Stormin' Into Summer

Last weekend's Swing Into Spring kick-off of the 1998 Hot Summer Nights concert series (held on the World's Fair Site downtown) fell short of the attendance figures local promoters had hoped for, although few would argue that the two-day weekend extravaganza was anything less than a resounding success artistically. Nineteen local, regional, and national acts were spread over Friday and Saturday, and although a mild evening chill, early afternoon showers and intermittently overcast skies may have discouraged some would-be festival goers, the bands didn't pay much heed to the capricious weather.

All of Knoxville's homegrown folks acquitted themselves admirably amidst a line-up that included nearly a dozen nationally renowned recording artists; platform-heeled funkateers Gran Torino were one of Friday's most well-received acts with their hour-long set of horn-driven rock 'n' soul on the lawn stage, while Nashville-by-way-of-Knoxville roots popsters the Nevers and the Opposable Thumbs, featuring local legend Todd Steed, were also in fine form Saturday afternoon. Warner Brothers country/rock/Americana favorites the V-Roys also played Saturday evening at the Tennessee Ampitheatre, interspersing a handful of old favorites with several selections that should appear on their forthcoming summer album.

But even with incendiary showings from big-name acts like blues belter Koko Taylor, modern rock piano popsters Ben Folds Five, and country/blues guitar wunderkind Junior Brown (who, hot off an appearance in a popular Gap jeans commercial, may have been the highlight of the weekend with his jaw-dropping display of standard/steel hybrid guitar wizardry), the weekend's true gems were the surprise drop-ins; such as when Steed jumped on stage with the V-Roys for a duck-walking rave-up version of "Hit List," an Opposable Thumbs original. Or when newgrass banjo sorceror Bela Fleck, hot off his own band's performance, took his place next to bluegrass/Cajun rock groovemeisters Leftover Salmon and played almost the entire set, Saturday night's grand finale on the fair site lawn stage.

And let's not forget what may have been Swing Into Spring's biggest surprise, when the inimitable Lyle Lovett joined Texas singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen toward the end of that artist's Friday night show. We're not sure what brought Ms. Robert's old flame into these parts, given that the old-school country/popster had no performances of his own scheduled in town, but his appearance prompted a rash of jaw-dropping and incredulous finger-pointing all over the ampitheatre.

Here's hoping that next year's music festival gets the weather (and the patronage) it deserves.

On Track

Congratulations are in order for One Way Track, a predominantly Knoxville-based bluegrass outfit which also features members from Lake City and Middlesboro, Ky. The unit garnered second place in the bluegrass competition at last weekend's Cosby Ramp Festival, the annual celebration of the pungent wild onion indigineous to our little corner of the South. The band was most recently seen opening for a Ricky Skaggs show here in town and also playing Market Square during the April Dogwood Arts Festival, part of the the annual shindig's effort to upgrade its musical offerings.

Hate Mail Dept.

First of all, I like your magazine. And I'm glad that Knoxville does have a magazine that keeps up (to a certain extent) with what's going on in and around the city.

But I have some gripes, too! It seems like the "Eye on the Scene" section always picks out stories about a few choice bands/musicians, usually the same every week. There are more bands and musicians and things going on around here than the very few that you talk about. Yeah, it's important to tell folks who has quit a band, or what band has broken up, or what new band is forming; but not the same three or four bands only! I feel bad for these other hard-hitting, talented musicians and clubs/venues in Knoxville that, for whatever reason, you don't EVER mention!

It seems to me that the person in charge of being the "Eye on the Scene" is not REALLY out on the scene. There are more music and venues in this town than just The Neptune, and I think that you are doing an injustice to the other venues, fans, and the general Knoxville community by not getting out there and being on top of the ENTIRE music scene in Knoxville.

Be objective! When Zippy McDuff supposedly reviews a new CD, he/she acts like these local groups are supposed to have material that will hold up to the tens of thousands of dollars spent on recording and production by major label groups. Most of the CDs that he/she is reviewing are locally recorded and produced on a local band budget. A review? GET REAL! Review the material for the musicianship, the song-writing, and the general appeal of the music. Of course, the artwork does matter; but when it all boils down, the music is what says it all. It seems like when Zippy gets a disc that's not in his/her taste of music, then the disc gets slammed. If Zippy can't review music of all styles in a professional, objective manner, get someone who can!

Again, I'm really thankful of what Metro Pulse has done for Knoxville. But there's always room for improvement!

Thank you!
Mitchell

Zippy Replies: If I haven't included certain pieces of important music news, it's probably because I simply haven't heard it. Although I try my darndest to be omniscient, it's awfully difficult. If bands or venues have something interesting to be reported on, they should contact our new entertainment editor, Adrienne Martini (522-5399, [email protected]), who'll put me on the case. As for the reviews of local releases, I try to be as sympathetic as possible while still having a modicum of critical values. After all, if I loved everything by local bands unequivocally, how credible could I be? If you have a record but don't trust me to review it in a responsible manner, don't send it in; if you do, send it in and be prepared to accept the bad with the good. That's how life works, folks...

—Zippy "I See All" McDuff