And while I'm on the subject of things New Zealand, a big shout out to me old mucker Alun Breward, who was kind enough to take the time to send me a nicely photocopied (reduced to save paper- we like that) article from NZ magazine the Listener about David Kilgour. I can't recall ever having actually read much about Kilgour, believe it or not, so it was good to have the opportunity to vicariously catch up with the man for a few minutes.
And if anyone has earned the right to spend their days sitting on the verandah of their secluded weatherboard house, contemplating whether to take the board out to catch a few waves, or whether to strum a few chords instead, it is David Kilgour, founder member of the Clean, perhaps the most influential band this side of the Velvet Underground; shortlived Chill; part-time Pop Art Toaster; part-time member of Yo La Tengo; and one of the finest guitarists and tunesmiths I can think of. His latest solo release continues to elude me, but the previous four come highly recommended. You can (and should) start anywhere, really.
Mind you, I am somewhat puzzled by a quote in the article from film-maker Bridget Sutherland (who is making a documentary about Kilgour), who calls "Here Come The Cars", Kilgour's stripped-back, sparkling solo debut, the closest New Zealand has come to a "Blonde on Blonde". How so? It's nowhere near double-album length; contains no canine-trauma-inducing harmonica solos, and is not (yet) a certifiable stone cold classic record, instantly recognisable by anyone anywhere. Yes, perhaps on one or two songs Kilgour sings in a style that might be called "Dylanesque", except that more often than not "Dylanesque" is merely a code word for "can't sing". Which isn't true at all in Kilgour's case; his voice might be limited, but he knows his limitations and works them to advantage. (In fact, a closer reference point than "Blonde on Blonde" might be "Electrical Storm", the first solo release by Ed Kuepper, someone else whose voice might sink more ships than it launches, but for whom that doesn't mean a damn.)
Oh what the heck, here is "You Forget", taken from "Here Come The Cars", just to give you a taste of the superior Dunedin sound:
David Kilgour, "You Forget".
Released on Flying Nun, at least in New Zealand, in 1991. Try Smoke.
