Philly Musicians Are Worth A Listen

Many musicians work day jobs. Most book and promote their shows in venues where they aren’t given the red carpet treatment. And road crews are a luxury.

Despite these diversions and obstacles, local artists produce independent compact discs to try to get major label attention or satisfy fans. Although computer technology makes it less expensive to produce albums, musicians still pay up to $25,000 for quality recording sessions and mass compact disc production.

In recent months, several local artists have released albums in the pop and rock genres. These CDs are available at Tower Records in Cherry Hill, Compact Disc World and Tunes locations and online at stores such as www.amazon.com and www.notlame.com or on the band’s Web sites.

Here is rundown of some talented local artists and their recent releases.

Fidelity is the Enemy, Jim Boggia

Philadelphia singer-songwriter Jim Boggia is part Michael Penn, Stevie Wonder, Todd Rungren and Brian Wilson. His album mixes smart multi-layered pop rock songs with quirky sound snippets you’ll recognize from your youth. A fan of the Beach Boys’ experimental classic Pet Sounds and pop singles from 1966 through 1974, Boggia plays unusual instruments - for pop music - on his album. They include a glockenspiel, sleigh bells, toy piano, theremin and a Wurlitzer electric piano.

Released in July, Fidelity is the Enemy was included as one of the year’s best on 88.5 WXPN, up against artists such as Radiohead, Eric Clapton and Dave Matthews. Boggia has spent much of the year touring major East Coast cities.

He also plays with Four Way Street, a quartet of local musicians who jam at intimate venues in the region. Boggia and singer-songwriters Joseph Parsons, Ben Arnold and Scott Bricklin perform original and cover songs, blending rock, folk and pop sounds.

“Four Way Street has really taken off. We perform each other’s tunes and covers. It’s great to sing harmonies with each other,” says Boggia.

Boggia doesn’t work a day job so he can concentrate on playing and writing music. “You just have to learn how not to spend money,” Boggia says, about his Spartan lifestyle.

In Boggia’s album title, “Fidelity” describes recorded sound quality rather than faithfulness in relationships. He believes today’s teen pop music favorites are too slick and lack substance, hence “the enemy.” Boggia hopes music fans will turn away from boy bands or angry pop and look for something that a little deeper.

Radio favorite “Several Thousand” is about a girl he can’ t get off his mind. “Bubblegum 45s” is an upbeat ditty that pays homage to his favorite singles played on his Fisher- Price record player. “Toy Boat” is his screaming rock song for the younger set.

Boggia organized a George Harrison tribute show at the Tin Angel scheduled for Thursday. Local musicians will perform Harrison’s songs, and the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society and International Society of Krishna Consciousness. For more information, visit www. tinangel.com.

Boggia will perform at Coffee Works in Voorhees on Jan. 20. For more information, contact Jim@jimboggia.com or gofreda@webtv.net or write Freda Kelly, P.O. Box 4626, Phila., Pa. 19127.