MP3: Bush League All-Stars – Gravity’s Heart

After more than a decade since emerging from the ashes of Greenhorn, and 8 months since solidifying the current version of membership, Dan Spurgeon leads the Bush League All-Stars in debuting Cedar Knees this Friday. Reflecting the deep resumes of the members, all of whom have had success around town in the gamut of genres, the record varies from sweet to stomping (but tends towards the latter).

Most songs seem to fall somewhere in the spectrum between the smart piano alehouse-pop of the Hold Steady and a more visceral American camaro-rock. If you’re looking for deep sentiment or brooding, look away. I’m left mostly with the impression that the songs are as fun to play as they are to listen to. It’s got the vigor of a summertime record, almost a shame to dump it on the market when people are hunkering down under their comforters to watch crappy DVDs. Don’t let the weather stop ya though. The release show is Friday, December 11th at The Summit. Hand-screened CDs make great stocking stuffers.

And speaking of great bands that have built up a little cred over the years, joining BLAS for the night are big shots Pretty Mighty Mighty and You’re So Bossy. Whoa. Really. This is gonna be good.

Dear Friends and all,

I have some very sad news to share.

Noel Sayre, my friend and bandmate for 13 years, died early in the
morning of July 3rd due to a swimming accident in Portsmouth, Ohio on
Tuesday July 1st.

He entered the hospital in a coma and never came out of it, his heart
eventually slowing down. In the I.C.U., we listened to Rachmaninoff
and Clive Palmer, two of Noel’s favorites. He spent his time in the
hospital with his close friends and girlfriend, Kristy, who played a
big part in his happiness during the last year.

Noel and I began playing music together on New Years Eve of 1995,
opening a show for the Yips and the Bassholes at Bernies Bagels in
Columbus, Ohio. We split $100 for that gig, and so began a partnership
that quickly became a strong and lasting friendship that the Black
Swans based themselves upon.

We were always more Heckle & Jeckle and Penn & Teller than Simon &
Garfunkel, as we shared an idea about music as art, posing as
entertainment, that we explored over hundreds of gigs and several
recordings. Musically, I always stood in Noel’s shadow and Noel always
felt he was my shadow. We spoke in code, a short-hand, that sometimes
alienated others and sometimes amused them. We were kindred spirits in
many way and couldn’t be more different in others. He was quiet and
articulate, rowdy and beyond shy, hyper intelligent and incredibly
dense. I think I knew him better than anyone and it is safe to say
there was a lot I never saw. It is shocking to think he will no longer
be a part of my physical life. We both imagined that we’d be standing
on stage together when we were 80, an appropriate age for our favorite
tempo.

Besides the Black Swans, Noel was a member of the Ohio based rock band
Pretty Might Mighty, the Huntington, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
and the Portsmouth, Ohio Symphony. Noel also gave violin lessons in
both Huntington and Portsmouth (making very little money) because he
enjoyed teaching children and believed in musical education, a
characteristic inherited from his parents who were also music teachers
in Huntington.

There’s still more of Noel’s music to be heard. Just a few days ago, a
record by Larry Jon Wilson, an obscure 1970′s country-funk songwriter,
was released on 1965 Records/ Sony UK (to be released on Hacktone
later this year in the U.S.). It has already received high praise by
Mojo, Uncut, Rick Rubin, Will Oldham, and dozens of UK papers. I hired
Noel to play on it, accompanying only Larry Jon’s voice and guitar, so
he’s surely a big part of the album’s critical success.

Too, I’m happy to say he already recorded his parts for the next Black
Swans album and, as always, played with intelligence, humor, and a
transcendent pallet of emotions.

Noel taught me a lot about myself. As we played witness to one
another, we stuck to our guns, charting each others growth as a person
and a musician. We went through a lot together, good and bad, always
expressing ourselves in different ways, but never an unkind word was
exchanged, always caring and supportive. I can’t imagine my life or
music without him.

Noel is survived by only a cousin. A memorial service is being planned
in Huntington, WV on Saturday July 12. Donations are being accepted to
pay for the expenses. Please email theblackswansband@gmail.com for
details on the service and contributions in a few days.

Much love, Jerry

8:32PM Update: Jerry from The Black Swans has sent this message.

4:14PM Update: Dispatch obituary here.

1:51PM Update: Aaron Beck from Columbus Dispatch just e-mailed me and said that Noel died 1:08AM today.

———-
From Cringe.com:

I just got a call from a long time friend of Noel Sayre’s. The violinist for The Black Swans and Pretty Mighty Mighty was rescued from nearly drowning in Portsmouth, Ohio Tuesday evening, but remains in very critical condition. A few more details can be found here.

Send some good thoughts to Noel, his family and his friends.

Well wishes also in the message board