Michael Meldrum CD release party
Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY
February 17, 2006
By Kevin J. Hosey
Talk about a gathering of the tribe; when Michael Meldrum was joined by several of his musical friends and collaborators at Nietzsche’s to celebrate the longtime Buffalo music scene performer, promoter, organizer, supporter and fixture’s debut CD release, not only was the stage frequently crowded almost to bursting point, the club itself was packed, with the crowd actually turning over, something not often seen here.
Meldrum, who hosts Buffalo’s longest-running and most popular open mike at Nietzsche’s, is the founder and still member/leader of the Buffalo Song Project and may be best known for his early work with and supporting Ani DiFranco, was performing songs from his “Open Ended Question” CD, which is being released under license by DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records.
Joe Rozler, Ani DiFranco and Mike Meldrum
Mike Meldrum and Alex Lynne
As well as DiFranco, the musicians joining Meldrum (who sang and played acoustic guitar except where noted) for the 2-3 hours we were there included Mary Ramsey, viola player and singer from 10,000 Maniacs and John and Mary; Jim Whitford, ex-Pine Dogs and solo, on Telecaster, bass and vocals; Dave Ruch on mandolin (a fantastic, understated musician), John Brady on guitar (and bandleader), Rob Lynch on drums and percussion, Alison Pipitone on vocals and Joe Rozler on accordion. Throughout the show, Meldrum’s son Xander and daughter Julia joined him on stage on drums and vocals, respectively. One of the first songs we heard was “The Great War,” a cool, folksy roots rocker. I missed the name of the next song, but it was a pretty fun song on which Meldrum certainly seems to love women and was highlighted by some real good accordion from Rozler and fine viola from Ramsey.
Alex Lynne took a strong guest turn on vocals and guitar on the slow, sometimes majestic “River’s Edge,” a haunting song about a woman barely holding on after her lover left her; Lynne’s beautiful singing laid bare the heartbreak, while Ramsey’s viola and Rozler’s accordion again excelled. Pipitone took over the lead vocals (due to medical/health reasons, Meldrum’s voice sounded tired, but his energy and work to make the other musicians comfortable was typical) on “Rainstorm,” a raw, painful tune on how the singer is being affected by her/his lover’s leaving and is unable to really function. The lyrics, very strong and emotional, were written by Diane Gall-Meldrum, Michael’s wife. A quirkier song, “Then God Will Dance,” with the lyrics “see how they run” repeatedly sung/almost chanted, took on a virtual Indian/Far East sound, with Michelle Costa adding pennywhistle and Joelle Labert singing with Meldrum. DiFranco joined Meldrum and company on stage for “Open Ended Question,” a very upbeat country folk rocker on how openness and honesty can bring pain as well as joy featuring Whitford on some good Telecaster trading solos with Ramsey, Rozler and Ruch.
Joe Rozler, Xander Meldrum and Jim Whitford
DiFranco joined Meldrum singing the slow, softer “Bleeker Street,” as a lonely person wanders the empty streets of New York City; Rozler added a sweet accordion solo. With Rozler on electric guitar and Ramsey on viola, DiFranco delivered a devastating, sultry rendition of Meldrum’s “Please Say Yes,” where a romantic connection is being sought, all the while one partner knowing that they have missed chances before and may not have the time or life left to see too many more. There was no bitterness in the song or DiFranco’s performance; as the band quieted down, she made time stand almost still as she slowly, huskily sang, pleaded, cajoled and hoped in what is probably Meldrum’s best song (Mike joined on the chorus).
Even as we left, the band continued, playing “Today the Sun,” and Val and I were happy to see more and more people coming into Nietzsche’s, and particularly the many musicians and other music scene/community members present
Righteous Babe Records can be contacted at www.righteousbabe.com.
Mike, Julia, Ani and Xander
Dave Ruch and Xander