a r t i s t : Microblind Harvestmen
t i t l e : Songs and Instrumentals from Death Bottom Slide
d a t e : 2007
l a b e l : Digitalis (digi042)
g e n r e : Folk
r l s. d a t e : Jun/2007
t r a c k s : 14
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 79,1 MB
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After two and a half years of a seemingly endless stream of
releases, Robert Horton shows no signs of slowing down. The
inevitable question of "What next?" may crop up from time to
time, but with the launch of Microblind Harvestmen's debut
album, "Songs & Instruments From Death Bottom Slide," Horton
punches back with resounding fury. Joining up with long-time
collaborator and fiddler-extraordinaire, Hal Huges, this duo
is plowing through fresh, new ground on their way to a mud-
soaked heaven.
"Songs & Instruments From Death Bottom Slide" has been in the
works for over 20 years now, with the first remnants begun as
far back as 1983. This is music that is lost in time, however,
spanning countless eras and cultures, and melting them all
together into a giant, boiling mess. As with most things
Robert Horton does, his hand is the guiding force that keeps
the album flowing. But Hughes' contributions are just as
vital: stunning fiddle work that is a perfect slice of
Americana along with drops of mandolin and banjo to light the
leaf-covered path.
Horton and Hughes mix a range of originals with a number of
traditional tunes turned completely on their heads.
"Hellblazer" may have its root in the Old West, but
Microblind's version is a spastic exorcism of wailing horns
and screeching violins, flowing like a river of sound
underneath the duo's parched vocals. This raucous romp through
burning crops and the backwoods blows up into the harmonica-
tinged, banjo tune "Innermost Friend." It sounds like an
unearthed document from 75 years ago, left to rot in a bourbon
cellar in Tennessee. Music like this doesn't just appear, it
takes time to properly age.
Microblind Harvestmen are the rare creature, like those only
found in a few places in nature, that manages to avoid simple
classification. This is drone. This is raga. This is
bluegrass. This is folk. This is free-jazz. This is pure,
covered-in-dirt, dancing-in-the-rain psychedelia. The death
bottom slide is a riveting world, finally unleashed after
years in the barren wilderness.
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01-Hey Mr Railroad Man [05:21]
02-Carbon Molecule Strut [05:33]
03-A Little Something [02:26]
04-Then, For Afters [04:09]
05-Falling Off Hurdy Gurdy Mountain [09:14]
06-Kitty Up The Creek [02:18]
07-Hellblazer [05:10]
08-Innermost Friend [03:19]
09-Reaction To The Past [03:47]
10-Just A Wide Place In The Road [05:52]
11-Petaluma Petal Pushers [05:53]
12-Same Say Ah [03:58]
13-Firing The Bush [08:39]
14-Death Bottom Slide Mix [03:06]
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68:45 min