Metro Pulse/Music/Eye on the Scene

Local CD Review

Donna Lee Van Cott
Donna Lee Van Cott (Soul-Eyed Bear Music)

It's been a little over a year since the release of her first album, and Donna Lee Van Cott shows no signs of the dreaded sophomore slump on this self-titled CD. The tunes on Donna Lee Van Cott move away from the folkie realm of her debut album into a somewhat rockin' (but still laid back) full band approach.

Van Cott claims the heavy influence of Elliott Smith, and his presence really does loom over the album, especially on the second track, "The Conversation." Van Cott says she composed several of the albums tracks just days after witnessing Smith's recent performance at Moose's Music Hall. Perhaps she was a little too filled with the spirit, because some of the tracks seem a little too similar to Smith's melancholia. But then again, Smith is an excellent source for inspiration.

Van Cott's band is a talented group of students from UT's jazz program, and it shows. The musicians are technically proficient, but the lounge/jazz vibe on some of the songs gets a bit heavy handed. Guitarist Chris Canada seems overly anxious to show off his skills, and it sometimes detracts from Van Cott's big picture.

Van Cott's new direction shows definite progress, steering clear of the morass of femme folk clichés. The top-notch production provided at Grinning Deer Studio sounds totally crisp and clear. There is still a coffee shop vibe to this album, but that ain't necessarily a bad thing. Overall, the album is a keeper.

Right under your nose

So, yeah, last Thursday Metro Pulse shamelessly bribed you with free food and festivities (we're such desperate sluts), and Nickel Creek rocked the Square, but who knew there was a Broadway show, a pop concert, and opera in progress over at Fairbanks Roasting Room?

Classical pianist (and regular Fairbanks performer) Martha James and her special guest, soprano Regina Rizzi, staged a show for those in a more dramatic mood that evening—everything from Bach to Cole Porter to Billy Joel.

To the delight of the audience (Melissa Mayfield and friends included), the glamorous duo put on a refreshingly vivacious show—both playfully campy and beautifully classical.

James' nimble fingers lifted spirits, while Rizzi's powerful voice and elaborate embellishments (complete with wardrobe change, tap dance, and a set in miniature!) were a rare treat indeed. Encore!

WNCW Update

Couple of weeks back, we reported that the WNCW translator was offline due to a ferocious wind storm, which, at the time, was true. That problem has been fixed. Now, however, the Knoxville feed at 96.7 is being muffled yet again, this time by a Gospel station that has set up right next to them on the dial and at the Clingman's translator site, which now can't get a clean enough signal from the mothership in North Carolina. Currently, the powers that be are looking for another translator unit even as we speak and hope to be back in K-town pretty dang soon.

Go.

As always, check the calendar section for additional info.

Thursday: Southern Culture on the Skids with Mustard and The French Broads at Market Square. This Sundown in the City show will be finger-lickin' good.

Friday: Arts and Eats at The University Club. Come watch them auction off Jack Neely and Ally Carte, as well as a host of other great items, like a trip to Colorado and art by Cynthia Markert, Judi Gaston, and Eun-Sook Kim. All proceeds will benefit Planned Parenthood.

Saturday: Distant Lands: The Art of the Story at KMA. It's your last chance to see this exhibition of great American illustrations.

Sunday: KSO Chamber Orchestra at Bijou Theatre. Great piano for a Sunday afternoon. For a truly surreal day, head over to Chilhowee Park for the 27th Annual Street Rod Nationals South, happening from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., before you go to the Bijou.

Monday: Stinking Lizaveta with The Dirty Unicorns at Pilot Light. Dirty, loud rock 'n' roll. Two of our webmonkey's favorite touring and local bands, respectively.

Tuesday: Dave Matthews Band at Thompson-Boling. If you must, you must.

Wednesday: Stop. Reflect. Eat some crackers.

—Emma "Just a girl in the world" Poptart