GANDALF MURPHY & THE SLAMBOVIAN CIRCUS OF DREAMS: A Good Thief Tips His Hat

Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

A Good Thief Tips His Hat

© 1999 Slambovian Records (798398000022)

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Raggedy-ass hillbilly punk-floyd folk pop with primitive classical elements and spooky surreal overtones.

tracks

1 Genius
2 Silent Revolution
3 Radio
4 My Girl
5 Someday
6 Slambovia
7 Never Fit
8 Alice in Space
9 Good Thief
10 Circus of Dreams
11 Already Broken

notes

"A GOOD THIEF TIPS HIS HAT" was voted "ALBUM OF THE YEAR" in Rhythm & News Readers Poll 2000 and picked as one of the "BEST ALBUMS OF 1999" by Mixx Magazine. "Eerie yet jovial", this description best sums up their music- raggedy-ass hillbilly punk-floyd folk pop with primitive classical elements and spooky surreal overtones.

These Sleepy Hollow legends draw on the dark mysticism of the Hudson Valley and serve it up with poignant humour, catchy hooks, seductive vocals and hauntingly beautiful songs that go straight to the heart. This music can heal what ails ya. Destined to be a classic...

"I have rarely seen a new group crash upon the scene with as much impact as this group has. This here record is one big winner in my book." - George Fletcher, Rhythm & News Magazine

"Joziah is an awesome songwriter." - Garth Hudson of 'The Band'

"This band is a knockout...they were as fascinating to watch as they were to hear." - Roger Straub, The Trumpeter

Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams is: Lead singer/songwriter Joziah Longo-guitar and harmonica Tink Lloyd-accordion, cello and vocals Sharkey McEwen-guitars, mandolin, vocals Tony Zuzulo-drums

reviews

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  • Amazing!!
    author: ed Hazell

    We just had the band at the Pa Great Green America Fest, at Mt Hope home of the Pa Ren Faire! I was hooked on one song. Sadly I was working the fest and only heard bits and pieces, but it was enough to order two Cds. What a great investment! I hope we see more of these guys here. amazing sound!!

  • best band i've heard in years!
    author: gmoney16.1

    Went to see The Circus knowing nothing about them, left totally in awe. Best band I've ever heard since 4 guys from Liverpool made some noise back in the '60s. Admire them for not "selling out" & staying true to their dreams. Only question is can they top "Flapjacks"!! Awesome!!!!!!!

  • More acoustic and more complex than than their Puppet House live CD.
    author: Blaze

    More acoustic and a bit more complex than than their live Puppet House CD, which I love too, this studio-recorded effort offers combinations of sounds heard nowhere else and clearer renditions of the lyrics, though lacking the enganging live commentary by lead singer and songwriter Josiah. Buy them all!

  • best band i've seen ,since the beatles
    author: cousin ant

    i have flap jack and the live cd they are really really great,people stop me in the car and ask what cd i have on, this happens alot live in fl ,windows are open all the time sorry took so much space just had to tell everyone

  • been around a long time ,best i ever listen too
    author: cousin anthony

    all the songs are great alice in space is my best one and then again they are all great

  • early GANDALF makes a listener want more and the CIRCUS delivers
    author: lenny devo

    I went in reverse: first saw the CIRCUS at an intimate place in VT. recently and had to have the early stuff as well. The songwriting is creative and solid backed by fine musical ability at all stations. There is lovely tipping of the hat to the BEATLES, Floyd, Dead, Hendrix, Petty and it just seems to all fit in its own uniqueness. The accordian adds the right flair, mood and the band can go softly or demonstratively into that good good night.....i am off to see them in Pa. this friday....yeah, that good.

  • Gandalf rocks!
    author: Mick Gray

    This band is so great! I LOVE this stuff! This guy is the heir apparent to Neil Diamond! His band rocks like Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and the songwriting is amazing... BUY THIS DISC!!!

  • Fantastic and original music!
    author: Lisette

    Highly original with intelligent lyrics, melodies, and instrument-playing. I've listened to this CD repeatedly and it keeps getting better with each hearing. Great music of which I'm turning my family and friends on to.

  • What a great CD
    author: Robert

    Just listened to A Good Thief Tips His Hat again. This cd has brought me joy every time I listened to it. The cd blends well together and i must say that I enjoy every song on this cd. It is well produced. I can wait to see them in person one day.

  • An original CD from an original band
    author: Zenguy1213

    If only the rock and roll media would play this CD. This band would be huge!!!

  • Caught you guys on WPKN.
    author: Bob Tracey

    After hearing two members of the band playing unplugged on WPKN I ordered this CD and I was not disappointed. The songs are great and has a really fresh sound.

  • It was as Great as I thought it would be, I saw you Live in Startford!!!
    author: David Warren Marchbank

    I am Not a writer, Im not sure why this CD isnt one of the top selling cd's presently or when it came out! It brings me back to when Musicians and Songwriters were really writing Songs!

  • WOW Powerful
    author: Union Painter

    Never Fit..it spends a wide group of people young and old.A powerful song from the hart.

  • Awesome to see in person
    author: Grumpy

    This group has what it takes to make it big. The CD was well produced.

  • wondrous and revolutionary dream circus thrills and chills
    author: Janos Rosenthal

    wow. i saw Joziah and Sharkey in the Hudson Valley and was immediately won over by their musicianship and vision. i was not prepared for the concept album that I purchased here just days ago and which been on almost continuously since it arrived. this band is doing important things lyrically and musically but they are so unpretentious that you might not see just how much what they do matters. i'm more excited about this debut than a hundred Dave Matthews releases. there's grand doings here. do not miss. buy at once for the good of your soul.

  • Excellent writing, quirky, hard to describe style.
    author: Mike Estep

    I purchased this cd, checking out cdbabys service for my own band. Based my choice on hearing the song Radio. Since receiving it, "a good thief tips his hat" has resided in my player. Excellent writing, quirky, hard to describe style. Definately check out Radio, Never Fit, Good Thief and Already Broken!

  • author: colorformed1

    this is truly an amazing cd, a must have for anyone seriously into what songwriting and musicianship is all about. let the "slambovian circus" surround you for a while, it's a great world to get lost in!!!! andrew del colorformed http://cdbaby.com/colorformed http://www.mp3.com/colorformed

  • author: Reno Bo

    Rhythm and News Magazine July 1999 Pick of the Month **** (out of 5) Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams " A Good Thief Tips His Hat " Slambovian Records by Reno Bo If CDs came with instruction booklets, this one's should read: Set 56 minutes aside, put on yer headphones and enter the world of Sleepy Hollow, NY's Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The basis for this record is well-crafted, hook-laden, pop songwriting. Absent is the formulaic studio sheen associated with mainstream rock acts today. The songs on "A Good Thief" capture the organic, genuine quality of its makers. On many tracks, song-writer Joziah Longo gives you a taste of some Slambovian philosophy. "Silent Revolution" alludes to an otherworldly rendezvous where Gandalf rubs elbows with "John, Kurt, and Jimi," hoping to bring some of the conversation to the rest of us back home. On the CD's opening track, they warn that "genius always rides on a rollercoaster / it'll toast ya / weenie roast ya." Other tracks like "My Girl" and "Never Fit" are simple, introspective probes most of us can relate to. "A Good Thief..." is an eery yet jovial sounding record, at times evoking the sparing acoustic aura heard on side one of Neil Young's "After the Goldrush." Gandalf Murphy falls into the same category such versatile bands like the Doors or Jane's Addiction do. Their sound is highly developed and uniquely personal; a combination of collective chemistry and pop sensibility. There's a certain something you just can't describe but want to hear more of. Sonic embellishments are courtesy of accordionist Tink Lloyd, guitarist Sharkey McEwen and drummer Tony Zuzulo. If this record were put into a time capsule and opened in 3056, the poor souls who find it will have a hard time linking it to a certain decade - or century for that matter. The record is sprinkled with just enough freak-outs and Beefheart-y sound effects to make each listen a scavenger hunt for sonic pleasures hiding the songs. Like a 100-year-old folk tale, "A Good Thief..." will sound just as good with age and will most likely be as relevant. Forget Ichabod Crane, Gandalf Murphy is the new Legend of Sleepy Hollow. For more info, write to Slambovian Records, PO Box 950, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510, or hit their website at www.slambovia.com.

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