Spain

[Urpal]

Being reminded of The Trashcan Sinatras and something about the soft nostalgic melancholia found on re-listening to them reminded me of another CD tucked away in my collection gathering dust by an LA outfit by the name of Spain. Don't know much about them (except I seem to remember the lead singer looked like a Proclaimer - blonde, thick rimmed specs, no Paul Newman) - I would caution that they're certainly not speed merchants (tempo rarely lifts above a couple of clicks). If you like the sultry, smoke-filled room sounds of The TCS and bands like Tindersticks then these guys might appeal. The album "The Blue Moods Of Spain" is the point where my collection of their works began and ended. It's worth a listen occasionally. I'm giving it a go again for the first time in a year or two right now. Blissful elements. "Untitled No 1" is particularly striking. If you liked Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" then you'll probably love them.

[Urpal]

Further research indicates that the bespectacled lead singer is Josh Haden - son of jazz great Charlie Haden. There is apparently a best of by the defunct band released about a year ago called "Spirituals" on Restless/Ryko and you can get a review here:

http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/...pirituals.shtml

[Urpal]

Funnily enough, whilst locating a Johnny Cash song for mentioning elsewhere on this site, I came across Cash's version of "Spiritual" which appears on the Unchained CD.

The song is by Josh Haden and closed Spain's above mentioned LP, "The Blue Moods Of Spain". No reflection on Johnny, but in this instance I think the original version is better.