JON WAYNE - Texas Funeral
SLN returns to the Musical Twilight Zone. A metaphysical netherworld where Hasil Adkins and the Legendary Stardust Cowboy break bread over bottles of Thunderbird. Elvis shows up, hands out funny little pills in every shade of the rainbow; Charlie Feathers wouldn't show-- he's still itchin' to kick the King's royal ass for takin' his song into the Top 10 without givin' him his props.
I know very little about the entity that named themselves after who may very likely be the worst "actor" of all-time. In fact, I can't even recollect what made me seek it out; it certainly had no "buzz" surrounding it at the time (1994). I think it's safe to assume they were from Texas, as the Lone Star State is reverently spoken of at least a hundred times-- 7 of the 15 tracks are also named in its honor. Upon first listening to it, I immediately wondered if the Wiggins sisters had a long-lost brother no one knew about-- the Boo Radley-type, most assuredly someone who had been hidden in the family attic for at least three decades. Certainly the Shaggs would've approved of the ramshackle tempos & sub-sub-sub-Beefheartian stream-of-consciousness, uh... lyrics and beyond outta tune guitar riffs. Every "song", such as they are, sounds like it was made up on the spot; when it's decided everyone is on the same umm... wavelength, Mr. Wayne slurs something about Texas or bandmate Jimbo & they're off!
You are then treated to tales of gas station attendants with bad English, shooting a man's horse for revenge, funerals (natch), apple schnapps (which may or may not be a mutant form of innuendo) and "owl caricatures" (Who? Sorry, couldn't resist). Some people call this stuff "mongo rock" or "outsider music", certainly more'n a few folks I've subjected to it called it "offensive", "racist", "stupid", "worthless" etc. But, since I have little to no respect for those people, you can take that as a recommendation. I know they affirmed my opinion that the only term that applies to this LP is essential.
Postius Scriptius: If this was a buncha college kids taking the piss, please don't tell me.
Comments, y'all-- comments are great; Great to look in for treasures, great to look in for well... comments.
http://rapidshare.com/files/77944913/sln-jw.rar.html
ReplyDeletepass = sln2007
heard the song texas funeral on the soundtrack to "from dusk till dawn". always wanted to check out the rest of the album. thanks for this
ReplyDeleteWhoaoooah!
ReplyDeleteHold the phone-- JW made it onto a soundtrack??! A Rodriquez/Tarantino thang no less? Now that's cool. They have now earned a smidge of respect from me (like they care).
I wanna visit that metaphysical world, too...
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, there was quite a STINK regarding JW TEXAS FUNERAL from Texans who done don't take veruh KINDLUH tuh people what make fun of TEXAS. I had a friend from San Antonio who said 'NEVER PLAY THAT SHIT AROUND ME! THAT SHIT AIN'T FUCKING FUNNY!'. He was only half kidding. I thought it was mucho retardo at the time and it just kinda disappeared into my stack of tapes never to be seen again. I guess I'll reassess.
ReplyDeletenice one man... your comparisons are apt. I always had a mild curiosity about this group, but never enough to bother investigating with any seriousness... so thanks for "forcing" it to my attention, as it were... good times.
ReplyDelete"don’t take veruh KINDLUH tuh people what make fun of TEXAS"
ReplyDeleteHoly fuck that made me laugh. As much as it amuses me that ANYONE would take this shit too seriously, I can't say I'm surprised.
*AWESOME*
ReplyDeleteI've been scouring Soulseek and the like for a few months now & I could NEVER find this!
brings back some memories for sure
have a good holiday ;)
One for the holidays.
ReplyDelete