Ed Kuepper - Smile Pacific

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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Starting his career with Australia's The Saints and then frontman with the more experimental, jazzy Laughing Clowns, Ed Kuepper has released more than thirty albums during the last twenty.five years. It can't be easy being that prolific and to still come up with the goods after all that time but 'Smile…Pacific' is another jewel in Kuepper's crown. Kuepper planned and rehearsed these ten songs before going into the studio but it was recorded in only six days with the band recording live in the studio and being given the freedom to make impromptu creative contributions. Predominately a bluesy / rock album the songs are, as usual, the normal eclectic mix we have come to expect from Kuepper. Of the three non-originals on offer his version of 'Fever' (a highlight of his recent live shows) is given a typical, eccentric Kuepper make-over. 'Fever' has been covered so many times by such a diverse bunch of artists that it is difficult to do anything new with it. Kuepper has dismantled the song and rebuilt it as his own. Some scorching guitar playing, impeccable drumming and scary violin make it a worthy cover. But it is the track which follows 'Fever' which is one of the standouts. The poppy 'Everything In The World' has fantastic, subdued guitar lines picking out the melody and combines this with some nice piano playing. The other track in this lighter, poppier mould, the brass flavoured 'I Still Call This Failure' is another outstanding track. For those who like their Kuepper a bit more solemn, the first track, the traditional 'Sinnerman', should do the trick with it's mumbled vocals and the piano and percussion coloured by some strange noises! 'Rue The Day' also follows in this vein. The stomping blues flavoured 'Baby Well I' follows and if it doesn't get at least your foot tapping call the doctor quick! Some more of that sublime guitar starts 'Without You' and carries on throughout the song, an aching ballad with solid backing from Kuepper's band. The production is excellently carried out by Kuepper and Phil Punch using unusual sounds; the track 'Here To Get My Baby From Jail' has Charlie Cole (keyboards, piano, recorder) contributing a sample of his six-year old daughter swinging a garden hose around! Thankfully these sounds add to, and do not detract from, the wholehearted playing given by the band. For fans this is one of his best, for those yet to discover Kupper's talents this is a great place to start.

Track Listing:-

1 Everything In The World
2 Sinnerman
3 Baby Well I
4 Without You
5 Fever
6 I Still Call This Failure
7 Rue The Day
8 Pay Me My Money
9 Here To Get My Baby From Jail
10 Starstruck

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