Moving In Stereo: Volume 24

as heard by Darren Paltrowitz

Since Moving In Stereo: Volume 23 hit browsers, shelves, and tables around the world, a lot of worthwhile and attention-worthy releases have reached the office CD player, including:

Garrison Starr “The Sound Of You & Me” (Vanguard)
John Biz “The Happiest Days Of My Life (Industrial Park)
The Prodigy “Their Law: The Singles 1990-2005 (XL)
To: Elliott, From Portland “A Tribute To Elliott Smith” (Expunged)
Human Television “All Songs By Written By: Human Television” (Gigantic)

…From The Stage

The third gig on a Northeast tour with Jonah Matranga from Far and Onelinedrawing, Ian love opened a four-act night at The Mercury Lounge, showcasing songs from his newly-released self-titled album. Accompanied by an iPod, which contained backing tracks, and a second guitarist only introduced as “Mike,” Love’s set brought attention to both his wide vocal range and strong guitar-playing. The highlight for this writer was when Matranga joined in for the falsetto harmonies on “The Only Night,” a unique and interesting, yet laid-back and poppy, song that deserves that be heard around the world…A man synonymous with both 1970’s and 1980’s arena-rock, Eddie Money returned to his native Long Island for a headlining stand at the North Fork Theatre at Westbury in support of his new “Wanna Go Back” disc. Following an opening set from fellow L.I. heroes of yesteryear, The Stanton Anderson Band, “The Money Man” delivered hit after hit with his big-man-on-campus persona still in tact. Although Money’s vocals and overall movement showed signs of wear, his skills on both the saxophone and harmonica were impressive, much like his long-standing four-piece backing band. But how can you go wrong with songs like “Two Tickets To Paradise,” “Take Me Home Tonight,” “Shakin’” or “Baby Hold On To Me?”…Known to loyal stand-up comedy fans as “The Pitbull Of Comedy,” Bobby Slayton not only proved an impressive feat by playing a four-night stand at The Gotham Comedy Club, but in performing three packed shows on this particular Saturday night. Following an all-star lineup that also included host Frank Gia, “Last Comic Standing” finalist Cory Kahaney, and Dwayne Perkins, as recently spotlighted on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” Slayton – best known for his roles on HBO’s “The Rat Pack” and “The Mind Of The Married Man” – killed with his rapid-fire style of comedy. Keeping all corners of the audience on high alert, Slayton is an equal-opportunity offender, picking on patrons of all ethnicities, religions, and creeds; some of these actually based on informed opinions. His comedy is bound to offend, yet also bring everyone in the room closer together, as he riffs on the everyday things that bother him. Slayton’s latest CD, “I’ve Come For Your Children,” is a must-have for those who like fast-talking New Yorkers…Best known for his time as the singer of Chainsaw Kittens – who had big fans in Billy Corgan and those Smashing Pumpkins – Tyson Meade has reemerged from the alternative-era as stripped-down a solo artist. Giving the enthusiastic crowd at Cake Shop a mix of old and new material, his set took an interesting turn when support act Arbor Day became his backing band for a half-dozen songs. Indie-rock was free of pretense and full of fun on this particular Friday night.

…From The Screen

Rarely heard from since “The Wolf,” his last full-length, Andrew W.K. fans can rest assured that their hero is alive and well, thanks to “Who Knows?” from Music Video Distributors. A difficult-to-classify home video that merges concert performances and behind-the-scenes footage with strange, slow-motion clips, the intensity of Andrew W.K. never seems to be on low on energy. In fact, it is that intensity that motivates concert-goers to the point that A.W.K. comes off like a heavy metal Tony Robbins. Fans of “Who Knows?” should be pleased to know that a live CD and studio album are slotted for later in 2006, while regular consumers of the MVD catalogue ought to be aware of “Live From The Dark,” a two-disc set featuring the reunited classic-metallers in Europe… While on the topic of heavy metal, Manowar also has new product in the marketplace, “Hell On Earth IV.” Another installment in the “Hell On Earth” series, the self-appointed “kings of metal” have managed to fill one disc with video-clips that show just how massive the band is in every territory besides their native United States, and another disc with new music. The glory of Spinal Tap lives on…A comedy veteran that has written for Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and “In Living Color” alike, Paul Mooney recently experienced a resurgence in his career when he became a regular on “Chappelle’s Show” with his Afro-centric commentary. A controversial DVD from Shout! Factory, “Analyzing White America” is a raw stand-up concert that dares to challenge mainstream thought. While the title of this release may scare off a portion of the potential audience for Mooney, underneath the shock value and political incorrectness is a lot of passion and humor.

If you have news to report for the next edition of Moving In Stereo, press releases and all other correspondence should be sent to darren.paltrowitz@gmail.com.