Fifteen years elapsed between the release of Peggy James' new disc, "Joan of Arc," and its predecessor "Crossroad Moment." So, you'll understand why she's doing the release party up right.
James launches the 10-song "Joan of Arc," produced by Jim Eannelli, on Friday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Marcus Center's Vogel Hall. Cover is $20 and Katie Lafond opens.
Born in Milwaukee, James was raised in the Southwest, which helps to explain the Americana heart of her jangly, melodic country-flavored pop -- as well as the references to the Rio Grande and Albuquerque. Melody is at the forefront of "Joan of Arc."
While producer Mike Hoffmann captured James' earlier stages on 1990's "Help Me Out" and 1995's "Crossroad Moment," veteran guitarist Eannelli has created an alluring contemporary sound, firmly rooted in tradition, for this collection of songs, which is laced with Eannelli's stellar guitar work.
Eannelli also leads James' new band, which features Matt Liban on drums, keyboardist Matt Meixner and Jack Rice on bass.
But the star of the show will undoubtedly be James, whose ingenuous, from the heart vocal style and sincere lyrics make her a twangy hometown heroine to admire.
In the meantime, you can buy "Joan of Arc" and "Help Me Out" at CD Baby.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
