Gandalf Murphy and The

Slambovian Circus of Dreams

"The Great Unravel"

2008 Slambovian Music

Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is an unusually long name for an unusually unique band. Their music transcends boundaries not only of musical genres but also of those between the cosmos and ourselves. This family of musicians embodies the very essence of enlightenment and rides along with us on the leading edge, revealing us to ourselves; while helping us to sing and dance ourselves right out of the doldrums and into our envisioned joys.

"The Great Unravel" is their latest CD of 12 original songs all written by mastermind and lead singer Joziah Longo. If you took Bob Dylan, his poignant prose and harmonica, then added some Pink Floyd, Nirvana and Ian Anderson's flute, you'd come close to what The Circus sounds like. This CD is a mix of loving, empowering and inspiring lyrics with gentle rhythms and polished instrumentation that's truly alive. This New York based band's mostly-Folk fans are as fanatical about this Circus as are sports fans with painted blue bodies; they are addicted to the natural high one reaches when immersed in something that's so extraordinary. Until you're fortunate enough to see them in person, catch this CD and take a ride.

Admittedly, Joziah is aided by his ancestors who "send songs down whole" to him – which could explain why so many of them seem to have a supernatural power to transport the listener to a state of being that’s “out of this world”. Here he leads off singing "Desire" a cappella mentioning the ghosts right off the bat. He's joined by his wife, Tink Lloyd, a feisty and demure beauty who plays an endless list of instruments including the accordion, cello and theremin. Sharkey McEwen, let's the light shine through his genius of both producing their CDs and his musical offerings. He's riveting on guitar and mandolin with brazen riffs that fly off into the atmosphere taking your heart along with it. Tony Zuzolo holds steady on the drums, filling the background with a rich fullness like the white chocolate panache on a slice of cheesecake. Adding a cherry or two on top, twins Chen and Orion have followed their parents on stage playing bass and various percussion/ keyboards, respectively. It's a family affair that entertains kids of all ages and will entice the child inside of you out to play, if you let it.

"The Great Unravel" causes you to question all you think is true, and makes you wonder about our place in time and the significance of these few years before 2012. "Everyone Has A Broken Heart" is actually a sing-along which can lift you out of the blues if you do sing along, and "Light A Way" tenderly encourages us to use our inner spirit to lead others (and ourselves) to our dreams and fuller selves. "Naniwan", sung mostly in Chinese, was written for their debut in China, when they were the first band allowed in after a 20-year ban of Western musicians, while "Bobby's Kinda Dumb" reveals a humorous streak. "Already Broken" can also be found on Sir Paul McCartney's CD "Familiar Mysteries" put out in 2002 by The Garland Appeal. Their aim is to fight cancer through music, being inspired by the life of Linda McCartney. The songs on this CD, along with all of the music by Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, offer a therapeutic effect, and can "Heal what ails ya".

You've got to experience the whole effect to feel it, so listen often and take the moments of excitement and joy from a live concert back home with you for everyday revival. www.slambovia.com

- Anne-Marie Cannata

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