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• EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK •
JULY, 2007 IN REVIEW
Hello again Listen!Nashville readers. July was another fantastic month of music performances here in Music City from phenomenal Nashville-based artists. As "Next Big Nashville" approaches (September), three July performances in particular stood out as clearly representing what this new music showcase event is all about.
These three artists are Brooke Waggoner, Pico vs. Island Trees, and Ode Hazelwood. Brooke Waggoner's CD release show at 3rd & Lindsley filled the place beyond capacity. I was upstairs, and many of us wondered if the balcony would hold us or come crashing down. Waggoner performed her entire EP (and some new songs) with a full band that included an entire string section and backup vocalists—it was amazing. Brooke Waggoner has a couple shows coming up in August, so don't miss her. Pico vs. Island Trees performed down at the 5 Spot in East Nashville on July 23, and these guys have everything any record company should ever want. Singer Bryan Carter moves like Mick Jagger and sounds like Michael Hutchence. Guitarist Jeremy Bullock plays a Cherry ES-335 and has a tone reminiscent of Johnny Marr's The Smiths period. The songs are well-crafted, the lyrics stay with you, and the band members sing and play with studio-ace precision--these guys should be the Next Big Nashville—see for yourself. Ode Hazelwood is comprised of married couple Joseph and Raven Hazelwood. They performed several shows in July, as well as performing for Lightning 100's Friday evening gig down at 3 Crow Bar called "On Tap." Ode Hazelwood's recent record is very Waitsian, and Raven's vocal performance will leave you stupefied. It's edgy, it's creepy, it's Southern, and it's brilliant. Although Ode Hazelwood's music may not catch on as fast as Waggoner's and Pico's, they'll no doubt develop a devoted grassroots following and Joseph Hazelwood may emerge as the next Tom Waits—no pressure there.
Finally, I made the trip over to Knoxville to see one of my heroes, Morrissey. I've never been more cynical before a show, as I fully expected to be completely disappointed. Well, to my surprise, Morrissey delivered one of the best concerts of 2007 that I've attended. His vocals were perfect, no different from 20 years ago (all concert reviews are giving similar reviews about his vocals). He opened the set with "The Queen is Dead," and it was fucking brilliant, the near capacity crowd went nuts. Other Smiths songs in the set were "Girlfriend in a Coma," "Everyday is Like Sunday," "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want," "Boy With a Thorn in His Side," and a stellar closer, "How Soon is Now?" Morrissey was in good spirits, he sweat profusely, tore off his shirt and several replacements throughout the night, feeding them to the crowd. His band was stellar, keeping the energy level redlined throughout the 1 hour and 45 minute show and performing all Smiths songs beautifully. Morrissey cannot avoid being political, and he did not hesitate to remind the audience how he feels about Bush junior, but begged, "Please, not Hillary." August in Nashville promises to be spectacular. See you at the shows.
—Vincent Wynne, Editor
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