One of the more eclectic bands in town these days is Al Rose and the Transcendos, who play Friday at Orphans, 2462 N. Lincoln Ave.
Among the band's many redeeming features are Steve Hashimoto's jazz-inflected bass; the call-and-response vocals between Rose and a trio of gutsy female voices: Laura Blye, Tess Campbell and Nona McClure; and Rose's songwriting, an often irreverent stream of consciousness that plays off the rhythm of words as much as their meaning (check out the fun-loving "Rodeodeo" song).
"I'm influenced by authors as much as songwriters like Bob Dylan," Rose said. "The writing of Henry Miller or Wendell Berry... or the lyricism of John Coltrane's saxophone - I'm looking for that kind of feel when I write lyrics."
His band speaks the language of jazz, Latin music and folk as well as straight-ahead rock, and is currently shopping a five-song demo tape to record companies.
Another side of Rose's musical personality is revealed each Wednesday at Cafe Pavo, 3523 N. Clark St., when Rose is joined by two or three moonlighting Transcendos for an acoustic set.
"It's a lot more instinctive, relaxed and informal," he said.
In addition, Rose (who also plays guitar, flute and recorder) has recorded an acoustic set of songs, "Cut Rate Bait," with an old pal from Madison, Maury Smith (guitar, mandolin), and singers Blye and Campell.
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