When New York State's Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams issued its self-titled debut album in 1998, the outré rocking folk ensemble (or is it the other way around?) merely hinted at what they would get up to as they continued to play out in small clubs and tour coffeehouses around the East Coast near and far from their Hudson River Valley home. They grew not only in their ability to command the craft of songwriting, they learned to be entertainers, a show band that could deliver musically, stretching itself ...
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When New York State's Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams issued its self-titled debut album in 1998, the outré rocking folk ensemble (or is it the other way around?) merely hinted at what they would get up to as they continued to play out in small clubs and tour coffeehouses around the East Coast near and far from their Hudson River Valley home. They grew not only in their ability to command the craft of songwriting, they learned to be entertainers, a show band that could deliver musically, stretching itself to the limit and branching out musically and lyrically. As evidenced by their sophomore offering, Flapjacks from the Sky, Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams is simply one of the finest American bands out there on the road. The reason many haven't heard of this rootsy, warm, adventurously playful psychedelic group is because they've been doing the entire thing their own way. Sure, the name may sound gimmicky, but the music is anything but. Inside that smile are teeth. Songwriter Joziah Longo has spent a lot of time listening to everything from the Band and Bob Dylan to Tom Petty and Tony Joe White, from Iggy Pop to Pink Floyd. There are electric, folk, and swamp blues here, acid-drenched roots and garage band rock, and country-drenched pop, and that's just the beginning. 20 songs (21 actually, there's a hidden bonus track) spread out over two discs may be more than some listeners are willing to bite off on an initial listen, but it'd be a mistake to let this one slide by. Time flies by in a series of allegories, fables, and morality tales that engage in a particular, wry brand of longing, laughter, and loss that have their origins in big cities and villages, in your cousin's anti-depressant-scrambled brain, or in your own, they contain the secret codes and symbols of the American highway while residing next door and setting out on the porch in the evening. Longo's deep, dry voice resembles Petty's but his songs are far better. One listen to the slowly unfolding "Sunday in the Rain," finds multi-instrumentalist Tink Lloyd's accordion and Sharkey McEwen's electric slide painting the backdrop as Tony Zuzulo's kit work brings it all to Longo's voice and he goes deep, bringing out a freshly painted portrait from the wrong side of the screen door. Another standout on disc one (though there isn't a weak cut in the whole mess), "A Kiss from Eve" is a ringing, rootsy pop song where accordion, keyboards, and acoustic and electric guitars join in a midtempo rock & roll ballad that celebrates everything possible in moments of doubt. The popping snares and cymbals accent every line. "Baby Jane," is a spooky ditty where acoustic guitars and a single, sparse electric line introduce a first-person narrative about watchfulness in the moments of life's passage, Tink's cello lines add a gorgeous bottom into Longo's lyric that is as much a platitude about not getting stuck to anything that's not worth one's time as anything else. Life can knock the wind out of you, but there's no reason not to suck in a fresh breath. The texture of entwining guitars, cello lines, and a brushed snare bring an airy flow to the lyric, not allowing it to become glued to its seriousness for very long. "I Wish," is a country rocker with a breezy, shuffling beat, and jangling guitars that walks on the outside of its poetic lyric. One of the album's true high points is "Talking with the Buddha," a sprawling psychedelic folk-rock jam that sticks it in the eye of the freak folk and neo-psych crews without even trying. The slow tempo and straightforward narrative about personal responsibility are only the beginning of a true album rock nugget. McEwen's guitar break takes nothing for granted and he lets his lead lines out of the cage and lets space, taste, and a guitar hero's chops push it to the margin and break it into the outer atmosphere. Disc two begins where the first one left off. "Jump Rope" is a 2-stepper that weaves accordion,...
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Add this copy of Flapjacks From the Sky to cart. $4.49, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Colorado rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Noiseville #55.
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Fair. All our items come in the original case with artwork, though manuals and slipcovers are not always guaranteed to be included as these items are donated goods and will show some wear and tear from normal use. Jewel cases will be included but may be damaged and/or cracked. We typically resurface discs that are visibly scratched prior to shipping, but we do not test disc(s). Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. Thank you for shopping with Goodwill Colorado! Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Safe and Secure Bubble Mailer! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
Add this copy of Flapjacks From the Sky to cart. $4.50, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by High Noon Records.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
