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John Craigie : A Picnic on the 405
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Craigie's most innovative and daring album of his career.
Genre: Folk: Modern Folk
Release Date: 2007
A Picnic on the 405
John Craigie
Record Label: Zabriskie
  • Buy CD - $12.00
  • Download Album (MP3) - $9.99
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Preview Song Name Time Buy
1. The Ice Plant Amphitheater 6:01 + MP3 $0.99
2. Canyon Walls 3:48 + MP3 $0.99
3. The Ballad of John and Jill 4:10 + MP3 $0.99
4. The Grass on Concrete Blues 5:46 + MP3 $0.99
5. Talkin' Orange Alert Blues 5:08 + MP3 $0.99
6. My Own Religion 4:20 + MP3 $0.99
7. The Male Version of You 6:09 + MP3 $0.99
8. Closer to the Sky 3:11 + MP3 $0.99
9. Westchester Moon 5:01 + MP3 $0.99
10. One Sweet Duet 6:45 + MP3 $0.99
11. Weakness 4:55 + MP3 $0.99
12. Purple Lightning 5:39 + MP3 $0.99
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Album Notes

A year and a half in the making, “A Picnic on the 405,” is Craigie's most ambitious and exciting album to date. With Craigie and the Accidental Poets now comfortable at Bocean studios, John decided to put more attention to the detail and production of the songs he had chosen for his next album. With the success of “Daddy Longlegs,” and its unique approach to folk music, John decided to push the genre even farther with his fourth album. The result is a culmination of John’s diverse, adventurous sound. The album rides a wave from pumped up bluegrass, to mellow grooves; from traditional folk, to all out rock and roll, all against the backdrop of some of John’s best songwriting yet. His first true “concept album” as he claims, “A Picnic on the 405” centers on the theme of growing up in Los Angeles, and how that experience shaped Craigie’s growth. The cast of players is again an all-star list featuring Leland Jackness on electric and acoustic guitar, Cody Walz on tenor and alto saxophone, Ajaia Suri on backing vocals, and many more. Although the question of when John is going to return to the simple style of his first album still exists, it’s clear that “A Picnic on the 405” is a reminder to listeners that Craigie has much more to offer.

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REVIEWS

Orange Alert Blues
author: Bill Marak
                            
I liked the whole album but especially Talking Orange
Alert Blues.  John played in Shreveport, LA recently
and was warmly received.

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John moves onwards, and upwards...
author: MarkW
                            
The new album shows some great development in JC's work.  I like it a lot: the songwriting and lyrical content remain top notch, but the instrumentation has moved on from the strictly folk roots.  For me, a good thing!

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I love it!
author: Tawnia
                            
I have been waiting for this album to come out ever since I saw John play in Portland about 4 months ago.  The songwriting is fantastic, witty, thoughtful,and timely.  John has moved beyond his original lo-fi folk roots and has expanded to integrate elements of different styles from bluegrass to rock.  I particularly adore "Talkin' Orange Alert Blues".

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Smart Move for John
author: Sonja
                            
OK guys, I know some people "are waiting for when John will return to his original folk style" but I think this CD is an excellent expansion of his previously limited (but oh so wonderful) repertoire.  The sound is both professional and original.  I am impressed with John's demonstrated ability to skillfully branch out his musical style.  The bluegrassey style of some songs on this album is both well done and wonderful to listen to.  Plus, his lyrics are fantastic, as usual.  This album is a smart move on John's part and will appeal to a larger audience.  A picnic on the 405 is sure to be a favorite for old and new Craigie fans.

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