THE CIRCUS IN FLAMES
The Circus in Flames
Independent
available on CD Baby
This is one of the finest, and most different discs, I have run across in a long time. My initial reaction was not to review it because I didn't care for what I was hearing, however due to my being too lazy to remove it from the changer, I listened to it more, and it suddenly opened up on me. If you think of crossing Tom Waits with The Band, and have them play a punk country blues grass music, you might come close to their sound. The Circus is lead by Doug Andrew who contributes lead vocal and guitar, as well as writing or co-writing 11 of the 12 songs. His songs seem to reflect the person in the street who has been to a good party and is glad to be in the company of his friends who are also feeling the same way. You just don't know what mind set the group will take or what prank that might decide to pull. They are out for a good time and their playing rather than being flawless reflects the joy and love of their friendship and love of playing. It is an overall good time disc that now stays on my player because I want it there, not because I am too lazy to take it off. Here is the address to order a copy, which I would strongly urge the more adventurous of you to do, it is well worth it. Take a chance and runaway and join - The Circus in Flames / P. O. Box 74532 / 2803 West 4th Ave. / Vancouver, B.C. Canada / V6K 4P4
Songs, times, writers - All songs by Doug Andrew except where noted
1. Down On The Fraser - 5:15
2. Leave Me Stranded - 3:45
3. Middle of the Night - 4:44 - Doug Andrew/Craig Miller
4. Helmut - 3:47
5. Waiting For A Train - 3:09 - Jimmy Rogers
6. Good Night, Good Night (A Drunken Lullaby) - 6:31 - Doug Andrew/Brian Thalken
7. Orange Veil - 4:56
8. Gasoholic - 5:03
9. The Cliffs - 3:42
10. The Freak Show - 3:36 - Doug Andrew/Craig Miller
11. Live Wire (On The Freeway) - 4:41
12. One More Day - 3:19 -
Musicians -
Bernie Addington - upright bass
Doug Andrew - vocal, guitar
Brian Barr - mandolin, backing vocal
Mark Brichon - tenor and slide banjo
Everett Raeburn - drums, backing vocal
Rodney James Wawryk - accordion, backing vocal, tambourine, egg
Produced by - Doug Andrew and Brian Barr