The Voodoo Katz perform at Capitol Roasters and the Empty Glass on Saturday to mark the release of their new “Glimpse” CD. Photos by Jeff Pierson

Listen to the title cut off the new Voodoo Katz “Glimpse” CD

By Adam Harris
For the Gazette

When the Voodoo Katz release their new CD “Glimpse” this Saturday, Nov. 3 they’ll be celebrating more than their own musical accomplishments. “Glimpse” contains some of the last recordings made by local music luminary Derick Kirk (at right), who played in numerous area bands before succumbing to cancer at the age of 28 in July.

It’s a bittersweet celebration. The album stands as a worthy testament to a talented musician. The sound reflects the positive outlook he personified in the face of his illness. (more…)

By day, John Lilly is editor of Goldenseal magazine on the living history and culture of West Virginia. Outside the office, he is an award-winning touring musician and performing songwriter. Lilly will release his latest CD, “Haunted Honky Tonk,” with a concert and party at the LaBelle Theater in South Charleston on Sunday, October 28, at 7 p.m., along with guest performers Ginny Hawker, Buddy Griffin, Robert Shafer, and others. Admission is $5. For more on the artist (be sure to check out his infamous George Bush song “W”) visit johnlillymusic.com.

For a taste of the new CD, we asked Lilly if thegazz.com viewers might hear his song, “Bohemian Boys” and have him tell about the story behind the song. Click here to listen and read on below: “Bohemian Boys”

JOHN LILLY says:
I wrote “Bohemian Boys” a couple of years ago after attending the first NewSong Festival at Claymont Court in Charles Town, W.Va. Actually, I started writing it at NewSong and had the chorus written before I left the parking lot. I had been inspired especially by Johnsmith and Darrel Scott and their original songs based on family history. My family history is quite complex, but I decided to make my best effort to put the story of my grandfather’s early life into a song. “Bohemian Boys,” therefore, is a true story. (more…)

The gazz audio blog SoundCheck is back on the web. We begin with an occasional “Song of the Day” feature on area musicians with “Theme Park” by Andy Park of Charleston, W.Va. Beware! The song’s hook may lodge in your brain all day: “Your love is a theme park — of personality disorders…” Hear him perform this and other songs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sat., Oct. 6 at Bluegrass Kitchen in the East End of Charleston, W.Va.

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We asked Andy to introduce himself to those who don’t already know his stylish guitar work with Voodoo Katz and Crazy Jane. (more…)