Donnie Iris
Donnie Iris used to be vocalist
for the band called The Jaggerz [as in
“The Rapper," their only
regional hit], but he’s
gone solo with his first
album on Belkin-Maduri’s
Midwest National label.
Iris, who looks like an
Elvis Costello-Buddy
Holly clone on the cover,
has himself an album
that would make either of
those two musical giants
proud. It’s a combination
between his style of
rough lead singing and
producer Mark Avsec's
hot production.
Avsec is currerntly playing keyboards in Cleveland’s Breathless. There,
his role of sideman doesn't allow him any
space for writing (as Jonah Koslen writes the
band’s material), so this
past spring, Avsec (who
also wrote LaFlavour's hit
"Rondolee") traveled between Breathless rehearsals in Cleveland and
Jeree Studios near Pittsburgh, Pa. to record this
album. Avsec collected
the musicians (all Cleveland-Pittsburgh talent)
and helped Iris work up material.
Avsec and Iris [nee
Ierace) wrote all of the
material, either together
or with other members of
the studio band.
Guitarist Marty Lee (of
The Pulse) p|ays some
wild guitar parts with great ease; he's a pro
already. Bassist Al McClain (presently of David Werner's band) displays his exceptional
ability throughout the album.
His style goes beyond the
traditional rock bass lines
most players use. Breathless drummer Kevin Valentine provides the beat.
Avsec himself handles the keyboards and Iris does all of his own background
vocals.
This small and temporary alliance of Ohio and
Pennsylvania musicians manage to do an amazing
amount of "wailing." The songs comprise one clear
direction with an almost perfect memory for a
Cleveland (harmonies and keyboards) sound and a
Pittsburgh (barroom vocals, guitars and R&B)
sound. Therefore, the hybrid direction verges, at
times, on brilliance and other times confusion.
At any rate, rock imagery -- abounds in a
sincere and honest packaging with songs like
"She’s So Wild" and the title cut. If the Iron City
Houserockers could write songs like these, they'd
be more popular than J. Geils Band today. "Agnes"
would be a perfect tune for The Houserockers
to do and Iris' Pittsburgh-oriented vocals
prove that those chumps from New Jersey don't
have all of the street-wise chops locked up. In other
songs, multi-track harmonies and a more pop
sound dominate. Songs like "Ah! Leah!" show a
Cleveland approach to rock harmonies, lots of
keyboards and a more pop sound prevail.
Mark Avsec and Donnie Iris make a good team as
producer and artists. Together, they compliment
each other’s styles nicely. As writers they have
managed to mesh a couple of distinctive sounds from
their respective home bases. It works well.
BACK ON THE STREETS is a great rock
and roll album. It should get Donnie Iris back
on the streets, into the clubs and onto a stage; where
he can further develop the style he’s captured on
record.
Jim Girard
BACK ON THE STREETS
Midwest National