The debut from The General Store has been around for ten years, but I only just discovered it this week, thanks to a heads-up from Burning Wood's extended family member FD13NYC. This band is essentially one man, Tam Johnstone, son of long time Elton John guitarist Davey Johnstone.
Here's a little more from Jason Damas at ALL MUSIC:
"Johnstone whose father Davey was the longtime guitarist for Elton John, was born in 1970 and spent his childhood years immersed in the easygoing, laid-back vibe of Southern California singer/songwriters and country-tinged acts like The Eagles and Jackson Browne. Local Honey is his attempt to recreate this sound 30 years later -- and, here's the kicker -- it was recorded live to four-track in one prolific week following a bitter breakup. Ouch. But with Local Honey, Johnstone's misery is your joy, since at least his muse didn't leave him. The album is bursting with highlights, from wounded, Eagles-esque country-rock like "Letdown" to more shambolic country-rock like "Airport Breakfast" and soaring, almost Fleetwood Mac-styled pop like on "Coming Down" and gut-wrenching ballads like "Stay.""
I'm all gaga over "Local Honey." This record is killing me. It's as Jason Damas says, but I'd like to throw in a little Buffalo Springfield and Nilsson, as well. And maybe not oddly, Johnstone sounds nothing at all like dad's employer. This record is everything the Fleet Foxes aren't.
Check out "Airport Breakfast" and "Long Way."
10 comments:
This title was included in a big ole grab-bag box o' Not Lame CD's that Bruce let me have for practically nothing after their offices got flooded out a few years back. Sometimes good things cancome out of a disaster.
Great stuff, Sal. Powerpopsters may know that Tam played on Rick Corcoran's Orgone Box, possibly the greatest psych/powerpop album ever. Thanks, Randy
Love, love, love this! Oh and the song of the day too, thanks for that. :)
Fleet Foxes?
Don't get me started. I've seen condemned criminals walking the last mile who look like they're having more fun.
Love these songs. Damn, yo, you're like a bottomless cup of great/obscure references. Why, it's like talking to the guy at the cool neighborhood record store.
The GS has two albums on iTunes. I'm streaming one now on Spotify. Sounds great. Are these guys still together?
New record in 2 weeks:
http://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-in-the-Middle/dp/B0076KC2EO/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1330538999&sr=1-3
Also see
http://www.tamjohnstone.com/index.html for his other offerings. Worth checking out.
Thanks for this intro Sal. Toasts to FD13NYC for the tip.
But someone tell Mr Damas that "Eagles-esque" should never be used in a complimentary context...
@Ken D. That's funny! I hear The Eagles and I didn't want to say it, for fear of scaring people off.
Wow. Never heard this before.
Davey Johnson was on the Folk circuit in UK before he joined Mr Dwight. He went under the name of " Shaggis" ! another bit of trivia.
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