Anne McCue & The Cubists

"No other musical artist in this century – or in any century that I know of – has created a collection remotely similar to Anne McCues’ first release in 10 years, Wholly Roller Coaster. McCue, a native Australian now living in Nashville, TN, is a gifted songwriter and remarkable guitarist, and her 2004 album, "Roll," brought the goods in a power-pop bluesy rock gem of a package. But while "Wholly Roller Coaster" represents a musical and thematic departure from "Roll," it offers other delights with a quirkiness and charm that apparently emanates from McCue’s fertile mind directly to vinyl. It’s kind of a thrill ride of examining life philosophies. It’s a genre entire of itself, an amalgam of swirling psychedelia and lyrics focusing on the wonder of life. You might call it music to keep your mind from going crazy, born in the haze and miasma of the covid epidemic. The 10 songs here are reflective and thoughtful, designed to invite us to consider ourselves as a part of a larger whole. It’s a whole vibe, a ’60s feel – McCue gives a nod to "those fabulous four" and uses the design of the classic "Sgt. Pepper" LP as a guide, with its collage of faces and lyric sheet. The opening track, "Fly or Fall," features trippy keys and prominent percussion, and a distinctive cornet. "Leaping at the Moon" is simultaneously upbeat and melancholy, ethereal and seething. "The Loneliest Saturday Night" taps into an Asian mood, and includes the couplet: "was there ever such a lonely sound / as a telephone not ringing?" Another track, "Witch Song" leans Eastern Indian, and begs "We need to change our ways / or see the end of days." "Shadow Lane" may be the most accessible, with its infectious bounce and nod to mid-form Kinks, all nostalgic and yearning for "avoiding all the latest news / ’cause we don’t want to catch those blues." The closer, "The Years," looks rearward as it looks forward. McCue lists album instruments on the liner notes as: "akookstic & eklectric guitars, whirlytzer organ, seetar guitar, E-bo, tambooreen, cawsbell, peeano, mellowtron floots, tablas, noizes, larfter, skulls, eggs." Everyone may enjoy a sip of this brew, even though it may not be to the taste of those who sip and sup with mass appetites.
© Fred Kraus

Anne McCue & The Cubists are releasing a brand new album - the first for 10 years - entitled Wholly Roller Coaster. Order it at annemccue.com on vinyl or CD. :-)

Update! Dear Friends, I'm overdue to update you on what the heck is going on with the vinyl version of Wholly Roller Coaster!! The manufacturers were hopeful that the records would arrive before Christmas. But there has been quite a snafu and some shenanigans, the result of which is that they have to go back and redo the VERY FIRST STEP - that is, plating! I'm pretty frustrated, as you can imagine and have moved the release date for the album a couple of times. But in the scheme of things of what's going on in the world - wars, genocide, school children being shot, Social Security and the Department of Eductaion on the line, etc., this delay is just one small thing and I hope you can be patient with me! The CDs are already available if you pre-order here, so no worries there. Thanks for your understanding! The photo is all I've seen of the finished product so far - the labels that will be on the records! Yes, the artwork is all printed and ready to go. xo

It's hard to think of anything else but the fires in Los Angeles this week. It seems cruel to post about anything else. For those who haven't lived there it is a magical city with so much hidden but accessible beauty and so many beautiful souls including all the wildlife. And the so-called 'rich celebrities' are a tiny percentage of the artists and other workers who live there. Sending all the love and luck to everyone there. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Here is a link to musicians and music biz folks in need:

Happy New Year Everybody!

Unfortunately, even though the CDs were sent out 2 weeks ago, many have not arrived yet.

My apologies. I had no idea how much the USPS had been eroded by DeJoyless.

I made Black Eyed Peas today for the first time ever. It is a good luck gesture in the South. I found a recipe on Reddit and then changed it to suit.

Here's the recipe:

Black-Eyed Peas

Add about 1/4 cup of olive oil to the pot and whisk in an equal amount of flour for your roux. (I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour) Keep whisking over medium heat until the roux is a dark reddish brown, about 15-20 minutes. Do not let it burn and do not be tempted to taste it - painful lessons.

Add a chopped onion and garlic and celery and mushrooms. Cook until softened. You can put a lid on to sweat it a bit. I added a little extra oil. I added about a tablespoon of Ras El Hanout and a little bit of Old Bay Seasoning.

Once all this is soft add 2 cups of stock - I use the veggie Better Than Bouillon.

Brown the vegetarian sausage (I used Beyond Burger Chili Breakfast Sausage Patties) in oil in a heavy bottomed pot. Remove and  cut into little pieces. Add to the stew.

Drain the black eyed peas - I used a can - and add them to the stew.

Simmer until it all thickens up. Stir in 3 tablespoons of Cocunut Milk (from a can.) Stir in greens such as kale, spinach etc. (If kale - add it earlier.) Simmer until greens are cooked in. 

Serve over rice.

Vinyl is still being manufactured but the CDs are here. Get yours before the official release date (March) by pre-ordering now. :-)

Tomorrow night at The 5 Spot we'll be raspin' and swingin' for the annual Tom Waits tribute show - a charity event for Second Harvest Food Bank. Anne will be playing with legend Al Hill on vocals and keys and Morgan Blaney on vocals and upright bass with Chris Benelli on drums. Music starts at 8 pm :-)

The illustrations were done by Dawn Aquarius. You can pre-order the new album now!