“...Angell’s piano, songs & vocals—the latter sounding at times like the whispered sing-speak of Ira Kaplan or Freddie Mercury subdued by the purr from a pack of affectionate house cats—that row this skiff of an album over placid waters. “Dear Dying Friend” chugs along to the rhythm of an electronic camel, becoming friendlier with each chorus, the synthesized push-and-pull finally giving way to a more organic version of this lugubrious tempo. “Treat Song,” with Eric Matthews’ muted trumpet, lopes along like the heart of Saturday night as Angell lullabies his daughter into dreams of spaceships and log-perched ponderances. “Ooh Love” is a tease, flirting and breaking promises. Angell hangs onto slow, elastic cadences and comes up with an album just odd enough to have never given bloated and pallid arena pop such as ELO or Elton John any trouble, though he often sounds like a smarter version of both." 

- Bruce Miller Magnet Magazine 

 

This is “Baroque orchestral rock that’ll make you feel like you’re smashed on absinthe. How is it? With its beautiful tunes and emotive vocals ‘Private Player’ introduces a major new talent. Kindred spirits: David Bowie, Tim Buckley, Rufus Wainwright...” 

- David Segal Alternative Press

 

"I had no pre-conceived ideas and thought what the hell is this? I just felt the album deserved an audience and right now, I'm hungry for music that makes me cry. It's powerful, like a love affair. A few weeks later I caught James in concert in New York and was amazed by his show. You just knew big things would happen"  (Bass for Private Player Live) 

 - John Taylor Duran Duran

 

“The end result is a beautifully crafted album.”

- NPR Sound Check - WNYC NYC

 

“A Beautifully crafted solo debut”

 "New ground-breaker!"

- Chris Douridas KCRW Los Angeles

 

"Why did it take me so long to find out about this work??? The music is strange yet familiar, comforting and unsettling, lush and melodic, hummable but never gets old. This is complex intelligent pop, or whatever you want to call it. The fact that Angell has cited Bach Fugues as one of his main influences says loads about the richness of this listening experience. I am waiting with baited breath for his next album. Bring it ON!!"  

- DJ Maria - WFMU New Jersey

 

(Oh, it's on nice lady! At least five CD's were sent to various 

DJ's at the WFMU,  followed up with label email, and 

phone calls a year or longer before this review.  

Did you hear the new album yet?)

 

“Rave reviews, plus the interest of David Bowie, (who called Angell enthusiastically last summer), Paul McCartney, (who has selected "Ooh Love" for the next Garland Appeal disc and are planning with the Pasadena Symphony to perform with Angell this Spring) and John Taylor (bassist for Duran Duran and Power Station).”

Michael R. Lee – In Music We Trust

 

“Angell's compositions are sweeping, unhurried and embellished enough to keep the surprises coming without becoming cluttered. Angell's understated, breathy voice is the ideal complement, and, overall, this is music that comes from an artistic rather than commercial drive.”

Scott D. Lewis - The Oregonian  Arts & Entertainment

 

==================================

 

James Angell - Private Player In Concert 

By: Alex Steininger - In Music We Trust

 

"James Angell has friends in high places. Long-time buddy Courtney Taylor-Taylor (is it Taylor-Taylor-Taylor by now?) of the Dandy Warhols fame helped put a copy of James Angell's debut solo record, Private Player, in the hands of such luminaries as Paul McCartney and David Bowie. The latter going as far as to call Angell and tell him how much he enjoyed his album.

Duran Duran's John Taylor was another who heard the record and called up Angell to tell him how much he enjoyed the record. Taylor would later begin playing with Angell. Along with other notable musicians such as former Heatmiser drummer and well-regarded producer/engineer Tony Lash and King Black Acid's Daniel Riddle, Angell assembled his group and played a big home-town show in Portland, Oregon to a packed crowd at the Aladdin Theatre on March 14, 2003.

Private Player In Concert is a DVD of that performance.

Working out the kinks, if you will, before a sold-out crowd at the intimate Lola's Ballroom on January 3, 2003, the Aladdin Theatre was the group, now known as Private Player's second show. And what a show it is.

Including the nine songs from that performance as well as interviews with James Angell, John Taylor, and Daniel Riddle. Private Player In Concert gives you a bird's eye view of the motivation and passion behind the record, as well as a look at the stunning, awe-inspiring live show the band was able to capture on the big stage of the Aladdin.

The camera angels are good. The music sounds clean, precise, and lively, the band at the top of their game. Everyone is enjoying himself or herself. It's more than a show, it's a performance, it's music and entertainment. Fans were treated to more than just a rock band playing on stage. They got their monies worth and more.

For those who were/are curious, but didn't have time to go to a club to see the band live. Or those who were unimpressed with the record (I must confess, Private Player did nothing for me - until I saw this DVD), here is something that will change your mind and perspective. I'll give it an A-."

 

=================================

 

SHOW REVIEW: James Angell - January 4, 2003 

Lola's Room at the Crystal Ballroom Portland, Oregon.

By: Michael R. Lee In Music We Trust

It's a little after midnight when James Angell finally takes the stage at the intimate Lola's Room, moving quickly into "Ooh Love", also the opener on his critically acclaimed album "Private Player". Angell is joined by John Taylor (Duran Duran) on bass, Tony Lash (Heatmiser, Elliot Smith) on drums, Daniel Riddle (King Black Acid) on lead guitar, Kevin Cozad (Neros Rome) on keyboards and Jon Fell (Pope Wyrm) on guitar. With only four rehearsals under their belt, they effortlessly shape the album's songs into live incarnations. "Who's Wakin' Me Up?", "Ed Blue Bottle" and "Call Off The War" follow in the same order as they appear on the disc, with the latter two tracks coming across a lot heavier live through a wall of sound. "Hiding In Plain Sight", a new number, gives the crowd a gentler moment, with its sweet infectious melody. At this point Angell announces that the next song, "Picture Perfect" only requires three band members, the others sitting out reading magazines and he playfully points out that John Taylor is reading Vogue, naturally. With little more than piano, keyboard and Angell's emotive vocals, this was perhaps the night's highlight. "Ice Cream & Pez", another new song, revolving around Angell's piano and singing, leads us into "Treat Song", as Daniel Riddle's guitar reaches fever pitch at times. Angell introduces the band and declares that "Dear Dying Friend" will be the last number of the night. Heavy on bass, soul-searching lyrics and the screaming chorus line play against a jagged electronic backdrop. It was a fitting end to the show.

As with the day's earlier in-store performance at Music Millennium, the short-lived band are remarkably tight, showing great chemistry. The midday, truncated set was quieter and more relaxed. A satisfying day and introduction to Angell's music.

Contributed by: Michael R. Lee

Contributor organisation: In Music We Trust

 

===============================

Pop & Politics 

James Angell "Private Player" by Tanya Selvaratnam 
 

"Once in a while, a song gets under my skin and stays there. But rarely does an artist create eight songs that seep into my psyche at the same time. That is the achievement of James Angell's latest disc "Private Player." This is music to trip to, swoon to, and jump into. And the more I listened to it, the more I got sucked into its sublime entropy. 

Layering is the drug here. Every piece seems to derive its influence from a different musical archetype, but there is nothing formulaic about the tracks. Try to identify the sound and you will fail. It's as if someone threw Bowie, Eno, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Radiohead and Tim Buckley into a blender...and then threw out the recipe. 

James Angell honed his nonconformist attitude after burning out on the frenetic Portland, Oregon music scene and on a deal with Capitol Records for his then band Nero's Rome. He says he can't think about the record industry because that's what screwed him up before. He couldn't think anymore about writing what naturally appeals to an audience. He wanted to get back to trusting his gut instincts and not listening to A&R guys who were mostly interested in second-guessing the mass market. So he dropped out and retreated 
with his wife Erin and daughter Astrid Zora to a house in the woods that he built with his own hands. During his whitmanesque idyll, he found the hunger to make music again. 

The album is appropriately called "Private Player," because he says he crafted songs that appeal to himself, especially to the self he was as a child. He explains, "Kids can smell bullshit a mile away. They respond intuitively." In his self-imposed exile, he developed a sound that he describes as "4th dimension"--strongly rooted in reality, but boldly exploring a world hidden in the subconscious. He wanted to position musical ideas together that aren't supposed to stand side-by-side. Enlisting the help of musicians like Eric Matthews, Tony Lash, brother Theo Angell, former bandmate Tod Morrisey, and even his daughter, Angell fleshed out 
his musical fantasia. 

The isolation is about to pay off. Chris Douridas, the highly influential DJ of KCRW, has already named James Angell a "new ground-breaker" and interviewed him on the nationally broadcast show "Spinner's New Ground" at the end of April; All Music Guide called "Private Player" the "underground classic of 2002." 

Eventually he would like to have the luxury of a big record company behind him, so that he can support the right band to replicate onstage the sound of "Private Player." But for now, he's going to hit the road playing solo piano shows around the country and building the groundswell of support for his genre-busting sound.

From the wandering of "Who's Wakin' Me Up?" and the heartache of "Treat Song" to the sweet sentimentalism of "Picture Perfect" and the psychedelia of "Sweet Bell," James Angell provides a complete and unusual journey. Listening to Angell's music is like watching a 1960s Kubrick film: you witness a landscape so odd, lush, disturbing, and visceral that you emerge with a hypersensitized experience of the immediate world. In fact, much of "Private Player" presents the listener with a cinematic experience, where the sounds conjure pictures that haunt and seduce. 

The official release date is June 2002, but it's available online at www.jamesangell.net. Or if you're in LA, go see James play and you can pick up a CD there. And tell him Tanya sent you." 

Upcoming Gigs: 
Internet listening available on www.kcrw.com. Interview and performance on Spinner's New Ground with Chris Douridas. Broadcast on 89.9 FM KCRW in Los Angeles and on National Public Radio affiliates nationwide. Call KCRW at 310-450-5183 for more info. 

Thursday, May 2, 2002, 9:15 p.m.: Live performance at The Silver Lake Lounge (2906 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026). 
 

http://www.popandpolitics.com

 

===============================

JamesAngell.com

JamesAngell.net

myspace.com/jamesangell

 

 

 

'Music for the eclectic psyche'

 

PO Box 8133 Porltand, OR 97207

www.psycheclectic.net

 

Catalog:

James Angell "Private Player" 2002

Obscured By Clouds "Psycheclectic" 2009

Obscured By Clouds "Live CD" Coming 2013

 

myspace.com/psycheclecticrecords

www.twitter.com/psycheclectic

 

 

====================================

FULL REVIEWS:

"One of the most interesting and ultimately valuable new records to come out of 2002, James Angell’s “Private 
Player” is akin to Love’s “Forever Changes” in terms of overall elegance and strangeness. It becomes, in the end, a brilliant exercise in modern day psychedelia. Angell’s music is unique in that he wields influences as far-flung as jazz, soul, pop and psychedelic music - often all at the same time. The result is an intoxicating, narcotic voyage, yet has all the luster of a classical piece. It’s not 'easy listening' nor is it probably intended to be. 

Angell’s lyrics are both freeform and literate, and combined with the multi-layered arrangements, create a cinematic, almost Bosch-esque atmosphere where the lines of sanity, reality and fantasy are often blurred. For an example of this, the listener is directed to the third track, ‘Ed Blue Bottle’, which puts all of these elements together. Unsettling -- yes indeed…beautiful listening, absolutely. Aside from the beautiful ‘Treat Song’ featuring guest trumpet player Eric Matthews, the album's highlight may be epic closer, ’Sweet Bell’. With it's eerie, child’s voice providing an introduction to Angell's vocal before surrendering to a dissonant soundscape 
that can only be compared to Tim Buckley’s “Lorca” album, this is one of the album's greatest moments. 

“Private Player” is an experience that needs to be played and re-played several times preferably in a row, before the listener can fully realize how much music is really happening. In this way, it challenges the listener to become involved. This is not always a popular thing to do in these days of doubt and limited attention span, but is indeed necessary. Theunderground classic of 2002. 

- Matthew Greenwald All Music Guide - Pick 4 ½ Stars
Allmusicguide.com 
 

==============================

Radio Live Performance/Interviews: 

New York City - WNYC Radio 93.9 FM - On NPR 'SoundCheck' hosted by John Schaefer. Portland singer/songwriter James Angell will perform live on the show during his interview on September 16th, 2002 at 2 PM EST. 
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck 

Los Angeles - KCRW Radio 89.9 FM - On 'Newground' KCRW Radio 89.9 FM and Radio@AOL hosted by Chris Douridas.  Singer/songwriter James Angell was interviewed and performed. This broadcast can be heard on jamesangell.com accompanying the recording James was Eric Matthews (Trumpet) and Phil Baker (Bass). 

London - X-FM Radio Radio Play - Private Player debuted on London's X-FM during an interview with Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols. The tracks played were: 1. Ooh love, 4. Call off the war, 7. Dear dying friend. 
Website: http://www.xfm.co.uk/ 
 

==================================

The New Yorker - September 11, 2002 

The Knitting Factory Sept 16, Tonic Sept 15: “The singer-songwriter James Angell comes out of the Portland, Oregon, scene that gave birth some ten years ago to the Dandy Warhols...” (he was the front man of a band called Nero's Rome with the Dandy, Courtney Taylor as drummer.) “After dropping out of the music world to raise a daughter and build a house, Angell returns with an album of ambitious orchestral psychedelia, "Private Player," that's earned justifiable comparisons to the hallmark of the genre, Love's "Forever Changes." 

- John Donohue The New Yorker 


==================================


Magnet Magazine - June, 2002 Issue #54

 
"…Angell’s piano, songs & vocals—the latter sounding at times like the whispered sing-speak of Ira Kaplan or Freddie Mercury subdued by the purr from a pack of affectionate house cats—that row this skiff of an album over placid waters. “Dear Dying Friend” chugs along to the rhythm of an electronic camel, becoming friendlier with each chorus, the synthesized push-and-pull finally giving way to a more organic version of this lugubrious tempo. “Treat Song,” with Eric Matthews’ muted trumpet, lopes along like the heart of Saturday night as Angell lullabies his daughter into dreams of spaceships and log-perched ponderances. “Ooh Love” is a tease, flirting and breaking promises. Angell hangs onto slow, elastic cadences and comes up with an album just odd enough to have never given bloated and pallid arena pop such as ELO or Elton John any trouble, though he often sounds like a smarter version of both." 

- Bruce Miller Magnet Magazine 

 

===================================

 

PRESS RELEASE

JAMES ANGELL "PRIVATE PLAYER" 

4 ½ Stars – All Music Guide 

“The underground classic of 2002.” 

Paul McCartney and Dennis D’Amico have selected the first track “Ooh Love” for the Garland Appeal’s second compilation CD. James Angell will perform his songs with the Garland Appeal’s full orchestra backing him. “The underground classic of 2002” as Angell’s new release was aptly named by All Music Guide, was also very well reviewed by The New Yorker, Magnet Magazine and Alternative Press. John Taylor of (Duran Duran) was so intrigued by Angell’s performance in NYC Taylor is now performing with Angell at some upcoming shows. Interestingly, David Bowie has also personally voiced his intent to make a bid and potentially sign Angell to his independent label. Angell is a native of Portland, Oregon where he continues to live and work. A fixture during the frenzy of the early 90's northwest music explosion, he has performed, written and recorded with such P-town notables as Courtney Taylor-Taylor (The Dandy Warhols), Tony Lash (Heatmiser, Elliot Smith), Eric Matthews, Daniel Riddle (King Black Acid) and Thee Slayer Hippy, producer and drummer of the notorious heavyweight punks, (Poison Idea). After years of group efforts he finally embarked on something so many others had been asking for, a solo album. He dropped out of the scene, had a daughter, designed and built a house in the woods and purchased enough recording gear to make this record. He sat in his kitchen with a piano, a synth, a mic and finished in the fall of 2001 with "Private Player". Beneath these arrangements lies a gritty soul, a sound track for the subconscious giving everyday events a cinematic gravity. Private Player, the remarkable new album by James Angell, is a pop resurrection. Angell was there when interest in music from the Pacific Northwest exploded in the early Nineties, and as singer and songwriter for the seminal Portland band Nero’s Rome, he was part of the exciting pop scene. He felt the high of being signed to a major label deal not once but twice, but the pain of having both deals fall through when the labels reorganized internally broke his heart. “I took four years off after that,” Angell remembers, during which time he moved to the woods outside Portland. Only recently, he ended his self-imposed exile and recorded Private Player on Psycheclectic Records, a recording Matthew Greenwald of All Music Guide declared, 

“The underground classic of 2002.” 

 

 

 

 

Psycheclectic Records

William Weikart, Founder

PO Box 8133 Portland, OR 97207

 

==================================

 

Good Lord, October 24, 2002

By 

edward 

(colorado springs, colorado United States) 

This review is from: Private Player (Audio CD)

I was absolutely stunned by this CD. I'd read about it and bought it on a whim because of good reviews--wish I had some quotes to drop. I do know a song from this CD will be on Paul McCartney's Garland Appeal and that Bowie called the artist at home to rave about it, but I really must say that the hype is nothing compared to a good listen. Okay, now I over-hyped it, but gee-whiz, I can't remember the last time I paid money for a CD and didn't feel ripped off. This is the real deal, a guy who just makes music, genres be damned. Really good stuff. The first song is amazing, I'm amazed it's not a #1 for real.

 

==================================

 

Who's Waking Me Up?, February 6, 2005

By 

jts-hotone "Amy B." (Vancouver, WA United States) -

This review is from: Private Player (Audio CD)

James Angell is! That is, waking me up to the realization that there is still fantastically original, wonderfully layered and complex music still to be made. A consumate performer, too ... I live in the Portland metro area and have had the good fortune of seeing James live in concert at all but two of his solo shows ... yes, including the shows with John Taylor of Duran Duran. It's true ... some real heavy hitters have been inspired by his music ... 

But back to the CD. If you are interested in complex, thoughtful, layered music that will keep your interest for years to come ... this is the CD for you. No boring bubble-gum pop that was out of style ten minutes ago. Sometimes intensely moody, sometimes delightfully fun ... it is all in there. Click on the links above and take a listen. Just remember that your computer won't do it justice. 

I have had the priviledge of hearing some of James' newer recordings for an upcoming album as well and I am here to tell you ... it is something worth waiting for. Even better than Private Player, capturing his live energy. (But don't wait until then for a listen, it may be awhile yet!) Why he hasn't been snapped up by a major label yet is beyond me. 

Buy it, try it, you won't regret it!

================================

James Angell's Anarchy in Alternative Pop/Rock, October 18, 2002 - Space Commander, Psycheclectic

This review is from: Private Player (Audio CD)

"With 4 1/2 Stars this All Music Guide Pick was called "The underground classic of 2002." The New Yorker, Magnet Magazine, and Alternative Press (`Major new talent') gave glowing reviews. John Taylor (Duran Duran) was so inspired by James Angell's performances in New York, he is now Angell's new bass player. Paul McCartney's Garland Appeal has picked the first cut to release on their compilation CD. David Bowie & Courtney Taylor are big fans...

Kindred spirits include: Pink Floyd, John Lennon, Bowie, Tom Waits, Moby, Elton John and Tod Rundgren. If you want radical change ups and soothing passages with the whispered murmurings of the psycheclectic...you're already here. Wanna make your weekend? Order this thing, sit back and relax -- with a little help from your friends.

Let me know what you thought.

Paving the way back to independent music

- William

 

===================================

 

james is amazing, April 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Private Player (Audio CD)

this record is a great example of how talented james is. he is a talented performer and a great songwriter. great tracks here. buy this record and support talented indie artists!

Very relaxing and good CD to listen to -- worth your money, January 7, 2003

 

===================================

 

By 

T. VanNevele (Oregon, United States) -   

This review is from: Private Player (Audio CD)

My husband and I saw James Angell at a gig here in Portland, OR when John Taylor was playing bass for him. I was most impressed and bought the CD. It is a really good listen. I highly recommend it, even if you don't much like listening to mellow music. This one is really different and refreshing.

Well worth your money, I would say.

All Around Great Record, May 31, 2010

By 

Sappy Pappy - See all my reviews