Perpetual Change — “Philosopher Dogs” by Georgie Jessup, CD Review
Throughout last summer, Georgie Jessup (who has been featured in this column several times in the past), sent me rough cuts of songs she was working on for her next album project. Now, before we get into the review, let me say that for one musician to trust another musician with rough takes of songs that are “. . .still works in progress” is a real complement. I’m no stranger to the recording process and I know how musical ideas can change over time, even after you’ve taken them into the studio. But a lot of people never feel confident enough to share their music when it’s at this stage of development, plus there’s always the risk that an idea might get. . .well, stolen. So, it’s a real trust thing between musicians, and I feel honored to have heard this album while it was still in the creative stage.
The title, Philosopher Dogs, was inspired by Georgie’s two four legged companions — Max and Blaze. “I think what I learned from them is that life does not have to be as complicated as we two leggeds have made it,” Georgie said. “They are so easy going and open to the world and it does not take a whole lot to make them happy. They are truly my huntin’ dogs — hunting for love, peace and understanding, and a little snack here and there.”
All that being said, Philosopher Dogs is definitely Georgie Jessup’s best work to date. She’s best known for her 1994 albumAmerican Holocaust but that was quite some time back, and her writing, playing, and especially her voice, have matured wonderfully between then and now.
Georgie Jessup Onstage performing Philosopher Dogs
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The project opens with title cut, Philosopher Dogs, which starts with a 4/4 beat often associated with Native American rhythm. Excellent dynamics throughout, with very good guitar work. Harmony vocals are done by David Solyers. This is one of the better production moments, which is great to hear on the first cut of a new project. And of course the song is dedicated to Max and Blaze.
The next two songs, Geronimo’s Bones and Who’s Gonna Be My Valentine? are both mid-tempo tunes. The more interesting of the two, though, is Who’s Gonna Be My Valentine? There’s an interesting interplay of accordion and blue grass instrumentation, and overall manages to be quite dynamic. Georgie wrote this particular song about her parents. “I wrote this song in my Mom’s voice, watching her miss my father,” she said.
Who’s Gonna Be My Valentine? has been used as background music for a YouTube photo collage by Bonnie Jean Schupp. The collage features couples of all sorts with their loved ones, including children and the four footed kind. Georgie, Max, and Blaze bring up the end of the feature. Very appropriate and very touching.
Room For One More Sinner follows, and is a song about Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. When I first heard this, it reminded me of older Billy Joel material, in that the song is piano driven and has the kind of groove that Joel sometimes used. Lyrically, though, it’s a sort of snapshot of how a pleasant, sea side community can be transformed from a little known resort to an overdeveloped commercial site by developers who have no interest in the welfare of the residents. In the end, though, regardless of why we’re here, we’re all in this together. Always room for one more sinner, especially in a pretty little sea side town.
The next two songs, Geronimo and Reluctant Phoenix are also piano driven. Geronimo is one of two cover tunes on the album, this one written by Georgie’s long time friend Dirk Hamilton. Very heartfelt vocal treatment on this tune.
However, in my humble opinion, Georgies best vocal on the entire Philosopher Dogs project is Reluctant Phoenix. It’s incredibly dynamic with interesting instrumentation. The song itself, although probably unintentionally, could be a transgender anthem. Lines like “If you look inside my heart/you’ll find some love today” which continues on to express the idea of rising above it all. Not only is Reluctant Phoenix Georgie’s best vocal, it’s also one of the best production moments. This one song is worth the price of the CD.
The most unique tune on the project is Alsace Daughter which manages to combine American bluegrass with European instrumentation. The song was written about Georgie’s trip to Soultzbach les Bains in the Alsace region of France, to visit her grandmother’s ancestral home town of Roesh.
Georgie revisits one of her older tunes, Red Cloud’s Room, which was originally the title cut for the 1993 album by the same name. This newer version is definitely a better mix, has better production, and overall is more powerful. It’s easy to get the feel that the song is meant to be an in-your-face tome regarding the government’s treatment of Native people.
The last tune on Philosopher Dogs is the aforementioned other cover tune, Ring Of Fire. Written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore, it was one of Johnny Cash’s biggest hits, originally released in 1963. The song itself has gotten a lot of different treatments over the years. Besides Cash, Frank Zappa gave it a somewhat comedic, mocking take; and most recently, Adam Lambert turned it into something almost sensual that came across like part of a porno movie sound track. Georgie’s version has a harder, rock edge, with very good guitar work that doesn’t take away from the feel of the tune. This is one of the real standout track on the album, and another of the better production moments.
Philosopher Dogs is produced by Georgie Jessup and Steve Carr. There’s also a boatload of musician credits: guitar — Don Evans, Dave Chappell; bass — Justin Crown, Ryan Madora, Ira Gitlin (who also played some guitar and banjo); mandolin — Mark Delaney; fiddle — Tad Marks; pedal steel — John Heinrich, Dave Giegerich; drums — John Thomakos (on every track); accordion — Brian Simms; backing and harmony vocals — Christina Van Mornam, David Salyers, Takeya and Leesah Grey, Sonia Rutstein, Dede Wyland, Sahffi and Shelly. Georgie played piano, acoustic rhythm guitar and accordion. The credits list is actually quite long and complicated and would take a lot of space to mention who did what on each song. If I’ve missed anyone, it’s definitely not intentional. Georgie has managed to assemble an amazing group of players for this project, and when you finally get to hear the entirely of Philosopher Dogs you’ll understand why everyone involved deserves recognition. Truly, her best effort to date and one that should garner some well deserved attention.
Please check out Georgie’s website, also on MySpace, Facebook, Linkedin, iTunes, shamanportal.org, CDbaby and Amazon.com.
ALSO THIS MONTH
Foxxjazell
Another artist who has been working on a new project since last summer, Foxxjazell (normally featured in our companion TransVocalizers column) has announced the release date for her new album, Elevation as May 2nd, 2013. We’ll be posting a new interview about the project, and eventually, a review. For more information, please check her website. Albums are also available on Amazon.)
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Rev. Yolanda
Rev. Yolanda will be participating in New York City’s Top Drag Queen contest at The Metropolitan Room, West 24th Street, NYC. This contest started on April 1st, and will be held on consecutive Monday nights in April. Audience votes will help Rev. Yolanda move forward in the competition. (For more information visit the Metropolitan Room website or call212-206-0440)
Rev. Yolanda’s April 28th show at The Duplex in NYC will be a fundraiser for Yolanda’s friend Katy, who will be traveling this summer as part of a program known as People to People Ambassadors.
Other dates for Rev. Yolanda are: April 19, Union City Museum of Art; April 20, Unity Cabaret with Bobbie Horowitz; April 21, The Salon. For Rev. Yolanda’s full schedule and other information please check her website.
Coco Peru
Coco will be in Long Beach, CA on April 13th with her new show, She’s Got Balls, at The Scottish Rite Cathedral Theatre. Get your tickets online.
Storm Miguel Florez
Storm Miguel Florez has announced that he will be part of a multi-media production called White Lies, coming in June as part of the 2013 National Queer Arts Festival. For more information www.indiegogo.com/projects/white-lies-2 ; )
NEW MUSIC
Girl Who Got Away by Dido
This Dido’s fourth album, and one that comes to light after the artist decided to take some time off to start a family. That’s what the title alludes to, according to her. Produced by Dido and her brother, Rollo Armstrong, Dido also shares song writing credits on every song. Dido also manages to pull in some real heavy weights on the project. Collaborators such as Brian Eno, Jeff Bhasker, Rick Nowels, and Greg Kurstin are found throughout.
The project opens with an acoustic, laid back, almost ambient tune called No Freedom Not many artists would take the chance to open a new album with something that’s not very up-tempo. Dido gets away with simply because her voice is so beautiful.
A majority of the project does feature techno dance material, with tunes such as Let Us Move On (featuring Kendrick Lamar), Blackbird, End Of Night, Love To Blame, Go Dreaming and Happy New Year. Of all these tunes, Blackbird is probably the most accessible by way of what the listener, radio programmers, and club patrons would expect. Love To Blame another of the dance tunes, has the best rock feel of anything on the project and is also one of the better production moments. It features very good harmonies and the longest instrumental section of any song on Girl Who Got Away Something that kind of came as an unexpected moment was the jazz feel of Happy New Year. Plus, I personally just happen to like the bass lick at the beginning.
Dido’s best vocal performance of the project is found on the last cut, Day Before We Went To War. While the song practically borders on New Age since it’s another very ambient song, Dido’s voice is precise and perfect for this kind of music.
Dido’s voice is beautiful, and to me at least, sometimes reminiscent of Kate Bush, especially when she hits her higher range. The fact that she also write her own material is more than just a plus. It always adds an element of intrigue when an artist has something totally original to say.
For more information, please check out Dido’s website. Plus, for proper musician credits, please refer to the CD insert.
Category: Music