Jim Wolf

By Dennis Fallon, for the CDT

With online buzz and a working-class ethic but without the help of a record label, singer-songwriter Jim Wolf releases his first disc, "No Sleep What-so-ever" into the saturated genre of acoustic pop rock.

Sounding like John Mayer and the Barenaked Ladies with just a hint of emo, Wolf's songs are one-dimensional and easily digestible. These simple ideas are the perfect vehicle for the singer, who sounds so normal and well-adjusted that his voice is almost unique in its plainness. He has no rasp, no squeak, and no whine that is the benchmark of your Dylans and Springsteens.

Hailing from Bridgeport, Conn. (hometown of fellow chick magnet Mayer), Wolf's album is standard, singer-songwriter soft rock. But Wolf captures the essence of why girls love this stuff; he really means what he is singing about. His lonely-singer shtick is dead-on, and his lyrics have such an everyday quality that his songs connect within their first 15 seconds. In our day-to-day quest for love, we all have been Jim Wolf at one time or another.

Wolf's songwriting style has a distinct freshman quality to it; he sings of girls in blue jeans, insecurities and hope, all the while maintaining his optimistic "gee-whiz" personality. He is not bitter or jaded, and though the songwriting lacks a certain depth, it is hard not to really connect with his saccharine positivity. Unlike many singer-songwriters, Wolf is in love with the idea of being in love.

For such a happy collection, the album's best track is actually the sad, loser anthem "The Raincheck Man." The song, a waltz, tells the story of a man who has romantic dates made and broken by the women he loves. The story of the constantly blown off, Wolf captures the pain of nice schmucks everywhere.

Though in no way fresh or innovative, "No Sleep What-so-ever" shows that there may always be room for one more pop singer-songwriter. Guys and their guitars have been crooning to women for decades, so this type of music needn't be fresh. It just needs to be heartfelt, and Wolf captures that with ease.
- CentreDaily.com

BY MICHELE HERRMANN

Jim Wolf's biggest fan could be his former basketball coach, who jotted down a very early reminder to ask him and his band mates to perform at a benefit.

"He told me, a year ago, he wrote down to have us play," explained Wolf, a singer-songwriter originally from Fairfield.

Let's not forget to point out that Wolf's former coach is Fairfielder Kevin Simmons, the executive director of the Burroughs Community Center, a service agency located in the West End/Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

Wolf was asked to lend his support to the center by presenting a concert scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Black Rock Castle, 2895 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. Proceeds will benefit the center's after-school program.

A 1983 graduate of Roger Ludlowe High School, Simmons met Wolf and his family years ago, when he was working at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Southport. The Wolfs were active members.

Simmons said he had heard that Wolf "was getting into the singing world" and thought Wolf would best fit the concert billing due to the audience he attracts.

"Jim has a very good following of a younger crowd and we felt this is an ideal crowd," said Simmons, about encouraging younger people to volunteer their time to the center.

Whether serving as tutors or in another volunteer capacity, Simmons mentioned that Burroughs Community Center could offer people some opportunities to serve others.

"There are some [that] may be looking to give back to the community but they do not necessarily know how to do that," Simmons said.

A cover charge of $5 at the door at Black Rock Castle will be going to the center, along with 10 percent from all dining checks that Saturday evening, according to Simmons. Doors open at 9 p.m., with Wolf's performance starting at 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy dinner before the show.

Wolf, a 1998 Fairfield High School graduate, studied communications and took a minor in music, at Eastern Connecticut State University.

A guitarist, Wolf said his first instrument of choice was actually the piano.

"I'm a big Jerry Lee Lewis fan," said Wolf, adding that he has seen the film Great Balls of Fire, which is based on Lewis' life, many times.

Though tickling the ivories may have been his first musical love, Wolf moved on to the guitar. He has been playing guitar since he was 15.

"I didn't have long piano fingers," he said.

Being a self-taught guitarist, but having taken music courses at Eastern, Wolf also picked up a lot from his brother, Rich.

Rich was a bassist for the high school band, Villanova Junction, which also featured fellow Fairfield High classmates Joe Beleznay and Tim Procaccini, along with Grammy Award winner John Mayer.

Having been able to jam with Villanova Junction on occasion, Wolf said the band had a big influence on him. "It was more of learning experience watching them."

Following college, Wolf had a previous stint at the Connecticut radio station i-98 FM as an on-air radio personality, working overnight. Also, formerly, Wolf was a member of the garage band, Rue the Day, which, in August of 2000, had its first paid performance at Al's Place.

Nowadays, Wolf, 26, has been busy promoting his name in the local music scene. He has performed at the Acoustic Café in Bridgeport's Black Rock section and at Fairfield's Bear & Grille restaurant. He has been a presenter at Fairfield Woods Middle School's "Arts In Action" program this past May and also at the program two years ago.

His second release, the acoustic EP "The Stars Never Lie," is scheduled to come out this summer. Wolf said the songs on "The Stars Never Lie" deal with society issues such as the celebrity worship. "The Stars Never Lie" is a follow up to Wolf's first album, a demo LP titled "No Sleep Whatsoever" last September.

"No Sleep What-so-ever" is available at Borders Books, Music & Café, Wolf said. His CDs can also be purchased on the Web through online distribution companies like Awarestore.com. Wolf recorded both albums at Quanzar Studios in Coventry, Conn.

In September, Wolf is scheduled to embark on a college tour, starting off in the New England region. Joining him are his current band mates: drummer Dennis Allen, bassist Ed Stork and trombonist Brian Borelli.

Wolf, who now resides in Bridgeport, is pursuing a full-time career in music.

About playing a benefit gig for Burroughs Community Center, Wolf said, "It's for a good cause." He commented on that it is nice for a musician like himself to do this because not only does it aid the center, however, at the same, it puts a musician in a good light.

When an audience learns that a musician carrying out a charitable deed, Wolf said, "It's another reason that people would want to hear you out."

Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, has both an after-school program and a tutoring program that aids Bridgeport middle school students during the school year, ac - Fairfield Citizen News