New Release from Jefferson Pilot: Recordeo

Recordeo is the new release from Jefferson Pilot (aka my brother). It's a suite, a collection of interconnected songs typical in its mixture of "lo-fi" rock and pop tinged with atonal effects, found sounds, and unusual voicings, and untypical in its interwoven themes and topics. Recordeo deals with ornithology: not with the Charlie Parker type of bird, but with the characteristics of birds in flight, birds being watched, the act of flying, and our family. I say the latter because the suite features our mom on piano, playing a hauntingly beautiful piece from the 1920s (laced with occasional cymbal flourishes and mysterious embellishments) on "Recital," and our dad, recorded in 1941 (using the Recordio) when he was 10 or 11, his voice high and unbroken, coming down through the years and providing the foundation for a exotica-tinged percussion piece.

There are also appearances by "J. Pilot" reading his poetry, first with avant-garde backing (by the Troubled Youth Orchestra?) and then by himself, saying to the audience, "Thank you both for staying on." The poetry itself speaks of falling skies, flying birds, and men in flight (tiny astronauts). The music reflects this in its tonal shifting and in the subtle changes of sonic atmosphere and voice manipulation heard throughout the suite. Like so much of Jefferson Pilot's music, the slower songs create moods never experienced before, all in service of the theme. We even get an ode to the rufous-sided towhee, with the use of a loping cockeyed Sun Ra-esque drum machine/synth line (think "Constellation" on Media Dreams) supplied by Lucas & Corey, and backing vocals reminiscent of John and Paul's on the Stones' "We Love You." 

I can't pretend to be unbiased on this, but I love this album. I think it's one of Jefferson Pilot's strongest efforts: great tunes, tribal drums, a flowing concept, and subtly psychedelic touches--it's a gas to listen to.