The Sky Chiefs – self-titled
This 14-song set was originally recorded at Shiva Sound (Sound of Music) in Richmond, VA, circa 1999 & was the Virginia-based duo’s debut LP. Stephen McCarthy (The Long Ryders/The Jayhawks — vocals/guitars/pedal steel/banjo/bass/keys/drums/bass harp/tambourine) & Kevin Pittman (The Dads – vocals/guitars/keys/harp) became, in the early ‘90s, a duo known as The Sky Chiefs. Their initial recordings were shelved (hey, this has happened to the big band Chicago, pianist Billy Joel, the new wave rock band Jules & the Polar Bears, & blues organist Lee Michaels). It’s a rite of passage, I guess. This one was a big mistake to gather dust.
The recordings were discovered in an attic & the self-titled The Sky Chiefs (Dropped Feb. 13/Independent/47:25) has now been restored & remixed by Kevin. Blending Stephen’s Americana instincts & Kevin’s melodic rock shadings, the tunes have a wonderful jangly guitar forte. Tunes like “House Full of Company,” & “No Happiness For Sale” have a 1968 Everly Brothers country-era, rootsy depth. The Sky Chiefs’ songs cook.
Falling back to an earlier Everly Brothers tradition while applying sharp instrumentation The Sky Chiefs’ “Knocking Out the Daylights” possesses the melodic tinge of The Crickets from their early ‘60s Sonny Curtis singles “My Little Girl,” Bobby Vee penned “I’m Feeling Better,” “He’s Old Enough To Know Better,” & their 1988 LP “T-Shirt.” There’s also a cluster of great tunes on the 1979-81 albums by The Searchers with similar gusto. The Sky Chiefs had an engaging sound & their melodic skills are well-integrated. Solid. As exhilarating as The Crickets & The Searchers at their best.
McCarthy & Pittman had a fascinating bunch of tunes that never should’ve been suppressed. And what’s remarkable is that even though they’re not customized for today’s youth, there are ears out there that would be attracted to this music. The songs are topical, tight & have lots of character. A gruffier vocal & “The New Sara Jane” could pass as a Bruce Springsteen rocker. But the ghost of Buddy Holly hovers around it. The Everly Brothers, back in 1993-9, should have relied on this team for their new songs. McCarthy & Pittman mastered their style of song. The words & music are rich, catchy & creative…consistently.
Closer to The Sky Chiefs’ own unique “sound” is “Come Back Ophelia,” & “Standing In the Light.” There’s banjo picking, grinding lead guitar, lap steel, & more aggressive vocals by both musicians. Superb. Never losing focus. Highly recommended.
Highlights – “House Full of Company,” “No Happiness For Sale,” “Knocking Out the Daylights,” “Where I Want To Be,” “What Lonely Means,” “The New Sara Jane,” “Shadow Blues,” “Come Back Ophelia,” & “Standing In the Light.”
Musicians – Charles Arthur (lap steel/guitar/piano), Mike McAdam (B Bender), Greg Perry, Soupy Sessa, & Johnny Hott (drums), Clark Ball (bass), & Gary Fralin (piano).
Color image courtesy of the duo’s website. CD @ Apple & Amazon + https://theskychiefs.com/