Reminiscent of the prime period of Squeeze songsters Difford and Tilbrook, Uncle Carl brings his wry sense of humour to bear on his compositions. Of particular note are the opening track “My Heart is Yours” and the cabaret style “Paris Blues”. Well crafted songs and interesting arrangements make this album an easy and enjoyable listen. So, if you like your songs to be about things other than true love then you should investigate this album.
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While many people shy away or fear the dark side of their psyches, the band Uncle Carl revels in such darkness. In fact its lead singer, also bearing the moniker Uncle Carl, is of the certainty that his "heroes, Hemingway and Poe (among others), are already down" in hell. His bio says, "A master in lyrical character study and storytelling, Uncle Carl imagines that hanging out with like-minded social outcasts is a finer fate than anything old St. Peter might possibly have waiting for him.

"Uncle Carl's long-anticipated  CD, Bring Me Your Children, which epitomizes the mind behind the artist, has been released, following a five-year wait.

Along with the Uncle on guitar and vocals, the album features Ivan Bodley (Buster Poindexter, Peter Wolf) on bass, Mark Mancini (Drifters, Coasters) on keyboards, and Rich Kulsar (Monkees, Norah Jones) on drums.

Bring Me Your Children is produced by Daniel Wise (Maceo Parker, Dog Eat Dog, and Uncle Carl's first CD).

Uncle Carl songs have been placed in independent films and even on a game show on the Disney Channel.  Uncle Carl, the master musician, appears with the Danny Gatton band in a Hot Licks music instructional video (playing bass).

Uncle Carl tours with and/or is the musical director for acts like the Tokens (playing keyboards and singing), Crystals (playing guitar), Shirelles (playing drums or wearing a gown), and Little Anthony and the Imperials.  Uncle Carl has toured the world and played on network talk shows.

The Night Guide proclaimed "Uncle Carl is Brooklyn's answer to Dr. John."  His legions of devoted and enthusiastic fans concur and note that the live concert experience only adds to the recorded mystique.

The Brooklyn Brewery recently sponsored a party celebrating the new CD's release songs from Bring Me Your Children. The Brewery offered Brooklyn Pilsner and Lager at only $3; and raffles for shirts and other great prizes were given away.
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Forgive me for wondering if the title is tongue in cheek. I digress.  Intentionally recorded in a lo-fi Bluegrass format, “My Little Idaho” features some nice guitar “pickin'” and acoustic slide.  Backed by the ubiquitous Bluegrass mouth-organ (harp/harmonica), a soft “foot tapping” or knee-slapping keeps time during the song and really gives the song a down-homey feel.  My Little Idaho jingles, jangles and slides right along very nicely.  The hero of the song meets a farm girl named Idaho who wants (warms) his “soul like a hot potato”.  The lyrics from this song are entertaining and so is the music.  Pour me a tall cold glass of ice tea on a stanky hot summer day while I sit on the porch and jam with these guys.  Although the song is somewhat humorous, these musicians are serious and after listening to a couple of the other tracks from their site, they know what they are doing and have the ability to switch gears at ease.

RRRR

The Rob report uses the "R" rating system. One "R" is worst. Five "R"'s is best. Lower case "r" is half of a point.
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