Fallopian
Tollbooth
I've always thought of this cassette collection
as a companion piece to AMERICANS, some of it being more 4 track solo work,
but there are also some full band treatments at the end of the album that
seem to be outtakes from the 'Throne Of Wax' album recording sessions. I cannot
remember if Fallopian Tollbooth was ever really meant to stand alone as an
album, but it contains some great songs and strong performances.
-Dave Longey
'Ocean's Beard (Time Dies)'
A lament framed in baroque chamber music where the protaganist searches
for companionship.
'Curiousity (Target
Out Of Me)'
Self examining, this one a rocker that retells, with literary
parallels, the exile of the artist/prophet who is seen as a threat for telling
the truth. Within Peter's multiple levels of irony this is his cruci-Fiction
memoir about his retreat from live performance. Great feedback solo.
'Brian
Jones' Door'
Where is the curious cat of lore? A bouncy, surrealist collage.
'Blitzen'
This song is one I can personally relate to- I'm the Dave that 'rode the rusty
rooftop' and made mad excursions to the oceanside in the car that is the
title of this tune. 'Blitzen' was an old pale blue highway cruiser of Peter's
that was our chariot of fun on many a weekend. I've always sort of thought
this was an almost sappy tune- it showcases Peter's willingness to employ
unabashed sentimentalism. But it's a great melody and has a tremendous church
organ break in the middle.
'Long
Winter's Nap (Song for Joseph Beuys)'
Peter's favorite artist was the German conceptualist Joseph Beuys. This song
uses specific imagery of Beuys' art in a directly attributable homage-piece;
His rescue from death in the warming felt and fat bandaging of mountain people
when his plane went down. Musically, this track has a mechanical tension and
a phoned-in vocal sound that gives it an avanté-garde suspension in strangeness.
'Rhino Shoe (Divine
Justice)'
Another surreal one-act play, sort of a spoof of Brecht.
'Mom's Birthday
(Iron Men On Fire)'
This is an interesting track- Painting a playboy cartoon picture of drum-beating
boy/men in some fantasy television sitcom world, with metallic percussion.
Hard to describe.
'Song About Records'
Peter's record collection was quite large and was an extension of himself-
this song illustrates the careful nature of making the decision as to 'who
will share the room'- Music as an emotional partner in one's day. It's also
a loving spoof of his obsessive musical habits and a tribute to a few of
his faves.
'Still The Poet'
A Beefheart-like rant reasserting the crowning laurels of Poetry, even if
one has to be a 'Department Store Don Van Vliet'.
'I Fear The Unknown'
A sinister portrayal of paranoia with Chris Duers singing the main track &
playing guitar lead.
'When You Find The Edge Of The Earth'
This is one of Peter's best songs, ever. Reminiscent of 'Final Lie', but in
this song, the edge is chased down, wrestled thru Dante's thorns, and pinned
down, leading to rebirth. A rare celebration of artistic victory over the
personal demons.
The following tracks feature the session members of the 'Throne of Wax'
project: Guy Wallis-Bass/ Gary Nass-fiddle/ Greg Kammer-Drums/ & Chris Duers-Electric
guitar
'The Past'
Those regrets, those things that shouldn't have been said.. One of Peter's
most openly confessional songs. Great fiddle playing by Gary Nass.
'Even Though'
A very early song in Peter's repetoire. A gently gothic memento-noire with
a pretty melody and a romantic contemplation of death.
'Crematorium'
Pure Charles Addams humor. A slaphappy song of love and the disposal of
human remains.
'Crazy Everyday'
A rousing rocker that boozily confronts the problem of will power and self restraint.
This tune really kicks!
'Silver
Dollar'
In some sort of English music-hall tradition comes this fanciful sibling rivalry
tale. A fun, infectious melody.
All Music ©2006 The Peter Herrick Cummings Legacy Project