Mean while Stew and collaborator Heidi Rodeward , came up with other interesting side projects, The Lullabies {another band}, the Cover Problem & Song Portraits. The Cover Problem is the Negro Problem for Hire, they will perform any classic album you want for your private affair. So far I know they have done SgT. Pepper's & Saturday Night Fever, unfortunately recording of these live show haven�t surfaced, but a great concept. The Song Portrait idea is another homespun outlet for Stew ability to write anything. The idea is you hire him to write you a personal song based on any 20 things you want included in the song, he recorded it for you never to be released commercially.
Back to the public consumption, 2002 say two new releases; THE Negro Problem�s WELCOME BACK and Stew solo THE NAKED DUTCH PAINTER. The solo NDP faired better than the group effort, which also had some fine tunes.
Another solo album SOMETHING DEEPER THAN THESE CHANGES arrived the 2003. It isn�t my favorite releases, but perhaps Stew has been concentrating on his next endeavor. I�ve never seen Stew live but it�s also supposed to be an experience, he takes on different roles for each song performed. He began developing something of a cabaret show called TRAVELOGUE into a musical script which has been commissioned by the Public Theater of New York and the Sundance Theater has invited Stew to make it into a movie TRAVELOG/PASSING STRANGER. So I guess that�s why we haven�t seen any CDs come out since 2003, we just have come to expect a consent influx of product, but it�s well worth the wait. There is also a documentary film on Stew, let hope it makes it to DVD.
This brings us to The Heavy Blinkers, in their case the fact that they are from Nova Scotia (& haven�t extensively toured) doesn�t help matters. I discovered the group upon the releases of their second, self-titled album released in 2000 {which still remains their finest album). Again there is a strong B.Wilson sense of sophisticated pop/rock. The album had a series of short gems, all run together (sounds familiar?). I was captivated by every aspect of the album. I began some communication with head Blinker, Jason MacIsaac, a really great down to earth guy. We spent as much time discussing his music as our mutual love for Bri. He turned me onto his first hard to find HB album, HOORAY FOR EVEREYTHING (98) was a perfect title. It was essentially a solo effort and a great prerequisite to the rest of their catalog. It featured a great instrumental �End Of Summer Suite� which was recorded out in the woods and has a beautifully relaxed feel, which really takes you there. The third releases BETTER WEATHER (01) picks up where the HB album left off, but Jason had the good sense not to just duplicate the sound & production of the critically acclaimed predecessor. He & his more involved band mates look to develop and keep it fresh. On this one, keyboardist Andrew Watt stepped up by co-writing much of the material and it�s a good combo. One of Jason�s greatest talents, which usually serve him well, is his ability to arrange & utilize large ensembles of musicians very tastefully. The album features; �Didn�t Even Have Time To Dream It� and the beautiful vocal prayer �Malmo� [a city in Sweden].
The only possible complaint I have with the band is the progressively more prominent presence of vocalist Ruth Minnikin {who is also w/ the Guthries also from Halifax}. Don�t get me wrong, I love female vocals, but I really liked Jason�s voice out front and it really seems to fit his material. Well this complaint has come to a head with their 2004 release THE NIGHT & I ARE STILL YOUNG. The album doesn�t have the spark of the earlier work, impart due to excessive whole group lead vocals with Ruth pushed out too much to the front. It begins to sound like the New Christy Minstrels or something. Of course I�ve credited Jason w/ keeping it fresh with changes between each album but I hope this is one device they will deviate from on the next. The live recordings I have from the album actually sound much better because there is a more solid lead male vocal presence. Also the recordings on the INTERCONTINENTAL POP EXCHANGE EP are far more promising, featuring �Maplewood�, one of their best songs.
I still wait, anticipating what ever the little band delivers in the future, just as long as it�s not like a Ruth solo album.
