Athenaeum - "What I Didn't Know" (1998)

This is a story of a great band from North Carolina who's first iteration burned out fast.

Athenaeum was formed in 1990 at an eighth-grade dance. The main players in this scenario were Mark Kano and Nic Brown.

There would be several personnel changes around them but in 1995, Athenaeum was able to put an EP together that performed well locally. They were subsequently picked up by Atlantic Records the following year, and put out Radiance in 1998.

The song that did the best off of the album was "Flat Tire", which, like "What I Didn't Know" is straightforward rock and roll with great lyrics, infectious guitar and well shaped vocals.

"What I Didn't Know" was released first and did pretty well. Our research shows that tons of people keep stumbling upon this song and think it's new. We saw several people commenting..."this is a great song and it sounds like the '90's!".

Well they are right about that! Maybe Atlantic did not push them very hard. They signed them in 1996 and it took two years to get something out?

This song reminds us of almost anything by the Gin Blossoms, who we love, and  it also  hearkens back to "He Can't Love You" by the Michael Stanley Band as well as "My Sharona" by The Knack. Certainly the vocals evoke a little Brad Roberts from Crash Test Dummies.

From the first note, the song builds and this winds up being a tune you like in about four measure into your first listening.

I complain
When nothing's even wrong
And you're ashamed
Cause you're not quite that strong

That's when I said I'll need
More than you can offer me
I miss your face as you can tell
I hope my absence makes you well

Why did the band name itself Athenaeum at the eighth-grade dance? If they did, these were some smart students! Indications are that Nic Brown left the band to attend Columbia, so the case is made...Wait! Just found some comments from Nic Brown: It was his mother who named the band. Why? Mark couldn't remember the school song during a rally at the school, so she went with it. The definition of athenaeum is: An institution, such as a literary club or scientific academy, for the promotion of learning. Got to learn it Mark!

There is strong evidence that the second album called Athenaeum, is very good although we have not heard it yet. Another band tragedy, frequently found on this site, is that it was released the week of 911.

Enjoy this first rate '90's rock and roll.

Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater: "Cool Blues Walk" (1998)

Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater (Edward Harrington) is one of the last original purveyors of the classic West Side blues style. A contemporary of Magic Sam, Buddy Guy and Luther Allison, Eddy has developed a unique musical approach that comes from a wide variety of influences.  He learned guitar at an early age and that turned out to be left-handed and upside down! His band mates gave him a name to match Muddy Waters, thus Clear Water sounded like an Indian name. It stuck, and the nickname "The Chief" became part of his moniker as well.

This engaging title track  was recorded with the Duke Robillard Band (and produced with Duke).

‘Cool Blues Walk,’ is great because of the opening blues walk that you can't get out of your head, plus the smooth back and forth guitar duties between Clearwater and Robilliard, as well as Eddy's vocals. Both felt they had chemistry on the spot and Eddy, according to Duke, "... burns up the tracks with inspired blues guitar playing. This album should not only establish once and for all the Eddy Clearwater is one of the most powerful practitioners of the blues, but also one of the most creative and talented composers in all of roots music." -- Duke Robillard

The song (and album) features support from Robillard's band: Robillard, guitar; Doug James, (my favorite baritone sax player, who cut an album called "Blow Mr. Low"); Dennis Taylor, tenor sax; John Pack, bass, and Marty Richards, drums.

Carey Bell, the well known harp player, is Clearwater's cousin.