Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Cleaning Up the Nation

If you've spun your radio past 100.3 on the dial lately, you may have noticed somewhat fresher sounds replacing the (m)oldies classic rawk that had been the staple of the so-called "The Eagle." According to new general manager Aaron Snukals, the newly dubbed "The River" falls loosely into the industry's "Album Adult Alternative" format, although Snukals calls the station's relatively broad-minded approach to programming "an anti-format." "It's what they call 'Triple A,' but with a real bluesy tint," Snukals says.

So far, the playlist seems pretty expansive, featuring artists like John Hiatt, Macy Gray, Widespread Panic, Eric Clapton, and even a touch of modern rock. Snukals expects that list to grow as Knoxville "breaks in" to the new format.

The station's changeover also marks the return to local radio of long-time morning favorite Phil Williams, whose contract with 103.5 WIMZ prevented him from gracing the local airwaves for one year after he left that station in 2000. Reentering the radio fray last Monday, the loquacious Mr. Williams is apparently up to most of his old tricks, although Snukals says his old contract also prohibits him from reprising several of his standard WIMZ characters and routines. Not to worry, says Snukals, "Phil's got over 3,000 other characters in his head."In the realm of public radio, University of Tennessee station WUOT has announced that it will carry the award-winning This American Life beginning April 7 at 11 a.m. Hosted by Ira Glass, the syndicated show explores a host of unusual themes through an offbeat collage of music, dialogue and soundbites.

And just in time for their Spring fund drive, Spindale, N.C. WNCW 96.7's mountaintop tower was hit by a freak snow/wind storm a couple of weeks ago and their translator tower, which boosts the signal for the Knoxville market, is wounded and dizzy, but not dead. Currently, the station is running at full power on 88.7 and hopes to have the situation corrected as soon as possible.

Local CD Review
A special to Eye by Jonathan B. Frey

Larry Vincent
In Exile (Doodlebug Music)

What we have here is a demonstration of jazz's international nature as well as its conspicuous Knoxville representation. Larry Vincent is a local jazz guitarist—well, local by way of Venezuela; hence the title, In Exile, his first release as a leader. A member of the Pellissippi State Community College music faculty, Vincent, in the company of several other of the Knoxville jazz brethren, namely Donald Brown (piano), Chris Gray (drums), Rusty Holloway (bass), and Tom Johnson (saxophone), lays down a wholly engaging set of sounds.

Not a Latin album in the standard sense (nary a Jobim or Gilberto selection in the mix, not a samba to be found), the CD includes nine tunes total, five of which are Vincent originals, two jazz standards, and two of Venezuelan origin. Nor do the tunes function as simple vectors for extended blowing by accomplished musicians. Quite the converse, each tune is performed with grace and control, yet fire, the notion of ensemble omnipresent.

Particularly engaging are the tunes that include the entire quintet, for instance, the opening tune "Prince Paradox." "Prince" is ostensibly a bop vehicle complete with Tynersque block chord introduction and stop time bridge. The theme firmly in hand, Vincent, Johnson, and Brown deliver, starting with Vincent's tasty three-chorus helping of seemingly endless lyrical lines, followed by Johnson's bop-inflected turn, and finally Brown building a structure of tension, appearing to bite off more than he can chew, but nevertheless reeling it all in.

And there's much else here to marvel at. "Sue�o de Ni�o" ("A Child's Dream") is not to be missed, a gem for a guitar, bass, and drums trio, with its hard-driving pulse and splendid blend of guitar lines and octaves. Or the time feel of "Golsonish," swinging so hard it hurts. Throughout, Vincent's guitar is authoritative and compelling, a thoroughly pleasurable and promising debut.

Go.

Thursday: Fly Pan Am at Tomato Head. Some Godspeed You Black Emperor! plays on the side.

Friday: R.B. Morris with Scott Miller, Todd Steed, and Jodie Manross Band at Laurel Theatre. See. Be seen. Rock out.

Saturday: Misty River at Palace Theatre. Bring on the bluegrass, baby.

Sunday: HMS Pinafore at Civic Auditorium. A little light opera for a Sunday afternoon.

Monday: Allen Wier at Hodges Library. Writer of such works as Tehano and Skin for Skin will speak.

Tuesday: Ratdog at Tennessee Theatre or Kurt Vonnegut at UT UC? And who says there is nothing to do in Knoxville?

Wednesday: Louis E. Jones, Artist of the Smokies at East Tennessee Historical Society Museum. Hard to capture these mountains, but Jones comes close.

—Emma "Voice of Reason" Poptart