Five Music Lunches in Austin (Day 4 - 3/17/11) Don Chani @ Ruta Maya (ATX Wildfire)

All week I'm going to catch a live band every day at lunchtime. My mission.... get to a show, take a video.. take photos... and get back to work.

I'm trying to hit a different venue each day.

Day 1: Jackie Bristow @ Dart Music International House (at 219 West)

Day 2: Lost in the Trees @ Babelemusic Takes on Texas (at Phoenix Ultra Lounge)

Day 3: Admiral Fallow  ( at Takoba)

Day 4: Don Chani @ ATX Wildfire (at Ruta Maya)

ANYONE living in Austin can take advantage of live, free music this week. Pack a lunch.. eat it on the way (or attend a show where they serve food).

Thursday 3/17/11 

(Love Thy Reggae [w/shamrocks] )

Finally, the "official" unofficial day of March Music Madness has begun. There was a lot to choose from today and I have to apologize to Whoopsy Magazine's showcase at Trophy's on South Congress. I was all set and ready to head there when I realized it was the kick-off of ATX Wildfire at Ruta Maya.

ATX Wildfire is the brainchild of Greg "Phive" Cooper, who is a good friend of mine... and a heck of a good person to boot. He is trying to give the Austin Reggae scene a boost with his "Episode Phive" productions. If you like reggae at all and are in Austin.. anytime of the year... look Episode Phive up on Facebook. He'll tell you where you can catch some great tunes.

Anyhow... I walked in to the wonderful sounds of Don Chani. I've enjoyed this local band's sound ever since I'd heard their stuff, and am a big fan of guitarist and backup singer Erick Bohorquez's kids album, Lennon's Song. I've never caught them live though.

It was a treat. And if the band playing at noon on a Thursday (second band up for the 3-day festival) is this caliber of musician... I can't imagine how amazing the rest of the bands will be.

I caught 2 videos. To my surprise, they pulled out a spanish reggae jam (Second song below). VERY nice.

Photos:

Week 33 - Lennon's Song - We Love, We Lean, We Grow

(Week 33 of my 52 Austin CD Reviews in 52 Weeks)   

“You are the passion, the passion in my heart. And the inspiration to make a new start.” - Lennon

Lennon’s Song

We Love, We Learn, We Grow

Erick Bohorquez is the guitarist and vocalist for one of Austin’s premiere reggae/dub/Latin bands Don Chani. He is also a new father. Both of these facts are evident in his new project, a children’s release called We Love, We Learn, We Grow recorded under the moniker Lennon’s Song.

Love is the theme of this recording and the impetus of the project was the bath of his son Ishan Lennon (hence the name of the “band”). Musically, the album is carried by a reggae-infused acoustic guitar sound. This isn’t you’re typical kids album, it’s more like a view of the world using the eyes of a child.

We Love, We Learn, We Grow is a true one-man project. Bohorquez wrote composed, produced, mixed, and mastered it himself. He also is a pretty strong promotional machine (which makes sense as in his past life he was a Regional Manager of Marketing and Promotions at Island/Def Jam Records).

When I get an album like this, a side project that is a single persons vision, I usually take a deep breath before I listen because 90% of the time it’s a nice idea, but not fully realized. This one is different though.  This is a really moving CD full of original tunes that are child oriented but not too simplistic. And bonus, the lyrics are well thought out and really moving.

Throughout the nine-song 26-minute album, I found myself smiling. The reggae “one love” idea is driven home well in the apropos-titled  “Love.”  The fun “Growing Up” talks about the excitement of new discovery. “Use You Imagination” bops along with a Bob Marley “Three Little Birds” feel to it. The beautiful dedication to Bohorquez’s son, “Lennon,” is another high point of an album full of great tunes. The instrumental “Wonderful” and “Breeze” are also well crafted.

The song that really gets me going is the fun “Summertime.” It is one of those audience participation songs where Bohorquez gets hands clapping and feet stomping. “Summertime is easy because school is out of session. It’s OK to play all day because life is one big lesson.” My kids are big fans of this track as well.

I hope that Lennon’s Song isn’t a one-off for Bohorquez. Although his full-time band is fantastic, the world needs more original kids songs that don’t make parents want to rip their hair out on the 100^th listen. I can see this one being on heavy rotation at my house.

You can find Lennon’s Song in Austin at Picket Fences Baby & Maternity (1003 W 34th St) and Waterloo Records. Also check online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/LennonsSong. Erick will be playing the The Red Balloon Benefit at 501 Studios in Austin this Sunday as part of Don Chani. He will also be performing as Lennon’s Song in June at Lake Hills Montessori.