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Ticklepenny Corner
Watch Ticklepenny Corner's musical growth as they already provide a
quick-witted and intelligent evening of musical experience!
Ticklepenny Corner
September 9, 2000
Trinity House Theatre, Detroit, MI
The phenomena of emo and alt.country is creating an upsurge of young, daring
musicians who continue to defy musical contexts. Ticklepenny Corner is one
of those bands coming into their own. This piano ensemble from the
dairylands brings purpose-filled, whimsical americana fusion into a strong,
new musical light.
Ticklepenny's tunes were carefully performed utilizing strong elements of
old country, american folk and the occasional trip-hop beat. Reminiscent of
early Cowboy Junkies, the tight quartet began the 18 song evening with
"Reprise," a midwestern truck ride through a rural landscape. With the
delicacy of Alison Kraus and the resonance of a young Margo Timmons,
vocalist/violinist Beth Riemer painted the song with a subtle beauty. She
was joined by her brother, vocalist/guitarist Noah Riemer, whose own smokey
baritone contained a clouded touch of Lennie Cohen. Aaron Zorn (bass) and
Bill Strangel (drums) provided the dexterous, steady backbone adding a
distinct approachability. What followed was a curious tune titled "Lord, She
Won't Have Me," penned and sung by Noah editorializing the complexities of
mating and, therefore, a submission to a higher will. Beth then voiced the
band's philosophy with "From My Point of View," a song encouraging the
listener not to take Ticklepenny's words for truth but to visit their most
trusted work, the Bible.
Ticklepenny's reverence for mystery interwined with the heartstrings of
Beth's violin also brought about a worshipful sensibilty to their work.
Expressive of this were such songs (both vocalized by Beth's milky alto) as
"I Shall Never Doubt," a commitment to the certainty of love and "Beautiful
Contradiction," a gorgeous tune about the Savior. Noah's effort, inspired by
a quote highlighting the contrast of how Christians should show their own
need for Christ instead showing others of their need, "Motion," spoke of
"being a good guy" yet having the "brazen" need for grace. Each harmonious,
hearthy dedication and admiration of spiritual authority was becoming and
musically refined.
The cleverness of Ticklepenny's lyrics hold a drollness and maturity beyond
their years. This was evident their story telling of such songs including
the Willie Nelson-esque ballad of an always a bride and never a bridesmaid,
hometown, bad girl; the saying of "The Wrong Kind of Prayers" filled with
selfish anxt; the needless worries of time for Christmas visits ("See You'),
a tilted yet not hobbling spinless song of romantic afterthoughts
("Nonlovesong"), and a punk-rock dedication to a helpless wedding dancer.
Remarkable maturity was found in such songs "Thaw," a song about not Hank
Williams cold, cold heart but Noah's own; a blue-collar ballad of
entertaining an inner life with hard work; and another summing up their
album, "From the Porch," filled with jazz guitar about finding treasure and
contentment in the ordinary things of life.
It would be difficult to define the TIcklepenny sound- the charming,
homespun quartet resounds individuality and ecclectic americana. Quirksome
and exaltatious, they generate grimaces and veneration within the listener.
Ticklepenny's musical growth will be pleasing to see as they already provide
a quick-witted and intelligent evening of musical experience.
Side Note: Opening up for Ticklepenny Corner was up-and-coming Michigan folk
artist Ashley Peacock, who is also a close personal friend of mine. When you
smell fava beans and know the guy is in the room, you probably can't write
an objective review of his performance. Check him out. He'll be in your area
soon, I'm sure.
Jessica Aguilar Walker
submitted to The Phantom Tollbooth
www.tollbooth.org
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