RSSHenry Kaiser [extended]
- Live, Love, Larf and Loaf [Rhino, 1987] A-
- A World Out of Time: In Madagascar [Shanachie, 1992] A-
- A World Out of Time, Vol. 2 [Shanachie, 1993] *
- A World out of Time, Vol. 3 [Shanachie, 1996]
See Also:
Consumer Guide Reviews:
French Frith Kaiser Thompson: Live, Love, Larf and Loaf [Rhino, 1987]
First side's got the skewed songcraft you'd hope, second the avant-folk excursions you'd fear, and both outdo anything you'd dare expect. Despite the prolonged "Drowned Dog Black Night," first side's also the strongest Thompson since he elected to pursue his solo dick. Good that he doesn't have to do it all--from French's wacky "Wings à la Mode" to the collective demolition of "Surfin' USA," it's an ad hoc collaboration that sounds as good as it reads. As for the excursions, well, renowned guitarist Thompson exercises a restraining influence on wealthy plectrum enthusiast Kaiser. Maybe next time they'll persuade Frith to put down his fiddle and join them in a fifteen-minute "Free Bird." A-
A World Out of Time: In Madagascar [Shanachie, 1992]
Pomo folklorists Henry Kaiser and David Lindley stick their fretboards into these 18 Malagasy songs at will because despite their thing for Madagascar's isolation (you'd never guess from title or music that hundreds of thousands of strikers filled the capital's streets during their two-week visit), they understand that this Indian Ocean island is as multicultural as it gets--an Asian/Malaysian/Polynesian part of Africa that's been fucked over by Europe like everywhere else. The 13 artists represent a profusion of mostly commercialized styles, yet between their euphonious language and the indigenous timbres of their lutes and flutes, they blend gracefully together. Fittingly, the gentle Japanese pop tune the foreigners feed them melds better than "I Fought the Law." From lullaby to jamboree, melody is clearly treasured in this place. A-
A World Out of Time, Vol. 2 [Shanachie, 1993]
outtakes from a field trip (Tarika Ramilson, "The Welcome Party"; Roger Georges, "Tsaiky Mboly Hely"; Rammy & the Indri, "Lemur Rap") *
A World out of Time, Vol. 3 [Shanachie, 1996]