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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 2004)
ally touring band released a brand new CD, the primarily instrumental Soul Serenade. The album opens with a contemplative read- ing of the King Curtis classic of the same name, then merges effortlessly with a cover of Bob Marley’s “Rasta Man Chant.” Other favorite melodies are given new interpreta- tions by the Derek Trucks Band, namely Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue,” Wayne Shorter’s “Oriental Folk Song” and Henry Glover’s “Drown in My Own Tears” with a vocal performance by Gregg Allman. The band, led by 24-year-old Trucks, fea- tures Kofi Burbridge on keyboards, flute and vocals, Todd Smallie on bass and vocals, Yonrico Scott on drums, percussion and vo- cals and Mike Mattison on lead vocals. Trucks has earned a reputation as one of the great slide guitarists of all time, and he’s equally at home breezing through Southern rock, reggae, gospel, jazz and traditional back-porch American music as well as Latin, East Indian or other world music. Soul Serenade was actually recorded in between 1998’s Out of the Madness and 2002’s Joyful Noise. Musically and spiritu- ally, the CD blazes a new trail for the band, evoking a “subconscious rhythm,” a medita- tive state. It’s most assuredly not a wanking, show-offy guitar-player’s recording. Trucks plays a sarod, a fretless lute-like Indian in- strument, and, with the exception of Allman’s guest vocal, the CD is free of any other over- dubbing. The band set up in a studio (with legendary producer John Snyder) and played two or three songs in a row, as if at a show, then went back and listened to them. As a re- sult, the album has a refreshingly unhurried feel, relaxed, yet solid and steady. Local four-piece band Stacked is mak- ing waves both on the air and at shows. Vocalist Erin Flood, drummer David Kirk, bassist Charlie Carr and guitarist Ben James have been friends since their high school days in Bethesda, Md., six years ago. Flood and James played in a band together in high school, and Kirk is the first drummer James ever played with. These intimate and time- tested connections give Stacked a thoroughly cohesive sound that’s quite impressive given that Stacked has only been an entity for two years. Bassist Carr was the first friend to migrate west. The others followed in September 2002, as they found themselves in a good po- sition to “stop what we were doing,” says Flood. “We all just picked up and moved here. We decided several years after school that we wanted to get some sort of band going.” It didn’t take long, only six months, before the friends clicked as a group and began performing. With a full-length release planned for later this year, their first release, a five-song EP, falls on the better side of alternative rock and roll. It’s sophisticated and technically inter- esting, with good time changes and strong vocals by Flood. The music surges in a heavy, yet melodic way that doesn’t seem forced or overpowering, and rewards the listener with consistent energy and excellent musician- ship. While their music veers toward the metal end of rock, the strength of Flood’s lyrical and vocal delivery prevent it from being trapped by that label. “It’s definitely singing and not scream- ing,” assures Flood. “As a band, we’re influ- Stacked’s radio-ready efforts seem poised to propel the band to the next level. enced collectively by Tool and Radiohead, but then we all come from different musical backgrounds,” she says. Flood counts among her songwriting in- fluences the venerable Ryan Adams, Tom Waites and Lyle Lovett. Polished and profes- sional, Stacked’s radio-ready efforts seem poised to propel the band to the next level, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Stacked went national. The band’s “loud, beautiful rock and roll” can be heard locally on KFLY. Stacked will appear May 1 at Wetlands, along with 5South, Another Reason, and The Empty. On Sunday, May 2, Cafe Paradiso will welcome back Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman. The pair met onstage and have since combined their love of “modern folk in- fluenced by pop, blues and everything in be- tween.” Savoca’s moving voice and emotion- ally charged songs emerge on stage as she coaxes the melodies from her conga drum and other hand percussion. Heitzman’s acoustic guitar creates delicious soundscapes and a comfortable groove. The pair has a new studio recording, “All My Excuses.” Don’t forget, (almost) every Monday at the Café Chris and Jen host Retro Night, featuring the best of ‘70s and ‘80s music. ew APRIL 29, 2004 25
