{ Photo credits: Andy Takakjian, Beki Coagan & Laura Strand }

the explanation...

Michael Whitmore plays a nylon string guitar and some say in a very odd manner. Some figure he plays jazz or some folk-jazz aberration. Others think he's channelingsome executed 1930's avant-garde Russian composer. Still others think he's just the product of Catholic School music lessons. However, his dirty, wrecked musical likingseems to have been hatched way back when, when he briefly found refuge and sanityout in the high desert north of Los Angeles. It could have been the dusty heat or thenumerous motorcycle accidents or just the weird silence, but somehow something has never quite been the same. A native Angeleno, he seems unable to escape L.A.'s hold. Therefore by happenstance, he's become a veteran of the L.A. music scene, and has done so without the obligatory electric guitar strapped to his back. He's got a thing for baseball, Irish Whisky, dada, bass marimbas, Myrna Loy, ESP/Disk Records, feedback and sad dark songs. His favorite wordsinclude: "blather", "basura" and "callipygian".


sometimes a Some'tet...

For some time now there has existed the Some'tet, and the wide load of sound breathing within. On occasion it's a moody, sometimes edgy, often dark anddissonant band. But underneath all those layers are oddly beautiful lines and oddly enough, quiet. The new CD "Juggling The Thing of a Thing of a Thing" has the Some'tet disturbing as many musical styles as possible: cool jazz, third stream, swamp, marches, blues, psychedelia, tangos, not to mention a small dose of some pop, prog, and krautrock to pepper the aural goulash. On bass is multi-instrumentalist Damon Scharlatt, who at times also kicks in on some percussion and piano. On trumpet and flugelhorn is Max Cornell Markowitz, a young phenom and no doubt the best-dressed member ("the college kid"). Fresh from Houston Texas, and the Some'tet's resident black belt is drummer Stacy Spitzenberger. Last but not least, Paul Lacques plays lapsteel and mandolin. Formerly of The Bone Daddies, he presently leads the eclectic instrumental group Double Naught Spy Car. Others who are constantly contributing to this gypsy-like collective are fellow TrueClassical CD's recording artist, the legendary and enigmatic percussionist Danny Frankel, Heather Lockie from The Listing Ship on viola and Elizabeth Herndon from W.A.C.O. who plays trombone on the "Juggling" CD. There is also vocalist Lisa Papineau, late of the band Pet (who now leads her own trio Big Sir)who guests on several cuts on "Juggling". Other interesting points about the Some'tet; they have members born in four different decades, (the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's), and all are decidedly myopic. Another very peculiar fact, they were nominated for Best Instrumental Band for the 2000 LA Weekly Music Awards, proof once again that no one really listens to lyrics anymore.



"Juggling The Thing of a Thing of a Thing" and an explanation...

This is the new CD from Michael Whitmore, and the sequel to 1998's highly regarded "Warm in My Pocket", described in one review as: " brimming with a mysterious orchestral ambiance that at times makes the hair on your arms stand up." Whereas "Warm..." was dominated by cello and violin arrangements, "Juggling's..." instrumentation of vibes, lapsteel guitar, trumpets and trombone creates a wider and very different texture. A touch more ambience, "Juggling..." also swings more. A recent review called it: "gorgeous darkness withsubtlety aplenty".

the songs:

JANUARY:
as seductive a 56-second view of the world, full of forgery and anxious invention, you could ever want.

TURNED LEFT:
starts and ends on the side of a road, all the tedium intact, enlivened though by a touch of long distance sex under a street lamp, the moment framed by a little warbling from a passing salvation army brass band.

THROW OF THE DICE:
is all about chance & chaos. A little Duchamp, and finally the illusion of absolute control. Assume the worst will happen and act accordingly.

BOTTOM:
is just a drinking song and a certain neighborhood is the chaser. The lights are on but too many contestants still need a flashlight.

LAUDANUM & LIQUOR/LEATHER & LACE:
is based on a classic Lee Hazlewood song wrapped up in between a waddling waltz of debauchery. At a glance, as always, all is innocent.

BREATHING:
Catholicism found in the before, during, and afterlife, witnessed from the armchair of the hallelujah chorus, brandy in hand.

BLUES FOR A WALK:
is just an idea about dusting off some thoughts about old and no longer lusty thoughts.

TANGO:
could be a song about lost love, but it's not at all. It's all about having no tune to croon under a moon in June. But as luck would have it, there are always trumpets, always trumpets.

JUGGLING THE THING OF A THING OF A THING:
has no explanation, (though there is a story). And this instrumental would perfectly accompany the story that could actually use an explanation. Though names would need to be changed, faces rearranged.

YOUR MOUTH:
clearing a path through one's own psyche now has its own soundtrack.

TOSSED:
is an instrumental version of "throw of the dice" though slightly twisted, bungled, juggled with some extended guitar trickery, this one got tossed. Seven come eleven; baby needs a new pair of shoes.

As for the title JUGGLING THE THING OF A THING OF A THING, too much has already been explained, besides some of the notes explaining all this were lost during the last move.


some of the press comments about Michael Whitmore...

" A musicians musician who has remained open to new directions and continued to develop while retaining a unique and distinctive sound."
-- FluxEuropa

"Brimming with a mysterious orchestral ambiance that at times makes the hair on your arms stand up."
-- Altar Native

"...droning-yet-urgent, hypnotic-yet-angry sound, expect surprise bits of Hendrix and neo classical jazz."
--LA Reader

"The subtle hooks that are sparsely scattered through Whitmore's songs have a way of creeping into your head and prying at your heart."
-- Magnet

"Cumulatively psychedelic in its own way, great for creating a big soulful emptiness. "
--Option

"Where else can you hear an acoustic guitarist use feedback so effectively? Stand up Michael Whitmore."
--BAM

" . . . owns a rare ability to combine melody, texture and adventure, darkly demonstrated on his fine CD."
--LA Weekly

"Always intriguing, insinuating mysteries but never resolving them."
--Option

"Definitely an artist doing some very original music who deserves a lot more exposure."
-- hEARD

"Isn't it clear that artists such as guitarist Michael Whitmore must be afforded attention."
-- San Diego Reader

"The sensory overload is multi-layered and deliciously orgasmic."
--Campus Circle

"Michael Whitmore needs to be singled out for praise, he's one to watch."
--The Improvisor

"His musical outlook may be dark and brooding, but there's no trace of morbid posturing- it's a gorgeous darkness with subtlety aplenty."
--Los Angeles New Times

"(****) Nylon-string guitarist extraordinaire"
--Buzz Weekly