Stan Ridgway to Release Neon Mirage

August 24 sees the American release of Stan Ridgway’s new album Neon Mirage. We can only hope someone chooses to release it here but if not there is always Amazon right?

The great man has been discussing the new album on-line and here’s what he had to say.

“You never really have a choice about the tone and subject matter of the records you make. At least I don’t. They’re obsessions, really. Things happen, good and bad. And for most people, the passing of a parent or a close friend has an impact. It’s really about the music, and how it heals the mind. The records I grew up with still inform me, and the best were like an inner journey — mixing up blues, jazz, pop and country to make something fresh and, in the end, positive. But you can’t ignore the darker side of things, either.”

The album makes reference to a number of events, more specifically deaths that occurred in Ridgway’s world in recent times. In the midst of writing and recording its dozen, typically eclectic songs Ridgway lost gifted Texas-born violinist/session player Amy Farris; a beloved uncle; and the man who helped forge the very foundations of Ridgway’s unique outlook on life and music, his own father.

“Events like that can’t help but have an impact on the music you’re making at the time,” said Ridgway. “You’d be lying to yourself — and your listeners — if you thought otherwise.”

The descriptions of some of the songs make it sound like a tempting release : “It’s an album in which Ridgway’s familiar wise-guy wit and cinematic lyricism are further tempered by an ever-inquisitive mindset that ranges from the haunting, candid introspection of “Behind the Mask” to an effusive, wistful tribute to lost friends and the Nashville of record producer Owen Bradley, “Wandering Star.” Elsewhere, Neon Mirage centers around more impressionistic takes on the toll patriotism extracts from its warriors (“Flag Up On a Pole”), the reality of being closer to the end of life’s rich pageant than its beginning (“Halfway There”) and the human propensity for myopia in the face of looming catastrophe (“Turn a Blind a Eye”).

Yet, as the foreboding and darkly loping guitar lines of “This Town Called Fate” and the album’s infectious instrumental title track attest, Ridgway’s new songs are also graced by the inventive musicality and unique viewpoint his fans have become well acquainted with since his early days as the driving force behind L.A.’s favorite ’80s experimentalists, Wall of Voodoo. But while the album’s expressive baritone and deft harmonica flourishes are instantly familiar, Stan employs them here on an ever-restless musical odyssey. Ridgway expands an already impressive musical palette via Wexstun’s always intriguing keyboard melodies and textures, the masterful sax, flute and woodwind work of Ralph Carney, the deft acoustic and electric guitar lines of longtime band mate Rick King and the rich symphonic string orchestrations of Amy Farris.”

“I’ve probably confused people with my music, my choices, the albums and the changes in direction from year to year,” Ridgway admits. “But I can’t help it. That term ‘eclectic’ fits me perfectly and there are just too many musical styles and songwriters and singers I enjoy to just involve myself in only one type of music. I try to bring all the things I love into the sound. There’s a weird old American jukebox in my head and it still plays everything that’s ever got under my skin.”

Neon Mirage Track List :

1. Big Green Tree 2. This Town Called Fate 3. Desert Of Dreams 4. Half Way There 5. Turn A Blind Eye 6. Like A Wandering Star 7. Flag Up On A Pole 8. Lenny Bruce 9. Scavenger Hunt 10. Behind The Mask 11. Neon Mirage 12. Day Up In The Sun

Stan Ridgway: guitar, harmonica, vocals
Pietra Wexstun: keyboards, piano, organ,
electronics, autoharp, vocals
Rick King: guitar, elc. bass, dobro, vocals
Ralph Carney: saxophone, flute, peruvian
pipes, woodwinds
Amy Farris : violin, viola, cello, vocals
Brett Simons: acoustic bass
Don Heffington: percussion
Dave Alvin: 2nd guitar “Big Green Tree”
Tommy Arizona: Pedal Steel