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Welcome new subscribers to Buffalo and the nation’s leading concert and musical commentary. See the web site at buffalocitygroove.tripod.com

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Here in Buffalo there are frequent riffs between the media and musicians - not enough coverage, little radio exposure etc. Many of these complaints may be legitimate. Still, when coverage IS given for the player, it has to be just right. Certain musicians cringe when the piece isn’t perfect to their wants. They regard the media more as a publicity agent.

An ugly incident took place between a local guitarist/songwriter and a member of Buffalo’s most read paper (not internet) publication, The Buffalo News. Both were friends. This player, as mentioned in a past BCG issue, was busted for drugs outside of Buffalo and held benefits for his legal cause. It seems this News writer incorrectly identified the narcotic he was guilty of abusing. The musician did the unthinkable; he went above the writer and friend’s head and contacted Buffalo News bosses. Who knows what the intentions were of this lunatic? Besides, who wants to deal with this guy’s record?

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Speaking of the Buffalo News, thanks to writer, Toni Ruberto who devoted a good deal of her column in Gusto to the Buffalo City Groove. Ruberto is seen out on the town constantly and is regarded as the patron saint of local bands.

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Dale Campbell is another hard working member of the music community. He takes his open stage to whatever bar will have him, simply for exposure and the opportunity to have an open room. He’s taken up residence at A.J.’s Cafe on Walden Ave. The music room is so isolated from the bar, it feels as if you’re in Dale’s family room. Teenagers have started to pick up on this and enter from the back door, bringing their instruments and defying the under 21 rule. No one cares and nobody knows. The place is also well lit with many tables - magazines are easily read, taxes may be worked on etc. Beat the winter blues and get out of the house and head to A.J.’s.

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The Pearl St. Brewery held a nice benefit for the City Mission on Saturday. Two pairs of socks got you free admission. Six bands played and competed for an expense paid trip to Boston for some competition. BCG arrived when Mexican Cession was starting. They’re a high energy 8 piece band with a good horn section while playing in costume (there are an awful lot of bands using goofy costumes, especially those store bought afros). MC gives a high spirited effort that must, however, be difficult to endure for both performer and audience during a full length show.

Bobo, a BCG favorite, capped the evening. Jimmer Phillips is the lead writer and vocalist of the band - a terrific frontman. After their 6 song set, all bands awaited the results. The voting process was unclear. Presumably, though, the listeners voted which was unfair for Bobo because they were last with fewer listeners. Mexican Cession was the victor. Phillips responded with throwing a full cup of beer on his listeners. It was a remarkable toss, touching everyone in the bar from wall to wall. This was a memorable way to end a nice night of Buffalo local music.

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Zoe Records releases "Evolver - A New Kind of Music From the Kennedys". Zoe is the signature label for folkies who want to expand. The Kennedys are attempting to create pop sounds from the 60’s and 70’s here. The result is a hit and miss bag through 14 tracks that touches on sounds from the B52’s (an inevitable comparison with a female vocal), Ernio Morricone, and The Byrds. Unfortunately, the stongest track comes from the slow ballad, "Never Learn". The album hits rock bottom with "Put Your Mind", a sugary number with the reminder, "The sky’s the limit so reach for the sun." and "catch a star and slide down a rainbow". They quickly recover with the rocking "Can’t Kill Hope With a Gun". Nevertheless, too many peaks and valleys on a forgettable effort.

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"Alfred Hitchcock - Signatures in Suspense" (Hippo) is just the thing for the Hitchcock enthusiast. This might be a tough sell. Hitchcock popularity is at an all time low. Most people confuse him with John Houseman from "earning money the old fashioned way" commercial fame. The soundtrack here isn’t easy listening. Many of the numbers are from Bernard Herrmann who had the idea of the fierce violins in the "shower scene". Many of Herrmann’s compositions, though fine during a suspenseful movie, are not what you would ever choose for enjoyment. The high point of this release is the underrated Dimitri Tiomkin and his Oscar winning score from 1954’s "I Confess". It’s a beautiful composition that captures the movies just when Hollywood was leaving its Golden Age.

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Prestige Records has released the "American Classics Series" which features in five different discs, tributes to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sammy Cahn, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Duke Ellington. Each disk has a variety of top names performing the numbers of the featured greats. Joe Pass, Art Pepper, Clark Terry are hilights, for example, on the Charlie Parker disc. The best of the bunch, however, is the Rodgers & Hammerstein disc. Jazz and show tunes made a great marriage. Here, McCoy Tyner performs "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music", Cannonball Adderley plays "People Will Say We’re In Love" from "Oklahoma". The best comes, however, from tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons in "You’ll Never Walk Alone" from "Carousel". The mood from Ammons and the roller- rink sounds of organist Clarence Anderson create a special mood.

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The conversation of one hit wonders is a favorite subject for musical morons. Inevitably old names such as Slade and Dexy’s Runners come up. "What happened to ‘Katrina & the Waves’? recently was asked when a bored BCG reporter perked up. British pop/rocker Julian Dawson this winter released "Under the Sun" (Gadfly). Kimberly Rew, co-founder of Katrina and writer of "Walking on Sunshine", handled production and guitar work for this album. Enough of Rew. This is a solid pop, almost folk, album that features catchy tune after tune. Dawson had previously released an album with guest appearances from Lucinda Williams, Richard Thompson, and Steve Forbert. Great effort from the British underworld.