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| Danny Chaimson Bares His 'Young Blood, Old Soul' Danny Chaimson, a fearsomely talented keyboardist who gained acclaim for his work with artists including The Southland, Kelis, and Soul Coughing's Mike Doughty, has completed work on his debut album, 'Young Blood, Old Soul'. Out August 11, 2009, via Cold Classic Records, the new release matches eleven tracks of tight, often irresistibly head-nodding tunes with an acerbic lyrical theme reminiscent of Randy Newman, albeit with the backbeat of 'Right Place' era Dr. John. A Chicago native, Chaimson moved to LA in his early 20s, and returned to his home city not long after completing this record, and several songs here chronicle Chaimson's sardonic take on West Coast life, like his semi-ironic praise of the success of the beautiful and empty-headed on the album's slithery and bouncy "Bobblehead Girl". The expansive and infectious "L.A. L.A." is both a tribute and breakup song to that metropolis, and may serve as the musical and spiritual centerpiece of the album, with Chaimson matching an epic chorus to a set of wry lyrics that might have resonated with Benjamin Braddock on his graduation day. In short: he's sick of the plastic, so he's taking his funk and going back to sweet home Chicago, with L.A. the poorer for it. Musically, however, 'Young Blood, Old Soul' is a dose of pure, loose fun. Chaimson and his The 11th Hour are musician's musicians, with credits as varied as CAKE, De La Soul and Alicia Keys. Here, they get to cut loose. Track after track lays down grooves as fat as a Chicago alderman, with melodies that smooth out, break down, and build to a frenzy (most notably in the furious final minutes of "Charlie Goodtimes") seemingly of their own accord. Next up for Chaimson and The 11th Hour is a headlining show at L.A.'s Hotel Café on May 14, with a full set of summer dates (including several major festivals) to be announced shortly. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |