smoe.org mailing lists
ivan@stellysee.de
| From | "Seaman, Dave" <seamand@upmc.edu> |
| Subject | Yazbek and call |
| Date | Mon, 27 Oct 2003 13:20:59 -0500 |
[Part 1 text/plain iso-8859-1 (1.3 kilobytes)]
(View Text in a separate window)
In keeping with my practice of getting into artists anywhere from one to
five years after the rest of you do, I recently picked up Damascus by
Yazbek. I already have and like his earlier CD, The Laughing Man -- and
like his earlier disk, this one is a consistent batch of very good pop songs
with a real creative flair. I have heard that his music is somewhat
Partridgesque, and I would agree -- he sounds like Andy, in the same way
that the Nines do -- plus his writing gives an occasional nod in the XTC
direction. But also I'm hearing vintage Steely Dan and even a bit of
broadway musical pop. I guess this makes sense, I understand he has done
music for shows in recent years (The Full Monty? Am i right about that?
Never heard any of it, anyway, if so)...
Anyway, check Yazbek out if this intrigues you. Good catchy music and
lyrics, inventive, some cool twists and turns. Keep in mind this is not
guitar pop -- keyboards are the main instrument throughout. In fact, there
is a ton more piano and horns than guitar. But don't let it scare you, the
stuff is punchy and energetic where it needs to be, and moody and
atmospheric at other times, just mostly without guitars.
Does anyone know what Yazbek is up to these days? Any history on the guy?
For assistance, please contact
the smoe.org administrators.