Singer/songwriter and producer, Jude Davison was born in Northern England but has livied in Canada since 1975. Remarkably, this is his 18th release, a concept album inspired by Sara Gruena's novel 'Water for Elephants' set against the backdrop of depression era circus life.
Davison is not concerned with following any particular narrative structure, his goal being to create a musical statement which conjures up the bizarre and often freakish entertainment of a Mexican traveling circus.
It provides a convenient excuse to indulge in an eclectic mix of styles including Americana , Mariachi, R&B, Dixieland jazz and Carnivalesque music - there's even a short snippet of the theme tune to 'Steptoe & Son'!.
Davison has been quoted as saying: "I guess I'm aiming for this to be my Sergeant Peppers album" and a line from 'Sideshow Souvenirs' also hints at his ambitions : "Let your senses be engorged, something here for everyone".
He sings and plays an impressive range of instruments including mandolin, dobro, pedal steel, ukulele as well as guitars, drums and keyboards. Normally, his albums do not feature outside musicians but the range and scope of this record means that he calls upon others to provide trumpet, trombone, banjo, sax and accordion. Sydney Galbraith also provides additional (female) vocals, notably on 'Con Volai Amore' which is written entirely in an invented language inspired by the sound of Spanish and Italian.
The eccentric one hour musical journey is such that you might be on Calexico's Crystal Frontier one minute, in a glitzy stage show the next or else listening to virtuouso banjoist on 'Madame O' where Davison is a dead ringer for Townes Van Zandt. Amazingly, it all hangs together pretty well .
'Carnival Burlesque' provides the scene setter to establish the album's themes, a track which was originally conceived as an instrumental but now has spoken word lines to tell us that the show is in town. It leads us into the strike up the band flourish of 'Big Top Parade' - a double whammy of mariachi.
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Those opening tunes may lead you to expect a Mexican flavour will dominate but, wisely, Davison steers a more varied musical course to introduce the diverse range of characters in his imaginary show.
In the bluesy-rock of 'Rag And Bone' we meet a tattooed lady, a lizard man and Siamese twins and ,on one of the best tracks, a loveable rogue by the name of Amphetamine Sam is vividly described as having "switchblade eyes" and "a "bruised point of view".
To prove that it's not all gratuitous weirdness, "Belle and Ophelia" is a tender and touching song of love between two women from diverse and difficult backgrounds. This displays a subtlety which more rocky and razzamatazz numbers like 'The Greatest Show on Earth and 'Devil's Road' lack.
It's like a soundtrack in search of a show and when it's over the players drift away rather sadly into the sunset to the strains of 'Nowhere Bound' and 'Further On', a far cry from the brash opening tunes.
One critic described Sara Gruen's bestselling novel as having a "pathetic grandeur" and this is also a pretty good description of this bold and highly original album.
15 tracks - Playing time 59.30 mins
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