Friday, July 7, 2006

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By Jeffrey Lee Puckett
jpuckett@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Even when Pete Yorn is in full-blown electric mode, there's something innately intimate about his songs.

On "For Nancy ('Cos It Already Is)," for example, the guitars spin like an arena-sized Johnny Marr, but Yorn sings as if he's huddled in a corner with his cell phone, a bad connection and a disappearing girlfriend.

Imagine, then, an acoustic show. It must be the equivalent of listening to his voice mail.

Yorn's first acoustic tour stops tonight at the Phoenix Hill Tavern, 644 Baxter Ave. (8 p.m., $20). He's prepping fans for the Aug. 29 release of "Nightcrawler," the third part of a trilogy begun with his stellar 2001 debut album, "musicforthemorningafter" and continued with 2003's "Day I Forgot."

Recent set lists have included a wide range of songs and some surprising covers. A staunch Springsteen fan, Yorn is going with "Racing in the Streets" this time. But who would have figured on The Association's "Never My Love," Warren Zevon's "Splendid Isolation" or Junior Kimbrough's "I Feel Good Again"?

Yorn will warm up for his PHT show with a free 5:30 appearance at ear X-tacy records, 1534 Bardstown Road. The "mini-concert," as Yorn calls his in-store gigs on this tour, will be recorded and sold exclusively at ear X-tacy as "Live at ear X-tacy."

You can also pre-order "Nightcrawler" at the in-store or concert and get a free limited-edition EP called "Westerns."

"I've been in this lonesome cowboy phase for a while," Yorn said in a press release. "I've been really inspired by guys like Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. 'Westerns' has a twang to it and is a real departure for me, but 'Nightcrawler' is most definitely the rock record."

Most people know American Turners as a place on the Ohio River where you learn and practice gymnastics, but it has a rich history that has added a rock 'n' roll chapter.

"Turners" are political gymnasts (I am not making this up) first organized in 19th-century Germany. The American branch of the movement, American Turners, was instrumental in getting Abraham Lincoln elected (sweet!), and the national headquarters is at 3125 River Road.

This summer, the lounge at American Turners has been home to several all-ages punk rock shows. Bands can play outside if weather permits, and alcohol is available for ages 21 and over. That might not rate with getting Lincoln elected, but it ain't bad.

Tomorrow's show stars Bad Blood, with members of Activated Peat, Verktum and the Touched; masked musical anarchists Gaj Mustapha Cell; and Wine and Spirits, whom show promoter Matthew Mason describes as the "bastard sons of Sonic Youth and Jimmie Rodgers."

Showtime is 10 p.m.; cover is $3.

Trombonist Slide Hampton is the star attraction in tonight's edition of the Jamey Aebersold All-Stars at the Jazz Factory, 815 W. Market St.

Hampton, who has performed and recorded since the early 1950s with various bands and as a leader, will front a quintet. He'll be joined by trumpeter Jim Rotondi, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer John Riley, all of whom are instructing at Aebersold's annual jazz camp at the University of Louisville's School of Music.

The band will perform at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., and cover is $10.

Jeffrey Lee Puckett's "Sound Effects" column runs Fridays in EXTRA. On Saturday, his "Music" column runs in SCENE. You can call him at (502) 582-4160, fax him at (502) 582-4665 or e-mail him at jpuckett@courier-journal.com.

Online: Ask Jeffrey Lee a question at courier-journal.com/puckett

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