Top Twelve

On the local music scene, last year was good for classic rock cover bands, even while the number of available venues for original rock declined. Nonetheless, there was the usual avalanche of local releases in 1998. What follows is an opinionated guide to the top local makers of original music from last year.

There is a Top Twelve, but leading the list is the Top One, and it’s none other than Ventura’s own Kings of Swing, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. After touring with famous rock stars all year, BBVD is now way too big for its own town, but there is a rumor that the boys will play Nicholby’s in Ventura soon.

THE BEST

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

Two prior independent releases coupled with relentless touring and sheer willpower from front man Scotty Morris have made these Kings of Swing not only the best dressed but most successful band ever to emerge from the city of Ventura. The label Coolsville is one of the many aliases of giant Capitol Records. Signing with them made BBVD label mates with the Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Duran Duran, but only temporarily. The album quickly went gold and the group went to Interscope Records. The hit album features a dozen jumping originals plus a cover of “Minnie the Moocher.” It’s swing with a ‘90s edge, plus the horn section rages. But how come Morris says he is from Santa Barbara when he is being interviewed on TV?

THE REST (in alphabetical order)

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

About 13 months ago, deep amid Ventura winter, Cafe Voltaire hosted an epic four-day recording session featuring more than a dozen of the best local bands doing their best tunes. Adams was the first to take advantage of all this tape and released his own CD. Not only are Adams’ friends some of the best players in the area, including Bill Flores, Dan Wilson, Bud Bierhaus and Phil Salazar, but “I Think I’ll Go Down To The Ocean” is a very good beach song for a guy from Houston. Adams writes simple yet hook-filled songs, such as “Big Old Red Guitar,” which should gain him new fans.

Blue Stew, “Destination: The Blues” (Main St. Records)

This is the group’s second album of laid-back, totally comfortable, yet rocking blues. The guitar players John Boutell and Michael Miller write most of the songs, and they are masters of their craft. Alcohol, Ms. Wrong and the other timeless blues topics get special treatment on this solid effort. This tight, local quartet has been playing weekends at Hi Cees for years.

Cocktails From Hell, “Pissed” (Gotta Go Recordings)

This notorious Santa Barbara band, which once was paid not to play, is actually mellowing somewhat. Rumor has it that they practice now and again, and they have reportedly finished a few gigs without misbehaving themselves. This release has seven originals on it powered by the twin guitars of Eric Eisenberg and Bill McLain and the swaggering vocals of Cecil DeMille--he is the grandson, not the director (who would be 117, and the oldest living rock ‘n’ roller). This is rocked out blues and punk with all the subtlety of a bouncer throwing a customer down the stairs.

Dishwalla, “And You Think You Know What Life’s About” (A&M;)

Formerly known as Life Talking, then dish, then dish walla and now Dishwalla, this Santa Barbara band hit it big with its debut album, which contained the smash single “Counting Blue Cars.” This one is even better, with such songs as “Truth Serum,” “Once In a While” and “Bottom of the Floor.” J.R. Richard is an accomplished front man and the lush production values should make this appealing to anyone who likes U2, Verve, Smashing Pumpkins and Oasis. Dishwalla has the musical genes, if not the bank accounts, of those bands.

Euphoria, “Melting Pot Society” (Pie R Squared)

Euphoria is a fine rock band, also a fine reggae band and a fine jazz band. These four youngsters have been playing together for five years and they effortlessly meld their many influences into a dance-friendly party. Imagine Black Uhuru meets Phish in Tao Jonz’s garage. If “Destiny” doesn’t move you--you’re deaf or you’re dead.

Jonathan McEuen, “Sampolin 14”

Son of John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, Jonathan has the star genes in this family. Not only does McEuen shred on guitar, doing everything from blues to bluegrass, but he has a voice that can pull off the highs on a Prince song (“Kiss”) or Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home.” McEuen also covers that ubiquitous Jimmy Adams song “I Think I’ll Go Down to the Ocean,” a song most every local band knows.

Teresa Russell & Cocobilli, “Bustin’ Loose” (Blue Loon Records)

After years as a solo performer working what seemed to be eight nights a week, Russell’s long-awaited debut CD is a powerful blues statement. It is laden with rock-star level guitar solos and her vocal sound, almost as big as her hair. Typical blues topics such as Mr. Wrong at the right time, Mr. Right at the wrong time and all the variations thereof, are handled most convincingly.

Ska Daddyz, “Ska Daddyz”

This is the soundtrack for Party Central in Silver Strand. After six tumultuous years, half of the original band members have survived to make their second CD. A beer-drenched past (evident in their theme song, “She Likes To Party,”) is mostly behind them, but one constant remains--the shredding guitar playing of Darren “Zorba’ Cruz. Not a traditional ska band, but with definite ska influences, the band received some airplay with its upbeat cover of “Hotel California.”

Various, “Live At Cafe Voltaire Vol. 1 & 2” (Voltaire Records)

This is the most ambitious local project ever undertaken. It may have taken forever (13 months) to get this thing out, but it was worth the wait. Fourteen local acts recorded their best live set, but with so many cool songs left over, a second CD was added. It’s worth it just to hear Randy Rich & the Ravens do the killer blues “Wiggle Wiggle” and the Rincon Ramblers do about a 10-minute version of “Sweet Loraine.” Euphoria, Bob Jones, Teresa Russell, J. Peter Boles and Southern Cross are a few of the others included.

Wooden Circus, “Lemon Drop” (Mercury)

This Simi Valley quartet has persevered for four years; it has finally paid off with a big label deal. They deserve it, too, and hopefully, they will have more fun than did their buddies in April’s Motel Room, the band that was signed and then dropped. This is a swell collection of radio-ready college rock, but the ballads “Garden of Despair” and “Umbrella” are super. Paul Kenny has a cool voice, and that never hurts.

Zelig, “Race You To The Sun”

This is a no-budget folk duo that does a lot of cool covers and a few originals on this 22-song epic CD. Named after a Woody Allen movie, Zelig is Brian Wurschum and Laurel Hoffman, the voices behind the greatest band in all of Newbury Park, majority DOG. Just two voices and an acoustic guitar, the album begins with a Beatles’ classic, “I’ve Just Seen A Face” which pretty much sets the tone for this one. This pair harmonizes most heavenly.