It may be that some won’t understand the need to express emotions based on sweetness and the urge to feel good. This is what first strikes the listener with Kendall Payne. With tunes billed as lyrical and folk music, she brings “Daddy” (Paper Skin 2007) a love ballad with some nice keyboard work. But the love is, obviously, for the older man in her life.

Payne cites as influences – Sarah McLachlan, Billy Joel, Rich Mullins, Counting Crows and U2. With that list as her inspiration, she should be just fine. Three of those on the list are favourites of this reviewer, in fact. This singer makes no bones about being part of chick rock and about the fact that she records on Kendall Payne Works, Inc.

“Burning Embers” from the same collection is really a fairly decent folk ballad that examines the relationship between the singer and that special person who makes us all feel just right, if we are fortunate enough. It’s simple, but that’s OK. Some performers know we need simplicity on occasion. The drums are interesting in this tune.

Payne’s experience as a professional extends back about 10 years now. She signed with Capitol Records before the turn of this new century. Switching her musical focus to piano a couple of years ago might be the move that brings her some new, avid fans.

Kendall Payne on MySpace
[tags]Kendall Payne[/tags]

Interesting name. But is it interesting music? Yes.

The voice is certainly not in question. This lady can sing. Get a taste of “To Be Loved” from To Survive (2008 Reveal). The actual release date is June 9. Joan in the title, of course, is Joan Wasser, who is billed as songwriter, singer, guitarist, pianist and violinist. She gets able assistance from Rainy Orteca on bass and Parker Kindred on drums. (Are those real names – Rainy…Kindred?) If so, that’s fantastic.

“I Defy with Antony” (Real Life 2006 Reveal, Pias) is a very good song, with interesting vocal treatment and some woodwinds, I think, in the background. This is Tonight Show music – has Joan As Policewoman been there? How about Letterman? Or Craig Ferguson? Just as interesting is “The Ride” from the 2006 CD. The interplay between keyboard and vocals is just fine, thank you.

A new album is coming out June 9, according to the singer’s Web site. With that new release, the players and singers will be going places, literally. Europe, to be exact. You will find them in Berlin, Glasgow, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Madrid, Dublin, Milan – you get the idea.

No real effort is required while listening to Joan’s music.

Patience, maybe.

Joan As Police Woman on MySpace

[tags]Joan As Police Woman[/tags]

First of all, there’s that sweet voice. In “Does Anybody Know” (The Best Impression of Sanity) the sweetness doesn’t last all that long. Oh, the sound and clarity remain, but Sarah Lewis takes her song-writing talent out to ask a serious question. It’s pop, of course, not rock. But some will like it.

The band is Just J – guitars; Brad Williams – drums; Drew Gilch – bass; Jay Daniel – bass. The considerable talent of these musicians gives strength to Lewis tunes and to her sound. “Missed Out” has an interesting electronic sound beginning. This may be one of Lewis more lightweight songs, though the middle portion attempts some intensity.

Based originally in Knoxville, Tennessee, Jag Star stretches a bit with “Something Different” appropriately enough. It may difficult for the listener go get past the Sheryl Crow comparisons. Crow, however, has a bit more of the street dirt on her than this group and singer. Lewis and Jag Star certainly don’t fit in any category that would include Heart or Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders.

Speaking of stretching out, the group tries this again with “Disguise.” The tune does have a slightly heavier feel. It may even be a bit darker. OK.

Jag Star on MySpace

[tags]Jag Star[/tags]

Straight out of Portland, Oregon, came Ever We Fall, a band that led off with “Bring ‘em in Billy” from their Japanese release We Are But Human. Electronic feel to this tune. It’s OK, really. We’ve heard this style from a few other groups. The key is to stick around long to find out if it works. There isn’t much information about this former “hot” band though. Their Web site indicates the blog was “updated” in 2006.

I guess if the United States highway system is one of your major influences, you have to be on the right track. Life and music are about wandering and searching after all. Wonder what happened? Some fans will understand the influence of snow on this northwest group. Ever We Fall put out a nice instrumental “Let Go” on Something Very Random 2006. Good listening music, with a “snow” feel.

The record label name – Hopeless Records – comes up with this group. (Personal note – this listener first came across the label years ago when he heard Mustard Plug in an old airport terminal.) The group also worked with the Japanese label Bad News and with Rise records. Not much happening in the Ever We Fall world today, though one of their songs was connected with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze as late as 2007.

Ever We Fall on MySpace

[tags]Ever We Fall[/tags]

It’s a matter of philosophy, really. When a group begins the trek toward becoming a real band, the musicians sometimes discuss the direction the music will take and what the lyrics will say. In some cases, this discussion is limited to a few comments made during a practice session in the garage or some empty room that seems to fit the group’s overall atmosphere.

In any case, musicians must listen to an internal voice that comes at odd moments, one that is not The Beatles, not The Talking Heads, and certainly not Madonna. Maybe young musicians such as Sloan, Suburban Legends or De Capulet would be best served by asking if the group is Bob, Jacob or just me?

Some young players would be wise to follow in the footsteps of one Bob Marley of Trenchtown. Not only was this reggae legend a musician and performer, he was a philosopher and a rebel as well. As one social activist said, you have to stir the pot once in awhile or a scum forms on the top.

Maybe the music is best described as another Marley, Jacob. This fellow came back for a few minutes to warn his old friend Ebenezer Scrooge about the dangers of worshipping wealth. That might be an admirable direction for some young group of musicians.

But in the end, the players also have to remain “just me.” Musicians can’t escape influences. What we listen to is still in our heads, after all. A few minutes spent at the start, trying to understand what direction they’re heading, might be a few minutes well spent for a new generation of musicians.

[tags]Bob, Jacob or Just Me?[/tags]