Audio Files: In our own back yard

By GINA VIVINETTO, Times Pop Music Critic
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 17, 2002

An occasional round-up of music by local artists

RHODESIDE, PLAYING THROUGH (WWW.RHODESIDEBAND.COM): Rhodeside, a popular country band based in Palm Harbor, combines the twangy stuff with rock and a sound it calls "Floribbean jazz." The songs on Playing Through, the latest from the act, now in its 12th year, are rich. Listen to the bright opener You're Right and relish the rugged electric guitar and slightly gruff croon of singer/guitarist James Rhodes. The twangier Love Is a Garden is a winner for its delicious harmonies and Mike Huber's woozy harmonica. Huber's flute punctuates Basic Black & White, one of Playing Through's songs with a social conscience. (Hear also the poignant Boat People.) Funky Bogota, peppered with saxophone, will get you shuffling your feet, all salsalike. Just when you're forgetting Rhodeside's roots are in Americana, the band treats you to the greasy Down In the Swamps, a genuine Southern-fried blues rocker.

SARASOTA SLIM, BONEY FINGERS (WWW.SARASOTASLIM.COM): Sarasota Slim's latest kicks off with I'm Gonna Get You, a blues rocker that boasts the St. Petersburg luminary's feisty electric guitar and dobro savvy. The song is gussied up with a bit of piano, but it's the blasts of B-3 Hammond organ fueling Booty Boomerang that are most infectious. That tune comes packed with wah-wah guitar and saxophone. Eclectic? you bet. Slim's not afraid to try new things on Boney Fingers, but all the while he maintains a rootsy integrity. The feel-good swing of Swing Thing is ready for the cocktail lounge. Slim's singing is also fine; his raspy vocal on I Want to Know, backed by more yummy piano clinking, harmonica and backing vocals from his gang o' friends, make that weeper wail.

THE CHUCKY LUV BAND, SILLY HUMANS (WWW.CHUCKYLUV.COM): The Chucky Luv Band, from St. Petersburg, never could be accused of being sheepish. Lead singer-acoustic guitarist Chucky Luv is a vocal maniac, unafraid to eek like a monkey, growl, squeal and yelp. Luv writes sharp lyrics and weaves them into his catchy, clever rock. Monkey is a clear-eyed, if not accusatory, indictment of a buddy (or gal pal) mired in psychobabble and "Freudian flatulence." Even if the lyrics are lost on you, the tune is fueled by Bryan Sullins' funky bass slapping. Whisper's vibe is slightly calypso and delightful. Drummer Animal Quesenberry -- dig that stage name -- is adventurous; he's tapping, rolling and playing around like, well, an animal with a toy. Guitarist Lani Daniels plays fiercely here, delicately there, adding to the band's adventurous spirit.

IGNACIO, DISCOVERED (WWW.MEMBERS.TRIPOD.COM/IGNACIOMUSIC/): Tampa singer-songwriter Ignacio has all the makings of a pop sensation. See his handsome mug on the cover of Discovered? Now hear his delectable Latin pop, on a par with anything Ricky Martin or Enrique Iglesias offers. Ignacio's debut consists of all originals, and what the songs don't boast in thematic heaviness, they make up for in their sheer zest and celebratory spirit. Opener Holiday is dance club-ready, all slick keyboards and thumping bass. It's made more delicious by Ignacio's big, smooth voice. This guy can sing and makes you want to sing along, too, which is what the best dance pop does. Remember the perfect old club music made by Wham! and other British pretty boys? That's the sound of Discovered, except with a distinctly Latin sensibility. Ignacio keeps his messages uplifting, even if they're dressed up in dicey electric guitar as on I Just Gotta Have My Way. The samba shuffle of the vibraphone-rich Giving it to You is as tasty as I'm In Love's flamenco guitar.

GHETTO LOVE SUGAR, PEACE PRAYER (WWW.GROOVEWELL.COM/BANDS/GLS/): Ghetto Love Sugar's Peace Prayer is more a demo showing off the band's ambition than an album proper (though one is on the way.) Recorded live in Tampa last year, the entirely instrumental Peace Prayer features the 24-minute title track, a gorgeous Indian piece that brims with Jonathan Preist's restrained and wondrous percussion and the tabla playing of special guest Shantilal Shah. It's blissful in its meditative, hypnotic steadiness. The carefree Indian Moses glides on carnivalesque organ and Joel Lisi's simmering guitar. The tune is anchored by (St. Petersburg Times staff writer) Philip Booth's sturdy bass. The riveting Tabla Solo continues the joyful noise, followed by the elegant, driving Monsoon Groove, awash in Raulton Reichel's organ and Lisi's guitar ribbons, perfect for late night car rides of contemplation.

JEREMY GLOFF, AMERICA IS LONELY TONIGHT (WWW.JEREMYGLOFF.COM) Tampa's Jermey Gloff crafts smart, lyrically driven pop, heavy on the cynicism. Every song on America Is Lonely Tonight is delivered in his charming signature nasal delivery. Gloff's voice bathes his lyrics in quirkiness and ability to grab your attention. Songs such as The Sound of my Crashing, with its gentle acoustic guitar harmonies, speak volumes in their simplicity. The disc's tone is melancholy, introspective, but not gloomy. The cello on that song comes courtesy of "Evil Bob" Moore of Tampa alt-rock noir act Ashes of Grisum. Gloff isn't only moody and melancholy. Hear Zero Self Control Blues to hear his wickedly wry side.

BETH HIRSCH, TITLES & IDOLS (!K7 RECORDS): Beth Hirsch, who recently returned to Tampa after living in Europe, is such a talent. Titles & Idols, her second album, brims with intensity. It's an introspective work, deeply felt, and personal. Hirsch crafts her tunes tightly, with electronic settings that don't sound chilly or remote, thanks to Hirsch's sumptuous voice. The sound is ethereal; think Kate Bush, Tori Amos. Hirch is a singer who delivers so convincingly, it's as if she's gotten into character for each song. She's also a brave songwriter, whose confessional lyrics stay on the right side of dignity, no matter how heartbroken. Also, she's a terrific storyteller, such as on the riveting Nigel & Fiona. The title track is perfect, filled with tricky melodic twists and turns and Hirsch's lovely lilting vocals. The quivering I Nest Sensation is again adventure, with Hirsch hooking you into the loops of melody with her voice.

TIM JACOBSMEYER, SONGS OF THANKFULNESS AND PRAISE (WWW.TUNEWORKS.ORG) Tim Jacobsmeyer is a man happy with his faith, as evidenced on the enthusiastic Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, a collection of keyboard instrumentals celebrating God. Jacobsmeyer, the son of a Lutheran minister, resides in Largo. He packs his liner notes with erudite commentary on the music and his faith's history. The songs are mostly religious standards and psalms, all arranged lovingly by the artist and performed with energy. Songs such as Jesus Loves Me and #429 brim with joy and hope.

- If you would like your local act's CD considered for In Our Own Back Yard, send it to Gina Vivinetto, St. Petersburg Times, P.O Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

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