Tuesday 16 September 2008

P.W. Long





P.W. Long has got to be one of the most underrated musicians on the planet. Not that he's super obscure or anything, it's just that I really thought he would have reached a bigger audience after all of these years. There are even moments of mainstream appeal in some of his more recent work. Just moments that is. I was predicting he would be the next "Tom Waits" or at least the next "Jon Spencer." But once again I tend to get a little tunnel vision as far as my tastes go and I need to come to the realization that not everybody is hearing it the way I'm hearing it. Throughout his career his music has ranged from noise-rock, blues and even touches of country. He started in the Ann Arbor band Wig and I believe he was only on their first single. Which I still don't have so if anyone could hook me up it would be much appreciated. So I'll start with my first introduction to him which was with Detroit's Mule.

Mule - Wrung (1994)
This one is definitely the heaviest release of his career. Maybe it's just me but this record almost seems to have a bit of a AC/DC feel to it. Just more pissed-off and aggressive . Steve Albini, who would refer to Mule as "Hillbilly Punk," recorded this and I think it's some of the best work he's ever done. Just crank it up really loud and you'll see what I'm talking about. It's just a really tight production.

P.W. Long's Reelfoot - Push Me Again (1998)
P.W. himself has called this album his favorite. It's got a little bit of everything in it. But mostly it's just a really good rock album. I believe this was also Mac McNielly's (The Jesus Lizard) last recorded material, although I could be wrong.

Young James Long - You Ain't Know The Man (2007)
This is his most recent release with his new band he formed in Dallas. This band was originally intended on being a improv project for him before he realized they sucked at improvisation. With members of Polyphonic Spree and Tenderloin. Now this one will go by fast. These 5 short songs will be over before you even know it.


6 comments:

  1. Thank you very much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Somehow, despite being firmly entrenched in the mid to late '90's Amrep/T&G/SubPop, etc. world I never really listened to Mule or Reelfoot; even knowing their links to The Jesus Lizard and the other giants that roamed the Earth back then. Thanks for the great post...I am now looking to fulfill my Mule desires after your Wrung EP teaser gave me a halfie.

    PromQueen
    iheartpromqueen@yahoo.com

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  3. I've been working with PW and Kevin to recreate some of the old Mule t's. Please take a look: http://thedarkslide.storenvy.com/products/15706632-mule-high-life-t-shirt

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  4. I've been working with PW and Kevin to recreate some of http://thedarkslide.storenvy.com/products/15468957-mule-brand-genuine-whup-ass-t-shirtthe old Mule t's. Please take a look: http:

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been working with PW and Kevin to recreate some of the old Mule t's. Please take a look: http://thedarkslide.storenvy.com/products/15706632-mule-high-life-t-shirt

    ReplyDelete