Abi Rhodes' Zigzag Wanderings

Haunted

Amy's Ghost kindly sent me a new record a while ago. Just to get you up to speed on what I've written about this lovely band before, I refer you to...

http://abi-rhodes.typepad.com/abi_rhodes_zigzag_wanderi/2009/10/amys-ghost-of-a-chance.html

and

http://abi-rhodes.typepad.com/abi_rhodes_zigzag_wanderi/2009/10/2-cellos-a-harp-a-bassoon.html

but now we need to consider

Paper Boat/Call Your Dub/Grandma Singing These Eyes

http://www.myspace.com/amysghost

 

Well!... What can I say about this beautiful record that doesn't suggest that I'm utterly smitten by Amy and her murky musical magicians? But wait...hold on. Why deny it? - I am utterly utterly UTTERLY transported into their shadowy world of haunting harmonies.

There's little to add to my previous meanderings and musings on the band other than to say that they're improving all the time and hopefully before long they will gain some national recognition.

Amy's voice is thoroughly convincing and absolutely captivating throughout the record. The cello skilfully steers the ship through uncertain waters in the first track Paper Boat, while interesting pump-organ like keyboard and sparse drumming carry us through Call Your Dub. Finally minimalist piano lays a framework for Amy's exquisite Diamanda Galas impression on the truly sublime Grandama Singing Those Eyes.

I shall certainly be playing these gems at my Hallowe'en gig in Blaker's park [4-9pm, Sunday 31st october 2010]

I hope I'll be able to report on an album before too long

 

Scream, BABY SCREAM - Identity Theft

 
http://www.babyscream.blogspot.com/

www.myspace.com/babyscream

Baby Scream come out of Argentina carrying a message  for us all - especially us old jaded hippies in the UK & The US of A. The message is that there is hope after all - all that we thought we were heading for way back when we was young is not lost forever - it's only sleeping. Here's our chance to re-awaken it....

The album starts with a plaintive plea to be yourself - entitled "Be" - a short little ditty firmly nailing the band's colours to the mast as fully paid up members of Beatlemania. Sweet and appealing.

Next, "Dead Woman Walking" continues with the Lennonist polemic, reaffirming the aforementioned allegiance  just in case you hadn't quite got the message!

Track 3," Nicole", is more of the same - but it's not quite like that - I mean this is not a pejorative statement suggesting that Baby Scream is stuck in a timewarp constantly longing for and rehashing a bye-gone age - NO WAY - these guys have clearly been weaned on John & The Fabs - the music and its meaning - and are clearly devoted to keeping its memory and legacy alive and kicking. These songs are really lovingly crafted to this end making a case to use its example as a springboard into the future where Love is All You Need and the Blue Meanies can finally be laid to rest for good.

"Memories" - track 4  and T5 "Underground Blues" further explore the same territory and in the latter some Georgian guitar comes to the fore.

Sixthly - "Ojos Orientales" puts some late Lennonian lyrics in a lilting "With The Beatles" rhythmic  background.

The last offering (as I recall sleevenotes of the sixties used to have it) "Mucho Mungo/Mt Elga", with its oh-so-slightly Latin rhythm rounds of a beautiful mini-album of pure nostalgia in a satisfyingly tasteful tone.

Thank you Baby Scream for the very timely reminder that we are still on the magical mystery tour. 

Pepperland is still out there if we really want it.