RETROGRADE MOTION

A column devoted to jump swing, rockabilly, blues, surf guitars, and other vintage stiles that keep you moving

In a month that's heavy with rockin', countrified guitar pickin', there's a few noteworthy standouts in other genres as well. Here's a few suggestions...

8 1/2 Souvenirs at the Crystal Corner, Madison, July 17: When this Austin -based group first hit with Happy Feet, it was heavy with the Django Reinhardt influence, courtesy of French guitarist/songwriter Olivier Giraud. Through the years at the Continental Club, the band's lineup - and format - have evolved. Now in front is chanteuse Chrysta Bell, a breathy vocalist that brings extra emotion in several languages. At times loungy, at times continental, and at times sounding like Gloria Estefan recording for a David Lynch movie - this is one group that should break big with its soon-to-be-released Twisted Desire disc on RCA.

Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie at the Memorial Union, July 22: Geno's late father, John, was a zydeco pioneer who never got the recognition many of his contemporaries landed. But he left a powerful legacy in his son, who assumed the band's leadership about five years ago - when Geno was only 22.

Rusty Zinn at the Club Tavern, Madison, August 12: A protege of Kim Wilson, Zinn's passion developed from Chicago blues of the 1950s to west coast jump to his latest indulgence, Texas blues. His new Confessin' disc captures echoes of Don Robey's Duke and Peacock sessions with horns to the East Texas grit of Lightnin' Hopkins. He's also at the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth on August 15.
Penny Goodwin & other Women Who Swing Milwaukee at Rainbow Summer, Milwaukee, August 6: Goodwin's vocals have graced Brewtown for decades; at this special evening showcase, she'll be joined by other top women of Milwaukee's jazz/blues scene. Too cool.

Now - the twang:
Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun at the Imperial Palace, July 15; Automatic Slims, Neenah, July 16; and Lee's Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis, July 18: Lots of miles for Kirchen, the guitarist that put Johnny Bond's "Hot Rod Lincoln" back on the map in his tenure with Commander Cody. He's kept that same spunky spirit and versatility - even playing trombone between guitar heroics.

The Vibro-Champs with Jonny Z & the Uptown Savages at the Imperial Palace, Madison, July 16 and the Globe, Milwaukee, July 17: A new CD is coming from the somewhat twisted Minnesota rockers. Rockabilly nouvelle? We'll see...

Knuckel Drager, Bleed, and Bitch Transmission at the Inferno, Madison, July 23: punk/psych/rockabilly/surf  fusion night - with the double-dose-of-Viagra-potency of Bitch Transmission's Mike Feldt on bass and Eli Hanson on guitar and songwriting. They're one of the best neo-traditional surf groups I've seen in years. If they stick together, look out. To be even more bitchin', dig out your '60s threads for the fashion show.

The Paladins at Automatic Slim's, Neenah, August 1: This SoCal power trio reopened the books on rockabilly blues in the 1980s, with landmark albums for Alligator. They haven't toured Wisconsin in years, so I'd be an automatic attendee...except for...
Davie Allen & the Arrows at the Cactus Club, Milwaukee, August 1: Yes, THAT Davie Allen - as in "Blues Theme," the proto-psych instrumental. Can anyone give Rockin' John a ride from Madison?

Still more: Rockabilly pioneer Sleepy La Beef (Imperial Palace 8/13 & Automatic Slim's 8/14) and relative newcomer Kim Lenz & Her Jaguars (Lee's, Minneapolis, 8/8 & Shank Hall, Milwaukee, 8/12).
Other recommended shows: Texas Blues from Mike Morgan (7/30, Up & Under, Milwaukee), Teddy Morgan (Atwood Summerfest/Harmony Bar, Madison, 8/7); Contemporary Blues from Deborah Coleman (Harmony, Madison, 7/31), James Armstrong (Angelic, Madison, 8/7), and veteran Jimmy Johnson (UW Memorial Union, 8/7); Swing from the Atomic Fireballs (Velvet Room's street party, Milwaukee, 7/17)

 Dave Leucinger