Creeping into the year [2013], conjured up from the thick Georgia fog, we are pleased to bring you the OLD SMOKEY 7″ [GF005]
“Soothing”, “Strange” and “Stringy” could be the first impression of veteran gypsy ears, geared and callused from our previous “Rock, Raw and Pop” releases, this [OS 7″] marks the dizzy dawn of what we like to call our “country Strange” sector, by-way of the Gory Gospel truth being, that this fine piece of wax was summoned up, smoked out -if you will, in the summer months of 2012 by Athens native, Jim Willingham (Ham1, Infinity Cat Recordings).
Nestled comfortably behind a banjo, matched with his lyrical approach (for lack of more fitting slang) – melodies are plucked straight out of the mind’s darkest neighborhoods. Fellow stringers Jacob Morris, John Fernandes, Jason Trahan and Robert Lomax join in together, forming a mysterious musical cloud composing of strings, woodwinds and a 70+ year aged bass drum head.
Old Smokey’s debut 7″ release bares three-KUTS with Side A’s opener “Lazy Eye”, which sounds as if it were originally featured on “The Wickerman” Soundtrack (1973), but some how, rather found itself reincarnated -falling through the laws of time. . . and landing on your turntable, here in this strange modern world.
Allow your senses to fall into the cradle that is “The Natural”, the instrumental stand out of the release, hypnotizing at moments signaled ahead by bells, haunted by whistles.
The B side is totally consumed in the whopping 5+ min trance titled “Weeping Willow” – perhaps the most somber of the the three selections, featuring rhythmic “trap-doors of change” that complete the knot in this tangled memory of bliss.
Special editions of the 7″ will include an inner CD Sleeve (with art designed by Fernandes’ son) that includes Exxxtra tracks for your own exxxtended adventure into the mystical haze that is Old Smokey.
WJAY / Jan 18th 2013
BUY THE 7″ from GF store
ORRR why not go get one from the band in person?! That’s right chyld, they’re playing the 7″ RELEASE PARTY tonight at Athens’ newest venue, The World Famous, more info below :
RSVP to the official event here
Gypsy Farm Network 