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ANOTHER SIDE OF MUSIC (by John Train) ....Sherri Mullen would be her name and the meal ticket has severely yellowed since the time she committed herself to the quest of becoming a 'rock diva'. Knowing there would be nothing but challenges - known and unknown - family Mullen and friends have for some time been buckled down for the long haul of a musical career. They seem to treat each further step and obstacle in the music world with the attitude of a kid playing Whack-a-Mole; it's fast, it's furious, it's bewildering, but it's fun. The climb of Sherri Mullen into the rock arena, and her accomplishments so far, could fill a website (and they do www.artfortress.com/Sherri/homepage.html). Her most recent and perhaps most significant move is the release of her inaugural CD entitled 'Mask'. Hitting the studio in May with twelve original compositions (including a 9-11 inspired song- 'Home of the Free'), she unveiled the fruits of her labor at an all-age release party at Appalachian Brewing Company- just in time for the kiddies to pick up a copy and slip it into their school backpacks. I had previously caught Sherri Mullen in early spring when she was still honing her performance skills. It was just Sherri, her guitar and some songs, both covers and originals. Two slightly different approaches seemed to be on display that night. One was a driving passion infusing Bon Jovi-like, rock-ballad originals. The other was a precision craftsmanship in the pounding rendition of Melissa Etheridge-like covers. Happily, it was all Bon Jovi (although a little Etheridge may have slinked in) at the 'Mask' inauguration. Despite all songs being Mullen originals, they have an instant familiarity. These were power ballads and rock anthems where Sherri Mullen is not afraid to employ a lot of emotion while thrashing you through a tune. She also employed her full studio band (Dave Kelly, lead guitar; Doug Stockton, bass; Joe Mohn, drums; Ray Rossi, percussion) in order to present the full sound she strove for on the CD. Sherri Mullen and guitarist Dave Kelly shared center stage through most of the set and it was a performance of two volcanoes. Mullen is like one of those slow lava-flow eruptions which just pours it on. Dave Kelly, in nice contrast, bursts loose with quick guitar pyrotechnics dazzling enough to snap a pro wrestler's neck. Together, they pulled off a live sound which continuously alternates the calm sea for the crashing wave. It's a truly rhythmic experience that will leave you wobbly when the sound is turned off. Dave Kelly also opened for the "Mask" release as part of the band Family Tradition (consisting of various Kelly's; Joe, drums; Bill, bass; Bill Jr., guitar; and Steve, keyboards). Family Tradition is a band which anyone with affection for 'Waylon, Willie, and the boys' will take an instant liking to. If that's not motivation enough, Dave Kelly's guitar work should be. Once again, he was masterful in buzz sawing some infectious notes in each and every song. Either due to genetics or practice, Family Tradition is a tight musical knit which emits some high-intensity energy. And they appear to have a heck of a good time doing it. Seems like breaking bread together need not turn every musical family into The Jackson's or even the Osborne's. 'He who is not a-busy being born is a-busy dying'. It's all about growing. For bands, that peeling down to the essentials of song, voice, and acoustic instruments, for my money, is still the most vibrant creative act going. No need to hype the excitement or experimental enthusiasm of the band. Just being stripped of the high amps and the practiced sets is usually band incentive enough. |