Very good piece. Thanks for this. I had never even heard of Tarnation. They definitely have the sepulchral quality in common with Chris Isaak. The Poe connection was dead on. They remind me a little of Fairport Convention and X, and the novel "The Auctioneer" by Jane Samson. Chris Isaak is fascinating because he seem to exist on an alternate universe where it's perpetually 1962 and Elvis hasn't returned from the army-- just disappeared in Germany, and the Beatles don't even exist. Unlike most neo-rockabilly performers he 's very unironic and just plays rockabilly in 1996 as if it's the most natural thing in the world. "Somebody's Crying" is excellent--I feel a bit of Buddy Holly in that one.
Very good piece. Thanks for this. I had never even heard of Tarnation. They definitely have the sepulchral quality in common with Chris Isaak. The Poe connection was dead on. They remind me a little of Fairport Convention and X, and the novel "The Auctioneer" by Jane Samson. Chris Isaak is fascinating because he seem to exist on an alternate universe where it's perpetually 1962 and Elvis hasn't returned from the army-- just disappeared in Germany, and the Beatles don't even exist. Unlike most neo-rockabilly performers he 's very unironic and just plays rockabilly in 1996 as if it's the most natural thing in the world. "Somebody's Crying" is excellent--I feel a bit of Buddy Holly in that one.
Just noticed the "Ushering" in....nice! Can't believe I missed that at first. I am getting old.
Sorry--it's Joan Samson not Jane.