The Norman Transcript

Entertainment

Discussion

March 5, 2010

Wainwright’s album ‘bigger than Dallas’

By Doug Hill The Norman Transcript

Norman —

Victor Wainwright and the Wildroots

Beale Street to the Bayou

Wildroots Records

Victor Wainwright is a big man with a great big voice. A product of Savannah, Ga., this is his first LP.

The Wildroots are a piano, drums and guitar quartet. Notable influence comes from bassist Stephen “Cat Daddy” Dees who wrote or collaborated on most of the album’s 13 original tracks, along with being the producer, arranger and engineer.

The title says what’s going down. You’re about to hear an American musical odyssey from Memphis to New Orleans. Wainwright recalls several strong voices including Mac Rebennack, Don Van Vliet and Leon Russell. The tunes are rich and tasty as a good thick gumbo. They all have distinguishing characteristics that make this a fascinating trip.

There are gentle numbers such as “Not Afraid” and rockers like “Might Man,” Guest appearances by 11 other musicians add saxophone, congas, dobro, blues harp, cello, trumpet, trombone and fine female back-up vocals. Overall the effect is one bigger than Dallas.

Text Only
Entertainment
  • 2nd Friday Art Circuit tonight

    Events for 2nd Friday Circuit of Art Feb. 10, 2012: Participating nonprofit organizations: · Firehouse Art Center, 444 S. Flood, will exhibit artworks by students from the Healing Studio Feb. 10 through March 24. Firehouse patrons ...

    February 10, 2012

  • Breathe Owl Breathe flying to Opolis

    Breathe Owl Breathe (BOB) is not a typical band. Not surprisingly the trio’s percussionist, Trevor Hobbs, is not a conventional drummer. Between recording music, playing local gigs and touring, he teaches earth sciences at two different ...

    February 10, 2012

  • A rare viewing of “There is More to Love...”

    The University of Oklahoma College of Fine Arts and Norman’s Sooner Theatre is presenting a rare opportunity next weekend to see a staged reading of a new musical, “There is More to Love…” Utilizing love songs by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, ...

    February 10, 2012

  • ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ turns 50

    By Carolyn Kellogg Los Angeles Times “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Sure, everyone’s heard of it. But is it worth reading? Before Jack Nicholson won his first Oscar, before there was a bus full of merry pranksters, there was a writing ...

    February 10, 2012

  • On Se Rechauffe! Let’s Heat It Up!

    By Hannah Cruz norman etc. editor Thousands of people will gather the streets of Downtown Norman next weekend to enjoy Oklahoma’s original Mardi Gras parade....

    February 10, 2012

  • An interesting take on espionage with “Safe House”

    He must have joined “The Agency” with an eye toward excitement, exotic locales and danger. But in Capetown, a backwater as far as foreign intrigue goes, agency newcomer Matt Weston is stuck — a one-man show, running a never-used “safe ...

    February 10, 2012

  • The artist life of Warrior Spirits

    With nearly 1,000 distinct dialects spoken, hundreds of years of colonization from multiple countries as well as vast natural resources, Papua New Guinea is the epitome of diversity. Its native art is no exception....

    February 10, 2012

  • The ONE event is coming to town with chairs

    The unexpected will be the center of attention at the Norman Art Council’s ONE fundraiser in March: chairs....

    February 3, 2012

  • Economy on the upswing at the Deli Tuesday

    Life-long Norman resident Travis Pierce denies being a Communist. He explained writing a requiem for recently deceased North Korean strongman Kim Jong-il as recognition of his place in pop culture rather than as a tribute to a brutal ...

    February 3, 2012

  • Steel drums to hit OU

    The largest steel pan ensemble Oklahoma has ever seen will assemble in Norman next weekend for a steel pan festival, a two-day celebration of Calypso music that will make any stage seem small. “This is going to be the first time we’ve ...

    February 3, 2012

The Business Marquee
Facebook