Kool Kat Kristmas

I love Christmas music and particularly power pop Christmas music. There's a new compilation put out by America's best powerpop label (now that Not Lame is gone, are they the only power pop label?), Kool Kat Musik, and it's a lot of fun. Most of the cuts are first rate. Parallax Project's "All I Want for Christmas is a Chance" is very catchy,
and Maple Mars' "Christmas Time in the City" has a melody that sticks. But the standout tracks are The Britannicas' "Chris Hillman Christmas", The Goldbergs' "Channukah Guy", and John Wicks' "Star of bethlehem". The first two are written with a keen sense of humor (an inportant ingredient to any holiday cheer) and the Wicks cut his a nice tune written with Duncan Mackay, formerly of 10CC.

This is a holiday disc you'll play again and again.

My Mistake

In an earlier post I'd stated that Betty Drake's Grape of Red was being reissued....not the case. Kool Kat Musik happened ot have a few extra copies they'd found so they sold 'em. False alarm. SORRY....

An Old Friends Returns...Betty Drake

A few years back, a friend who lives in Barcelona sent me a CDR and prefaced the letter that accompanied it with "You're gonna like this...". He was right. Inside the envelope was a CD by Betty Drake, a band I had never heard of. And the photocopied art did me no service as it was unreadable. But what a great record!

Years later I find myself working with this guy who is really talented and we start talking about music. I discover that, not only does he know the bands I listen to, be knows the guys in Betty Drake. He was in the Beatifics with two of them! (insert "small world" cliche here). We had a long chat about the band and the music.

Keeping a long story short, Christmas is here early. Betty Drake's second CD, Grape or Red, has been reissued by Purple Pit! Purple Pit may be Andy Schultz, I dunno. But that's neither here or there. The re-release of Grape or Red is a wonderful surprise.

Here's the vital statistics on this recording:


Personnel: Andy Schultz, vocals and guitar / Paul Novak, vocals and guitar / Heath Henjum, bass / Nate Jaqua, drums


Songs: Just Like That / Time Will Never Tell / Funny Forever / Movietown / Oh Claudine / A Place To Stay / Lock & Key / Summer Grass / Curtain Call / Last In Line / Lucky Star


This album showcases the songwriting talents of Andy Schultz and Paul Novak, both veterans of the Minneapolis powerpop scene. The songs are witty, soulful sweet. If you like the Beatifics' How I Learned To Stop Worrying you'll love this as Schults picks up right where he left off (minus Chris Dern's contributions). You can buy it at Kool kat Musik. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Rumors, Rumors...

It's been a while since I last posted so please forgive me for my not so brief hiatus. Word is that if you're a Beatifics fan there is plenty to be excited about. Firstly, I got word that Betty Drake's Grape Or Red is being reissued. For those who may not remember, guitarist Andy Schultz. and bassist Paul Novak started Betty Drake from the ashes of The Beatifics and, joined by a couple of guys who's name I've forgotten (they were from a power pop band in North Dakota or something) released Grape or Red in 2002.
I've not yet seen or heard the reissue yet so I don't know if it includes any bonus cuts or extraordinary additions. I'll keep you posted.

Also, rumor has it Randy Seals of Beatifics fame has an upcoming release. AND, Records fans will be thrilled with another offering from John Wicks. More on those very soon!