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SwampVoodoo – At The Wheel a’ Betty (Independent)
Five songs in just over twenty-five minutes, SwampVoodoo’s latest CD might not be able to decide whether it’s an EP or a mini-album, but either way, you’ll end up wanting a little more. As you might have ascertained from their name, SwampVoodoo play swamp-blues, a little sludgy and slow, with plenty of references to Captain Beefheart, without ever crossing the line. If song titles can tell a story, then “Gravely Impo’tent” and “Alien Hairdo” might be all the information you need. The rest of you should check out their MySpace page.
www.myspace.com/swampvodoo
Wax – Melted (Lightyear)
It was The Buzzcocks who sang about nostalgia for an age yet to come. The rest of us settle for listening to obscure records that no one heard the first time ‘round. Not that Wax even got that far. This 1971 live studio recording, released for the first time now, features a band of gents who would successfully go onto other things, but stands as an enjoyable testament to the times. They mix up their country-rock, rock ‘n’ roll and progressive styles with little thought for the marketplace, simply taking pleasure from playing music. Unpretentious and brimming with youthful vim, it’s worth checking out for that alone.
www.meltedwaxmusic.com
The Bon Scotts – Oddernity (Popboomerang)
At pains to point out that they’re not an AC/DC covers band, instead The Bon Scotts play a quirky style of indie-folk-rock on a variety of plinky-plonky home-made instruments which, to be honest, can get a little irksome. Their references and influences all appear to be sound. Early Belle And Sebastian, Pavement at their most whimsical, but their simply isn’t enough here for me to fully engage with Oddernity. Maximum points for the artwork, though…
www.myspace.com/thebonscotts
Hans York & Steve Ono – Music In Teak (Fresno Folklore Records)
Hans York and Steve Ono met at a music festival and found instant musical chemistry. The album title refers to the teak cabin that the pair recorded their debut album in. Whether the warmth of these recordings are down to the space or the musicians, or a combination of both, we’ll never know, but Music In Teak has the same sort of feel-good appeal as those bootleg recordings of Jerry Garcia with Tony Rice and/or David Grisman that used to turn up a record fairs in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Relaxed and gentle, Music In Teak is a keeper.
www.myspace.com/hansyork
Gwyneth Herbert – Clangers And Mash (Naim Edge)
2009’s All The Ghosts album was a major breakthrough for Gwyneth Herbert, showcasing her hugely melodic songs and quirky jazz-folk delivery. Clangers And Mash isn’t a proper follow-up release, but it’s still a worthwhile acquisition as it includes her new “Perfect Fit” single and a selection of occasionally inspired remixes of older songs. Nine tracks in total at a little over half an hour. Best bits are the remixes of “My Mini & Me”, stripped back like a latter day Tom Waits track by Polar Bear’s Seb Rochford and the a cappella “Midnight Oil”.
www.myspace.com/gwynethherbert
King Teddy – Stirred And Shaken (Independent)
Whatever happened to the Swing revival? It’s here. King Teddy stir it up, shake it up, and put the swing back where it belongs. A combination of ‘50s rockabilly, big band rock ‘n’ roll and jazz, you’d never accuse King Teddy of being cutting edge, but if you want to party, have some fun, and break a sweat on the dance floor, it’s their CD you’ll be reaching for. They finish up with a Beatles tune (“I Will”), but apart from that it’s all there own work. If you get the chance, have a listen. Hopefully you’ll be just as bowled over as I am.
www.myspace.com/kingteddyswing
Simon M.
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