Harlan T Bobo
I’ve never written about a musician, primarily because I see so few worth writing about. Guess I should get out more. Neko Case at the Hi-Tone in Memphis was unbelievable. In fact, she may be the premier female vocalist in the United States today. If she’s anywhere near your neck of the woods, make an effort to see her. You’ll be glad you did.
I also like the neurotic genius of Haight-Ashbury’s The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Another must see if they get anywhere near.
Friday night, I had the pleasure of seeing Memphis’ own Harlan T Bobo for the first time at Otherlands. I was blown away.
He has a sometimes melancholy, folksy-rock sound, and every song seems good enough to continue ad infinitum. There’s no good place for his songs to end, so all seem to end abruptly, and rightly so.
His strong voice is perfectly suited for the unique lyricism and accompanying harmonica and acoustic guitar.
As soon as I thought he was settling into a familar lonely, alt-country territory, he shifted gears into a collection of upbeat, unique, hilariously clever songs that left the audience wanting more. And there are the props. A mechanical monkey and toy tambourines. You have to see it to believe it, because the whole show is really a much a work of art as it is music.
I don’t see many performers that sound as good, much less better, live as they do in the studio. In the case of Bobo, his CD doesn’t even begin to capture the depth and vitality of his music. See him live, and mark my words, he is going to be a nationally known act.
The Memphis Flyer said his album is the most important work to come out of Memphis in the past five years. I’d probably go back farther than that, and we do know our music in the Delta. All I’m going to say is based on what I’ve seen so far (his first album and the cuts he did from his upcoming, July release) I might be willing to place him in the same class as a young Townes, Steve Earle or Graham Parsons.
That’s good company. In fact, Steve Earle once said that Townes Van Zandt was the greatest song writer this country ever produced, and he’s probably right. All three of those men were geniuses, and I think I saw another one Friday night.
An interesting story with some background is here.
i love harlan. the last time i saw him was at his christmas show, i think. he does really painful, really well… but he also know how to make people smile, and the clown thing with the kids is just amazing. i always felt like he has this wonderful ability to make his lyrics simple but elegant, with no sense of trite anywhere in there. truly a shining talent.
Alaska is one of the most amazing places I’ve ever seen. Especially the Denali area. I hate to leave it, but I must, at least for awhile. I’ve met a ton of cool people up here too. Actually met a photographer the other night who met Abbey back in Colorado, that was pretty cool. Gotta go. – Sean.
thanks for the heads up on harlan. he’s a new favorite. isn’t it interesting that those who love good writing always love good music??