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I experienced something Friday night that makes Chico a truly wonderful town. No, it wasn't a new drink at LaSalles or a crazy pedicab ride down Ivy Street at 2 a.m. It was a sample of the talents that make up the town's rich music scene.
Jazz band NewmanAmiYumi, Aubrey Debauchery and Karen Joy Brown took the stage Friday night at Common Grounds in the Bell Memorial Union. The show was put on by Late Night Chico and was part of Chico News & Review's 2006 Area Music Compilation CD release.
The 2-disc album showcases tracks from 34 local bands and artists. The eclectic sample includes folk, hip-hop and blues.
A handful of students and several locals came to hear the bands perform. The audience of about 25 listeners made for an intimate show.
NewmanAmiYumi kicked off the lineup with a soothing instrumental trio of a tenor sax, upright bass and keyboard. Each member of the band was superbly talented and had several opportunities to show it as the members took turns doing solo pieces.
Mike Newman was the highlight of the act, with his sax belting out notes from up and down the musical scale.
Aubrey Debauchery followed the jazz group with an equal level of talent but a very different sound. Before starting her set, Aubrey laughed and joked with the audience as she adjusted her guitar. She explained she had a cold and apologized in advance if her voice broke.
There was no hint of illness in Aubrey's smooth, soulful voice.
She more than hinted at her own mischievous character. Her amusing, poignant folk songs about drinking, making out and being a bad girl were about her life in general, she said.
"I like to drink and I have sex," she said. "Now, everyone knows it."
The closing act, Karen Joy Brown, offered slightly more gentle songs about life, love and loss.
Brown plucked cascading melodies from her acoustic guitar as her tenor voice filled the room. An energetic performer, she moved her shoulders and head to the rhythm of her songs and emphasized her heartfelt lyrics with animated facial expressions.
"Fabulous Junkyard" is the title track from the debut album she hopes to release early next year. The track frames life as a beautiful and entertaining collection of clutter situated between heaven and hell.
The inspiration for Brown's songs comes from dealing with the ups and downs of life, she said. Writing songs is her form of therapy.
A fourth act, Alli Battaglia & the Musical Brewing Co., was on the lineup, but Battaglia was sick and unable
to play.
The compilation CD release party is part of News & Review writer Chris Caraway's desire to put a spotlight on Chico's musicians and celebrate them,
he said.
The albums sold for $5 each, and the money went directly to the three artists.
Late Night Chico will host another show Sept. 29 at Common Grounds with more artists from the album. Included in the lineup are the Chris Schadt Band, the Jeff Pershing Band and the Dave
Elke Band.
Kari Nelson can be contacted at
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