His previous album : Taking Up Serpents Again, has been critically acclaimed. Why ? Curtis Eller is billed as the world’s angriest banjo player/yodeler… And for sure, back in 2004, no one expected such an intense collection of compositions from a guy “who started his show-business career at the age of seven as a juggler and acrobat in the Hiller Olde Tyme Circus in Detroit”.
If you missed this album, be sure to be around by March 25th, Curtis Eller will released his third full length : ‘Wirewalkers & Assassins‘.
Artist : Curtis Eller
Label : American Circus Record.
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
It is my particular pleasure to announce the release of the new CD by…
Curtis Eller’s American Circus
“Wirewalkers & Assassins”
Order the CD online here:
http://www.curtiseller.com
This time Mr. Eller presents 10 original compositions about John Wilkes Booth, Joe Louis, Jack Ruby, Boss Tweed, Richard Nixon and the Hartford circus fire of 1944 (as well as the usual references to Elvis Presley and drunken Civil War generals). As always, sporadic yodeling and some strong language should be expected.
The band features the talents of:
Chris Moore, “Joebass” DeJarnette, Gary Langol, Liisa Yonker, Marilee Eitner, Gerald Menke, Amy Kohn & Rima Fand
(Artwork by Jamie B. Wolcott)
Visit the website to order the CD and see a complete tour schedule!
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Curtis Eller’s American Circus
http://www.curtiseller.com
CURTIS ELLER’S AMERICAN CIRCUS
WIREWALKERS & ASSASSINS
From the first track to the last, this batch of songs by banjois Curtis Eller is his hardest hitting release to date. Like his previous full length album “Taking Up Serpents Again”, this album is sure to please the Americana buff with a hankerin’ for gutsy singing and crafted lyrics. Subjects like circus fires, assassins on the run, wirewalking, the greed of the well-to-do, and cries for help from the gas chamber are just a small example of the wealth of vocally illustrated lyrics on this record.
A great mix of songs from straight up rock, to Civil War era tunes, to slapback echo that could have come straight from the Sun recording studio circa 1956, Eller quenches the thirst of many, but leaves you pressing “Play All” over and over again. This time, to go along with his basic band, violin is a welcome addition to a few tracks. Some amazing lap and pedal steel playing really make “After the Soil Fails” and “Sweatshop Fire” shine, and of course, the tremendously strong background vocals we come to expect with each album, are there in fine form.
Favorite tracks include “Save Me Joe Louis”, “The Curse of Cain”, “Sweatshop Fire”, and his sweet dedication to his daughter “Daisy Josephine”. Each track is fantastic on it’s own, but the whole album is recommended as a terrific work of song craftsmanship.