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Ralph Roddenbery has floated somewhere just below the radar of the Atlanta music scene for the past few years. Only the most aggressive Georgians, those constantly "searching for the sound," have been aware of Ralph's magnetic stage presence. Those who have already had a taste of Ralph's talent are apt to hit most of his Atlanta or Athens performances. Roddenbery moved to Athens in the 80s, and was seduced by improvisational music at Widespread Panic's weekly Monday night shows at The Uptown Lounge. He began a fruitful relationship with Dave Schools, REM's Bill Berry, and a singer/songwriter named Rick Fowler. During this period, these folks even at one point contemplated starting their own "Gangster Country" genre, and Ralph began to cut his teeth as a songwriter and performer. Eventually he worked with John Keane and Paul "Crumpy" Edwards on what would become his debut CD, Fix Myself. Ralph has garnered himself quite a following in Georgia, and was even backed by Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull) and his band for one of his original compositions during Anderson's "Rubbing Elbows" tour last year.
Ralph Roddenbery & Friends Live at Tree Sound Studios (the debut CD on the Hidden Notes label) is a portrait of Roddenbery the brilliant performer, highlighting some of the strongest songs in his abundant arsenal of originals. The majority of this CD was recorded in front of a small audience in Tree Sound Studios just northeast of Atlanta, with two tracks included from a Living Room Session with The Dunhams (who have featured Roddenbery on their radio program multiple times). The disc effectively conveys what a gratifying experience a live performance with Ralph Roddenbery is.
C. Rotch, A. King, R. Roddenbery, B. Miller
© Hidden Notes, 2003 |
These songs focus on friendship, love, life, trust, honesty, and hopefulness and how we shouldn't take these vital intangibles for granted. Roddenbery maintains this vibe, even when addressing more difficult or painful topics. His unwaveringly confident vocal delivery benefits from his ability to (gasp) enunciate clearly. He is a vocalist with his own distinct style, and the shades of Cat Stevens (particularly on his heartier voicing) that seep into his music indicate his respect of great musicians of the past. He also, between songs, repeatedly acknowledges people that have inspired him and/or written with him. There are sometimes awkward cuts between the tracks of the discs, but Ralph's humility shines through nonetheless.
It strikes me on a personal level that some of his songs speak to me so directly it is almost uncomfortable. For example the playfully dispirited lead track, "Boo Coo Disarray," could have been inspired by the current state of my own town house. This number sets an appropriate tone for the disc, as Roddenbery is clearly someone who does not take himself too seriously (he sings of his ability to lose keys, his unclean laundry which "breathes" and his "nonchalant" calendar), and someone who can shift the entire mood of a song simply by altering his vocal inflection. At one point he brings an endearing quality to his own carelessness, but then later his hushed vocal gives the third verse an air of gravity (a tactic that he uses effectively throughout the disc). "Pushin' On A Pull Door" presents a character that has lost his job, can't pay his rent, chases the wrong girl, and abuses his credit card privileges. However, the hope in this song lies in the fact that the character takes responsibility for his situation... a refreshing thought in our often too-whiney world. Roddenbery's soulful vocals, a heartfelt acoustic guitar solo from Chris Rotch, and Andy King's walking bass at the end of each verse serve to underscore the sincerity of the lyrics. Roddenbery's vocal delivery carries "Clearly Vague," as his incantations are at various times breathy, boisterous, bright, and with even a hint of vaudeville creeping in just for a moment. The variety of his approach seems to mirror the uncertainty that the song is addressing. While the guitar work is inconsistent on this song, it reveals the organic nature of this record (this is one take, no overdub live action), and when it hits, it hits hard, particularly at the end of the song.
Ralph Roddenbery © Hidden Notes, 2003 |
There are two consecutive songs that display Roddenbery's ability to find jubilation in even the most unfortunate circumstances. In the verse sections of "Life" the voice of the song speaks from the perspective of the water, the forest, the planet, and a newborn child. His powerful but measured vocal approach builds tension throughout the song. While the verses paint a somewhat dim view, in his chorus he celebrates life. As a result, the character sounds like he is searching, rather than preaching. You can feel the yearning in Roddenbery's voice as he sings, "Giving, receiving life, oh help me, believe in this life." On "This Very Day" (introduced as having been written "after Jerry Garcia left the physical world"--and lyrically foreshadowed early in the disc) we hear of a character that refuses to let a nightmare consume him, and chooses instead to celebrate the beauty of another day. Roddenbery's spirited voicing fits perfectly with the song's Bay Area bounce. The tune is filled with memorable lines like, "the city takes it from me, but the farm gives it back." Bobby Miller offers relentlessly crafty mandolin throughout this disc, and his well-placed, fiery riffs increase the urgency of the back section of this moving song. I have already turned to this track a couple of times recently when dealing with disturbing situations of my own. I find it impossible not be drawn to a chorus that says, "Don't you let nothing bring you down/Take your ear and put it close to the ground/You'll hear the music the good Earth play/You'll be so very thankful, for this very day."
Ralph Roddenbery © Hidden Notes, 2003 |
Roddenbery's influences reveal themselves in sneaky fashion. He incorporates a Dylan tactic of taking a seemingly innocuous phrase and turning it into something profound (see "What Good Am I," "Most Of The Time," and/or "Ring Them Bells" on Dylan's Oh Mercy CD). "Nobody Else Can Be Yourself" may, on the surface, seem to be an obvious statement. However, as Roddenbery walks us through a series of characters each fooling themselves in their own way, his simple chorus takes on a meaningful elegance. Striking vocal dynamics allow the listener to feel the progression of the voice of "Look Ma," a song about partial self-discovery. "Hell, I'm just a walking embryo/I don't meet no status quo, mama/But it just don't seem to have your boy concerned." Roddenbery's anthem to friendship, "Take The Feeling Home," is upbeat, except for a well-placed, sobering bridge, which he sings with an anguished tone. Rather than wallow in sorrow about insomnia, he chooses to relate how his inability to sleep is derived from an inordinate love of life on "Way To Happy," and his frustration with a close friend's self-destructive behavior is palpable on "Slo-Motion Suicide." We are also treated to his gripping tribute to those he holds most dear on the heartrending "Next To Me," one of two bonus tracks featuring Ralph in a duo setting with the electric guitar of Ted Norton, alumnus of the '90s Atlanta-based jam band The Grapes.
There are a couple of tunes that seem out of place on this collection. "Stop That Boy" sounds like it would be better served in a funk arrangement, and "Meantown" comes off as a little weepy, but overall this is an outstanding CD from a ridiculously under-appreciated singer/songwriter. Roddenbery's fans will host a fully-catered CD release party featuring the band that performed at Tree Sound Studios on the night the majority of this disc was recorded. The event will be held at Jake's Toadhouse (formerly Jake's Roadhouse) in Decatur on February 21, and he will also perform a brief set as part of the new Dunhams In The Daytime series at Smith's Olde Bar that same afternoon (Green Light Council will also perform, and the cover is only a buck). Roddenbery will then head to San Diego for a Folk Rock convention, and then return to the Southeast for a spring tour, which will include a March 12 performance at Eddie's Attic in Decatur where he will co-headline with veteran North Carolina singer/songwriter Jon Shain.
Rob Turner
JamBase | Atlanta
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