Judson Claiborne - Time and Temperature

  by Lisa Torem

published: 11 / 10 / 2010

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Review

“When the twilight spirit comes around/I’ll be somewhere near it/With my head to the ground” is the crisp, imaginative line which begins Judson Claiborne’s opening track of ‘Time and Temperature’. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter has a great-sounding, tear-flecked, baritone voice reminiscent of Noah and the Whale’s Charlie Fink. The album is filled with soul-searching effusiveness, soaring, luminescent harmonies and is immediately absorbing. The line-up is for this record is Ryan Blaine Boyles (bass), Jamie Daniel Carter (drums), Darrell Baker Greiwe (electric guitar, vocals), Jamie Michelle Topper (congas/vocals) and, of course, Christopher Claiborne Salveter (AKA Judson Claiborne), himself. This musical bard has referred to the engaging vocalist Topper as “a living goddess from the Paleolithic era”. Low Skies, Salveter’s previous band, released four records. They opened for the likes of Neko Case, Giant Sand and Band of Horses. ‘Midnight Scholar’, Claiborne’s debut, was more guitar-centered texturally, but ‘Time and Temperature’s full-bodied romanticism roars with broad brass and thundering guitar riffs that sweep across the vast thematic landscape. That said, it took a village. Mucca Pazza members were vital contributors to the production. Ronnie Kuller sang bright harmonies and played violin. Jeff Thomas arranged the horn and string arrangements. New York photographer Sarah Wilmer created the misty-blue, album cover after taking note of themes from the lyrics. This dynamic, indie band’s video of ‘Twilight Spirit’ was directed by visual artist and fellow Chicagoan Jodie Mack. It is based on the visions of David Morehouse, a former CIA “psychic spy”. It is awash with rainbows, twirling windmills, migrating speckles and brilliant blues that look like papier mache cut-outs. ‘Song for Dreaming’ includes country-twanged, guitar and bright harmonies. It’s lovely poetry; a sonnet set to music. Sprinkled around the CD are choice lyrics like “You could build a fire in my backyard/Phone books, cardboard and leaves.” Blissful, building up of droning bass is another gorgeous texture you’ll definitely run across. ‘The Woman Inside of Me’ is a consciousness- raising, cover by New Zealand’s Chris Knox. Charming piano riffs begin this journey of feminine exploration from a male viewpoint. “I wish there could be a woman inside of me/I don’t feel they’re any different from me,” the front man posits. Then, he hedges, “What if I should stay that female way/Will my joy turn to fear?” ‘Vassar Girl’ is another anecdotal gem. “Have I told you the story of my girlfriend back in college?…/”What did she see in me?/She made her own photography.” ’One Hundred More Than One Hundred’ moves and ambles, drones and heaves. Salveter draws influences from Tom Robbins, David Lynch, Haruki Murakami, the Everly Brothers and “manifestations of love and creativity.” No wonder he’s such an inquisitive and exquisite story teller ‘Time and Temperature’ is an all-consuming package of pure genius containing not one wasted note or superfluous moment. Indulge in the guiltiest of pleasures and enjoy this one.

Track Listing:-

1 Twilight Spirit
2 A Song for Dreaming (Good Ol' Wobbly Version)
3 Oh Cyril
4 The Freeze Up
5 The Woman Inside of Me
6 My How We Change!
7 I Am Learning Pantomime
8 Tomorrow in the Morning (Blues for Malachi)
9 One Hundred More Than One Hundred Times
10 Moonraker