The Sailor Jerry Blog

02/06/2008

SJ Vegas Party: Nathaniel Mayer, Miss Alex White and the Red Orchestra and the Lamps

It's that time of year again. Clothing Brands from around the globe descend upon Las Vegas to show their wares and throw lavish parties at upscale dance clubs and lounges like a dick measuring contest. While we don't pull out our junk it doesn't mean we will be letting it go unnoticed that we've got a huge set of balls.

Jay Reatard was a great headliner last time around, but we made the switch from "up and coming" to Legendary. And I'm not embellishing.

Nathaniel Mayer (read/hear the SJ review of the new album by clicking here) is a living legend and one of the men who put Detroit on the map with his string of Fortune Records r&b hits ("Village Of Love") and raw, unapologetic soul numbers ("I Want Love and Affection, Not The House Of Corrections"). With all legendary status aside, the kicker is the new record, "Why Don't You Give It To Me."

Recorded with/by Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Matthew Smith (Outrageous Cherry), Troy Gregory (The Dirtbombs, and Dave Shettler (SSM and The Sights) this record really does an amazing job of keeping the overall vibe authentically 60's and current at the same time. Nathaniel's voice is as gravely and war-torn as you'd expect from a 60+ year old Detroit native, but somehow the same "something" that gives Nay's voice it's "old, wise and lived through it all" qualities also makes him sound incredibly both young and forward-reaching. It's easily one of the top 10 records of 07'.

Not to be outdone, Miss Alex White and the Red Orchestra's 'Space and Time' also falls into the top 10 of 07' category. Pitchfork.com said of the LP: "For a tidy half hour or so, it's the greatest thing in the world.”

And The Lamps.... well they're equally as amazing and will astonish the Vegas crowd. It's not even an issue.