MP3 of the Week: Johnny Angel Wendell "Gypsy Boots"
UPDATE: Wendell has to cancel his trip home due to illness. This morning he posted to his Facebook the following message: "Last night, I woke up violently ill, dry heaves, burning up and itching like crazy. Going to see doctor (who I spoke to late last night) this morning. In no condition to travel. I'm terribly sorry for this and have emailed Radio to tell them I will not be there. We're posting the Mp3 of the Week anyway, and will find out if the shows (which have already seen the Real Kids bail on Friday's bill) are still on, but without their headliner.
UPDATE 2: The shows will go on, sans Mr. Wendell. Lineups: Watts + Mary Lou Lord + Robin Lane on Friday, Eric Martin & the ILLyrians + Darling Pet Munkee + 360s on Saturday. Rock on.
When he’s back in town this weekend for the first time in three years, JOHNNY ANGEL WENDELL likely won’t recognize the Boston he permanently vacated more than 20 years ago. But Boston probably won’t rec-ognize him, either. The leather-clad leader of punk-rock brigades the Blackjacks and the Thrills has been soaking in the Southern California sun since 1989, and last October’s solo record IT! — his first proper recording in 15 years — shows us a more relaxed, seasoned, and reflective crooner than the obnoxious garage-rock shouter that skipped town a few years before the Rat closed. On “Gypsy Boots,” Wendell throws some swinging twang into his usually gritty songwriting prowess, circling the punk wagons around Americana without falling too deep in the folk-hole. His two-night IT! Hootenanny hits Somerville’s Radio Friday and Saturday (guests include the Real Kids, Mary Lou Lord, Eric Martin & the ILLyrians, and Darling Pet Munkee), so throw on his “Gypsy Boots” with the mp3 below.
DOWNLOAD: Johnny Angel Wendell "Gypsy Boots" [mp3]