jean lee and the yellow dog (part 1)

it has been just way too long since the last ed kuepper album
but hope regained consciousness with the success of his latest live lineup
a trio featuring laughing clowns compatriot jeffrey wegener on drums
and a towering peter oxley providing anchor and rhythmic bass noises
they previewed a couple of songs on a start of year tour
since then they have presumably finished recording this latest album
and augmented the live band to a 7 piece featuring a 3 piece brass section
i had the great fortune of seeing the lineup in action a few days ago
usually it's a case of ed blasting out any number of his vast back catalogue of tunes
but on this occasion it was the new tunes that were featured and were most memorable
no hesitation at all in buying the cd on the way out and reviewed following
hang jean lee
a beautiful violin introduction courtesy of warren ellis
gives way to a fast, furious and frantic guitar/bass/drum sound
and there's that voice back and guitar riffing away as good as ever
ed is singing about jean lee the last woman to be hanged in australia
the voice in fine form but it's going to take a few listens to get all the lyrics
miracles
a standout track from the standout live performance of the album
beautiful, clear, spacious production and ed's voice sounding better than ever
this one is a slower number and with totally discernable lyrics
big drum sound, solid bass, violin and strummed electric guitar
a very pleasant reminder of that irish band's excellent october album
that depends pt 3
big production - backing and overlaid vocals in various contortions
there's screeching violins, tabler-style drums, lots of different guitar sounds
ed starts out and hands over vocal duties to chris bailey almost seamlessly
a very accomplished tune that should become a classic ek tune
here she comes that friend of mine - she won't walk that centre line no matter what
daddy's girl
if there was ever an ek tune made for stadium rocking then this is it
big rock drum feel and sound and a complementary guitar sound
my memory tells me this tune was the one that had me pinned to the wall
back at the basement earlier this year when as a 3 piece they let fly
this recorded version stays true to that feel and sound
skinny jean
lots of space also in the production of this number that swings beautifully
horns used sparingly and backing up the echo-laden guitar playing
boogie-woogie style piano comes in later in the tune and fits right in
a brilliant live track that has you wondering how the hell he does it
comes up with tunes like this that seem to have been around forever
yellow dog
ed rips off ed - a fine concept i reckon - though damned if i can remember the original title/album
if there is such a thing then this is trademark ed k stuff (there is no such thing really)
but listening to this it is easy to conjure up the image of ed live on stage
grooving away while riffing on the guitar and all but eating the microphone
there's a not unintentional nod to jean genie in there also that works particularly well

'nuff said for tonight - need to wander around more with headphones
and this damn fine album filling my head again
part 2 tomorrow