Ellis. She was, without a doubt, on the stage more than anyone else. It seemed like she played with more acts than she didn't; this is not a complaint, it is simply an observation, smug and self-satisfied in a my-town-is-better-than-your-town-for-live-music sort of way.
 
 
The Silver Maggies are always great, and always loud, and Saturday night was no exception. They brought their “A” game to the Ball and crushed it with a wall of sound.
 
 
The Philistines were the penultimate act, kicking their set off with the original number “Stygia,” then following it with a few covers, the first one ‘80s college-rock classic by Adam & The Ants, “Killer in the Home.” That was followed by Neil Young's “Revolution Blues.” Cody Wyoming and Kimberly Queen, the couple that makes up the beating heart of The Philistines, are huge fans of ‘80s college rock, and they went back to that well for “Killing and Arab” by The Cure, and finished the set with “Para” by Calexico.
 
 
Since Murder Ballad Ball is the brainchild of Cadillac Flambe (pictured above) frontman Kristopher Bruders, they took the stage last and played until closing time, holding the rapt attention of the die-hards who were still hanging in there at 12:30. Once they got the technical issues with the piano resolved, they blew the roof off the joint. Havilah Bruders has a voice so powerful it can make the hair on the back of your neck stand up when she belts out a murder ballad, and no drummer has ever had more fun with a kit than Michael Payne, but bassist Dave Duly gives him a run for his money. For all intents and purposes, when they're playing, the Cadillac Flambe rhythm section is like kids at recess.
  
Much appreciation to The Living Room Theater for the use of the space and to their staff for putting up with a bunch of rowdy music fans, to the tireless efforts of both Rhonda Lyne and Sondra Freeman who work non-stop to make sure every Midwest Music Foundation event comes together seamlessly, to all the vendors who donated items for the raffles and silent auction, and to the talent for showing up and entertaining us and bringing us together for such a good cause...the health and well being of Kansas City musicians. As I like to say, before the country had Obamacare, KC's musicians had Abby Care.
 
--Tammy Booth
  
Tammy (AKA Blue Girl) also blogs for They Gave Us A Republic and Show Me Progress.
 

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December 08, 2013    

Artists on Trial: Cody Wyoming

(Photo by Todd Zimmer, at 2011's Murder Ballad Ball)

 

This week we’ll be featuring some of the artists playing at Murder Ballad Ball, this Saturday, December 8, at Davey’s Uptown. This will be the fourth annual Murder Ballad Ball, and benefits Midwest Music Foundation.
 
One of Kansas City’s most versatile performers is Cody Wyoming. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, a vocalist, an actor, a director… basically, a performer who’s had his hand in a number of local projects that have seen great success (Exile on Main Street, The Wall, A Bucket of Blood, and several others). He is again involved in this year’s Murder Ballad Ball, and we learn a bit more about him here.
 
The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Cody Wyoming: I play good music.
 
The Deli: Tell us a bit about the projects you’re involved in.
 
CW: I've been working as a sideman and multi-instrumentalist for Tiny Horse and David George and A Crooked Mile. I have also started a new band of my own called Sugar Skulls who you will likely see in early 2013.
 
The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?

CW: Seeing shows, buying records, and telling everyone you know about how much better local music is here in KC than damn near anywhere else.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?
 
CW: It’s a looooong list. And I’ll try to keep it to people I don’t play with: David Regnier, Amy Farrand, Mike Stover, Betse Ellis, Federation of Horsepower, The Big Iron, Mr. Marcos V7, Clairaudients. And everyone that I'm lucky enough to play with, and I'm lucky for that to be a lot of people.
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to the most at Murder Ballad Ball this year?
 
CW: Something always surprises me, and usually it's Mark Smeltzer. Is he playing this year? (Smeltzer will be performing with the Rural Grit All-Stars)
 
The Deli: Tell us a bit about what songs you’re playing for the occasion.
 
CW: I'm playing a few that I wrote and some old favorites. This year I tried to find new instruments and different arrangements than I usually use. I tried to choose songs that fit.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

CW: Keith Richards, Mike Nesmith, The Clash.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?

CW: Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Cheap Trick.
 
Wyoming will take the stage at 8:00 on Saturday. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm at Davey’s. There will be stages on the bar side and on the venue side; Wyoming will be performing on the venue side. Facebook event here. Below is Wyoming's performance of "Stagger Lee," which he played at 2009's Murder Ballad Ball.
 

--Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor of The Deli Magazine - Kansas City and plays drums in Deco Auto, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, and drums/bass in Dolls on Fire. She memorizes phone numbers, dates, and license plate numbers, but not on purpose.

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December 07, 2012    

Album review: Victor & Penny - Side By Side

(Photo by Todd Zimmer, at opening of Prairie Logic)

This week we’ll be featuring some of the artists playing at Murder Ballad Ball, this Saturday, December 8, at Davey’s Uptown. This will be the fourth annual Murder Ballad Ball, and benefits Midwest Music Foundation.

While mild thus far, winter is coming to Kansas City. But ‘lo, just in time for the holidays, the city’s favorite Antique Pop duo, Victor & Penny, dumps a treasure trove of cheery music along with deft guitar and lovely ukulele playing to warm cold and possibly bitter hearts.

Victor & Penny are back with more poppy pleasures and meandering melodies. Chalk full of twee goodness and charming renditions of old standards and a pleasing original, Side By Side: Songs for Kids of All Ages, is the second album for the merry twosome, which is made up of Jeff Freling and Erin McGrane.

Side By Side is truly a team effort comprised of not only the dynamic duo and other area musicians—including Kyle Dahlquist, Larry Garrett, Christian Hankel, James Isaac, Nate Hofer, Rick Willoughby—but also the band’s fans.  About 130 backers contributed to Victor & Penny’s Kickstarter campaign this fall to help push the album through the final stages of production.

I recommend putting on this album if you’re feeling blue. It is clear Freling and McGrane enjoy what they are doing and the feeling is contagious. The pair leads you through a pleasant journey kicking the tour off with simple and sprightly rendition of “A Smile Will Go a Long, Long Way.” I’ve heard various versions of this song, but I am supremely attracted to how Freling and McGrane arrange and perform it because of the uncomplicatedness.  

The second track, “Stomp, Stomp,” is certain to get people dancing, or at least chair dancing. It’s a little more of a laid-back cover in comparison to the original, but toe tapping all the same. Though his backing is great throughout the entire album, the use of Rick Willoughby on upright bass is especially helpful in this song.

“Slow Poke,” the third track, takes a trip on a winding road in the country. The blend of the old guitar and ukulele is especially nice on this track.

A cover of the Star Wars’ “Cantina Band” song shakes off the slowness. The reimagining of the song is very well done. I can’t help but think of the Star Wars scene set in the 1920s in a speakeasy during Prohibition. With contributions of Nate Hofer on lap steel guitar and James Isaac playing clarinet, this song is brilliant.

“Pork and Beans” is pretty much a song any kid should adore. The hook and chorus comes alive with the use of the Victor & Penny Pork and Beans Men’s Chorus, which is made up of Dahlquist, Hankel, Willoughby and Freling.

McGrane and Freling contribute an original song to the mix with “The Cat, She Played Piano.” The track has a slightly darker tone and sound to it in comparison to the other songs on the album, but delightfully dreary.  

The LP finishes off with a few more standards including “The Sheik of Araby” and “Up a Lazy River.” To sum up the journey, Freling and McGrane play the album’s title track “Side By Side.”

Victor & Penny met the goal of making an album people of all ages can appreciate.  In short, Side By Side is a great mix of songs that an entire family can enjoy. This album should be a go-to when you need a break from the all-holiday-music-all-the-time radio stations, which can make you wish you got that Red Ryder BB Gun so you could shoot your own eye out. It’s a family friendly and enchanting album!

Victor & Penny will be performing at 9:00 pm on Saturday at Murder Ballad Ball. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm at Davey’s. There will be stages on the bar side and on the venue side; the band will be performing on the bar side. Facebook event here.
 

 

 

--Alicia Houston

 

 

Alicia Houston eats toast, drinks coffee and drives a car. Her view on the Oxford comma continually is up for debate. When she’s had a few beers, Alicia impersonates Katherine Hepburn. She has been writing since she was five and listening to music since she was born. She has a tattoo of a gray unicorn. The unicorn gives her advice and daily affirmations.

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December 06, 2012    

Artists on Trial: The Silver Maggies

(Photo by Todd Zimmer) 

This week we’ll be featuring some of the artists playing at Murder Ballad Ball, this Saturday, December 8, at Davey’s Uptown. This will be the fourth annual Murder Ballad Ball, and benefits Midwest Music Foundation.
 
The Silver Maggies are no stranger to murder ballads, having performed in Murder Ballad Balls of the past. The 5-piece group plays its own brand of dark Americana that lends itself to the music that will be presented on Saturday. We talk with guitarist Patrick Deveny (also owner of Jaykco Guitar Straps) a little more about the band and what we can expect this weekend.
 
The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Patrick Deveny: High Desert Gothic Country Noir.
 
The Deli: Let’s talk about what you have coming up. What can we expect?
 
PD: Our debut full-length is mixed. Should be released in February or March at the latest.
 
The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?

PD: Going to see shows. Purchasing recorded music.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?
 
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to the most at Murder Ballad Ball this year?
 
PD: Finally getting to see Victor and Penny.
 
The Deli: Tell us a bit about what songs you’re playing for the occasion.
 
PD:  Terrence and I have an affinity for murder ballads. We will actually not be playing all of the ones that we and the band know. From my side we will be covering a song from about ‘58 or so called, “It’s Nothing To Me,” written by the great Leon Payne. It’s a great example of hard honky tonk. Boy meets girl in a bar, girl’s boyfriend kills boy in that bar.
 
My song, “It All Went South” is about the first murder my cowboy killer commits. It blends well thematically and musically with a Lee Hazlewood song we like to do called “Summer Wine.” Amy Farrand will sing the verses on the Hazlewood song this year, giving it a twist.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

PD: Beachwood Sparks, John Doe, Neal Casal, Calexico, Neko Case.
 
The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?
 
PD: In the practice space with the band would be my preferred, but onstage if I had to choose.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

PD: Carl Perkins: Of the famous Sun guys he was the only one that did it all: wrote great songs, sang well, and was a virtuoso player. The others were 2 outta 3, or in Elvis’s case, 1 outta 3.
 
Buck Owens and Don Rich: Great, straightforward pop songs that had meaning in a country style. Both were KILLER guitar players as well; Buck was a session player for years before his singing career took off.
EmmyLou Harris: A great voice, an artist with a vision that has made great, daring records when most others are trying to cash in. Also she is THE STANDARD by which all female harmony vocals are judged.
 
Hendrix: Versatile, world changing.
Merl Travis: One of the greatest guitar players that has ever lived. Great singer and somngwriter.
Johnny Cash.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?


The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?

PD:Watch out for our bass player. He’s shifty.
 
The Silver Maggies are:
Patrick Deveny
Terrence Moore
Jonathan Knecht
Felix Dukes
Steve Tubbert
(often with a host of guest performers)
 
The Silver Maggies are slated to continue the evening in a raucous fashion, performing around midnight on Saturday. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm at Davey’s. There will be stages on the bar side and on the venue side; the band will be performing on the bar side. Facebook event here.
 

--Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor of The Deli Magazine - Kansas City and plays drums in Deco Auto, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, and drums/bass in Dolls on Fire. She owns a paisley Jaykco strap but needs a new one because her puppy thought it'd be cool to chew on it for awhile.

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December 06, 2012    

Artists on Trial: Tony Ladesich

(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
 
This week we’ll be featuring some of the artists playing at Murder Ballad Ball, this Saturday, December 8, at Davey’s Uptown. This will be the fourth annual Murder Ballad Ball, and benefits Midwest Music Foundation.
 
If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about writing a good murder ballad, it’s Tony Ladesich. He’s penned songs and has written films about them. This year’s ball will feature his short film Two Sisters before his performance with The Secret Liquor Cure. We talk a bit with the filmmaker and former frontman of Pendergast and Sandoval about music and what’s coming up.
 
The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Tony Ladesich: Sad.
 
The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?

TL: For me, supporting live music is trying to collaborate with bands and people that I love to create compelling videos and films with, using their music and/or about them. As I get older I personally don't get to go out as much as I used to, but I think it’s important to continue to foster a love for the live environment. Also, it means using Jaykco straps and Scarlett amps and JHS pedals—supporting the people that are making their living with musical products. And it’s easy, because those three companies are amazing. 
 
Also, if you want to know what it really means to support local music, ask Sondra Freeman, Rhonda Lyne, Chris Haghirian, Michael Byars, and Sherman Breneman. The list could go on. All these people could teach a master’s class in it and honestly put most of us to shame. Me especially. 
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?
 
TL:  Mark Smeltzer, Betse Ellis, Kasey Rausch, Mikal Shapiro, Beau Bledsoe, Victor & Penny, Dollar Fox, Kyle Dahlquist, Ben Ruth. Still love In The Pines... and I think that Tiny Horse has come into their own in a way that blows my mind. Abby (Henderson) is singing with a delicate delivery that suits her voice so well, and Chris Meck is flat out as good as anyone anywhere. Also love The Silver Maggies. They have become a really, really cool band.
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to the most at Murder Ballad Ball this year?
 
 
The Deli: Tell us a bit about what songs you’re playing for the occasion.
 
TL: We are doing five tunes that I wrote, all murder ballads obviously, from different time periods in my songwriting. Also, we are doing “Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

TL: The Low Anthem is my favorite band hands down right now and have been for a couple years. Also love The Hold Steady!, and Craig Finn put out an amazing solo record. Mavis Staples... Buddy Miller ALWAYS. 
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?

TL: I’m not worthy in any way to be on my dream bill, so here it goes. Triple bill: Sticky Fingers-era Stones, Tonight’s The Night-era Neil Young with The Band (Brown Album era) and early Faces. I would happily sweep up the floor of the arena after the gig and/or tune guitars and pour drinks for the bands.
 
The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?
 
TL: Behind a camera and on stage.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

TL: Neil Young (1973), Bob Dylan (1965), Levon Helm, Louis Armstrong. All reasons should be totally obvious.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?


The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?

TL: (in British accent) Have a good time... all the time.
 
Ladesich will be performing with a cast of fine local musicians as The Secret Liquor Cure:
Kyle Dahlquist – accordion, pedal steel
Sam Platt – drums
Ben Ruth – bass
 

Ladesich’s film (which includes several Kansas City musicians) Two Sisters is slated to begin at 10:00 pm on Saturday, followed by The Secret Liquor Cure’s performance. The event kicks off at 7:00 pm at Davey’s. There will be stages on the bar side and on the venue side; Ladesich and friends will be performing on the venue side. Facebook event here. See the official trailer for the film below.

--Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor of The Deli Magazine - Kansas City and plays drums in Deco Auto, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, and drums/bass in Dolls on Fire. She needs someone to tell her not to join anymore bands.

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December 05, 2012