Adlai Waxman, Down at Joe's (Marshmellow, 2009)
I will say this for Down at Joe's, it's the first CD I've reviewed that carries a 2009 date on the sleeve. The first of many, I'm certain. But that can't be the only thing that sets this disc apart from the crowd, can it? Well, the one-sheet promises that Adlai Waxman's "songs shine with a style that pushes the boundary of piano pop music." They all promise that, don't you know? "Piano pop music?" Sounds like we're looking at the next Billy Joel, or Elton John. Not quite.
The first track is more subtle than Elton or Billy. "I Need Her So" sounds a bit like a lost Jackson Browne track. Jackson Browne is probably not a bad place to start. It has something to do with the quality of Adlai's voice. Of course, he doesn't sound like Jackson, and he's not as political, although Adlai does sing about a variety of issues like "take the bad guys down..." in "Lenny." Oh, it's about Law & Order's Lenny Briscoe. And then there's a hint of Randy Newman's voice on "The Game" but only a hint. It's not really fair to relate everything back to somebody else's music, but the trouble is...when you listen to as much stuff as we do here at GMR you can't help but find similarities and echos. Even the promo material mentions Newman! And Joe Jackson, Robbie Robertson, Donald Fagen, and then says, "yet his vocal style remains distinct, complete with his own modern twist."
Trouble is, when you listen having those names in your mind, you can't help but see the similarities. OK, I haven't heard the Robbie Robertson link yet, but it must be here somewhere. Taken on his own merits, Adlai Waxman has created a darn good record. (Oh, the Fagen reference might be to track four, "The Storm" and it has more to do with the arrangement and the tasty guitar solo by Justin Abedin.) It's not that Waxman sounds like any of the aforementioned artists; it's echos, that's all. He really does have his own voice. He writes melodic tunes. The piano doesn't overwhelm everything, although he is a fine player. These songs are arranged for the band. And quite a band it is.
Justin Abedin plays "most electric guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, lap steel, acoustic guitar"; Marc Rogers plays bass; Saam Hashemi is another guitarist (and adds synth to one track); Vito Rezza is drummer on the project; and Jim Clark fills out the sound with his trumpet, tenor and baritone sax. Waxman plays piano, organ and accordion. They are a tight, and at times funky unit. Nobody overplays, guitar solos are tasty and serve the tunes. The rhythm section holds things together, but allows space when it's needed.
All in all Down at Joe's is a valiant first effort. Well worth a listen, or two.
