After last December's 'Help Me Jesus' single featuring Wilko Johnson, it may have left people wondering where the band could go next, well, confounding all expectations, and consistently managing to change and remain fresh they're back with their latest single 'Pipe & Slippers Man', a track with a roots-y New Orleans jazzy vibe, and featuring some excellent horns and clarinet.
A laid back number which shows the band's ability to turn their hands to, well, just about anything. As always, the lyrics are spot on. Real works of observation which can speak volumes in a few sentences. This track tells the story of someone who hit rock bottom, and then turned their life around gaining a job and a pension plan somewhere along the way: - “He used to smoke his gear off tin foil, walk the streets barefoot and his clothes were soiled/ But that's all in the past, he's a different man/ Pipe & slippers man, pipe & slippers man, no longer on the lam. Pipe & slippers man”.
In addition to this, the single boasts two other tracks, both instrumentals, which show how diverse the band can be. First up is 'Jimmy Cuba', a Latin American number which mixes elements of jazz and rock 'n' roll, and appears to be a direct descendant of The Champs 'Tequila'. Both tracks are taken from the forthcoming album 'Love, Drink and Death' which is due later this year. The third track on the single is the violin-driven Balkan stomp of 'Last Dance Of The Silver Wolf', which was featured on last year's compilation album 'Rare Gumbo', and has always been a personal favourite of mine.
|
This single is available as a download, or as a limited edition signed CD from The Urban Voodoo Machine shop online so get one whilst they are available.
And for the more discerning gig goer, the band can be found making appearances at several festivals throughout June and July, details at: The Urban Voodoo Machine tour dates Catch them while you can!
|
