Angel Of Sno
* Howe Gelb: Paradise Here Abouts (3.5 mb) | Hey Man (3.5 mb) | Neon Filler (6.5 mb)
From ‘Sno Angel Like You : Thrill Jockey Records : thrill 167
I first heard about this gospel based project by Howe Gelb, front man for Giant Sand, about a week ago and immediately thought, “Brilliant!”. For those who don’t know, Giant Sand has been churning out desert based music for over twenty years now and has been the primary musical outlet for Mr. Howe Gelb. Appparently, having one band isn’t enough though, and he also makes music under a couple of other monikers, as well as solo. Well, this one has Howe teaming up with a gospel choir for some electrifying results.
In 2003, Howe was invited to perform at the Ottawa Bluesfest, and billed to play in a church with singer-songwriter Jim Bryson. Howe was surprised to find their sets sandwiched between the performances of gospel choirs. Little did he know, that coincidence would lead to his inspiration for this album.
When one of gospel choirs performed, “that’s when it all began to make some sense to me,” Howe says. “I was held captive by the sensation, glued to my seat there. I had never heard anything like it, never felt anything like that, and when you get to be my age and something grabs your heart and head like that, you celebrate and bask in it. I was physically moved.”
Rainstorms are always a good omen to a man from the desert. When Howe returned to his hotel room to reflect on the experience of the gospel shows, the sky erupted in a stunning storm, he took it as a sign. “The instigating sound in my head persuaded me to return to the church even though I knew the music was long over. I felt I had to make some connection before I left town,” Howe says.
(from the website)
This is an absolutely fantastic album. If there’s one criticisism I have of Howe Gelb’s music, is that he is at times very unfocused. His use of the choir though, keeps him right on track. The music is mostly spare, with guitar and drums, so the gospel choir adds an incredible richness to these proceedings. Also, at no point does the choir seem like an add on. This music, it seems, was conceived with this choir in mind.
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Andrew Sherman said,
April 26, 2006 @ 12:46 pm
I just want to say how much I enjoy your thoughful, insightful blog. Keep up the good work!
Akio said,
May 2, 2006 @ 11:28 pm
This is really great stuff. The choir was a bit jarring when it first came in, I think because the way his vocals are recorded is very intimate and implies a much smaller space… then all of a sudden the roof rips off and there’s a choir in white robes… they seem so much happier, too, but the tension works.