Semi-OT: VDP's 2008 Work w/ Inara George

[the captain]

I realize this isn't quite on topic, but it's not quite off, either. Feel free to move it, mods, if you want. But I received a week or so ago my advance of the forthcoming "Inara George with Van Dyke Parks" (that's how it's credited) album An Invitation and want to bring people's attention to it. Inara is the daughter the late Lowell George (Mothers of Invention and Little Feat), and this is her second solo album; she also is a part of Bird and the Bee. This album features her songs and arrangements entirely by VDP: almost exclusively chamber arrangements, with just a little bit of nylon-string and acoustic guitar here and there. It's really good music, and accessible, too--don't be afraid of VDP! Van Dyke told me "it was simply the most enjoyable experience I've had in arranging." You can hear three of the songs on her myspace,  http://www.myspace.com/inarageorge (they are the top three). I love this album: it's like a Disney soundtrack beneath really good pop songs. Entirely enjoyable. It will be released in the U.S. on August 12.

[The Heartical Don]

Thank you Luther! -
noted with great joy. Didn't know about it at all.

[dogear]

Good news indeed.
I'm a VDP collector and always waiting for new VDP stuff. He's been quite active lately - check out his arrangements on Replica Sun Machine by Shortwave Set, totally different from Inara's album, but also good. A couple of weeks ago I came across the VDP produced Spooked album by Marley's Ghost (cover art by Robert Crumb, it that still rings a bell) again a totally different bag (shantees, traditionals and even a Dylan cover version), it was released 2006.

[RONDEMON]

Also, VDP has recently worked with Clare and The Reasons. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING stuff. Big fans of BW and very influenced by his stuff. You'll love it. "Pluto" is a new favorite of mine.
www.myspace.com/claremuldaur

[the captain]

Also, VDP has recently worked with Clare and The Reasons. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING stuff. Big fans of BW and very influenced by his stuff. You'll love it. "Pluto" is a new favorite of mine.
www.myspace.com/claremuldaur

She is great.

[chris.metcalfe]

Inara George does a great version of Little Feat's 'Trouble' on the new LF 'duets' album 'Join the Band' - which also happens to be one of the best sounding CDs I've bought in ages. Richie Hayward's drum work continues to astonish. Lovely version of 'Fat Man in the Bathtub'. Way off topic - except I discovered Little Feat at the start of 1973 - exactly the time I was listening to 'Holland', and the two kind of fitted... (suppose Brian had written songs with Lowell George...)

[dogear]

VDP produced, arranged and played piano on Inara's studio version of "Trouble" on the Lowell George tribute sampler 'Rock'n'Roll Doctor' (1997).
He fulfilled the same duties on Nicolette Larson's version on her 'In the Nick of Time' album (1979). Barrere, Payne and Tackett are featured as the backing band on that.

[chris.metcalfe]

And of course (I've just remembered), Van Dyke Parks produced and arranged Lowell's 'Spanish Moon' from 'Feats Don't Fail Me Now'.
Actually I saw Little Feat 2 weeks ago at a UK festival. Fantastic band.

[dogear]

...and played marimba and sang backing vocals on "Cheek To Cheek" from Lowell's solo album - by the way anyone knows who's supposed to be the guy between Marlene Dietrich and Fidel Castro on the cover?

[Roger Ryan]

...by the way anyone knows who's supposed to be the guy between Marlene Dietrich and Fidel Castro on the cover?

Looks like Mr. Dylan to me.