Bob
Collum hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma but is long settled in deepest Essex; an
unrepentant and incurable anglophile who’s released a series of acclaimed
albums while regularly gigging with his ever-evolving Welfare Mothers.
Pay
Pack And Carry arrives
with the anticipated meld of tradition and innovation. Based on a
long-established fusion of power pop and country music it shows once again his mastery
of both, overlaid with many other fascinations, and featuring a couple of
significant guest collaborators in Martin Belmont (Ducks Deluxe, The Rumour)
and Peter Holsapple (REM, The dBs) who just happen to be musical giants.
Recorded
over the course of a year Bob’s preference has been never to spend more than
two consecutive days in the studio: “It keeps it more fun; doing just a couple
of days at a time you avoid getting bogged down”. As previously he uses former
Vibrator Pat Collier’s studio, allowing Pat to take much of the producer’s
role.
The core
players are long-serving drummer Paul Quarry, bassist Matthew Hall, and recent
recruit Mags Layton on violin. Mags came with new perspectives, initiating the
Bernard Hermann vibe to ‘Blue Sky Rain’, radically altering the song and
squeezing out all guitar bar Martin’s arpeggios and fills.
She’s
also allowed Bob to rein back on the more traditional country elements. The
title track proves a fine example of how they can infuse his compositions without
being blatant. He’ll reference particular Byrds and Monkees songs as “not
trying too hard to sound like country songs. Taking the elements but doing it
organically rather than dramatically”.
There
are readings of both Mike Heron’s ‘Log Cabin Home In The Sky’ and Michael
Nesmith’s ‘Different Drum’, as Bob strongly believes doing covers prevents a
performer seeming too self-absorbed. Peter Holsapple provides harmonies on
both: “I knew it was right up his alley. Peter can do the vocal asides – the
‘yeahs’ and ‘woos’ I wish I could.”
Avoiding
self-absorption is typical of the man. Getting Bob Collum to stay on the
subject of his music can be some task, though he does concede: “I like the new
album”. Then he’ll be making light of his abilities, and start talking about
The Beatles again. It may speak to his grounding, self-awareness, and sense of
standing on the shoulders of giants, but underplay it as he might Pay Pack And
Carry provides yet more evidence of his singular talent.
Pay Pack And Carry is out now through HarbourSong Records.
"He has a rare gift for melodies and hooks
and fuses that with his love of classic rock'n'roll, country and powerpop to
create not only a unique sound but one that is well-nigh irresistible." **** MAVERICK
"The whole album is well worth packing and carrying home." LONESOME HIGHWAY
“A
good 'go to' when you want a slice of uncomplicated sophistication in your
listening repertoire."
THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH
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