Walter Ehresman, "March, Scream or Cry" ('07): Charlie Martin, KOOP "Around the Town Sounds" (Austin): "New in ’07 – Twisted roots: 06. Walter Ehresman / “Mardi Gras Processional” / March, Scream or Cry
The artist and album:
Multi-intrumentalist Walter Ehresman is the quintessential Austin DIY musical artist following his own eccentric muse. He released his 10th solo album on April 21 with a show at the Irie Bean Coffee Bar on South Lamar. Much has happened in the political landscape of the nation and the personal landscape of Ehresman in the three-year stretch since his last CD, including the loss of two relationships, the most recent through death late last year, and the resulting emotions of outrage, sadness, love, humor, and happiness find expression in his new work. Ehresman has released several CDs under his band project Snipe Hunt, but his solo albums are almost all one-man projects with minimal outside accompaniment. He mixes sampled and real instruments, changes genres from one tune to the next with ease, and writes lyrics from his highly personal world view. With caustic wit, he spars with the forces that would limit individual freedoms, be they governmental or corporate.
The song:
Three of the tracks on the CD come straight from Ehresman's active involvement in the annual Burning Man Festival on a dry lake bed in Nevada where he is musical director for the theme camp SCARAB (Society for Creative Arts and Radio). Each year the camp has a focal art theme which carries over into a parade, and the CD has three processionals, each in a completely different style, which Ehresman wrote to accompany the parade themes for three different years. in 2005 the theme was Mardi Gras, thus inspiring this New Orleans second line marching song.
Walter Ehresman, "Le Cafard" ('01): Local Flavor, 2001: "......if he has gone le cafard, we can all be glad he has taken us with him. Very intelligent and deeply personal (as are all his recordings), these 11 tracks range in style from southern-flavored rock to experimental electronica......'Spin It' is a funky bit of social commentary, then my favorite cut 'Rain Down Like Dr. Phibes'....man, what a song....a sort of Roky Erickson/B-52s red hot and creepy delight. Walter's special skills with world music come through on the Nigerian-sounding 'In My Master's House' and his fascination with experimental music is exercised on the long and wildly diverse 'I Must Be Doing Something Wrong (Or Something Right Backwards).' 'Club Moon'..shines very brightly and is my second-favorite cut.....(it) is outstanding."
Walter Ehresman, "Handwedge From the Trap" ('99): Local Flavor, 1999: "Most of Walter's music ends up somewhere between Pink Floyd and Frank Zappa....this, however, is largely a songwriter recording. Richly textured lyrics shine with brilliance right through the dark, bleak, frustrated observations and social commentary......'I Know How the Anarchist Feels' positively aches! And, since Walter never does just one thing at a time, some of that toooo groovy worldbeat/experimental mostly instrumental stuff is here, too......(the CD) ends with two segments of Walter's long and fascinating spoken- word rants......There seems to be no way to adequately describe Walter's recordings in just a few words...But if the people in Hollywood who place music in movies ever learn of the marvelous compositions of Walter Ehresman, I won't need to wrestle with my dictionary any more."
Snipe Hunt, "I Saw the Future (But the Damn Train Hit Me Just the Same)"; ('02): Local Flavor, 11/02: "Grab this one right now...it's great! Long known for clever lyrics and unusual arrangements, this band has come of age.....This disc is diverse (as any Snipe Hunt album should be). Styles range from bluegrass and acid jazz to reggae and Townes Van Zandt-style singer/songwriter cuts. Sweet, sad love songs and twisted social commentary provide the subject matter for these lyrics. However, this release by our favorite clever boys is entirely listenable. The diversity from one cut to the next is not startling...but delightful. From the funny boot camp-style intro through 'Super Fine'.....to the unforgettable 'Girl From an OK Town', the very personal 'Everywhere I Look Around,' and the Murphy's Law cut 'I Saw the Future (But the Damn Train Hit Me Just the Same),' this disc will leave you hungry for much more of the wild taste of Snipe Hunt."
Snipe Hunt, "I Saw the Future (But the Damn Train Hit Me Just the Same)"; ('02): Indie Texas Music Newsletter, 11/02: ".....is a 14-cut tongue-in-cheek treat. Diverse....with Vic's very fine vocals in the front. The title cut is a funny bluegrass song, but you'll also hear a bit of reggae, a touch of jazz, some electronica influence, a song in Spanish, and several outstanding singer/songwriter cuts....Most are by Walter, but his long-time partner Vic Ramirez...penned some of these tunes."
Snipe Hunt, "We'll Be Right Back!" ('99): Local Flavor, 5/99: ".....Lots of stuff going on here. It's obvious from the band name and CD title that these guys are twisted, cynical and very clever. Lyrics are loaded with political satire......The overall impact of these 13 originals is that Snipe Hunt are first-class musicians with incredible versatility."
Snipe Hunt, "We'll Be Right Back!"; ('99): Earbuzz, 7/99: ".....composed of Austin music mainstays, (who) use their funnybones and musicianship to produce a verifiable find of a CD."
