New music this week

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

New music this week

GEOFFREY CASTLE

Mist on the Mountain (Twisted Fiddle Records)

Violinist Geoffrey Castle is a veteran of local groups Guarneri Underground, Children of the Revolution and his own Geoffrey Castle Band. On his solo album, the Seattle violinist (a one-time New York street musician) offers an eight-track collection of stunning originals showcasing his pioneering talent on six-string electric violin. Tapping traditional African styles, ancient Celtic melodies and modern pop, rock and jazz, Castle has created a pure, uncluttered masterpiece. Among the gems is the ethereal "Underhill's Waltz," which Castle was playing on a New York street in the early '90s when an NPR reporter discovered him. Also included are several covers, among them "Ukrainian Bell Carol," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and a remarkable version of Miles Davis' "All Blues." (Gene Stout)

GRADE: B+

WIDESPREAD PANIC

Earth to America (Sanctuary)

The Georgia-born band Widespread Panic is best known for its live extended jams. Now after three years of hard touring and the loss of guitarist Mike Houser to pancreatic cancer, the band regroups with George McConnell on guitars and Terry Manning (ZZ Top, James Taylor, Led Zeppelin) in the producer's seat. The result, "Earth to America," still has the feel of the Grateful Dead combined with the Allman Brothers, the Indian-influenced Beatles era and '70s funk. But the band is focused, making each tune stand fiercely, and sometimes sublimely, on its own. (Roberta Penn)

GRADE: B+

THEE EMERGENCY

Can You Dig It? (Blue Disguise)

While many Seattle bands are obsessed with the "hipness" factor (the right clothes, the right glasses), the debut of this four-piece is a gritty aerobic exercise in punk passion. The 10-song snapshot captures the energy of their live show with the precision of their bombast revealing one of the sweatiest rock bands to emerge from the garage since grunge's heyday. While the boys in the band provide most of that sweat, it's frontwoman Dita Vox's dusky vocals that give the band its soul. It's a tasty concoction that promises a workout, especially when played really loud. (Shawn Telford)

GRADE: B+

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