it's been a long time

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Apologies to anyone following this blog for the hiatus recently. A combination of work pressures and a mini-break in Sweden have meant I haven't been able to devote much time to this blog. Let me rectify this.

Up today is an album by Sun City Girls. 'Funeral Mariarchi' was the very last album by this band. They stopped performing after the death of drummer Charles Gocher in 2007 and 3 years later finally completed this aptly named title as their swansong. The drumming is all Gocher's cut up and re-assembled for this 11 track album. It's remarkably short but don't let this bother you as you'll be making extensive use of the repeat button if you listen to the album. The band are from Arizona which surprised me as it's so laidback and trippy. Not what I'd expect. Saying that didn't Hunter S Thompson retire to the desert? The comparison may be valid as it's certainly weird enough in a light-hearted way to be Gonzo music.

The best way I can describe the album is that each song has a kind of 'last song on the album' feel to it - as if each should be suffixed with the word 'reprise'. I'd like to think it's deliberate as it deserves to be - it's a very clever piece of music. It's a mish-mash of styles taking bits of lounge, Arabic, psychedelia, Tex-Mex and almost classical. The first half of the album is predominantly instrumental and this is where the classical influences show most but they are accomplished musicians and the stand out psychedelic track, Holy Ground sounds as if it could be from one of Syd Barrett's solo albums. In fact, I thought it was him being sampled on the lyrics at first. 

To me, it's one of those albums that works on several levels - as background music to a chilled evening or as a more intimate solo affair, eyes closed and headphones on. Sit back, relax and enjoy. The track I love best is called 'El Solo'. It really defines this album so well yet also paints all sorts of evocative images for me. In part the piano solo has a ragtime 3 o'clock in the morning feel yet retains an element of a classical piece such as Pachalbel's Canon in D. Overlaid on this are some wonderfully languid harmonies that draw comparisons with Ennio Morricone. Have a listen and see what I'm rambling about.

Click link here: Sun City Girls - El Solo