Making Music

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:

Jennifer Terran, “Rabbit” (Grizelda)

A classically trained pianist, Terran concocts these weird songs with crazy lyrics that almost sound medieval. Also, you know how almost every album has the obligatory “thank you” list plus the lowdown on who played what instrument? Well, Terran has all that too, except that she sings her list. Her music is sui generis, and Terran can sing as well as anyone. GRADE: A-

Next gig: A home concert in Santa Barbara on May 22; call 564-3868.

*

Jimmy Adams and Friends, “Live at Cafe Voltaire” (Community Issues)

Back in November, Cafe Voltaire staged an epic three-day recording session during which more than a dozen of the best local bands played at least an hour’s worth of their best tunes. Adams was the first to take advantage of all that tape with this release featuring his friends--many of the best players in the county, including Bill Flores, Dan Wilson and Bud Bierhaus. Jonathan McEuen ably croons all three versions of “I Think I’ll Go Down to the Ocean,” a pretty good beach song written by a guy from Houston. GRADE: A-

Next gig: May 26 at Cafe Voltaire in Ventura.

*

Bimbo Du Jour, “Six Ways From Sunday” (All or Nothing Records)

This is a six-piece L.A.-based band that plays in our area at least once a month. The bimbo in question here is undoubtedly Moira Dahling, a powerful lead singer out of Canada who belts ‘em out with the best of them, while Julie Rogers supplies the ambience with some cool violin solos. GRADE: B.

Next gig: May 23 at Teletron Internet Cafe in Ventura

*

Five Against Venus, “Ascend to the Stars” (Marooned on Mars Music)

This is a trio out of the Conejo Valley that has found so few local venues, they mostly play in L.A. It’s nervous pop rock smartly done. How smart? Five Against Venus was invited to play at the recent Poptopia Festival in L.A.

GRADE: B-

*

Harmonica Shorty & The Tail Draggers, “Harmonica Shorty & The Tail Draggers”

Shorty is easy to pick out; he’s the vertically challenged guy often wearing sunglasses and playing a harmonica. Shorty, a.k.a. Ken Sullivan, is based in Carpinteria, a town with the world’s safest beach but few venues. The band plays in Ventura sometimes and in Santa Barbara weekly. Available at their gigs is a short demo tape of get-down Chicago blues, which makes superior beer-swilling music. GRADE: - B+

Next gig: Wednesdays at Matty’s Lounge in Santa Barbara.

*

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy” (Coolsville)

Two independent releases coupled with relentless touring and sheer determination by front man Scotty Morris has made these Kings of Swing not just the best dressed but the most successful band from Ventura. Coolsville is an alias of Capitol Records, making BBVD label mates of Frank Sinatra and the Beatles. This one has 12 originals plus a cover of “Minnie the Moocher.” It’s swing with a ‘90s edge, plus a raging horn section. GRADE: A-

Next gig: According to their agent, BBVD is too big for their hometown.

*

Cadillac Angels, “Rest Stop Beach Party” (Envicta)

Formerly the Roadhouse Rockers, this Santa Barbara trio has been around long enough to remember when a ducktail was a happening haircut. The band has never been better, or more prolific. Front man Tony Balbinot has been studying his hero, Link Wray, and his guitar has an ominous rumble throughout these 19 rockabilly-flavored songs. Stand-up bass player Micky Rae has never been better, either, and she makes the guys sweat when she purrs “Say You Care.” GRADE: A.

*

Billy Sunshine, “Sever the Weak Limb” (Swinging Guy Records)

Formerly Circus Frequency, this Santa Barbara band has a different lead singer now and a much harder sound. Big beats and big riffs combine for a cat-scaring concoction of animated anthems. GRADE: C+.

*

Bryan Kelley, “Charming the Gods” (Groove House Records)

Kelley lives in Santa Monica, but his wife is from Ventura and he plays in the area once a month or so, thus the local connection. He’s one of those introspective guy-and-a-guitar singer-songwriter types. There’s a mellow backup band on several numbers here, but when he plays live, it’s usually as a solo act. Not a lot of laughs here, just serious stuff. GRADE: C+

Next gig: May 23, Borders in Thousand Oaks.

*

The Ataris, “Anywhere But Here” (Kung Fu Records)

The Ataris are three Santa Barbarians doing that whiny pop punk thing, not unlike Green Day but with a considerably smaller bank account. “Fast” is the operative word here as they do 20 songs in 34 minutes. GRADE: B-