Debra Dylan: Love & Circumstances
Christabel & the Jons will be performing a live show and hosting their CD release party this Tuesday at noon, at WDVX’s Blue Plate Special. Love & Circumstances, their much anticipated studio release, recorded at Ottofish Studios in Johnson City, is pure joy from start to finish.
At the sound of her unique voice singing, Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons,” I quit my jawing and looked up from by beer. This is how my love affair with the band began. Not sure if this was a fluke, or the effect of the beer, soon thereafter, I caught Christa DeCicco’s solo performance on a WDVX Blue Plate Special, and my first impressions were correct: her voice and original songs are amazing.
Now, Christabel & the Jons are a swinging quartet with Christa DeCicco and Jon Whitlock joined by Mischa Goldman on upright bass and Seth Hopper on violin, mandolin, trumpet and bandoneon. (Special guests Tom Pryor on pedal steel guitar, Valerie Sanders on flute and clarinet and local big band The Streamliners also appear on Love & Circumstances.)
One of the reasons I keep returning to their shows is because of Ms. DeCicco’s captivating voice. The modulation of her pristine vocals and her phrasing fascinate. Even her humming is enchanting. A natural born performer, her gracious stage presence is also a draw. The band’s vintage wardrobe also contributes to the atmosphere of their “speak-easy,” jazzy folk-infused music.
The band’s swinging renditions of not often heard cover songs, plus DeCicco’s original material, also merits repeat visits. At any show, you may be treated to the band’s unique take on songs by Bob Dylan, George Gershwin, or Marvin Gaye. Of special note is the band’s somber and plaintive cover of The Police’s “Roxanne.” As their audience has grown, so have the requests for Christa’s original work. Love & Circumstances contains eleven original songs and a barn burning cover of Louis Armstrong’s “St. James Infirmary.”
The CD kicks off with the lively “It’s Love” where memories of a teenage romance (and comfort food) are fondly recalled. “Best Kind of Friend” is another upbeat and fun reminiscence of a past love whose friendship is cherished. Here, Mischa Goldman playfully punctuates on bass while Jon Whitlock chimes in on sleigh bells. The beautiful “Sweetheart” contains interesting musical changes as it slinks along during the verses and then suddenly changes into a hip and catchy refrain. Mischa and Seth swing sweetly on this love song about a former beau’s return to town.
The only dark moment on the CD is the brooding and dramatic “You Go to My Head.” Harper’s violin is mournful and Goldman’s bass is ominous. This mysterious story builds in tension as DeCicco’s vocals and Whitlock’s drumming become more forceful.
For such a young woman, DeCicco possesses an incredible ear for writing and singing songs of various genres. “Postcard” and “Lay Your Head Down” have such an old-timey, bluesy feel; one would swear they were written in another era. “Postcard” is a beautifully written and sung daydream about longing to contact a former lover. This song is packed with lyrical gems (“like you never knew a soul in the world worth talking to”).
“Thankful” and “Eye for an Eye” are the most intimate and meditative songs on the album. On “Thankful,” Goldman’s bow work sets a steady, rich and deep background, while Whitlock’s drumming is a softly hypnotic accompaniment to Christa’s dreamy, drifting vocals. Hopper’s bandoneon and Sanders’ clarinet and flute in an “Eye for an Eye” provide gentle contrasts to Christa’s simple and beautiful narrative. Both of these songs are frequently requested at live performances, as is, “Florida.” Hopper’s swanky trumpet nicely accentuates this tale of Floridian family remembrances. Much interest and emotion occurs here when DeCicco very effectively deviates from the verse/chorus pattern for an impassioned flamingo-inspired nostalgic lament.
Another crowd favorite, “Little Jane” is a lighthearted song about the embarrassment of briefly moving back to the familial home “after 7 years of living alone.” Valerie Sanders' clarinet adds a refreshing jazzy spunk. “Remember” is an amusing and energetic ode to South Knoxville (“no that ain’t right/I’m lyin’ to you!)
Finally, with the scratchy sound of a needle on a record, The Streamliners join Christabel & the Jons for a rousing big band rendition of the morbid “St. James Infirmary.” This positively exuberant finale, including a “call and response” shout out, is the perfect conclusion for this wonderful CD that cleverly captures and blends vintage and modern styles.
If you don’t know what to do with your company on the day after Thanksgiving, please take your guests to Barley’s to experience the magic of Christabel & the Jons. Even without the effects of beer, you will fall in love with their music, and Grandma might even find herself singing along to “Old Fashioned Morphine.” Thankfully, as of this Tuesday, we will finally be able to own a piece of this magic.
Upcoming shows:
November 21 12:00 p.m. WDVX Blue Plate Special
November 24 9:00 p.m. Barley’s
December 1 10:00 p.m. Oodles
December 22 9:00 p.m. Preservation Pub
(a special Christmas show with Tommy Bateman &
Thunderthieves)
photo credits: Tovah Greenwood