Five hours from the nearest Interstate in a remote wilderness...
I began these recordings during a hoary winter feeling defeated from a lack of direction, reeling from a withering relationship and the recent passing of my father. It was there that I began crafting songs in a hunter’s cabin in the Vallecito Lake region nestled up against the vast Weminuche Wilderness of South Western Colorado. This is where the initial 10 songs of 1969 Gypsy were humbly recorded on a Roland VS-880. The electricity was unreliable, the cabin lacked modern insulation, but the experience was truly transformational. I could make music... alone.
Ironically, that demo set me on a winding road of bands, band names, cities and dimly lit night-clubs that ends here with this compilation. Hundreds of songs, dozens of bands and a myriad of gigs later, 1969 Gypsy marks the departure of the singer/songwriter defeated behind a mosaic of pseudonyms and the unveiling of the vulnerable man himself…
John McKenna, the former lead singer of beloved KC rock band Red Guitar, recently moved to California and fine-tuned his sound.
His new solo album, Stone Cold Summer, has a sunny sensibility that is unmistakable.
McKenna’s new songs reflect his new lifestyle: beachy and pop-centric, like vintage Beach Boys tunes.
John McKenna may not be a name that strikes you as familiar, but when I add the information "former lead singer of Red Guitar", many of you will go "ahhh". (Others, no doubt will ask "Who was Red Guitar?" The answer is here. That disc was 21 in my top 100 of 2006, by the way.) Anyway, McKenna left the Midwestern band last year, moving to California. So now that he's literally not in Kansas any more, how does his first solo disc stack up?
Quite well, thank you, and it's not a replication of Red Guitar's sound. It's just as melodic (if not moreso), but instead of Red Guitar's heartland U2/Coldplay orientation, what we have here is something with a mellower vibe, in tune with his California move. In fact, it reminds me a great deal of The Autumn Defense and Hotel Lights, two projects that saw members break away from their famous bands (Wilco and Ben Folds Five, respectively) to create their own sound. The comparison also holds up as McKenna is similar vocally to John Stirratt and Darren Jessee.
Opener "Stay In My Mind" is a perfect example of this sound, slinking along with a hummable melody and California feel. "Dedicated" is a bit perkier, with an excellent chorus that recalls some of Red Guitar's better moments. The title track and its effortless melody is a particular standout,
moving into Jayhawks territory
. Other highlights include "Blues & Greens", which rocks out more than the rest of the disc, although in relative terms; the dreamy "Into The Wild", and the closer "The Man In Me", which starts off with an awkward cough and a count-in that segues into a 70s-ish gospel/honkytonk/folk number. Stone Cold Summer is a fine debut that avoids the "lead singer goes solo and puts out watered down version of his band disc" trap that's so common in cases like this.
Now in his 30s, McKenna looked alt preacher man in his black suit and casual fedora. His band included three high-class ladies, in cocktail dresses, on backup vocals, each of whom was married to a band member.
McKenna's songs are smooth, attentive to melody and — get this — happy. One song is based on the kids' book Go, Dog. Go! that, McKenna said, you've read to your kids unless you simply don't care about them. The ditty's called "Play, Dog, Play" and is one infectious kibble. In addition to the chaste lyric We fall asleep after we talk into the night, the song "Stay In My Mind" boasts the line One glass of red wine gives me a headache. But I know McKenna's not the abstemious type — he accepted a Tanqueray and tonic from this here devil after the show.
"Probably some of the best indie music I've heard in a while. Music that makes you smile and wish that summer would never end. From start to finish this album is smooth like a good cold beer on a hot summer night. Go to www.noisetrade.com to find and download the album. Oh yeah you can do it for free! The best price by far! I'd spend full price for this great album! Bravo John McKenna!"
John McKenna, former front man for the Kansas City band Red Guitar just released a solo album and, unlike most singer/songwriters that divorce their bands, McKenna’s new record has a totally refreshing sound that’s not just a one-man reboot of the same song craft. Stone Cold Summer captures all the melodic simplicity and perfect hooks of 1960s California surf-pop, with some pretty haunting vocal and instrumental elements and earnest, poetic lyrics.
2 FREE SHAOLIN TEMPLE OF BOOM songs among many other artists like Ozomatli, Family Force 5, 3Oh3, Forever the Sickest Kids! available through a FREE SKULL CANDY iPhone app download. Just click the download app to get your FREE everything! http://www.skullcandy.com/social-widget.html?utm_source=trueAnthem&utm_medium=Super%2BWidget%20image&utm_content=StoB&utm_campaign=BannerTA
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thanks so much for the addage!! come on over to our page and check out some of our music and let us know what you think!! look forward to talking to you!! we're the only band on myspace cool enough to comment you back (every single time!!) :-) xoxo
Sorry for not having been in touch awhile - been rather busy! Just wanted to say that your valued friendship continues to be appreciated. Have you checked out my MySpace and web site (www.faberoptime.com) recently? Oh and did you subscribe for my free newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!)? You might also like to take a look at some of my vids on my YouTube channel too! www.youtube.com/faberoptime Take care and keep in touch. Best, Faber. "Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."
HEY i enjoyed your page thanks for the friendship !! i was wondering if you had time to listen to my music i just put 3 new songs up FREEDOM STRANGER AND JOURNEY , i would love some feedback from a great soul such as your self !!!
Everything fine with you? Thank you so much for the friendship! I really appreciated it. New release 2010 "DJ Solano Ft. Margaret Soszynska - I'm Dreaming [Original Mix]".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjQpTMuxZLw
I hope you come back often, because there is more to come...and don't forget spread the word!
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DJ Solano (DJ and Producer Trance Productions) Website: http://www.djsolano.nl Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/djsolano E-Mail info@djsolano.nl Label: http://www.myspace.com/solanorecordings
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Awesome to be in network with you K-Jell just released two cover songs by Sex Pistols and Ramones which now are out on iTunes etc.. Do check them out!
New album “you can’t kill rock n roll” from K-Jell will be out in March.
Hi, thanks for being our friends, a very warm welcome.. FRIEND VOTE Indie Top 100 is the best MySpace place to showcase your songs. To join in, all you need to do is ask your friends to vote for one of your songs, if you get enough votes you appear in the chart, if you appear in the chart you will get more friends, if you get to No.1 your page views and song plays will increase significantly! All the best, hope to see you in the chart soon. Keith@FV UK + Julie@FV US http://www.myspace.com/indietop100
LATEST: We have now opened an Indie Top 100 group page at Facebook to secure votes from your friends there too.
“Just when you thought all musical avenues have been thoroughly explored, along comes an act that blows away past assumptions and rewrites the music books. DJ Monkey is such an act.”
Continuando con el ciclo de recitales en vivo por internet, este lunes 4 de enero a las 21.30 Hs, se presenta una banda que volvió a las andanzas a mediados de 2009 : ESKULAPIO!!!
presentan su ultimo material "bacteriostatico" Tenés que verlos!
www.myspace.com/eskulapio
www.eskulapio.com
Acordate: accedés a través de http://www.comahuerock.com.ar
Gracias por ser parte de este ciclo de Rock y Vanguardia!!!
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