Jim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
Guitar fans are probably aware of Henry Kaiser's collaborations with drumme… Read Full Bio ↴Guitar fans are probably aware of Henry Kaiser's collaborations with drummer John French, but here he is with the unrelated Jim French in a late-'70s production that is notable mostly because it is one of the earliest recordings of extreme vocalist Diamanda Galas. Jim French's saxophone abilities were highly touted at the time, especially by Kaiser in his producer/A&R persona. Galas would make very few other appearances with free improvisers in a collaboratory capacity, especially music such as this, which is totally divorced from her own philosophical world view. Another such collaboration, although not involving improvisers, is her appearance on the soundtrack to the Wes Craven film Serpent & the Rainbow.
French is no slouch on the soprano and the even squealier sopranino sax, and also plays a few other somewhat more primitive horns. Galas and Kaiser both have well-deserved reputations as dynamic players. Yet what could have been a much more exciting album is hampered by a kind of calling card mentality. The first side in particular, featuring French in a series of solos, sounds like a tape someone would submit to a music school in hopes of acceptance. Which the saxophonist would get, most likely, after demonstrating his ability to play ragtime, classic blues, Sardinian folk music, and his own compositions. The chances of anyone listening to this side more than once are close to nil, since very little of this music is developed or delivered with any amount of feeling. Listeners moving toward the second side with hopes of hearing the trio unleashed will also be disappointed. The three musicians only perform together for a total of seven minutes. Some of the duet combinations are pleasant -- there is even a track with Galas and Kaiser, the saxophonist sitting out. With the amount of recorded material available from both the vocalist and guitarist, however, only a completist would want to scour for this particular side. As for French, he hasn't done that much as a soloist since this record was released.
French is no slouch on the soprano and the even squealier sopranino sax, and also plays a few other somewhat more primitive horns. Galas and Kaiser both have well-deserved reputations as dynamic players. Yet what could have been a much more exciting album is hampered by a kind of calling card mentality. The first side in particular, featuring French in a series of solos, sounds like a tape someone would submit to a music school in hopes of acceptance. Which the saxophonist would get, most likely, after demonstrating his ability to play ragtime, classic blues, Sardinian folk music, and his own compositions. The chances of anyone listening to this side more than once are close to nil, since very little of this music is developed or delivered with any amount of feeling. Listeners moving toward the second side with hopes of hearing the trio unleashed will also be disappointed. The three musicians only perform together for a total of seven minutes. Some of the duet combinations are pleasant -- there is even a track with Galas and Kaiser, the saxophonist sitting out. With the amount of recorded material available from both the vocalist and guitarist, however, only a completist would want to scour for this particular side. As for French, he hasn't done that much as a soloist since this record was released.
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01Looks Could KillJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
02Pillow TalkJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
03Having A PartyJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
04Envelope PleaseJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
05Horses In TroubleJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
06Flag DayJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
07The Human Fancier's DelightJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
08Nobody Knows YouJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
09SaltarelloJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry KaiserJim French with Diamanda Galás & Henry Kaiser
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We have lyrics for these tracks by Henry Kaiser:
The Needle and the Damage Done/Tonight's the Night I caught you knockin' at my cellar door I love you,…
Words Someone and someone were down by the pond Looking for someth…