Friday, January 13, 2023

Strays, Tchotchke & Lisa Marie

 

Since her 2016 debut, "Midwest Farmer's Daughter," Margo Price has been praised by both critics and peers. I've listened to all of her music and while I enjoyed much of it, none of it really stuck. Each successive record sounded less like the one before it, yet nothing quite hit that "wow" button on me...until now. 

"Strays" is the one. Wow!

Produced by Jonathan Wilson, "Strays" is a trippy and soulful collection of songs that just about strips all of the twang from Price's debut and delivers one big song after another. I've posted two. I needed to double check that "Change Of Heart" wasn't a second Tom Petty track by that name. The opener and I believe the first single, "Been To The Mountain" sets a perfect stage for "Strays." This is a big record in all the right ways.




 

 

Walter asked in the chat box if I had ever heard Tchotchke, a record produced by The Lemon Twigs. I hadn't until yesterday and I want to thank you, Walter for suggesting this gem.

 


 

I know many of you have been on the fence about The Twigs. I understand. I love them and their records, but I can still pinpoint those exacts moments that probably give you the twitch. The D'Addarios certainly don't hold back on ideas, good or bad.

 


 

Tchotchke is a female trio and the self-titled debut feels like all the good, pop moments of a Lemon Twigs record, with a dash of Mari Wilson and The Belle Stars. It's a quirky collection, not unlike the LTs, but more consistent. I am digging this record.

 

 

LISA MARIE PRESLEY, 1968-2023

 



It can't have been easy being Elvis's daughter. Or being married to Michael Jackson. Or being married to Nicolas Cage. 
This is a sad story no matter how you slice it.

I never met Lisa Marie Presley, but I really liked the single from her debut album. She was making a lot of appearances when it was released and a friend got her to sign a disc for me. Even I can't stop thinking, "Elvis's daughter. Elvis's Daughter." Imagine being Elvis's daughter.

Check out "Lights Out." It's the Song Of The Day.
Rest In Peace, LMP.

"Someone turned the lights out there in MemphisOoh, that's where my family are buried and goneLast time I was there I noticed a space leftOh, next to them there in Memphis, yeahIn the damn back lawn"




8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I liked both Tchotchke cuts, especially the first one. I’m going to dig in later. Thanks to you and Walter.

soundsource said...

What's not to like about Tchotchke. Infectious pop great wake up on a cold Friday in Savannah (well cold for us). Thanks
P

steve simels said...

On top of being an aural pleasure, the Twigs are really nice kids. Their dad is a musician bud of mine and it runs in the family.

cmealha said...

"Tchotchke" is officially my favorite album of 2023 so far. It's the only album I've bought so far this year but still. great tunes and the D'Addarios' fingerprints are all over it without being obtrusive. Lots of fun.

cmealha said...

I've never heard anything by Lisa Marie. This cut is quite good.

Anonymous said...

Tchotchke remind me Eisley (even look like them a little bit), who i always wanted to like, but never got over the sameness of their songs and arrangements. whether it's their own talent or the Twigs influence, Tchotchke appear to avoid that drawback.

M_Sharp said...

Same here with Margo Price. Good music, better than bro country, but most not all that memorable. I'll check out her new one, Tchotchke too, I like both those songs.

I vaguely remember hearing something I liked from Lisa Marie's first album, it may have been "Lights Out". Being Elvis' daughter had to be easier than if he had a son. I can't imagine dealing with that. Or Michael Jackson, either.That marriage was truly bizarre.

Eric said...

I saw Margo Price back in 2018. I encouraged my wife who rarely joins me to come. Margo's not yer momma's country. She has an amazing band and they jam. There's a lot of live stuff on youtube including 2018 in Central Park. Jump to the last 10 minutes or so. Margo gets on an extra drum kit and the band takes off. Even my wife loved it. She's at Webster Hall in March. There's a recent article in the NYT that's worth a read.