Have had a little trouble finding the energy to post at 6 in the morning lately - think the late deadlines at work, impending Christmas shopping stress, and bludgeoning cold temperatures and snow are taking their toll on me this week. Hope to be back to full strength in terms of posting this weekend, but for now, we invite you to check out Spanish Prisoners.For those of you unfamiliar with the band---Spanish Prisoners is a collective of musicians under the guidance of songwriter and official orchestrator, Leonid Maymind. Maymind was born in Riga, Latvia---moved to New Orleans as a child—and finally called the beautiful Mid-western state of Ohio home. The music created by Maymind is as unique and varied as the cities where he has lived.
Using an expansive arsenal of instruments (ranging from banjo, accordion, dobro, wheezing harmonica, , electronics, etc.) and an extensive cast of collaborators, Maymind’s music conjures up the quiet anger of Neil Young’s “On the Beach,” the lyrical mysticism of Leonard Cohen’s "Songs from a Room,” the oft-discussed "Basement Tapes," and the pseudo-psychotic musings of one Charles Thompson---but also shakes hands slyly with misters Malkmus and Oldham along the way. The record was recorded partly by Maymind in his bedroom, some by Jack McKeever & Jim Diamond, and in a nod to the state of Ohio, one song by Todd Tobias (Guided by Voices and Robert Pollard).
Ironically, the song we have to share hits home with us this week...
Spanish Prisoners - "Songs for the Weary"
Spanish Prisoners at Myspace