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Scott
Jeffrey's Band: These Boots (Live)
The problem that arises when actors go rock stars ranges in severity from Jennifer Lopez (smooth transition) to Keanu Reeves band Dogstar (dear god, kill me now). Jeff Hartman of the Scott Jeffreys Band is closer to J. Lo on that scale, but he hasnt managed to completely escape Neos flaws. Hartman, an award-winning actor and musical director, has spent nineteen years performing onstage or behind the scenes. This brings some advantages: an accomplished actor is at ease in front of a crowd and has an impeccable stage presence. According to the bands enthusiastic reviews, Hartman command[s] the stage and always makes the place go crazy. But few critics mention the bands latest album, the part Pat McGee Band, part funkalicious Northern Accent, in their raves. And for a listener whos never seen the band live even though they play at least 200 dates a year along the East Coast the recorded tracks arent quite as arresting as the reviews portray the concerts to be. Like most actors, Hartman needs to be seen to be fully appreciated; the original trip soul and folk funk on Accent comes off more like a soundtrack than a standalone album. It is, however, a solid soundtrack. Hartman somehow also managed to receive five years of comprehensive music training and earn national honors for his poetry before joining SJBand, resulting in songs that are carefully crafted and lyrically pleasing. Catch 22, for example, features a chorus thats very catchy; a well-read Hartman presents his options as being kiss your ass or kiss it twice. The quartet also isnt afraid to try new things to keep the drama rising. Red is nearly six minutes of funk thanks to Tony Eltoras electric guitar grooves, but the band varies it up with NASA-like blips, Sarah McLachlan-esque backup singers and even some scatting. There are times, though, when Hartman slips into the actors bad place: melodrama. Listeners may feel a bit queasy from songs like Dear Santa; next Christmas, Hartman should steer clear of lines like The mice wont stir/and I want her stuffed in my stocking. One more suggestion for you, Jeff: ending the chorus of the sassy I Thought it was Leather with the lyrics Her bra: C cup! probably wont score you points with the ladies. One thing this album will do, though, is encourage listeners to attend the concerts. And if the live show is as good as the album suggests, Hartman might find his way out of the Matrix.
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