Coffee In Nepal (1987) Jeffs second solo release kicks off with the pop whimsy of In the Blue Light. With vocal assistance from Susanne, whom he had first met barely a year before if my math is correct- in a 1998 interview with Jud Cost, Jeff said My life sort of started over when I first met Susanne, going on twelve years ago now... This and Sleepy People demonstrate immediately the giddiness of young lovers discovering potential lifemates during the early stages of a relationship. This sense of wonder and excitement is illustrated perfectly in the next track, Happy, My Sweetheart, sung in the style of one of Moondogs madrigals or rounds. Maria is one of the few examples in the box set of a melody which reappeared later in a Green Pajamas setting, reminding me of Song for Tess on the Strung Out EP (Camera Obscura/Endgame, 1998.) Burn, Witch, Burn had me preparing for an examination of one of Jeffs (and my) favorite historical figures, Joan of Arc. [During our recent conversation, Jeff said Thats pretty cool that we discovered we had that in common!] However, well have to wait until Private Electrical Storms All the Maids in France for that, as this song, featuring a wonderful Neil Young-ish falsetto from Susanne is actually a forlorn love song over a medieval carnival backing, expressing a recurring theme throughout the box set, that of loves labors lost. Jeff has stated that Susanne turned him on to Leonard Cohen via a mix tape her father had made for her and once Jeff heard Joan of Arc (naturally!), to use an old tired phrase, it blew me away... That mournful voice... that got me hooked. I fell in love with every one of those albums. Oh How I Love You illustrates that Jeff has learned much from the old codger, as Cohens trademark lilting, singsong melody permeates this sorrowful confessional of Jeff begging forgiveness for causing another silly fight over some meaningless cigar. One of my favorite aspects of Jeffs lyrics is their ability to visually encapsulate Kodak moments from his and Susannes life. I can imagine Ingmar Bergmans SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE as one of their favorite movies and what a soundtrack Jeff could provide if someone ever decides to remake this landmark film. This cinematic feel, this visualization of lifes everyday occurrances is another theme that is consistently explored throughout the disks in this box set. In fact, when I queried Jeff recently, he replied quite simply, Why all the imagery? I dont know. You just sort of write about stuff thats on your mind at a particular time of day or week or year. Most of the time, for me, its women... To tell you the truth, a great deal of it - probably most of it has been inspired by my wife. The title of the box begins to reveal itself on the next track, Panda. Perhaps reminiscing about a Far Eastern vacation, images of China are sprinkled throughout this harpsichord (? - one nagging complaint I have is that the instrumentation is not identified anywhere in the liner notes) based tune, whose refrain, Im happy...so happy, he said disguises unspoken feelings hidden deep inside. Another lesson gleaned from Cohen: never has elation sounded so mournful and fleeting. Coffee peaks with the nursery rhyme quality of Dont Ever Go, a perfect little ditty for putting the little ones to bed for the night. Its chorus tugs at the sleeves as Daddys little girl begs for just one more song before drifting off to sleep.... Unfortunately, most of side two of the original cassette loses the momentum established so far. The disjointed stutter-steps of The Big Kick, the hesitant dirge of A Quiet World and the seemingly unfinished title track meander aimlessly into an awkward reading of Emily Dickensons misplaced poem, I Heard A Fly Buzz When I Died. Pony and Me wears out its welcome quickly with self-indulgent guitar noodlings (something thankfully absent from most of the box) while Hearts and Flowers isnt bad for open mike night at the local coffee bar (in Nepal.) Overall: 9 out of 15. [NOTE: Ratings throughout are based on the number of tracks I would play again at a later date and time. However, in order to fully appreciate each release in its original context, see my CAVEAT EMPTOR at the end of this article.] Recommendation: Return to the beginning after Track 9.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:46:59 +0000
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