Calexico, Giant Sand, & Friend of Dean Martinez

[Wayne Carver]

Anyone familiar with these bands. I think they are all from the southeast. Bill Elms plays steel and theremin(cool) on some of their music. "A Place in the Sun" by the Friends of Dean Martinez looks interesting as does "Cover Magazine" by Giant Sand.

[Martin Abend]

Calexico are really big here in Germany, they fill 4000 seat-concert halls easily. Actually they are just an side project for Joey Burns and John Convertino from Giant Sand, but by now they are way more popular. Also Forumite Paul Niehaus is playing with them who originally started with Lambchop (also in the charts over here). Calexico and Giant Sand are based in Tuscon, AZ AFAIN.

Frieds of Dean Martinez are also quite popular here, they tour Germany thrice a year and almost always play in sold-out venues. Bill Elm often uses a lot of vintage effects to create an a ambient sound.

It's nice to see that this music still has it's audience in a country where David Hasselhoff was considered a super-star...


Martin


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martin abend Pedal-Steel in Germany
s-10 sierra crown gearless 3 x4 | Regal RD45 | fender hotrod deluxe

[Brad Bechtel]

I'm familiar with these bands and enjoy them all. Calexico's latest CD "Feast of Wire" is particularly good. I've called them "alt.western" before.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

[Dwayne Martineau]

I am extremely familiar with these folks, if you want to know any information. They are all Tucson, AZ kids. Most records came out of Wavelab studios (by Craig Shumacher).

You should look up the record "Slush" by OP8, which is Giant Sand + Lisa Germano... like a sexed-up Giant Sand.

Calexico was formed by the Giant Sand "rhythm section," Joey Burns and John Convertino. John and Joey were also members of Friends of Dean Martinez (along with steel player Bill Elm), but are no longer with that band (the band continues, but I am only familiar with their "Shadow of Your Smile" record, which I would recommend highly).

You can't really go wrong with any of the Calexico records. "Feast of Wire" may just be the best (and most diverse). "The Black Light" changed my musical life (no hyperbole) in 1998.

Giant Sand's vocalist/songwriter Howe Gelb has a handful of excellent solo albums under his name, as well as "Band of Blacky Ranchette" (which features Richard Buckner and Neko Case on the most recent album).

As for Giant Sand records, I think "Chore of Enchantment" is the best. Howe's favourite is "Glum."

Check here: http://www.sa-wa-ro.com/GiantSand.htm

[Wayne Carver]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I'll have to pick up some music by these groups. I also like lounge music and Ennio Morricone type stuff. I'm always looking for Alt.-Anything in different genres. I like the Aqua Velvets (Surf), Blue Rags (Ragtime), and the Flat Duo Jets (Swing?)

[Brandin]

Wayne, check out 'The Vanduras' in the Steel
Guitar Forum catalog.
(Sorry for the shameless self-promotion.)

GB

[Dennis Olearchik]

Forum members can also check out " Legends of the Incredible Lap Steel Guitar" on Horse Rock Records (especially if you use Apple's iTunes).

You can hear Gary Brandin, Bobbe Seymour (twice), Herb Remington, Cindy Cashdollar, Greg Leisz, etc.

[Dave Van Allen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>check out 'The Vanduras' in the Steel
Guitar Forum catalog.
(Sorry for the shameless self-promotion.))</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gary- no need to be sorry!! If any CD fits into the categories defined by Wayne it's yours!!!

If you are uncomfortable promoting it, let me re-iterate:
<B>check out 'The Vanduras' in the Steel
Guitar Forum catalog!!!</B><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 18 April 2004 at 08:36 AM.]</p></FONT>

[Andy Volk]

What Dave said.