Yee-Haw? Wasn't 2023 supposed to be the Dude T.J. Cowgill's final reigning year as King like I said in the introduction to the review of his "Songs of the 1940 - vol 1 & 2"?
Yet his Dark Americana persona is still touring in 2024 as if he was a Scorpions King. And he even followed that splendid double 7" EP up with a sequel release. Well, I gladly take it. So here are more at least around eighty years old classic from the Great American Songbook reinterpreted by the (other) man in black:
KING DUDE - Songs of the 1940s - vol 3 & 4 (2 x 7" EP) (2024)
To keep it short: Everything great on the last double single is reprised here, beginning with the beautiful monochrome packaging in a gatefold cover with historical photographs, coming in a slipcase, both with an embossed logo.
Four sides, each filled with two average three minutes long old school Country songs, all played by King Dude alone on acoustic guitar, with some sprinkles of electric guitar, organ, synths and probably some other sound sources. His raspy sonor voice - and some instances of yodeling - is front and center, the natural production is either very (almost too) close on the edge of cracking your speakers or drenched in ghostly (or heavenly, as you perceive it) reverb.
This time I don't think I know any of the originals (maayyybee "Rye Whiskey"), so sorry dear fans of previous singers of tunes like "Blood On The Saddle", "Gambler Blues", "Rainbow At Midnight" or "Seven Beers With The Wrong Woman" - there's no real point in me rambling on about them. I like these versions, that's for sure.
Yes, these two new volumes are just as simple yet fascinating as vol 1 and 2, so naturally this release joins them as one of my favorites of King Dude's whole cataloque. The idea is just followed through in such a perfect imperfect way that I cannot imagine it being improved by any changes.
And if you don't sleep on ordering this germ from Raubbau Records for an eternity, you might still get the edition which comes with a slim little bonus...
Four sides, each filled with two average three minutes long old school Country songs, all played by King Dude alone on acoustic guitar, with some sprinkles of electric guitar, organ, synths and probably some other sound sources. His raspy sonor voice - and some instances of yodeling - is front and center, the natural production is either very (almost too) close on the edge of cracking your speakers or drenched in ghostly (or heavenly, as you perceive it) reverb.
This time I don't think I know any of the originals (maayyybee "Rye Whiskey"), so sorry dear fans of previous singers of tunes like "Blood On The Saddle", "Gambler Blues", "Rainbow At Midnight" or "Seven Beers With The Wrong Woman" - there's no real point in me rambling on about them. I like these versions, that's for sure.
Yes, these two new volumes are just as simple yet fascinating as vol 1 and 2, so naturally this release joins them as one of my favorites of King Dude's whole cataloque. The idea is just followed through in such a perfect imperfect way that I cannot imagine it being improved by any changes.
And if you don't sleep on ordering this germ from Raubbau Records for an eternity, you might still get the edition which comes with a slim little bonus...
KING DUDE - Smoke On The Water (7" flexidisc) (2024)
No, it's not Deep Purple. Get your decenniums right! "Smoke On The Water" was written by Earl Nunn and Zeke Clements back in 1944 and this anti-fascist war song is very much a product of its time:
With two and a half minutes it's quiet a short one even compared to the rest of the "Songs of the 1940s", and with its minimal palm-muted guitar it's also one of the most raw tracks of this bunch. That and the direct World War II content, which sets it apart from the rest of the cowboys / women / whiskey stuff probably made it a good choice to be featured on this nice transparent flexi disc, which comes with a cardboard inlay.
Even though I found at least my copy quiete respectable, this medium of course isn't known for the highest audio quality and there are definitely more loud pops and noises than there would be on vinyl. But given the low-fi aesthetics of the recordings it really doesn't matter. No, this is cool.
You are sceptical of any war propaganda and have doubts about this especially regarding how things ultimately went down in Japan and such? Well, I can assure you that it feels historical enough that it won't make you spontanously take up arms against any kraut, wop or [insert respective racial slur here].
If you want to apply the song to a modern context anyway, please stick to the the first verse:
"Hirohito, 'long with Hitler, will be ridin' on a rail
Mussolini'll beg for mercy; as a leader he has failed
There'll be no time for pity when the screamin' eagles flies
It will be the end of Axis, they must answer with their lives"
With two and a half minutes it's quiet a short one even compared to the rest of the "Songs of the 1940s", and with its minimal palm-muted guitar it's also one of the most raw tracks of this bunch. That and the direct World War II content, which sets it apart from the rest of the cowboys / women / whiskey stuff probably made it a good choice to be featured on this nice transparent flexi disc, which comes with a cardboard inlay.
Even though I found at least my copy quiete respectable, this medium of course isn't known for the highest audio quality and there are definitely more loud pops and noises than there would be on vinyl. But given the low-fi aesthetics of the recordings it really doesn't matter. No, this is cool.
You are sceptical of any war propaganda and have doubts about this especially regarding how things ultimately went down in Japan and such? Well, I can assure you that it feels historical enough that it won't make you spontanously take up arms against any kraut, wop or [insert respective racial slur here].
If you want to apply the song to a modern context anyway, please stick to the the first verse:
"There will be a sad day comin' for the foes of all mankind
They must answer to the people and it’s troubling their mind
Everybody who must fear them will rejoice on that great day
When the powers of dictators shall be taken all away"
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