Here Comes The Flood - a weblog about music

photo: Seth Thompson

There once was a funky soul band from Chicago called Eli Jones. They released an album in 2007 - Make It Right - but there was something that needed improvement: a sense of urgency. The changed the band name to The Right Now in January 2009 and began gigging endlessly. Lead singer Stefanie Berecz has worked hard on her phrasing and main songwriter Brendan O'Connell listened to a lot of Memphis soul.

Carry Me Home is a multi-faceted album - the slow, erotic funk soul feel reigns supreme in Ain't Going Back and Before I Know Your Name, and Berecz adapts a late night story telling voice for ballads like Better Way To Live and Carry Me Home. The stomping I'll Get Down has written "encore favorite" all over it. The brass section is always on hand to depth and warmth to the songs. Recommended if you like Sharon Jones and Stax vocalists.

The Right Now:
Stefanie Berecz: vocals
Brendan O'Connell: guitar, keys, vocals
Chris Corsale: guitar, vocals
Greg Nergaard: bass
John Smillie: drums
Eric Miller: trombone
Jonathon Edwards: baritone sax
Jim Schram: tenor sax

Carry Me Home is a self-released album. Release date: March 3rd. Buy it from the band's website.

1. Ain't Going Back
2. Nobody
3. You Will Know
4. I Could Really Hold On
5. Better Way To Live
6. Before I Know Your Name
7. Doing Nothing
8. I'll Get Down
9. The One You Love
10. Carry Me Home

A 7 inch 45 single was mastered with Memphis soul legend Larry Nix at Ardent Studios, who also took charge when they were cutting the lacquers. Side A is the non-album track "7 to 10," recorded in Memphis and Chicago with Scott Bomar and Jay Marino. Side B is "The One You Love," recorded in Chicago with Vijay Tellis-Nayak and Steve Gillis.

MP3: The Right Now - Ain't Going Back
MP3: The Right Now - You Will Know
Video: The Right Now - I'll Get Down
(live @ Wisconsin Public Television's 30 Minute Music Hour w/ Andy Moore - 2009/06/16)

• 02/15 Hearya.com - Live Session at Shirk Music & Sound, Chicago, IL
• 02/19 Union Street Station w/ The Macpodz, Traverse City, MI
• 02/20 Park Street Tavern, Columbus, OH
• 02/24 The Basement - Outta Sight Records Presents: Outta Sight Night, Nashville, TN
• 02/27 WNUR 89.3 FM - Airplay, Chicago, IL
• 03/03 LaundroMatinee.com Taping, Indianapolis, IL
• 03/03 Indy CD & Vinyl - In-Store Appearance, Indianapolis, IA
• 03/03 Jazz Kitchen - My Old Kentucky Blog & Old Soul & Twinpeaks Present: Root Movements, Indianapolis, IA
• 03/04 House Concert, Madison, Wisconsin
• 03/06 The Fire, Philadelphia, PA
• 03/08 Bullfrog Brewery #, Williamsport, PA
• 03/10 Puck Live #, Doylestown, PA
• 03/11 Groove #, New York, New York
• 03/12 The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ
• 03/13 Shadow Lounge #, Pittsburgh, PA
• 03/18 Vocalo 89.5FM - In-studio, Chicago, IL
• 03/18 Fearless Radio - Live In-Studio, Chicago, IL
• 03/18 WLUW - Radio Free Chicago (Interview), Chicago, IL
• 03/19 Lincoln Hall #, Chicago, IL
• 03/26 This Must Be The Place, Lemont, IL
• 04/09 KSDK - Show Me St. Louis, Saint Louis, M0
• 04/10 The Gramophone #, St. Louis, M0
• 04/16 Java Blend, Iowa City, Iowa
• 04/16 The Blue Moose Taphouse #, Iowa City, IA
• 04/17 Redstone Room, Davenport, IA
• 04/18 Mahoney’s Pub, Cedar Rapids, IA
• 04/30 Marly’s Pub #, Springfield, IL
• 05/20 Rogue Tavern, Birmingham, AL
• 06/04 Upfront & Company, Marquette, MI
• 06/05 Upfront & Company, Marquette, MI

# CD Release Show

» myspace.com/therightnowmusic

The organizers of the Bonnaroo Festival have announced the initial line-up of the 2010 edition. Some of the usual supects are there - The Black Keys, Les Claypool, Disco Biscuits, Flaming Lips (who will play Dark Side of the Moon with Stardeath & White Dwarves), and Medeski Martin & Wood.

Oldies but goodies like Jeff Beck, John Fogerty and Kris Kristofferson, and - a bit of surprise - Jimmy Cliff, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will show the crowd how it's done. Festival attendees bringing their kids don't want to miss They Might Be Giants. Grown-ups with a sense of humour will put Tenacious D and Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers on their acts to catch list.

Americana lovers will be treated by acts like Alison Krauss & Union Station, Julia Nunes, and the Punch Brothers.

The mainstream is stll trying to get in, so you'll get Brandi Carlile, Tori Amos, Norah Jones, the Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews and Stevie Wonder.

Bonnaroo
June 10-13, 2010
Manchester, TN

MP3: The Black Keys - I Got Mine (live)
MP3: Julia Nunes - I Think You Know
MP3: Punch Brothers - It'll Happen

» bonnaroo.com

Johnny Depp takes his adulation for Keith Richards one step further. He plans to direct a documentary about the Human Riff. From Variety:

Johnny Depp will direct a documentary on Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, who served as an inspiration for Depp's Jack Sparrow character in "Pirates of the Caribbean."

A rep for Depp confirmed a recent report in the Serbian magazine Politika, in which he said he would begin work on the project next week. Depp and Richards have been friends for more than a decade. The guitar player also played Depp's father in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

» keithrichards.com