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03/03/2004 Tandy for Beginners
Tandy’s high profile friends and guests on their albums include Townes Van Zandt, Jim White, Kelly Willis and Dave Van Ronk. In the UK, the band are a favourite on Bob Harris's Radio 2 show. In the States, they have toured as support to the likes of Gillian Welch and Steve Earle. The band includes Drew Glackin, on all manner of guitars n things, Scott Yoder on bass, and new member Bruce Martin, on drums and keyboards. Glackin (an outstanding guitarist) is presently a member of The Silos and has played with the Crash Test Dummies, Susan Tedeschi and Hazeldine (amongst many others), whilst Yoder was part of Amy Rigby’s band and plays on albums by the likes of Howe Gelb and Tim Carroll. Martin is better known as a producer/player for the Tom Tom Club. In the past, the band has also included the talents of Sibel Firat (Mary Lee’s Corvette, Crowsdell and Pavement) on cello, fiddler Miss Darlene and, until last year, Irishman Tom McCrum, on drums and harmony vocals. Their sound is an organic melange of acoustic guitars, lap steel, mandolin, harmonica and accordion. Firat, whilst not part of the band any more, is usually on hand to supply her cello into the mix on albums. Tandy have released six outstanding albums, four on their own Yellow Slipper Records, their debut through Tomato, and a “Best Of…” collection, on Gammon Records. In the UK they can be ordered through Shellshocked distributors (just ask at your local record emporium), but Mike Ferrio is very proficient at sending out product, so don’t be afraid to order via their web site (see below). So, which Tandy album should you choose? I recommend the collection “The Lowdown: 1997 - 2002” and their latest, the beautifully packaged “To A Friend.” You get 16 cuts on “The Lowdown” (including 2 new songs), all are worthy of the title “Best Of.” Opening with the strident, menacing and bluesy “Fidelis”, featuring stinging bottleneck from Glackin and Tom McCrum’s growling vocals, the quality bar is raised high and never comes down. The lyrically dense “District Doctor” is a live favourite and a version can be heard on the band's web site. “Pictures Of China” features all the hallmarks of Ferrio’s writing; a highly personal and intelligently lyrical snapshot of his childhood that most people can engage with. Ferrio’s Noo Yawk/Dylan-ish voice and wheezy harmonica contribute much to the band's overall sound and is amply demonstrated on “Bright Brown”, which also features Firat and Miss Darlene. The folksy and enigmatic solo guitar/vocal “New Candy Necklace” is a Ferrio masterpiece of yearning and lovely imagery, whilst “Shine” (with Kelly Willis) has hit single written all over it, a sing-a-long chorus with appealing boy/girl harmonies and shimmering beauty. Best of all is the achingly beautiful “Truth Is Better Than A Lie", with Glackin’s delicate guitar and Ferrio’s whispered vocal and unusual phrasing: a masterful piece of mood music. The band's latest album, “To A Friend”, is an understated classic; quiet and reflective with fine musicianship marking the debut of Bruce Martin in Tandy’s ranks. The album is a limited edition and for the price you get a gatefold sleeve, a signed photo, glitter-sticker and a handsome lyric booklet featuring Ferrio’s dreamy photographs, as well as an enhanced portion of the CD featuring a lovely, impressionistic video. Tandy tour Britain regularly. Having seen the band in various guises over the past few years, I can strongly recommend them, especially to anyone who likes intelligent, well-crafted lyrics, quality musicianship and a belief in their music by the band themselves. Tandy are up there amongst the best gigs I’ve attended. One magical evening (at a small pub in Durham City) vies with The Waterboys vintage 1989 (“Fisherman’s Blues”) tour, and Richard & Danny Thompson in 1995, as the finest gig I’ve witnessed. In fact, I'd put that the Tandy gig in Durham at the very top of my pile. Tandy online: www.yellowslipper.com (c) Mike Ollier 2004
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