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Welcome
to the wonderful world of Jeremy Jacobsen, aka The Lonesome
Organist. Forms and Follies, the third album by the musical
phenom, was recorded at the Casa della Sheila and at the Cold
House by Jeremy Jacobsen.
"The Cold House is a harsh mistress. It is an ice-encrusted
cottage (that could be mistaken for a garage) where I recorded
most of this record. My steel drum has lived here for a couple
of years now in fear of the hammer and circular saw on the adjacent
shelf."
The entire album was recorded on no more than 8 tracks - many
with less, featuring Jeremy playing nearly everything and often
simultaneously. For the first time the Lonesome Organist was
not entirely alone, as bassist Nick Macri (Bobby Conn) joined
on bass for the "Moon Fugue" and "Robot Fugue".
Pre-recording the old fashioned way, Forms and Follies was scored
and arranged on paper before entering the studio, with an emphasis
on melody. The opening track "Cold House" picks up
where Cavalcade left off, with The Lonesome Organist playing
toy piano and Accordion. "Only if I get you" and "One
of Me" are delicious Doo Wop numbers inspired by the early
Sun Ra singles, and more obtusely the city of Milwaukee. Jacobsen
sings of all of these lamentations and love laced tales of trial
and redemption:
"I'm in trouble again / My trouble has only started
100 days at sea / A million swarming bees
Only if I get you / Only if I get you"
"Walking to Weston's" was written while walking to,
well… Bob's to pick up a notebook that he kindly rescued
from the clutches of the neverbeseenagains. It is a lovely little
modal cannon. "Who's to say your soul's not carbon"
and "Multiplier" are classic rockers from the Lonesome
Organist; that is, rock in the style of his debut release and
live performances. These songs feature the Lonesome Organist
playing drums, guitar, singing, and playing keys all at once.
Core! What a feat! It was antics such as these that drew attentions
of fans such as Tom Waits and David Bowie. Jacobsen, an accomplished
pianist and organist, is a jaw dropping mass of musical talent
with an overactive imagination. A truly singular artist with
a taste for the vaudevillian, The Lonesome Organist manages
to reinvent himself with every release, expanding his musical
forms far beyond the novelty of their delivery. |
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Forms
and Follies
Thrill Jockey
2003 |
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