Cleveland’s rock ‘n roll heroes are those singer/songwriters who write and perform their craft bringing good times and great music to local clubs and watering holes. Some have gone on to receive national critical acclaim while others have remained only part of our lakefront folklore. The torch seems to have been passed to Brent Kirby, who will be releasing his latest record Coming Back To Life on Saturday May 14th with a celebration party at The Happy Dog located at 5801 Detroit Avenue in the Gordon Square District of Cleveland. Former Rosavelt leader Chris Allen will be opening the festivities around 9:00 PM. A second event will be held in New York City on May 20th at the National Underground located 159 E. Houston.
Last year’s Last Song On The Soundtrack made my list of favorite records released in 2010 and stood toe-to-toe with albums by several national recording artists. After losing a knife fight with an avocado that put his left hand in a cast for a month, Brent Kirby has written thirteen songs that reflect perseverance to his commitment for being a full time musician. With the help of his backing band The Lost Fortunes which features the great Al Moss of Hillbilly Idol fame on pedal steel, Andy Leach on lead guitar, Matthew Charboneau on bass, and Jon Niefeld on drums, the music bleeds with a sound reminiscent of the late Gram Parsons. Some of my favorite tracks include the hit single “Spot Where I Stand”, “Standing in the Hallways”, “Carmen”, and “Something About You”. Laurie Michelle Caner of another local favorite band Hey Mavis adds some sweet vocal harmonies to “We Would Have Been Good” along with her husband and fiddle maestro Ed Caner. On the Texas two-step dance number “Do it Again”, Kirby adds some tape delay to give the song an old tyme feel.
Brent Kirby and The Lost Fortunes will also be playing their monthly tribute to Gram Parsons as The New Soft Shoe at The Happy Dog on May 12 as well as opening for Outlaw Country sweetheart Elizabeth Cook at The Beachland on June 10th. For more info on Brent Kirby, visit www.brentkirby.com
