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***Inner city folk blues. Campfire music for the third millennium. Beach tunes for young winos and veteran freight hoppers. Light some candles, dim the lights, pour yourself a tall one. Sit on a stoop. Pet dogs. Play basketball. It's Always Been There is the debut album from Gresham, a long-awaited follow-up to 1999's critically acclaimed "Far From Under" 12-inch (out of print). Eleven powerful songs from the heart and soul, deceptively simple, instantly endearing, featuring a who's-who of the incestuous SF music scene: jackass-about-town and pro-skateboarding legend Tommy Guerrero (MoWax, Galaxia, Function 8) on bass and guitar; Tim DeGaugh (Jet Black Crayon) on drums; Arthur Liboon (ex-Mordred) on bass; Sam Bass (Deadweight) on cello; Gregg Galbreathe on Rhodes; Rich Millman (Zen Guerilla) on guitar; and label chief Gadget on production, drums, programming and scratches. A twenty-something cat singing with a vulnerable intensity like he's a thousand years years old, Gresham is a holy fool. A Persian cowboy flying high across the West on a Sleek Yellow Dolphin, commanding stages big and small with the arresting presence of Abe Vigoda channeling Janis Joplin with a dash of Jello Biafra. God love him. Born in Los Angeles to a typical American family of foreigners, weaned on Iranian dinners, Irish culture and Sunset Strip Rock & Roll. He was lured to San Francisco by rumors of blatant debauchery and full moon dance parties on the beaches above Santa Cruz. Think RZA meets Bon Scott at Reggae on the River, with guitars. Well, the new millennium is here, the Holy Fool has finally made good in the studio, and here he comes. Get ready for the high madness in your ear holes and the Amazing Flying Dolphin Circus, coming to your plateau soon. |
