Backbone > Ear Whacks

CD Reviews

James Krueger: Fine
Richly Impoverished Productions, 2004

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll dance a jig if you feel the way I did upon hearing James Krueger’s new cd release, Fine. Recorded mostly in Pine Hill, Fine includes Krueger originals as well as some traditional folk songs.

For the same reasons we live in the Catskills, this cd is something you’ll put on and won’t take off. You’ll listen to some songs like “Shot Through,” one of Krueger’s faves, over and over. I would say he’s a true voice of the Catskills if it hadn’t already been said. He sounds like Phil Ochs with the added warmth of Willie Nelson. Also listen for shades of James Taylor—Krueger was in a psychiatric hospital for depression in his teens, as was Taylor. The music and lyrics on Fine reflect a deep, healthy connection with nature and the reality that includes night and day.

His Web site, www.jameskrueger.com, is full of intimate information as well as song samples and dates of upcoming performances; Krueger will be at the Woodstock Library on Saturday, May 8, at 5pm, as part of his Purple Mountains’ Majesty tour in celebration of the 100th birthday of Catskill Park.

—Renee Samuels

Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus Of Dreams:
Flapjacks from the Sky
High Noon Records, 2004

In a faraway land not ruled by celebrity, there’d be more radio play for Gandalf Murphy and none for the American Idols. In this bold land, membership-supported radio that plays “Sunday In The Rain,” “Kiss From Eve,” and “Talkin’ To The Buddha” would never again need membership or fundraising drives, thus freeing airtime for “Moondog House,” “Call To The Mystic,” and “Living With God.”

In this land un-besotted by entertainers whose biggest career move is removing their clothing, Joziah’s songs would be on everyone’s iPod. Sharkey’s guitar—its tone, textures, and bluish tinctures of Hendrix, McQuinn, and Gilmore—would chime out everywhere. Tink and Tony, two of the more essential, yet oddly as off-to-the-side band members as you can imagine in a gloriously left-of-center band, would get more ink. The faithful may even partake in conversations unheard in music circles since the White Album: Namely, which songs would make for one monster single disc, rather than a sprawling yet thematically consistent and emotionally satisfying double set.

Flapjacks abounds with personality, humor, goodness, and grace. It’s a wonderful curative that brings on waves of uplift originating at the bottom of our spines, radiating human warmth inspired by a connection to the larger whole and higher spirit. (www.slambovia.com).

—Mike Jurkovic

Studio Stu: Duja Vey
Soluna Records, 2004

People who say “you can’t make this stuff up” haven’t seen The Studivarius, Studio Stu’s custom-made washtub bass. Stu elevates this rare instrument from hootenanny to high society, thanks to a swingin’ hipster repertoire and his warm, tuneful voice. On Duja Vey (or “the feeling that none of this has happened before”), Stu interprets jazz and pop classics in a delicate balance between swing and schmaltz, like a one-man band at the Blue Note. However, he always shows deference to the music and carefully avoids lounge-lizard-style parody.

The best tracks here are the least obvious, such as new takes on “I Love Lucy,” “Caravan”, and the anthemic “Cool” from “West Side Story.” In addition to a good dose of humor, every cut benefits from Stu’s self-imposed harmonies and remarkable trombone “solos”.

One listen to Duja Vey and you’ll cry “hit me with your rhythm schtick!” cds are available at Stu’s weekly gigs, Thursday supper at Gadaleto’s in New Paltz and Sunday brunch at High Falls’ Olde Clove Cafe. His annual birthday show is May 29 at Gadaleto’s. To reach Stu during daylight hours, click on www.studiostu.biz.

—Wavy Davy