I was always likely to be taken and drawn towards an artist called Elizabeth & the Catapult. I'm generally attracted to those who choose interesting monikers to embark upon pop careers under, and this one is particularly curious and eccentric. Sounds like the follow up to James & the Giant Peach to me.
I only became aware of Elizabeth and her catapult earlier on this week. On Monday to be precise, when I went to Metacritic to find out what was coming out on Friday. The name appealed to me and so I did some initial research during the week into the Elizabethan back catalogue. My interest increased appreciably.
So now the new record sincerely, e is here and it's a wonderful thing. Freewheeling, inventive, playful and lyrical, the work primarily of Elizabeth Ziman, a New York musician and artist who's been plying her art and putting out records for over ten years before she came to my attention. My loss.
The music here is reflective and meandering, working within singer songwriting conventions but digressing delightfully into jazzy side street inflections that reminded me of Ricky Lee Jones. But the person that came to my mind most forcefully was Regina Spektor, one of my very favourite musicians of all.
On thirsty Ziman utterly inhabits Spektor Land. Quirky, carefree and full of the joys of spring, riding a wave of funky finger clicks, joy and Doo Wop. But sincerely, e is thoughtful and reflective too. In many ways a record for Covid-19, a time of dread and fear in many respects but at least an opportunity to think and compose our thoughts and creative endeavour.
Ziman exists in a tradition. Not just that of Ricky Lee and Regina but also that of Joni, Laura Nyro and often here of Carole King the original Brill Building dreamer. These influences and reminders by no means diminish the impact of this quite lovely record. Don't make the mistake I made. Discover Elizabeth and her catapult now. It made me wish I could still do cartwheels. But then again come to think of it, I never could.
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