If you want a happy life...
... You could do worse than seeking out some of the stuff Geoff Berner, ashkenazic-Canadian punk accordeonist and the one and only Whiskey Rabbi, has been doing over the past few years. He might even be making an appearance near you over the next few weeks, and it's at live gigs that the man's inspired insolence comes across best. Although the material tends to be smegging hilarious all by itself, gigs are even better, due to the running commentary on both the songs themselves, the venues, and whatever happens to be deemed deserving of a mention at the time.
If you can't make it to a live performance, I'd suggest starting with his 2005 Whiskey Rabbi album - here's a link to the title track. From what I've heard of his latest, The Wedding Dance of the Widow Bride, it's somewhat less accessible - angry rather than funny, though tracks like the eponymous* Widow Bride and Can't Stay Dry are pure gold with a pH of at least 13**.
He popped by Park Transwijk last week to brighten up the Counter Culture Festival, and I'm still not sure whether to be ashamed or proud of the fact that, thanks to my (generally dormant) madd hunting 'n' gathering skillz and a 50-cents-per-cup deposit refundable at the bar, I left the festival with some €11 more than I'd brought along.
Also, more gangly Gallic countertenorial goodness! Can I get an "aw+", ladies and gentlemen?
* Man, I'd been wanting to use that words for ages...
** That is, pretty smegging caustic.
If you can't make it to a live performance, I'd suggest starting with his 2005 Whiskey Rabbi album - here's a link to the title track. From what I've heard of his latest, The Wedding Dance of the Widow Bride, it's somewhat less accessible - angry rather than funny, though tracks like the eponymous* Widow Bride and Can't Stay Dry are pure gold with a pH of at least 13**.
He popped by Park Transwijk last week to brighten up the Counter Culture Festival, and I'm still not sure whether to be ashamed or proud of the fact that, thanks to my (generally dormant) madd hunting 'n' gathering skillz and a 50-cents-per-cup deposit refundable at the bar, I left the festival with some €11 more than I'd brought along.
Also, more gangly Gallic countertenorial goodness! Can I get an "aw+", ladies and gentlemen?
* Man, I'd been wanting to use that words for ages...
** That is, pretty smegging caustic.