Local artists release new albums

By: Jay Minkin
Date: 10/31/2007
AUGUST 9, 2007—Some local names deserve recognition and a nod of r-e-s-p-e-c-t for not only delivering quality entertainment, but crafting their songwriting talents. Anne E DeChant and Tracey Thomas are two of the area’s best female rock ‘n roll vocalists and each released new albums last month.
Seriously passionate or full of smiles, DeChant has been delivering brilliant performances of poignant and catchy songs since her days with the band Odd Girl Out. DeChant recently completed her long awaited fifth album Girls and Airplanes at Rolling Thunder Studios.
So impressive was Anne’s performances aboard the Olivia Cruise Lines, that a representative approached her and offered a trip to San Diego to record a demo. Before it was finished, Anne was offered a deal for full-length CD. Very much the storyteller, this may be DeChant’s best crafted recording to date. Produced by Andy Ackland, who has worked on projects for The Eagles, Tom Petty, and Josh Stone, it should delight her loyal fans and maybe turn some heads of a few new ones.
Catch Anne at The Burning River Festival on Whiskey Island August 11 or at The Winery at Wolf Creek on August 15. Visit www.anneedechant.com or www.myspace.com/anneedechant for additional dates.
Coincidentally, Tracey Thomas is also releasing her fifth album Ghost Town. As the lead singer of Unit 5 back in the day when The Akron Sound was heard around the globe, Thomas delivers a beautiful new album that shows off her diverse vocal styling. Produced by Ryan Humbert, the new disc contains 11 new songs along with this writer’s most requested cover—Tracey’s slower take on Bruce Springteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.”
Thomas is working with her band Treble, which consists of former Unit 5 band mate and life-long friend and bassist Mark Jendrisak and his son Mark Jendrisak Jr. on drums. Tracey’s son Cory not only plays lead guitar, but has honed his craft with the influence from hanging out at husband Scott Shephard’s Time Traveler CD store.
Tracey Thomas and band will be performing at The Kent Stage August 25 and additional dates can be found at www.traceythomas.com or by visiting www.myspace.com/traceythomasmusic.

Jay Minkin is an Akron area entrepreneur, music promoter and critic. For more of his thoughts on music, you may e-mail him at blues4bird@aol.com.

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