The Band. Tom Waits. The Rolling Stones. Leon Russell. J.J Cale. Little Feat. Dr. John. Ray Bradbury. Robert Frost. Edna St. Vincent Millay. Johnny Mercer. Frank Loesser. Dave Frishberg. The Coen Brothers. Doug Norquay, Bob Snider. Maria Muldaur. Sam Cooke. Stax, Stax, Stax. Ann Peebles, Al Green, Willie Mitchell. Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Slim Harpo. That's a random list of some of the artists without whom The Undesirables would not exist as they do. I guess that's what influences are. Beyond being influenced, The Undesirables are inspired by anyone who is honest and on fire, who is saying something real and doing it with conviction and colour. That's a whole other list, ain't it?
DOGHOUSE DREAMS REVIEWED!!
B Borzykowski
NOW Magazine| JUNE 21 - 27, 2007 | VOL. 26 NO. 42
Reviewed this week:
THE UNDESIRABLES Doghouse Dreams (independent) Rating: NNNN
There are intimate records, and then there's Doghouse Dreams by Georgetown, Ontario, duo the Undesirables.
Sean Cotton and Corin Raymond have since moved to Toronto, but this stripped-down disc sounds like it was recorded right on their rural Canadian porch. Combining blues, ragtime and country with touching lyrics about their hometown, this disc is a great summer cottage listen – especially the boozy opener This Town.
While the gritty, Kid Rock-like choruses and infectious harmonies are worth a listen alone, it's the warm production – it sounds like they're playing right in front of you – and simple arrangements that make this a memorable listen.
The Undesirables play Hugh's Room June 23.
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Oh, I'll definitely be coming to see you in Australia next year! If you're in Fremantle area next year, give me a buzz. I wouldn't mind some free singing and/or guitar lessons, Ehh, Ehhh?! Aha. Have a good one.
PS. I'll be donating some money towards that new cd of yours. I wish I could give you guys 10 grand, but I don't exactly have a job, so I'll only be able to donate about $15-30. Hopefully I win the lottery!
PPS. Watched the youtube vids of the tour, great job!
I saw the sublime David Ross MacDonald play at the Wheaty here in Adelaide on Sunday, which was wonderful, naturally, but left me feeling a little undesirably sick. Australia adores you, lads. xx
*laughs* One can never have too many friends show up at a gig! Unless you're the Stones and you've hired bikers... then I can see it being a wee problem. Thanks so much for the add, Corin!
I can hear the slinkies...I thought they were shakers but they've got a metallic ring to them on second (or 10th!) listen. I wanted to add yesterday that I love the fact that I can hear the birds in the background on 'good news' - who needs a studio? I'll have a listen to the new one in a sec...I need to reboot - everythings's crashing around me.
I seem to be getting obssessed with your songs...I just love what I'm hearing. Since I bought the CD at pinakarri the other night I noticed that there was a bass and snare on 'bus stop walk'. I noted that the only drum I saw on stage was a single snare. Then I thought and realised that the reason you only need a snare is because the bass is taking the role of the kick, and it's not being overplayed either, so it sits in that groove nicely. I was also thinking what great lyrics they are - really musical, but at the same time really telling the story, painting pictures and so on. It's so rare to hear writing like that in songs. It's like I'm reading a page in a novel. I love to hear your first musical. You must be just about done in WA. It was a pleasure to meet you, and have a safe trip home.
Have a great trip home boys. Was a pleasure to hang out again and take in your shows. Be hearing from you soon about next years tour de force...and bring that Byrd with ya. The Law and The Lonesome is almost burnt through...may the river run dry if I lie to you.
I'd really appreciate your feedback on my tunes - which one you like best would be great. I'm hoping to come and see you play again at Pinakarri tomorrow - I've had your tunes in my head all day!
Thanks for the friendship - I'm so glad I found you! "Good news" is beautiful - a really touching performance in loft at Fairbridge too. I love 'bus stop walk' too - especially the phrase 'ankle express'. I really hope you become rich and famous!
hi guys saw you on line - so just to say "hello" and hope all's well with you both i can see from your gig listing you're really busy which is great lucky australia - we're still hoping you might get back here some day :) all @ the cori x
Have a great time in Oz you guys... Sean; don't let that Corin guy get you in trouble with the authorities! Lookin' forward to the new record you Undies... Peace...Jim
hope yr doin great out there. looks like we might cross paths in ol melbourne town again? hope so.
my new album - Black Across The Field - hits th shelves this week!
x LT
“Without exaggeration Black Across The Field is as good as anything I’ve heard this year. Growling with warm tube overdrive, stinging like Neil Young… this is a diverse, profound album, with nuances subtle and breathtaking” (Rhythms Magazine)
