The Kyd J Band

No Experience Needed: The Kyd J Band
The Biggest Show in Idaho is upon us, and many musical groups will be performing.
Local country band, Kyd J, will play at 7:30 PM at the Bannock Fairgrounds on 4 July just before the fireworks begin. They will also sell autographed copies of their new CD, No Experience Needed, and though I haven’t seen the eight piece band perform live, their CD indicates it will be a lively engaging show. They have a rich robust sound, and though the music is country flavored, there are echoes of Calypso rhythms and standard rock. Judging from the listing of repeated last names, Azzola and Hess, I assume the Kyd J band is a family affair.
Regarding the album, it is to the band’s credit that all ten songs are original, though obviously they could do rousing cover versions of familiar hits. The songwriting is shared between Kevin Day and Loren Azzola. The CD starts with some fine acoustic guitar picking on an up tempo song called “In a Heartbeat” written by Kevin Day. The female vocalist is backed by a strong rhythm section, including some banjo. This is followed by “Get My Butt Outta Bed,” the title indicting the humorous mood of the song. What could inspire any touring band or someone who simply needs to escape monotony is the song, “Road Trip,” complete with a motorcycle sound effect. Sung by John Azzola, the song has a throbbing rock feel and conjures the joy of the open road with plenty of sun and the freedom only an open highway can bring. The lyrics are quite direct: “Take a road trip, maybe stop and skinny dip.” The last sound effect is appropriately that of a police siren—or is that an ambulance?
The fourth track, “Chinook Wind,” is the most compelling song on the album, and I suspect this song will be covered by other artists. In the key of G with simple chords, it begins with a “Dock of the Bay” rhythm but soon follows its own melody. Shelby Azzola Hess delivers the sensitive lyrics in a warm voice, evoking the pain of separation when a lover is far way. Here are some lyrics:
“I hear your voice flowing through the trees
I feel your touch in a fallen leaf
But it’s your face I want to see
And feel your hands all over me.”
The rich plaintive guitars and mandolin offer rhythmic support, the drums providing a steady but understated beat. The band has wisely chosen this song for their single. My only reservation is that the title may be misleading, since this is not an ode to salmon.
“Elvis Was Right” is a nice homage to the “King,” and like Bob Dylan’s tribute to John Lennon that incorporates lines written by Lennon, “Elvis Was Right” includes lines from Presley songs. The song is straightforward rock with echoes of Presley’s guitarist, James Burton, and features some changes in tempo to give it variety. “Grandma’s Song” is the kind of unabashedly sentimental tribute to a saintly guitar-teacher grandma that the cynical listener may reject outright or buy into completely. If you love songs that walk the narrow line between sentiment and sentimentality, then you will embrace the devotion expressed in “Grandma’s Song.” “Jesus called her home/ Course, I know she wasn’t alone.” Borrowing gospel titles, the song has a waltz time.
“Try to be Good” has a blues feel demonstrating the band’s versatility. This is followed by an up tempo finger-pointing song, “Tell Me.” The anger of the singer-narrator is well expressed with commands to depart. Written by Kevin Day, it’s another strong song for a female singer. “Toke a Bowl” brings to mind the classic, “Up on the Roof,” but with a Calypso beat. Written by Loren Azzola and Jeremy Hess, the song is an invitation to a party and must be a crowd pleaser in concert. The last song on the album is “Country Boy Fantasy,” though the fantasy might be more accurately called a country singer’s fantasy—the dream of any country boy who wants to be a country music star.
No Experience Needed is an entertaining lively album and should promote the Kyd J band’s popularity, but the real gem, here, is the poignant stunner, “Chinook Wind.” If this song makes the top forty, most likely through a pop or country star covering Kevin Day’s lovely song, this accomplished band will get much recognition, indeed. - Idaho State Journal