I know the capitalization above is weird, but that's the official spelling. LeE HaRVeY OsMOND (hereafter "LHO" because it's wearing out my shift key) is the latest musical project featuring the ubiquitous Tom Wilson. You may remember Tom from his recent solo project which featured the song "Dig it" (which I didn't really "Dig", honestly...it was so overplayed!) or hopefully you remember him from (the much better) Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, or possibly Junkhouse. He's like the Canadian Troy McClure.
Lucky for us, we get four (and more!) for one on this disc. Tom Wilson is accompanied by Alan Anton along with Margo, Michael and Peter Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies. You also get Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize from the Skydiggers, and a dash of Colin Linden to top it off. Also, Stephen Fearing has some writing credits, but he isn't in the band (aww). Nice? I thought so too.
If this is a bit too much Canadiana for you, don't worry. LHO feels more like a low-key Mark Knopfler playing with Steely Dan. Possibly Ry Cooder with Eric Burdon? Something like that. It's rough, gritty, and a little Jazzy. It's also Bluesy with a Country feel. Actually, it's got a little bit of everything. Somebody on YouTube called it "Acid Folk". LOL
"Cuckoo's Nest" is a moody jazz-rock kind of thing that reminds me of WAR's first album for some reason, but "Parkland" feels like a groovy early 60s rock song with whispered vocals. "Lucifer's Blues" is a blues song with bongo drums and a saxophone and a little bit of crooning. Oh yeah, and there's the obligatory Lou Reed cover in there too.
This all sounds like a well-rounded dog's breakfast, I'm sure. In the end, somehow it all works, and it works well, at least I think so.
I suddenly get the feeling I'm writing about an album that everyone already knows about. Does this get a lot of radio play? I guess it must. If I'm boring you, here is an old Ry Cooder video. It's rad.
YouTube:
Cuckoo's Nest:
I Can't Stand It:
No comments:
Post a Comment