The sound you hear in your head walking home from a gig, and the moon shines and the street looks so clean, guitars ringing in your ears, bass still churning up the road under your feet, and harmonies that never sounded so sweet, or so pitiless.
The Waterboys, Gene Vincent, The Coasters, Robert Johnson, Jonathon Richman, The Skatalites, The Everly Brothers, Brownie McGhee, Johnny Cash, Wilson Pickett. Lonnie Donegan, Captain Beefheart, The Waifs, Sean Reefer, Dave Phillips, Bo Diddley, Howlin Wolf, Sam Phillips, Slim Gaillard, Sp3ccylad, Blind Willie McTell, Screamin Jay Hawkins, there's more, there's always more - every twist of the road, and shift of the clouds reminds us, all the sounds of creation ... well ... maybe not all ...
Gumbo has lived a long and unusual life (two in fact), and so he has had the good fortune to record in a variety of styles over the years ... and he has always found something to party to.
He was born in New Orleans in the year 1900, on July the Fourth, to nationwide celebration. Together with his young buddy Louis Dan, he roamed the outhouses and fields around their Jane Alley home, regularly getting into trouble, being beaten and nursing thier bruises. Many of the bruises were inflicted by Louis' mother ("I'm Ma Armstrong and ma arm is strong!") This is where he first started to develop his early "Hollering" vocal style, trying to expel the pain inflicted by his elders and betters, and also led to Louis Dan naming their first band "The Hot Two" when they were seven.
They first realised they had a new sound going when the cattle they would practice for began to sing back and Gumbo got an edumacation in "The Mood" as Louis called that special time when so many cows were harmonising together that, as Louis put it, "nobody can complain about our singing". For a long time Louis Dan was the only person to appreciate Gumbo's musical abilities, so it was a tough blow for Gumbo that his family moved to Hawaii when he was thirteen. He wasn't to see Louis again for another thirty years, when he was released from jail in 1943.
Gumbo never got to Hawaii (still hasn't) as he was kidnapped by Jamaican Pirates during the crossing, and made to work for a while - but that's another story ... Read More
Thanks! I'll check them out! we just had a blast at the Oregon Country Fair with all the Syncopators! Also, we Look forward to going to the UK next year! Finally.... take care!
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
absolutely ready, man. at least mentally. ive been spending so much time trying to release the record that i havent been digging too deep for this year yet. that will come for sure. im very excited, having gotten 3 friends to try it out this year as well. i just gotta get this disc out and then i can move properly into '09, you know?
thanks Stu ...it's a winter wonderland here too....which is surprising...usually it just rains hope all is well merry christmas and a happy new year Brian
I just thought I'd let you know that we've put up some songs from our new album. If you want to be extra nice and help out with our new single you can pre-order it at www. indiestore. com/mesh29 for 79p. Thanks a lot, Mezza :o)
Cool! He's playing WITH the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra! That should be something else.
Tuesday night, not a good night for me really, but I may try to get to that one. If you were thinking of coming across, would be little trouble to put you up - but I'd be up and off really early on Wednesday! :-)
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