Mike Dinallo has been in and around R&B, roots, blues, and rock since I started writing this column, most notably with the Radio Kings a while back. Since then, in addition to banging out some damn good music, he’s begun producing — some country, some roots and, most recently, vintage R&B. In fact, Dinallo just completed a project for the resur-gent Stax label and their legendary artist Eddie Floyd. The disc is titled Eddie Loves You So. “Working with Eddie and getting to know him has been a complete joy,” says Dinallo. “Eddie’s energy and enthusiasm has been and continues to be incredibly inspiring.”
It’s soul man Floyd’s first new album in six years. You may remember that Floyd recorded the monster soul classic “Knock On Wood” back in 1967; the new Dinallo-co-produced al-bum finds Floyd returning to those feisty Southern roots. Floyd and Dinallo unearthed a bunch of interesting tracks for the project, including 10 originals Floyd wrote for other artists back in the day but never recorded: “’Til My Back Ain’t Got No Bone,” a hit for William Bell and later cut by Esther Phillips; “I Will Always Have Faith In You,” a #11 hit for Carla Tho-mas; and “You Don’t Know What You Mean To Me,” a co-write with Steve Cropper that labelmates Sam & Dave took to #20 on the R&B chart. Floyd was a member of the Falcons in the late ’50s, later of the Contours and 100 Proof Aged in Soul. From that era, Floyd has re-recorded a few choice cuts, including “You’re So Fine,” a 1959 hit, and “Never Get Enough of Your Love,” which he recorded on Al Bell’s Safice Records. There’s also a previously unreleased Falcons song, “Since You’ve Been Gone,” which was demoed but never recorded until now. “In choosing the songs for this record,” says Dinallo, “it hit me that I was surveying the history of soul. I had to dig through Eddie’s catalog of the past 50 years.”
Dinallo worked with Ducky Carlisle (Susan Tedeschi, Buddy Guy, Graham Parker) on Eddie Loves You So. “Ducky and I were floored when he started singing,” says Dinallo. “The sound of his voice coming back over the speakers gave us chills and made us howl with delight.” The new CD hits the streets on July 29 on Stax Records, distributed by the Concord Music Group.
New s-s-s-studio
Looking for a quick demo? Wanna get a full-length CD going? Or how about a rehearsal space? On Tuesday, July 15, Ocean State musicians Pete Vendettouli and Matt Wunsch offi-cially make all of these things available when they open PM Recording/Rehearsal Studios in Wakefield. The facility, located in the former home of Boo Recording Studio on Old Tower Hill Road, is available for multi-track digital recording and band rehearsals, all at affordable rates. The studio features a soundproof vocal/drum isolation room, a “lively” main room, and an isolated control room with digital multi-track recording equipment, effects, and mics. Vendettouli and Wunsch are multi-instrumentalists with decades of experience in live performance and music recording. Joining them as guitar instructor is Ed Vallee, best known for his work as a Naked with Steve Smith. Bass, drums, piano, and voice lessons will also be available; music instructors are welcome to give lessons on a space-available basis. Mobile recording and a satellite space located at Shady Lea Mill are also available. For more information contact: Pete atVendettuoli9@aol.com or Matt atmattywunsch@yahoo.com.
American locomotive works
Think what you will about the upscale mill situation known as American Automotive Works in Olneyville. I’m just here to report that there is a Thursday night concert series tak-ing place in the courtyard through August. It’s a pretty ambitious mix of performers. Tonight (7/10), it’ll be Zerui Depina. On 7/24 it’s Deer Tick, and later in August Watermelon Slim is the attraction. You can get a full schedule at the venue’s flashy website:www.americanlocomotiveworks.com.
Wandering eye
On Friday, July 11, at AS220, it’s B Sharp Music night with BLACK CLOUDS, HO-AG, TXOKA TXOKA, and DIRTY DIRTY. Call 401.831.9327. The Blackstone’s busy as part of Sound Session. Tonight it’s a hip-hop extravaganza with POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE. On Friday it’s ROUTE .44 with BRAD HUFF and KRIS HANSEN’S LEFT HAND BAND. On Saturday it’s KILLING PABLO, GUV, VON DOOM, and THE NEXT EXTENSION (from CT). Call 401.726.2181.
On Saturday, July 12, the Liberty Elm Diner in conjunction with Sound Session ’08 presents a special installment of “Your Roots Are Showing” with THE LOW ANTHEM, SCARCE, and LUCKY 57. The diner is located at 777 Elmwood Avenue in Providence. Doors open at 8 pm, seating is limited, but free parking is not. Call 401.467.0777. On Saturday at AS220 it’s another great night of mostly locals with BOTTLE UP AND GO, THE LONESOME STATE, THE WRONG REASONS, and BEN PILGRIM AND THE FREE UNION BAND. There’s a big show on Sunday at the Living Room with two Boston bands, VANNA and LIONS LIONS. Call 401.521.5200. Also on Sunday at Club Hell, it’s SASQUATCH & THE SICKABILLYS with GRAVEYARD BBQ and South County surf/garage punks THE CHASERS. The Chasers also play at the Shorebreak in Narragansett on Saturday. TOMMY COMA plays at Club Hell on Monday with BEST FRIEND SOLITUDE, FOR SOLACE, and JOINT DAMAGE.
