Local Music Notes (TLV #224 – March 5, 2015)

Oxford Band Young Buffalo’s Debut

Young Buffalo has released their debut album House. They had an in-store show/album release party at The End Of All Music on March 3, the day the record dropped. The album was streaming at spin.com until its release, but now you can see their video for the single “No Idea” at npr.org. The band had their official album release—“House Party”—at The Lyric Oxford on Thursday, March 5, with David Swider DJing all night, plus Lil Iffy and surprise guests. And The Lyric show kicked off their Spring U.S. tour, including a stop at SXSW.

Bluesman CeDell Davis New Record

Last Man Standing, the new album from 88-year-old delta blues legend CeDell Davis, was recorded in Water Valley, Mississippi, and contains songs from Davis’ storied 70-year-career, with an all-star backing band that includes drummer Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees, Mad Season, Walking Papers), guitarist Jimbo Mathus, bassist Stu Cole (Squirrel Nut Zippers), and blues guitarists Zakk and Greg Binns. The album was released on February 24th through Barrett Martin’s label, Sunyata Records.

R.I.P. Robert “Wolfman” Belfour

Mississippi Bluesman Robert “Wolfman” Belfour passed away on February 24, 2015 at the age of 74. He was born a stone’s throw away from Holly Springs in Red Banks, Miss., and he learned the guitar at an early age, influenced of course by Hill Country Blues traditions. He then spent 35 years working construction, but made his return to music and had a full career. He will be missed.

The Blues Foundation’s HART Fund has generously funded Mr. Belfour’s funeral expenses; TBF does awesome things for Blues musicians in need. To donate, visit shopbluesfoundation.org/hart-fund-donation. And the Killer Blues Headstone Project (killerblues.net) has promised to pay for and place a headstone when the time comes; the KBHP (much like the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund) is a non-profit entity which has placed over 40 headstones since 2008. Additional funds for Belfour’s burial and family have been raised by the Memphis Blues Society; to make donations visit memphisbluessociety.com.

Visitation was held Friday, March 6 from 11 am–12:30 pm at Hickory Hill Funeral Home in Memphis. On Saturday, March 7 at Mt. Newel M.B. Church in Red Banks, Miss., open casket was at 11 am with funeral follwing at 12 pm. Leo “Bud” Welch volunteered to perform a tribute at Belfour’s funeral.

Former Oxford Rockers New LP

Tim Lee 3 release their fourth studio album, entitled 33 1/3, on March 6. The Knoxville, Tennessee three-piece is comprised of veteran musicians and former Oxford artists Tim Lee and Susan Bauer Lee, (who celebrated their 33 1/3 wedding anniversary on March 6), and drummer Chris Bratta.

Since getting together in 2006, TL3 has released four studio albums (including a double CD release), two live recordings, and an EP of previously unreleased/live material. The 11-track 33 1/3 was recorded at Wavelab Studios in Tucson, Arizona by long-time collaborators Chris Schultz and Craig Schumacher (Neko Case, Calexico, KT Tunstall).

See TL3 live at Ajax Diner on March 12 with their good friend and fan Tyler Keith as guest star.

Tyler Keith’s New Album

Speaking of Tyler Keith, his new album is finally here! As reviewed in The Local Voice #220 by James Tighe, Alias Kid Twist is the new record by the celebrated Oxford rocker and former member of The Neckbones, The Preacher’s Kids, and The Apostles, Tyler had an album release party (Hootenanny style) at The Blind Pig on March 6.

A House Party… With Bands!?

The Cats Purring Dude Ranch is hosting a show on March 13 with Cymbals Eat Guitars and Slothrust (both from Brooklyn), and Moral Guest (Oxford). The cover is $8. (Here’s a link to the Facebook event.)

New Hard Rock Band On The Scene

There’s a new hard rock band in town, NoCanDo. The four-piece, Michael McCullough (vocals), Shane Taylor (guitar), Gary Goodballet (bass), and Chris Coble (drums), have just recorded an album at PushButton Studio with Matt Chambley. Stay tuned for more info on a record release and upcoming live shows in Oxford. In the meantime, you may catch them at Rooster’s Blues House for Open Mic Night Tuesdays from 7–9 pm.

Roxford University

Local musician, writer, and attorney Tad Wilkes has teamed up with Carter and Lydia Myers to open up a new musical school, Roxford University, on Mimosa Drive in Oxford. The new university is similar to the national chain School of Rock, in that it accepts young people and children and not only teaches them how to play an instrument, but also how to play in a real live rock band. Students will be able to choose to learn guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards, or vocals and will also receive instruction on playing together in a band.

Professors at the new local school include some of North Mississippi’s finest rocknrollers, including drummer Kenny Graeber (Mustache The Band, The Nonchalants), guitarist Eric Deaton (Eric Deaton Trio), guitarist Will Smith (The Fixins’, Maps and Legends), guitarist/keyboardist Silas Reed (Silas Reed ‘N’ Da Books, Fadetoblaq), bass guitarist Newt Rayburn (The Cooters, Hawgwash), and the Dean of Roxford University, guitarist Tad Wilkes (Moon Pie Curtis & The Fixins’, Cardinal Fluff).

The Dean will choose songs for students to learn throughout the semester, and at the end of the program, the Roxford U bands will put on a concert in a local venue for the public. The university is accepting students at all levels, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

The initial semester began April 6. For more information, please visit RoxfordU.com. An open house will be held on March 19 starting at 2:30 pm – click here for more info on that event.

Fathers With Daughters

There is a very interesting album being recorded out at Tweed Studios in College Hill. The session is being produced by drummer Ted Gainey (Blue Mountain, Wobbity) and features all instrumental music with veteran players such as guitarist George McConnell (The Nonchalants, Kudzu Kings, Beanland), keyboardist Robert Chaffe (Kudzu Kings, Rocket 88), bassist Slade Lewis (The Yalobushwhackers, Wiley & The Checkmates), and guitarist Eric Deaton.

The group is calling itself Fathers With Daughters, and the album is tentatively being titled Don’t Call Me Over There. The band has so far demoed eight songs and will be recording their record in April. Look for a vinyl release on Hill Country Records.

Don’t Let Their Ages Fool You

One of North Mississippi’s youngest rock bands have released their debut EP. And by “youngest” we mean that Drummer/Singer Charlie Zediker is 13 and Guitarist/Bassist/Singer Matthew Zediker is 17. Don’t let their age fool you, these young lads are talented beyond their age.

The Zediker Brothers are a rock duo from Water Valley, and their EP was recorded at Bruce Watson’s Dial Back Sound studio there. Matt Patton of the Drive-By Truckers produced the record while Bronson Tew engineered.

The six-song EP features five original songs including the singles “Toe Jam” and “Steamboat” as well as a cover song of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, “Interstellar Overdrive.” The EP can be heard on Spotify and is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. CDs are available at shows, or email Matthew.Zediker@gmail.com for mail order.

Please, please, please let us know your local music news by emailing us at thelocalvoice@thelocalvoice.net. Pretty please with sugar on top.

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This article was originally printed in The Local Voice #224 (published March 5, 2015.)
To download a PDF of this issue, click here.