Andy Friedman: "Laserbeams And Dreams" (2011) CD Review

Andy Friedman's new album features wonderfully descriptive lyrics, evocative of specific times and places.

Laserbeams And Dreams is a phenomenal album of songs both tender and raw, with beauty and truth. Andy Friedman's vocals convey a quiet power and intensity that is at times comforting and other times almost unnerving.

All the songs on this album are originals, written by Andy Friedman. The songs feature excellent lyrics, clearly the work of a poet. Andy is able to create clear, living images in his songs, partly through attention to details which are distinct and vivid. The songs seem to act like photographs, describing specific places and times. Great examples are "Motel On A Lake," "Old Pennsylvania" and "Roll On, John Herald," all of which actually have direct references to photographs and snapshots in their lyrics.

"It's Time For Church"

The album opens with "It's Time For Church." Right away Andy Friedman calls to mind Johnny Cash around the time of American Recordings. It's the voice - and the volume of the voice in relation to the guitar at the beginning of the song. Then the bass and guitar punch you in the gut a minute and a half in. There is a raw force in the song - in Andy Friedman - and yet also a sense of humor. After all, "The sky is Brooklyn Dodger blue."

The lyrics begin, "It's time for church/It's five o'clock/Pour a drink/Let the record play/It's time for worship/In a quiet place/Collect my tears/Listen to the sermon." Ah yes, a song for those for whom music and alcohol are religion. It ends with the line, "Let the record play." Let this record play in a quiet place, and begin to worship.

"Motel On The Lake"

In "Motel On The Lake" Andy Friedman provides echoes of a once-populated resort, but with a reference to Dirty Dancing, calling to mind a very specific type of summer place. Andy has a great ability to conjure precise images in the minds of the listeners.

The song features excellent lyrics like, "Children on their honeymoon." The song begins, "There's a motel on the lake/Where all the old things go/Where all the shades are drawn/And ghosts of summer show/Snapshots projected on the wall."

The line "Snapshots projected on the wall" can also be taken as a reference to Andy Friendman's performance pieces in the years before he picked up the guitar.

"Nothing With My Time"

"Nothing With My Time" is a quiet, contemplative acoustic song. The title of the album is contained in this song's lyrics: "Surrounded by winter streets and neon heat/Emily riding on my back/Laserbeams and dreams/Doing nothing with my time." This song has a long, slow fade - like time itself drifting away.

"Old Pennsylvania"

"Old Pennsylvania" is a pretty folk tune that is so effective at creating a strong image of place and people and time. It's Pennsylvania in late autumn, in a rural area where one has to drive "twenty-five miles just to get some milk." Toward the end, Andy sings, "I don't live there anymore/But I guess from there I'll always be." The song includes a reference to Bruce Hornsby And The Range.

"Roll On, John Herald"

John Herald was a founding member of the Greenbriar Boys, a bluegrass band. This song, though a tribute, is decidedly not a bluegrass song. No, far from it. It's a heavy and vibrant - even angry-sounding - song, with a driving rhythm on guitar.

The lyrics begin, "John Herald drove into the night/John Herald drove into the night/Headed north on 87 to his rented log cabin/The club owner put up a fight/The curtains on his windows were thin/Sun bleached the memorabilia within."

John Herald died of an apparent suicide in 2005.

"Quiet Blues"

"Quiet Blues" is just what its title promises - a soft and sad-sounding tune. A serious change in tone from the previous track, on this one Andy's voice is sweet and gentle. The lyrics begin, "Quiet blues/Nothing but me and the wind/Quiet blues/nothing but me and the wind/Quiet blues/Glad you found me again."

But his sense of humor still makes itself present, especially in lines like "Moonlight shimmers like a mirror ball in the gym," which is sort of a wonderful reverse simile. Ordinarily someone might describe the unnatural thing as like a natural thing - but Andy Friedman takes the beauty of moonlight and likens it to a gaudy decoration in a high school dance.

"May I Rest When Death Approaches"

"May I Rest When Death Approaches" is based on poems written by Tony Rullo, Andy Friedman's father-in-law, in the days just before his death. That fact alone makes it a song of interest. But even without knowing that, the song has a sharp power, Andy's voice full of weary wisdom. The song also benefits from some nice little touches on piano - like tears falling, or unfinished thoughts.

Check out these lyrics: "You can beat me with prayers now/Wash me with grief/Offer your fondness/But assure my release."

"Pretty Great"

"Pretty Great" opens with guitar - slow and deliberate. Then the first lines: "Now I always thought I was pretty great/When I look back I can see that I ain't/I wasn't so great, I wasn't so great." There's obviously something very funny about that, and maybe it's in the fact that most of us can related. We have a vision of ourselves which we can maintain until we actually look at ourselves. A simple idea, perhaps, but this song speaks it well.

"Schroon Lake"

"Schroon Lake" is a spoken word piece. Nearly a minute in, Andy messes up and acknowledges it. Then there's static (and an old recording of a fiddle?) with a few words spoken over it. And it's done.

Why is this included? Andy Friedman, before performing and recording music, wrote and recited poetry, accompanied by slide projections of his drawings and paintings.

"Going Home (Drifter's Blessing)"

Why do songs about going home make us sad? Even in their sweetness, there is something woeful in the lyrics, in the idea. There is always a hint of death.

Here is a bit of Andy Friedman's lyrics for "Going Home (Drifter's Blessing)": "I'm going home/After I get there, my kids will be happy/I hope they don't hate me because I've been gone/I hope they might travel the road that might call/To their own happy children after I'm gone."

"Down By The Willow"
The album concludes with "Down By The Willow," a beautiful and mesmerizing tune. The lyrics begin, "She reminded me of summer/Getting close to her was hopeless." The guitar toward the end has a haunting power.

CD Track List

1. It's Time For Church
2. Motel On The Lake
3. Pretty Great (Theme)
4. Nothing With My Time
5. Old Pennsylvania
6. Roll On, John Herald
7. Quiet Blues
8. May I Rest When Death Approaches
9. Pretty Great
10. Schroon Lake
11. Going Home (Drifter's Blessing)
12. Down By The Willow
    

Musicians on this album are Andy Friedman on vocals and acoustic guitar; David Goodrich on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and piano; and Stephan Crump on acoustic bass. The album was recorded and mixed by Stephan Crump. Laserbeams And Dreams was recorded on September 1st and 2nd, 2010 in New York.

The photograph on the album's cover is by Gus Powell.

Laserbeams And Dreams is scheduled to be released April 5, 2011 through City Salvage Records. This is Andy Friedman's third studio album. His previous two are Taken Man (2006) and Weary Things (2009).

Richard X. Heyman: "Tiers/And Other Stories" (2011) CD Review

This amazing new release is actually two complete albums, and features original diverse material from Richard X. Heyman.

Rather than a double album, Tiers/And Other Stories is two albums packaged together. These two CDs are like a whole universe of music - crossing over musical genres and types with ease and a gleeful disregard for conventions. The results are, for the most part, completely original.

While at times the music presented here might remind one of other singers or bands (elements of his sound are reminiscent of Elvis Costello, Warren Zevon, and possibly even Randy Newman), the comparisons' validity is fleeting (and ultimately immaterial). This release is pure Richard X. Heyman. He produced, wrote and arranged the songs.

The first disc is stronger than the second. Its songs recount the early stages of his relationship with his wife.

"Hot On The Trail Of Innocence"

The first CD opens with "Hot On The Trail Of Innocence." It begins with piano and strings. Richard X. Heyman's vocals have sweet and vibrant tones. He sings, "Don't make me wait so long." The orchestral drums nearly four minutes in are a nice touch. But it's the emotion at the core of this song which is gorgeous and real.

"Golden In This Town"
There is a sudden change in feel with the album's second track, "Golden In This Town." This one starts with a steady drum beat, and has more of a rock feel on the piano. On this one has his voice sounds a bit like Elvis Costello.

Richard sings, "I can't recall now - was it me or was it you/Does it really matter if there's something left to do/We can have tomorrow if you want to talk it out/If it's worth that much for us to find what it's about."

"Golden In This Town" is a love song whose love that has been through a lot. The history of it is heard in the instrumentation, in Richard's voice and every note, as well as the lyrics. This is one of the album's best songs.

"Good To Go"

"Good To Go" is a wonderful country rock song that is somewhat reminiscent of Warren Zevon's work. Richard's voice is rougher on this one, which is part of what calls Warren Zevon to mind. It begins, "I'm getting tired of the same old same old/I'm mad as hell at the status quo/And that is why I'll be gone tomorrow/I'm good to go." There are also hints of Randy Newman in the lyrics and feel - Randy Newman when he was at his best, that is.

It's a seriously catchy tune - the absolute best of what pop can offer mixed with excellent country elements. There is even a spoken word moment: "I was adrift, if you catch my drift now." This is possibly the album's best song. It's simply wonderful.

"Horizon"

The album changes again with "Horizon." Richard's vocals are really amazing on this one. Unfortunately there is a relentless keyboard part, which acts as the sonic equivalent of those animated flashing lights that give children seizures in Japan. Approximately three minutes in, there is a brief respite from it. The song then gets more interesting three minutes and forty seconds in when the drums come in.

"Fire In The Country"

"Fire In The Country" is a quicker-paced tune. This one is really a lot of fun. It has a good rhythm, and some wonderful work on piano, as well some surprising and joyous horns. In fact, the whole song has a very happy feel. Added to that are some excellent lyrics, such as "Chasing the phantom of liberty/Fire in the country/And it's burning/Wild in the country."

"Yellow And Blue"

"Yellow And Blue" is all about the vocals, with the instruments mostly in the deep background. The vocals are gorgeous and glorious. The focus on the vocals means a focus on lyrics: "If you ever want me, I'm only half a world away." He then asks, "Who's going to love you this much?"

The rhythm during the chorus is catchy. Part of the chorus is, "You'll see the home fires/Yellow and blue/Burn on through the night/Look for the home fires/Like we once knew." "Yellow And Blue" is a wonderful and unusual song. It is another of the many highlights of this CD.

"Game Stays The Same"
"Game Stays The Same" is another song with a catchy pop rhythm. But it has so much more. This is no simple pop tune, though the rhythm is easily accessible and pulls the listener in immediately. But then the world of the song opens wider. This is a song about Los Angeles, with lines like, "Don't you know that illusion can lead to mystique" and "It's true everything is perception."

There is then an odd spoken word section, a letter from Hollywood with references to the smog and lines about how folks don't walk in L.A. and an anecdote about almost meeting Gene Clark. "Game Stays The Same" is yet another excellent tune from this album.

"The Real Deal"

"The Real Deal" is also about being in California, and trying to make it as a musician. Richard sings, "Welcome to the real deal/Shouldn't someone ought to warn ya/How you're gonna get your fate sealed/Out here in California." California referred to as "out here" - making California a distant place - distant from the past, from the rest of the world. California as a foreign territory and landscape is not new to song, but Richard's take has a personal strength.

The song also has a bitter sense of humor, with lines like, "So I handed the man my last tape/How was I to know it was my first rape?" And at the end, the Promised Land becomes the "Broken Promise Land."

"There's A Train"

"There's A Train" is about journeying home. This song has the positive and bright energy that comes with the knowledge of making the correct decision and going forward. No questions, no hesitation. At times the rhythm mimics a train, particularly on the hi-hat.

"Tiers"

The first CD concludes with its title track, "Tiers." This song begins, "Thinking about the early days/A couple of curious and confused kids." It's a look back on the relationship - a sort of summing up of what's come before. "Tiers" is positive and optimistic, a perfect ending to the first disc (with a somewhat grand finale).

"Agnostic's Prayer"

"Agnostic's Prayer," the first track of the second disc, begins as a mood piece dominated by strings. Then the vocals come in, large and theatrical. This one calls to mind the Moody Blues at their most grand (moments of Days Of Future Passed). This might be a difficult entry point for most listeners, but it's the second disc, so they'll already have an idea of what they're in for, and they'll know the songs will be varied.

"Birds"

And the songs certainly are varied. For the second song, "Birds," begins like a folk tune. Though it quickly proves itself to be other than a simple folk song. The moment the vocals come in over the guitar the song takes on another dimension, another power.

Richard sings, "Now the days are getting dark." And one gets the sense that the journey might get darker before hitting light again, before regaining the bright optimism that ended the first disc.

"Rec Room For A Generation/Baby Boom"

After a strange, churchly instrumental intro, the song takes on a sort of 1960s pop rhythm, which is perfect for the song's "Baby Boom" title.

"Branded In The Sky"

"Branded In The Sky" is joyful pop rock with some great rock piano. Richard sings, "We're branded in the sky/And I'm just trying to show the way that I feel/Look up to see my loving is real." One incredibly likeable aspect of Richard's music is his unabashed, unbridled and unhidden emotions. Richard X. Heyman doesn't hesitate or compromise. Whatever choices he makes, he goes at with full force. He doesn't hold back. And so some of his music might not appeal to the absolute cynics among us.

"The Day Before Tomorrow"

"The Day Before Tomorrow" is one of the weaker songs on the second disc, mainly because it reminds the listener of other songs and so it's difficult to focus on what this one has to offer. Right when it starts, the instrumental melody sounds a lot like the vocal line of Dobie Gray's "The In Crowd," but slower. (And possibly another song from the 1960s or 1970s that's difficult to pinpoint.) And then when the vocals start, the first line sounds very much like the theme song to Growing Pains. It's just for a moment, but it's hard to shake that television theme from your head once it's in there.

"When Willy Played Guitar"
"When Willy Played Guitar" is about Willy Kirchofer, guitarist for the Doughboys. The Doughboys were the band that Richard X. Heyman played drums for when he was in junior high school. The song's first line is "I was only a mere thirteen."

The song does a great job capturing the energy of those times and describing those youthful moments when music first takes control. When everything is important and crucial. And of course the song is also about the current perspective on those times after so many years passing.

Willy Kirchofer died in 2005. The Doughboys have reformed in recent years, releasing two new albums: Is It Now? (2007) and Act Your Rage (2010).

"Going For Baroque"
"Going For Baroque" is a wonderful instrumental, as playful as its title. At times it's pretty, and has some interesting changes, like an amusement park ride through history. "Baroque" is generally defined as overly ornate and elaborate. The baroque period was approximately from 1550 to 1750.

"Heaven Surrounds Me"

"Heaven Surrounds Me" is a sweet and gorgeous song that stays away from overly complex instrumentation. It mostly allows the vocals and acoustic guitar to drive the song.

Richard sings, "But now I see/Your light shining all around/And heaven surrounds me/On the ground." This wonderful song ends with the lines, "Heaven has descended to the ground/And heaven surrounds us."

There is an unlisted, untitled sixteenth track on the second CD. It's a short instrumental with the sound of birds at the beginning.

CD Track List

Disc One: Ties

1. Hot On The Trail Of Innocence
2. Golden In This Town
3. Last Thought In My Mind
4. Good To Go
5. Horizon
6. Fire In The Country
7. Yellow And Blue
8. Game Stays The Same
9. The Real Deal
10. One Thing I Still Have
11. On Gallery Row
12. There's A Train
13. Everyone's Moving In The Wrong Direction
14. The Empire Lights
15. Tiers

Disc Two: And Other Stories

1. Agnostic's Prayer
2. Birds
3. Rec Room For A Generation/Baby Boom
4. Branded In The Sky
5. No Time To Rest On Sunday
6. Gravity
7. The Day Before Tomorrow
8. Beyond The Setting Sun
9. When Willy Played Guitar
10. Hustler's Last Stand
11. Wild Souls
12. Going For Baroque
13. The Finish Line
14. Only For You
15. Heaven Surrounds Me

Musicians on this album are Richard X. Heyman on bass, bongos, doumbek, drums, guitar, guira, harmonium, harpsichord, marimba, mellotron, organ, piano, shakers, tabla, tambourine, timpani, triangle, tubular bells, vibraphone, vocals, and xylophone; Deni Bonet on viola and voilin; Prentice Jenkins on cello; Florence Davis on flute; Sherman Glasgow on French horn, trombone, trumpet and tuba; Clarence Harris on bassoon and oboe; and Robert Howard on clarinet and saxophone.

The album was mixed by Richard X. Heyman and Nancy Leigh.

The album's artwork is by Jill Stasium, with photography by Heidi Gutman.

Tiers/And Other Stories is scheduled to be released April 19, 2011 through Turn-Up Records.

James McMurtry: "Childish Things" (2005/2011 re-issue) CD Review

James McMurtry's excellent album includes the powerful protest song "We Can't Make It Here."
Two of James McMurtry's albums are being re-issued by Lightning Rod Records on February 1st: Live In Aught-Three and Childish Things.

James McMurtry sure as hell can tell a good story. He creates believable and vibrant characters in his songs, as well as good grooves. And he possesses a voice that has a sort of woeful authority. It's a voice of knowledge and experience, and it seems that experience is what compels him to sing and write songs in the first place. Sort of like when Leonard Cohen sings, "I greet you from the other side of sorrow and despair." You feel kind of safe in his hands, in his voice - like he won't lie to you, won't deliberately, knowingly take you astray. No bull, no embellishment - just some truth.

As he sings in "Charlemagne's Home Town," "The fortune teller told me nothing/That I wouldn't have found out on my own."

"See The Elephant"

Childish Things opens with "See The Elephant," which tells the story of a guy asking his father if he can go to the traveling show in Richmond to see the elephant. He's fixed the gate and done his chores, and he's old enough to drive.

It's established as a rite of passage for the boys: "Sister she can't go with me/This is not for her to see/Little brother you'll get your chance/To go down and see the elephant." Then suddenly after an instrumental interlude, the song changes to the idea of impending war. He wants to see the elephant before going. This ties in with the male rite of passage, and the boys at the beginning who were "in their Sunday suits" are now "in their Navy Blues."

This song features a good slow rock groove, and some wonderful work on fiddle by Warren Hood, playing what sounds like a lead electric guitar part.

"Childish Things"
The album's title track is about putting away the trappings of childhood. The first lines are wonderful: "Aunt Clara kept her Bible/Right next to the phone in case she needed a quote."

Also, near the beginning of the song, James sings, "I'll still believe in heaven/But I won't believe in ghosts anymore." And then the song ends with these lines: "I don't believe in heaven/But I still believe in ghosts." That's great - the idea that for Aunt Clara, ghosts are childish things, but for him now that he's in his forties, it's heaven that's the childish thing.

James McMurtry is adept at describing characters at the edge of transition and change, in different phases of life. In "See The Elephant," a character is looking ahead; in "Childish Things," he's looking back. At the end of "Childish Things," when he's in the present, he sings, "All I want now is just a comfortable chair."

Tim Holt plays lead guitar on this track.

"We Can't Make It Here"

"We Can't Make It Here" is an amazing song with the power to anger and depress. It's a protest song of sorts, protesting the current reality of the nation. What were once called "pessimism" and "cynicism" can now safely and sadly be called "realism."

In a verse that starts in a bar, he sings, "Minimum wage won't pay for a roof, won't pay for a drink/If you gotta have proof just try it yourself Mr. CEO/See how far $5.15 an hour will go/Take a part time job at one of your stores/Bet you can't make it here anymore."

The song is clever in its varying meanings and uses of "make it." From the literal, as in creating a product ("Now I'm stocking shirts in the Wal-Mart store/Just like the ones we made before/'Cept this one came from Singapore/I guess we can't make it here anymore"), to the figurative, as in to be successful, and also to simply survive.

A live version of this song was included on the DVD from his two-disc release, Live In Europe.

"Bad Enough"

"Bad Enough" begins with a series of questions from one person to another, culminating in the repeated, "When you gonna act like you know you should?"

Then the song switches perspectives to the other person for the chorus: "Well it goes all night like a broken record/You know it wouldn't take all that much/To bring me down from all that pressure/I guess you just know when it's bad enough." After an instrumental section and a slightly different version of the chorus, the song then describes the relationship in terms of combat in the second verse.

"Bad Enough" features some nice harmonica work by James McMurtry.

"Memorial Day"

In "Memorial Day," James McMurtry creates a vivid image of a family gathering for a holiday. The song starts with the family en route to grandmother's house while trying to get the baseball game on the radio. The family is full of hope and excitement - a seemingly solid unit.

But that doesn't last through the second verse, which finds members of the family arguing. "Joe 'n' Mary said not to worry/Said it's just the same old fight/Happens whenever they all get together/Everything's really alright."

Each verse is like a short chapter in their story. By the third verse, Mary is getting hit by Grandma, but "Mary don't cry just stands there and takes it/Doesn't seem to feel a thing." And of course this is Memorial Day, a day designated to honor fallen members of the fighting forces.

The last verse finds the family on its way home, driving in silence. This song provides a great description of a dysfunctional family (which most likely is every family).

"Old Part Of Town"

"Old Part Of Town" has a good country rock groove, and great piano. This is a tune about returning to another time by returning to another place. Maybe it's an easier, more real place. James sings, "But darlin', I think there's still a time to be had/In the old part of town where your mom met your dad."

Through James McMurtry doesn't seem one to fall victim to nostalgia, it's interesting to see which words he uses to describe the old part of town. He sings, "You can still hear the footsteps of the old mystery/Old part of town/You can still feel the heartbeat of our whole history." The words "mystery" and "heartbeat" give the place a more vital and intriguing feel. But of course it's also an escape from the current reality.

"Holiday"

In "Holiday" James McMurtry depicts various characters during a holiday. Like in "Memorial Day," the tone that's created is not one of joy, but of sad reality. It begins with a description of a family on the road, seeing the crosses on the roadside marking deaths from the last holiday. There is still some humor in lines like "The whole thing's arranged just to aggravate Dad." And when describing a truck-driver who is missing everything because of his work, James sings, "He's in for a long holiday," playing on the idea of a long haul.

This song keeps it simple, just acoustic guitar, bass and vocals. It's a beautiful and sad song with which to end the album.

CD Track List

1. See The Elephant
2. Childish Things
3. We Can't Make It Here
4. Slew Foot
5. Bad Enough
6. Restless
7. Memorial Day
8. Six Year Drought
9. Old Part Of Town
10. Charlemagne's Home Town
11. Pocatello
12. Holiday

Musicians on this album include James McMurtry on vocals, guitar, harmonica; Ronnie Johnson on bass and backing vocals; Daren Hess on drums and tambourine; Bukka Allen on piano and organ; David Grissom on guitar; Warren Hood on fiddle; Jon Blondell on trombone; Curtis McMurtry on baritone saxophone; Randy Garibay Jr. on backing vocals. Joe Ely performs vocals on "Slew Foot."

Childish Things was originally released in 2005. It was re-released February 1, 2011, along with his 2004 release Live In Aught-Three.

3 Leg Torso: "Animals & Cannibals" (2010) CD Review

The new CD from 3 Leg Torso features wonderful, delightful instrumental tunes designed to transform the listener's universe into a thing of beauty and joy.

A new album from 3 Leg Torso is a cause for celebration. These guys are outstanding musicians. And they're doing something that nobody else is doing these days. That in itself is something to cheer. But then the music is so good. Most of it is original, composed by Bela R. Balogh and Courtney Von Drehle.

All tracks on Animals & Cannibals are instrumentals. And most have different sections, changes in mood and tone. This band is able to tell complex stories without words, to grab the listener and take him or her on several intricate and wonderful journeys.

"Akiko Yano"

Animals & Cannibals opens with "Akiko Yano," a wonderful track with an intriguing structure. It's like classical music with pop music sensibilities. There is also some amazing work on violin.

"Csardas"

"Csardas" was written in 1904 by Vittorio Monti, based on a Hungarian folk dance. This music will be familiar to most people, and 3 Leg Torso's rendition should delight and impress everyone with its manic pace, particularly T.J. on xylophone. And then it draws the listener in with its quiet section before bursting into another fun, vibrant area.

"The Life And Times And Good Deeds Of St. Penguin"

The first moments of "The Life And Times And Good Deeds Of St. Penguin" are sad and serious, like something from Schindler's List. And then it takes a delightful turn, becoming a fun and playful tune. This music makes one want to found his own country and hire this band as the official court musicians. (Of course, court choreographers will need to be hired to create official dances to this music.)

This track features Ja'Ttik on tuba and Jen Harrison on French horn.

"Toothless Cannibal"

"Toothless Cannibal" sounds like some whacked-out jazz sprites broke into a room of classical instruments and went to town (after ingesting Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, that is). This is one of the best tracks on the CD. Just wonderful.

"Driving Along With My Cow In My Volga"

Let this song take over, and it will assuredly transform you into a cartoon character. Everything around you will become animated, and you'll become capable of feats astounding and absurd. It's true. Just give it a listen. Household objects will begin dancing and telling you fantastic tales.

"According To Chagall"

Halfway through this album, suddenly there is this beautiful song titled "According To Chagall." It's wonderful and nostalgic, and even contains a moment evocative of childhood dreaming. Courtney Von Drehle wrote this one.

"Bus Stop To Oblivion"

At first, "Bus Stop To Oblivion" feels like a folk song from the highlands. Then it kicks in with a drum roll leading to musical madness, particularly on the accordion. This song even has some rock elements. "Bus Stop To Oblivion" goes through several changes, but always feels like a cohesive piece - like a medley by a madcap genius.

"Frailach #1"

This song starts with a cool groove with drums and bass, and then adds some insane strings over that groove. The song is loose and exploratory at times, with some excellent work on bass and violin. In the liner notes, it's credited as a traditional song, arranged by 3 Leg Torso. It's a song in the klezmer tradition, and it's one of the best tracks on the album.

Tarik Banzi plays doumbek on this song. (A doumbek is a type of hand drum, shaped like a goblet.)

"Autumn"

"Autumn" is soft and sad, like a puppet who's had several of his strings cut and can't hold his head up or move in anything but circles. And in a world that's getting colder. The violin comes in like a cold and indifferent wind.

Bela R. Balogh plays piano on this track, and it sounds excellent. This is another of the album's best songs.

"The Last Dream"

The album concludes with "The Last Dream," a sweet, reflective piece with some devilish hints.

CD Track List

1. Akiko Yano
2. Csardas
3. The Life And Times And Good Deeds Of St. Penguin
4. Toothless Cannibal
5. Driving Along With My Cow In My Volga
6. According To Chagall
7. Bus Stop To Oblivion
8. Frailach #1
9. Autumn
10. The Last Dream
    

Musicians
The musicians of 3 Leg Torso are Bela R. Balogh on violin and trumpet; Courtney Von Drehle on accordion; Gary Irvine on drums, vibraphone, glockenspiel, xylophone, bowed vibraphone and bell chime; Michael Papillo on double bass; T.J. Arko on vibraphone, glockenspiel, xylophone and drums. Mike Murphy plays double bass on "The Life And Times And Good Deeds Of St. Penguin" and "Autumn."

Kyle MacLowry plays vibraphone on "The Life And Times And Good Deeds of St. Penguin," and xylophone on "Frailach #1." JaTtik Clark plays tuba on "The Life And Times And Good Deeds Of St. Penguin" and "Autumn." Jen Harrison plays French horn on "The Life And Times And Good Deeds Of St. Penguin" and "The Last Dream." Tarik Banzi plays doumbek on "Frailach #1."

Animals & Cannibals was released on August 10, 2010. This is the band's fifth release. Other albums include 3 Leg Torso (1997), Astor In Paris (2003), Legibly Speaking (2004) and Whispers, Grins, Bloodloss & Handshakes (2005).

By the way, 3 Leg Torso also puts on an excellent live performance. If an opportunity comes to attend one of their concerts, take it, seize it, go.

September 4, 2010 by Michael Doherty

Marley's Ghost: "Ghost Town" (2010) CD Review

Marley's Ghost is mostly country, a bit of folk, but the band in no way feels limited by these labels. Ghost Town, the band's ninth release, was recorded in Nashville.

The album opens with "Travelin' Teardrop Blues," a song written by Shawn Camp and Herb McCullough. This song has some great guitar work and really nice vocals. It also features Hoot Hester on fiddle. The song has a nice and easy feel, a good track to open the CD.

Kimmie Rhodes And Emmylou Harris

"Goodbye To Old Missoula" was written by Willis Alan Ramsey. Kimmie Rhodes performs backing vocals on this song.

"Love And Happiness For You" is a sweet song. It was written by Kimmie Rhodes and Emmylou Harris. The lyrics include this: "you will always have a lucky star/that shines because of what you are/even in the deepest dark/because your aim is true/and if i could only have one wish/darling, then it would be this/love and happiness for you." How wonderful is that?

"Poor Old Dirt Farmer"

"Poor Old Dirt Farmer" is a great, old-timey sounding song. It was written by Tracy Schwartz, and originally recorded in 1969 by The Strange Creek Singers, and released on the album "Strange Creek Singers." Hoot Hester plays fiddle on the Marley's Ghost version. This is one of the best tracks on the album. It's just so much fun.

Check out these lyrics: "Well the poor old dirt farmer, how bad he must feel/He fell off his tractor up under the wheel/And now his head, shaped like a tread/But he ain't quite dead." "Should I Be Singing The Blues?"

"Should I Be Singing The Blues?" has a cool lounge-type feel to it. It also sports a nice piano part. This song was written by Mike Phelan.

Warren Zevon

"She's Too Good For Me" is a Warren Zevon song. It was originally released on "Wind" (2003), his last record.

"Less And Less"

"Less And Less" is a really good song, written by Tim O'Brien. The chorus is "I've been up and down the road a time or two I guess/Now I try to travel around with less and less." Jack Clement plays ukulele on this track.

"Goin' Back To Bowling Green"

"Goin' Back To Bowling Green" is an excellent folk song. This is a song that would be great to have on a mix for those cross-country road trips, especially if energy was lagging and a fun pick-me-up was needed. This song would certainly do the trick. Hoot Hester plays fiddle and mandolin on this song. Kimmie Rhodes and Brooks Watson perform backing vocals. This song was written by Jack Clement.

The Musicians Of Marley's Ghost

Marley's Ghost is Jerry Fletcher on vocals, accordion, Hammond B3, piano and drums; Ed Littlefield Jr. on vocals and pedal steel guitar; Mike Phelan on vocals, acoustic guitar, dobro, electric guitar and baritone electric guitar; Dan Wheetman on vocals, banjo, bass, acoustic guitar and octave mandolin; and Jon Wilcox on vocals and mandolin.

Dan Wheetman, Jon Wilcox and Mike Phelan started the band in the late 1980s. Ghost Town is their ninth album. This one was recorded in Nashville, and produced by "Cowboy" Jack Clement. Jack Clement also wrote two of the songs: "Got Leavin' On Her Mind" and "Goin' Back To Bowling Green."

Is Marley's Ghost country? Is it folk? Yes, yes. And it doesn't matter. What matters is that the music is good, the musicians at the top of their game, and the songs interesting and varied.

CD Track List

1. Travelin' Teardrop Blues
2. Goodbye To Old Missoula
3. My Live Will Not Change
4. Love And Happiness For You
5. Poor Old Dirt Farmer
6. Should I Be Singing The Blues?
7. Got Leavin' On Her Mind
8. Here I Am In Love Again
9. She's Too Good For Me
10. Less And Less
11. Which Way Do We Go
12. Light In The Forest
13. Goin' Back To Bowling Green
14. Don't We All Feel Like That
    

Hot Club Of Cowtown: "What Makes Bob Holler" (2011) CD Review

A tribute to Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys, this CD will raise spirits and get folks smiling and dancing.

When people say they don't like country music, it's clear they haven't heard stuff like this new album from Hot Club Of Cowtown. Because, sure, there is a lot of bad country out there, but then there are albums like this one.

What Makes Bob Holler is full of music that has universal appeal - it's fun, innocent, sweet and real. It's true - you know? It speaks to something at the core of all of us, below those layers of artifice and affectation, behind our protective barriers. Strip away all the nonsense - and you'll find Hot Club Of Cowtown. This is the heart of country, and that's - frankly - the heart of the people.

Then there's the fact that these three musicians are at the top of their game. They make it seem easy, effortless. So perfectly natural, that the listener might be fooled into thinking that he or she can pick up a fiddle or guitar and - without a lesson - make the instrument reveal everything he or she wants to say, everything he or she feels. And who knows? Maybe he can.

What Makes Bob Holler is a tribute to Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys. Bob Wills, known as the King of Western Swing, was born in Texas in 1905. He's probably best known for the song "New San Antonio Rose." He also had a film career in the 1940s, appearing in such films as Take Me Back To Oklahoma (1940) and A Tornado In The Saddle (1942).

"She's Killing Me"
What Makes Bob Holler starts off with "She's Killing Me." This is fun, old timey music to get the toes tapping and the spirits high. Ah, to sing, "She's killing me" with such a bright tone and optimism and spirit. This song features a nice bass solo section by Jake Erwin.

"She's Killing Me" was written by Claude Nichols.

"It's All Your Fault"

On "It's All Your Fault" Elana James sings with a voice right out of the 1940s. Beautiful. There is also some nice electric guitar work by Whit Smith. "It's All Your Fault" was written by Cindy Walker.

"Maiden's Prayer"

"Maiden's Prayer" is a pretty instrumental - sweet and easy - with wonderful work on fiddle. The fiddle soars on this one. If all prayers sounded like this, the gods couldn't help but answer every damn one of them. And there wouldn't be a non-believer anywhere. "Maiden's Prayer" was written by Bob Wills.

"Oklahoma Hills"

Hot Club Of Cowtown do a great job with "Oklahoma Hills," a cheerful folk tune written by Jack Guthrie and Woody Guthrie.

Woody Guthrie wrote what should be the official national anthem of the United States, "This Land Is Your Land" (and I urge you all to start singing it at sporting events and wherever else the national anthem is sung).

"Big Ball In Cowtown"

"Big Ball In Cowtown" is a fun, quick song to get folks dancing. It features some wonderful fiddle. The lyrics, by Hoyle Nix, are simple - nothing more than what's needed. The chorus is, "Big Ball's in Cowtown/We'll all go down/Big Ball's in Cowtown/We'll dance around."

"Smith's Reel"

"Smith's Reel" is a fast-paced instrumental. It starts off as a fiddle tune, but then the electric guitar takes a turn at lead. That's a rare thing for a reel, but it works wonderfully. There is also a very cool bass section.

"The Devil Ain't Lazy"

"The Devil Ain't Lazy" is great country swing, with some call-and-response. Whit Smith sings lead on this one. Written by Fred Rose, this song has some playful lyrics: "He tells us he won't hurt a fly/Then he makes us steal and lie/Keeps us sinning 'til we die/He works twenty-four hours a day."

"Faded Love"

"Faded Love" is an instrumental written by Bob Wills and John Wills. It boasts a sad title, but is a sweet and pretty tune. It sounds like the end of a long day, as the suns sets, and you strip off all cares and burdens and relax by a fire or stove.

"What's The Matter With The Mill"

"What's The Matter With The Mill" is another great happy tune with a call and response, with Elana taking the lead vocals, and the guys responding. It features some seriously excellent work by Whit Smith on guitar. This song also has a nice bass solo. (Is there anything that can beat the sound of a stand-up bass?) There is a wild (but brief) section a near the end where the guitar and fiddle work in conjunction, sounding amazing.

"What's The Matter With The Mill" was written by Bob Wills and Tommy Duncan.

"Osage Stomp"

"Osage Stomp" is an uptempo instrumental, with some great work on bass. Actually, all three take turns standing out on this fantastic track. "Osage Stomp" was written by Bob Mills.

"Stay A Little Longer"

The album concludes with a song to keep 'em dancing. "Stay A Little Longer" is fun, fun, fun. It begins with a great bass line, and then the other instruments come in over it, dancing and playing. The chorus is, "Stay all night/Stay a little longer/Dance all night/Dance a little longer/Pull off your coat/Throw it in a corner/I don't see why you don't stay a little longer."

It was written by Tommy Duncan and Bob Wills.

CD Track List

1. She's Killing Me
2. It's All Your Fault
3. Time Changes Everything
4. Maiden's Prayer
5. Oklahoma Hills
6. Big Ball In Cowtown
7. Keeper Of My Heart
8. Smith's Reel
9. The Devil Ain't Lazy
10. Along the Navajo Trail
11. Faded Love
12. What's The Matter With The Mill
13. Osage Stomp
14. Stay A Little Longer
    

Hot Club Of Cowtown is Elana James on fiddle and vocals, Whit Smith on guitar and vocals, and Jake Erwin on bass and backing vocals. They formed in 1994. Since then, they've released several albums, including 2009's Wishful Thinking.

What Makes Bob Holler was recorded in three days in May of 2010. It is scheduled to be released February 1, 2011 through Proper American. Hot Club Of Cowtown are based in Austin, Texas.

(This review was originally posted on January 11, 2011.)

Clint Eastwood: "Sings Cowboy Favorites" (2010) CD Review

For the first time ever on CD, Clint Eastwood's 1963 record is available with two bonus tracks, those being both sides of the single he recorded in 1962.

Rawhide's Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites was recorded on May 13th and May 14th in 1963 in New York. The last two tracks on the CD are from a single that Clint Eastwood recorded in November of 1962. None of this music has been available on CD before.

Clint Eastwood As Rowdy Yates In Rawhide
Clint Eastwood had been appearing in films and television shows since the mid-1950s, but his breakthrough role was as Rowdy Yates on the television series Rawhide. So when it came time for Clint to record an album, it was only natural that he should turn to western music rather than rock 'n' roll.

The album opens with "Bouquet Of Roses." Clint's voice is smoother than one might imagine it being. While there is nothing particularly intriguing or compelling about his voice, Clint is a completely competent singer. And his voice totally fits the feel of this record. Most of the tunes, like "Bouquet Of Roses," are mellow and sweet.

In songs like "Along The Sante Fe Trail," Clint is going for an authentic old western feel, complete with sad-sounding harmonica. "The Last Round Up" was written by Billy Hill, and had been a hit for Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby in 1933. Clint Eastwood does a very nice version of it.

"Mexicali Rose" was also a hit for Bing Crosby, this one in 1938. It's a pretty song written by Jack Tenney and Helen Stone.

Clint Eastwood's voice sounds really good on "Searching For Somewhere." He's able to have some variations in his vocal performance. It's a pretty cool tune, again with a sad-sounding harmonica. This is one of the best songs on the album.

"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is the best song on this album. This is a wonderful song that was written by Bob Nolan, and was a hit for The Sons Of The Pioneers in 1934. Gene Autry's version reached the Top Ten in 1935 (he appeared in a film of the same name). This song was also used in the film The Big Lebowski. Currently, Fur Dixon & Steve Werner do a great version of it. And on this album, Clint Eastwood handles it really well - it approaches beauty. Just a wonderful tune. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "I'll keep rolling along/Deep in my heart is a song/Here on the range I belong/Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds."

"San Antonio Rose" and "Don't Fence Me In"

"San Antonio Rose" stands out on this album as being more upbeat. Clint seems to be having a lot of fun with this one - there is certainly a smile in his voice, which is just wonderful. This song was written by Bob Wills, and is one of the best on this CD.

Clint Eastwood does a really good job with "Don't Fence Me In," a famous Cole Porter song. It was written in 1934, and was a hit for Bing Crosby & The Andrew Sisters in 1944.

"Are You Satisfied"

The original album concluded with a totally cool version of "Are You Satisfied." This is a fun and playful tune, and it seems Clint Eastwood is enjoying himself on this one. There is also some nice guitar work. Here is a taste of the lyrics: "Do you thrill to his kiss/As you once did to mine?/Is there a chance that you'll regret it/And you'll want me back sometime?/Are you satisfied, really satisfied?/If you are, then I'll be on my way."

"Rowdy" Single

The last two tracks on the CD are from a single Clint Eastwood recorded in November 1962. The first, "Rowdy," was written to capitalize on Clint's popularity on Rawhide. (Rowdy was his character's name.) And it certainly features references to Rawhide.

"Cowboy Wedding Song" was the flip side to the single.

CD Track List

1. Bouquet Of Roses
2. Along The Sante Fe Trail
3. The Last Round Up
4. Sierra Nevada
5. Mexicali Rose
6. Searching For Somewhere
7. I'll Love You More
8. Tumbling Tumbleweeds
9. Twilight On The Trail
10. San Antonio Rose
11. Don't Fence Me In
12. Are You Satisfied
13. Rowdy
14. Cowboy Wedding Song
    

A few years after Clint Eastwood recorded these songs, he starred in Paint Your Wagon (1969), which featured him singing. Music has often played an important role in his films. This CD is interesting in that it's truly the beginning of his involvement with music. Rawhide's Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites is scheduled to be released on June 22, 2010.

It is one of the six initial classic Cameo Parkway albums to be released through Collectors' Choice Music in conjunction with ABKCO Music & Records. Other releases in this collection include Chubby Checker's It's Pony Time/Let's Twist Again and The Orlons' TheWah-Watusi/South Street.

(Note: I originally posted this review on May 26, 2010.)