Chip Hanna & The Berlin Three – Old South Jamboree (chiphanna.com)

Chip Hanna (formerly of US Bombs) teamed up with German psychobilly trio Mad Sin, churning out a rock and roll stew with key ingredients like punk, country, rockabilly, blue grass, and so much more. The best comparison I can think of is Flogging Molly, a band that can take many musical genres and create something fresh and exciting! Opening with "Wouldn't Change a Thing," and later on with "Thinkin' Drinkin' & Drivin," Chip and the boys pay homage to the blues and rockabilly, via Bo Diddly and Buddy Holly, respectively. Written by Hanna (he wrote most of the tunes on the band's self-titled album), he sings about the trials and tribulations of starting a band, and how inspiration can come from bad times. It's a fresh look at what inspires your desires. If you threw in a couple of banjos on smokin' hot tunes like "Honky Tonk Girl" and "Louisiana," you'd have blue grass/rockabilly number that would be Flat & Skruggs-worthy!

Interesting surprises pop up as covers that are originally worlds apart musically, but end up adding to the vibe and mojo of the album. In the hands of Chip Hanna & The Berlin Three, "Jesse James" is given a unique spin, like Springsteen did on "The Seeger Sessions" record. More upbeat than the sleepy original, it's full of Western Swing, and features a hot rockabilly rhythm section. The Bouncing Souls' "True Believers" is just... well, really cool! They take the Souls' original, call-to-arms punk rock anthem, and duct tape it to the engine of hot rod, taking it for a joy ride down to Asbury Lanes. Amazing! It's great when so many influences meet, creating something different and unique, which will undoubtedly inspire others. - Phil Rainone

 

Zak Smith - As Rome Burns (zaksmithlive.com)

This is one of the (many) things that makes writing for Jersey Beat (the Boss is starting on his 26th year), so much fun. A literally unknown artist sends in a CD to review with a hand-written note, asking if Jersey Beat would review it (he also included a website to check out his new video: Zaksmithlive.com). Listening to "As Rome Burns" is like someone opening up their life to you in ten songs. The music never gets too high or too low, and leaves the listener completely satisfied. The closest I can come in comparisons is Jesse Malin. Zak is singer-songwriter who demonstrates fluency in his musicianship, conveying a wide range of emotions including frustration, love, and faith. The record is a blend of throaty, blue-eyed soul, and acoustic rock, with the lyrics being an obvious reflection of the life and times of their creator. Smith creates a more instrumentally varied record than might be expected from a singer-songwriter. His core band The Last Beat, includes Tony Bruno (formely of The Blackhearts) on drums, Kevin Kavanaugh (Asbury Jukes) on keyboards, Dave Rosen on guitar, Sam Bey on drums, Jim Bagalino on bass, Gillian Rivers on violin, and Alicia Testa - background vocals. Zak Smith is a great addition to the thriving Jersey and tri-state music scene. Again, this is one of those surprises that come through Jersey Beat not every once and while, but on a regular basis, that keeps things cool and interesting! - Phil Rainone

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