Recording Update

There is a vast pool of local musicians constantly starting bands, quitting bands and sometimes even releasing CDs and tapes. Here are capsule reviews of releases by local bands and those L.A. groups that play here with some frequency:

Janiva Magness and Jeff Turmes, “It Takes One to Know One” (Fat Head Records)

This husband-and-wife team out of Los Angeles plays the first Tuesday of the month at Cafe Voltaire in Ventura. Here’s why you should check them out: Turmes, who has a vast repertoire of blues experience, is a great underrated songwriter, and Magness can belt out a song as well as anyone. They’re really funny, too. “Good Car” is the best car song you may have heard lately about sex, and “She Holds a Grudge” is about that pesky ex and her mother of all grudges as big as the Port of Los Angeles. There’s nothing close to a bad cut on this one, and how ‘bout those kazoo solos? Grade: A

Tantrum, “Totally F***ing Snapped” (Blue House Records)

It’s loud and fast. Now it’s quiet. Now there’s screaming. I’d say Tantrum picked the right name. Grade: C

Wendy Bucklew, “Asleep in the Swing” (Independent)

A Santa Barbaran who relocated to Atlanta and hung out with those Indigo Girls, Bucklew is now a Venturan, toting around an acoustic guitar on the coffeehouse circuit. This is her third album, and once again, she sings up a storm in these powerful relationship (or lack thereof) songs. This blond may not be having more fun, but she did take good notes. Grade: A

John DeYoung, “Envisage” (Independent)

A long time ago, DeYoung was in the Dots, a band that used to play at Metro Nite Club in Ventura when it was the Mickey Moose Club, four or five name changes ago. These days he’s a solo singer-songwriter, doing mostly New Age-type rock about love. It’s too mellow. Grade: C

Yahman, “Save the Children” (Independent)

If rootsy reggae is your thing, then this is your band. Yahman or “Yeah, man” in SoCal speak, is a band adept at the one-beat, one-song, one-week reggae song but can also get those feet moving with such cuts as “Love Me Like a Rock” and “I’m in Love.” Remember Black Uhuru? Imagine their “Chill Out” album done by locals. That’ll work. Grade: B+

Left of Memphis, “Left of Memphis,” (Three Angels and a Saint Records)

This is mellow, folky stuff by Marty Van Loan and Leslie Merical, ably supported by an all-star assortment of local players including Robben Ford, Alan Thornhill, Phil Salazar, Loren and Jeff Evans, Dan Wilson and many more. This band is in no danger of developing a mosh pit, but if you’re in a contemplative mood about that weird relationship of yours, well, this could be the soundtrack you’ve been dreaming of. Grade: B

Catfish Hodge, “Bare Necessities” (Chicken Legs Music)

With a repertoire as large as Moby Dick’s big brother, this is the Catfish’s 22nd album. Bare necessities, indeed: It’s just Catfish, his guitar and a bunch of funny songs. Catfish moans, groans, crawls on his belly like a reptile and generally gets excited, except on the somber songs in which he whispers like a librarian. “Drive My Car” is yet another funny car song about sex, but, even better, the Catfish can hold a note for a long time. Grade: A

Brad Nack, “Brad Nack” (Independent)

Nack has long been a player on the Santa Barbara scene in such bands as the Tan, Brad Is Sex, Nothing, Brad & Eric and a few I can’t remember. This is pretty much a retrospective of his work, and Nack is sort of like Jonathan Richman of Santa Barbara: nasal vocals, minimalist songs--that’s him. Grade: B

ZoeS Garden, “Planting the Seed” (Liquid Nickel)

This is a young band out of Thousand Oaks that plays older than its ears. It does melodic hard rock and arena rock with all the licks in the right places. Powerful vocals by Mitch Linville are ably assisted by three guys who harmonize well. Too bad there’s nowhere to play in the Conejo Valley. Grade: B

The Difference, “Data Life Plus” (Independent)

This one comes off as ‘80s retro rock, with Carrie Kingsley’s lead vocals not unlike the Wilson sisters of Heart. No brain surgery here, just party music for the thirtysomethings. By the way, lead guitar player Art Trujillo runs A&M;’s Roadhouse in Nyeland Acres. Grade: B