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Title: Criminally Obscure
Review: I would call this one of those mature debuts. Even though he would reach greater heights in later recordings, the blueprint was laid down here. The Brecht/Weill drunken carnival music alternating with quiet piano songs creates a fascinating atmosphere of unease, grotesques & quiet reflection. Like some of the Syd Barrett albums where the instruments were added after the singer was finished recording vocals, the notes often chase the rhythym like a flock of birds, not quite arriving at the same time. But, it doesn't seem to matter much. The songs are that good. I think the songs most often cited by critics are the strongest, "Down River", "The Road to Cairo" & "His Name is Andrew". But, I think all the songs are good.
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