With a collective résumé encompassing the proto-grunge Glenrustles; the retro swing-jazz Hot Heads, the Straw Dogs, the Jaztronauts, and the Volare Lounge Orchestra; to country and bluegrass outfits like the Vibrochamps, the Becky Schlegel Band, and [+]With a collective résumé encompassing the proto-grunge Glenrustles; the retro swing-jazz Hot Heads, the Straw Dogs, the Jaztronauts, and the Volare Lounge Orchestra; to country and bluegrass outfits like the Vibrochamps, the Becky Schlegel Band, and Reverse Cowgirl; to local pop/rock icons like Chan Poling and Tina Schlieske's Lola and the Red Hots, it's hard to believe there are only three guys in the Smarts. And their debut release, 'A Tribute To,' offers a musical curry of these weird and wonderful influences, which reveal themselves not only from song to song, but often within a tune itself.
Jimmy Kennedy covers all manner of jazz-influenced keyboards and a smattering of guitar. He composed every über-catchy melody on the album from the Brill Building style tunesmithing to the harder-edge nods to slam-dance era rock. Joe Weismann, the bassist, brings his upright to territories usually reserved for bass guitars. Joe also plays much of the guitar on the album and wrote the angular and sometimes obtuse lyrics. Morris Engel brings an aerobic quality to the percussion. All three members sing (often together in harmony or in unison and split lead vocals).
Also on display are the members' respective connections to one of the most impressive and varied list of sidemen in the Cities. Where else would jazz saxophone legend Dave Karr, bluegrass fiddler and PHC alum John Niemann, and rock guitar virtuoso Troy Norton all find themselves together on one record?
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