Review of Eliot Wayne – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman

This guy has a really good voice, very Allman Brothers-like. The instrumentals are good too, but in their recording, they are a little hard to hear. Eliot hails from Austin, Texas – but his sound is as down-home as you please. He says his influences include Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen and Stevie Ray Vaughn and I can hear a little of his heroes in there, too.

Eliot has performed at several SxSW fests and written over 100 songs! If his power trio comes to your town, I suggest you go. Check out www.eliotwayne.com .

Review of Unknown Hinson – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman

First of all, you gotta love any musician whose bio includes the terms “psychobilly,” “freak-show” and “politically incorrect”. “Unknown” or “King” Hinson leads this trio from Charlotte, NC. When a band has the chops to back it up, that’s what transforms them from cute opening act to one whose CD’s you want to buy. Angelina Jolie once flew the band to play at Billy Bob Thornton’s surprise birthday party.

On his CD’s, Unknown plays all the instrumentals and sings all the vocals himself. He can play everything from steel guitar to drums. Imagine how talented you have to be, for Hank 3 to have your face tattooed on his bicep! Unknown is such a character, he’s been made the voice of lead character "Early Cuyler" in the popular new show from Cartoon Network - "The Squidbillies". http://www.adultswim.com/shows/squidbillies/

Check out www.unknownhinson.com and find more information and tunes at:
www.myspace.com/unknownhinson

Review of Sodajerk – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman

This band, now based in Atlanta, describes itself as The Replacements mixed with Johnny Cash. That sounds about right to me – they have a clean, modern sound that goes outside the box. Songs such as “Final Resting Place” have a more professional sound than your standard bar band, but mercifully are without the cheesy lyrics or production values that currently dominate top-40 radio.

This band enters (and wins) a bunch of those contests that are constantly cropping up, even placing in the finals of Jim Beam’s National Band Search. They are a favorite opening act of so many top-shelf artists, you’ve probably already seen them play live.

For more information, check out www.sodajerkcountry.com

Review of Marna and Macy – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman

Inevitably, when you hear of mother-daughter duos, your mind starts thinking, “The Judds”. And, with this pairing from Virginia, the comparison is not unwarranted. Songs like “Enough is Enough” also have a sound like that of the Dixie Chicks. But songs like “Boys Will Be Boys” have their own, harder-rocking sound. It is probably the song that will be their breakout hit. Their video “Wave” was played on GAC.

On a personal note, I love the fact that Marna sent daughter Macy to the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Va., instead of yanking her out of school to make a buck.

For more info, check out www.marnabales.com

Review of D4P – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman

When most rockers think of folk singers, you can see the twinge in their faces. It’s usually just too soft, too meandering for the Southern rock crowd. But I think a good mixture of people will enjoy D4P, short for “Dan for President”. “OnoTherIgo” has great instrumentals and a driving beat. This Floridian compares himself to Arlo Guthrie, but that would be if Arlo played like, a million instruments! Dan Miller has mastered Guitar, Bass, Synth, Djembe, Mouth harp, Slide whistle, and various percussion instruments.

Check out more info on www.dan4president.com .

Review of Medusa Diesel – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman

Sometimes, you just wanna rock it, and hard. Medusa Diesel hails from south-central Kentucky and there’s nothing half-way about them. With songs like “Painkillers and Snakeoil,” the band is part of that Southern rock branch that gets dirtier, angrier and louder – like Hank 3 and Zakk Wylde.

Influenced by both Black Sabbath and Lynyrd Skynyrd, their 4 piece band gives them some of that guitar-driven sound of days gone by. I’m sure their live shows kick ass.

For more information, check out http://www.medusadiesel.com/

Review of Post Oak Savannah – Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman

Texas’ Post Oak Savannah is different, but familiar. They’ve got that 70’s Southern rock sound that’s countrified – very Allman Brothers radio cuts, Alabama’s more rocking sounds, Eagles. The instrumentals on songs like “Sixteen Miles” are top-notch.

Their songs can be quite varied, and this is where they remind me a little of the Grateful Dead, with their blues/country/rock mix. But even on an eclectic song like “Down on the Farm,” you can still hear those familiar Southern guitar riffs. “Black Widow” is more hard-hitting and I’m sure you’ll like it. “Bourbon Hall” is probably their break-out song. “Four Dollars and Half a Pint” has got that Ozark Mountain Daredevils in their experimental stage, kind of cool. “Jasmine Grove” sounds like the more standard OMD. Wanna hear something really cute? They designed their CD to look like an old ’45! Listen to their sound at http://www.myspace.com/postoaksavannah .