Doug

Uncle Bonsai [with the Electric Bonsai Band & Mel Cooleys]

1999: Yellow Tail Records YT-10010

1. Doug’s Birthday Song
2. Doug Goes to Town
3. Doug Gets Married
4. Doug’s Divorce: Part Two
5. Doug at His Mom’s
6. Doug at the Gates of Hell (Epilogue)
   (Electric Bonsai Band)
7. Doug’s First Job
   (Electric Bonsai Band)
8. Doug at Home
   (Mel Cooleys)
9. Delilah Gets Married
   (Mel Cooleys)
10. Doug’s Divorce: Preamble (Doug and the TV: Part Two)
    (Mel Cooleys)
11. Doug Engaged
    (Mel Cooleys)
12. Doug’s First Date
    (Uncle Bonsai w/Mel Cooleys)
13. Doug’s Greatest Christmas Ever
    (Uncle Bonsai w/Mel Cooleys)

On first listen I probably reacted to this as most people did: “huh???” It took many, many hearings to appreciate what was presented, and even then not all of the songs hit evenly or even hit at all. But most of them now have their place in my sonic landscape, and some of them are in the display case where I keep the most beautiful artifacts. Of the latter, again not necessarily on first listen, but probably in increasing order of impact: “Doug’s Divorce: Part Two,” “Doug Gets Married,” “Doug’s First Date,” “Doug Engaged.” The last is like some sneaky spell that just builds and builds in power, albeit within the context of basic acoustic performance. “Doug’s First Date” would be an easy tosser if it weren’t for its “first an acorn, then a tree” spine, but with it it’s such a complex leaf that I have to reconsider it every time I hear it.

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Comments © 2005 Mark Ellis Walker, except as noted, and no claim is made to the images and quoted lyrics.