Ye gods...where to even start? I discovered Ergo Phizmiz thanks to the Music for Maniacs blog when the ever-wonderful Mr. Fab put up a download of the album Nose Points in Different Directions, and was very impressed by the opening number 'Pangolin', which seemed to be some sort of drill'n'bass song put together with samples of Jew's harp, accordion, banjo, and the like, though I didn't really give it much thought past that at the time. It wasn't until later when I discovered both his 15-hour-long album The Faust Cycle and a one-man-band rendition of Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On a Prayer', complete with a modified teapot in the rhythm section, that I started to seriously take notice. What I found was mindblowing: a one-man pop kaleidoscope, spinning out radioplays, operas, audio collage, children's music, Syd-Barrett-inspired pop, accordion-led takes of stupid radio hits from the late 90s, all being churned out at the seeming rate of an album or performance every month. The well is endless and it's neigh-perfect, it's only because I try and limit my shows to 30 minutes or so that I can't give examples of some of Ergo's more out-there works, and hopefully this taste (admittedly of his more pop-oriented stuff) will get you troweling the depths of the Free Music Archive for more. Of special note is 'Food & War', which has to be among my favorite songs now, featuring a rhythm section of handclaps, a malfunctioning cuckoo clock, and a bike horn over just some of the best 60s-style acoustic pop as you could imagine. Go listen!
1. Pangolin
2. Food & War
3. Livin' On a Prayer
4. Celia (Live)
-Commercial: Dippity-Do-
5. Music for an Underground Circus
6. Feel Yr Dzeez
7. The International Birdie Song
Prepare to let Ergo fondle your mind here!
Ergo's official website is here.
You can find hundreds of his songs for free at the Free Music Archive!
Ergo's blog is a great source of info on his many, many current projects.
His YouTube channel has a few songs and alternate versions that don't seem to be available elsewhere.
He's on Twitter, too, and a joy to follow. @ergophizmiz
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