Blawnox, PA – 1982: The old man that we called ‘Lung Player (LP) Louie’ deftly pulled out a well-worn album from one of the many stacks of vinyl slabs littering his two room ‘studio apartment’ (as he called it), and placed it on the turntable. As he sat down with a weathered cough, he tossed the album cover onto my lap and laughed.
“You think that last one was weird, Stevie? Check this one out…”
“I have not said I’m better, and I have not said I’m worse – but I have an idea concerning the universe. The wheelchair general with his head on wrong – or the long haired singer with his wine and song. To say that I love you with a bomb – or to sing that I hate you: that ain’t wrong. I know better than what you give. All I ask is a chance to live; my way or your way it’s all the same. ‘Cause if no one’s hurt, there’s none to blame. No… I’ve not said I’m better, and I’ve not said I’m worse – but I do have an idea concerning the universe. Always in hell, as I’m sure you can tell. I see you are blind, so I’ll take the time… to teach. You must keep in tune just as the moon, which is never too late or never too soon. Here, there, and everywhere you people be real. We must congeal and strip the seal. I’m not saying I’m better and I’m not saying I’m worse – but I have the idea concerning the universe. I really do… now you hear it through.”
– Introuniversal Jam
And so I was introduced to Kit Ream.
In my previous post on Gary Wilson’s ‘You Think You Really Know Me’, I mentioned a half-hearted comparison to Kit Ream’s ‘All That I Am’ album. It might seem a stretch – considering the different types of subject matter that Wilson and Ream specialized in. However, an underlying sense of paranoia, uneasiness, and individualism unites both.
Don’t Be So Holy Poly Over My Souly
While Wilson’s jazz-based work would veer into the avant-garde with a touch of early electronica, Ream’s work has been described as ‘cocktail-by-the-pool crazy’; a compelling mix of soft jazz and new-age hippy philosophy, spiced by a menacingly stoned lounge singer who may or may not have been heir to the Nabisco Cookie fortune.
And who, after the recording of this album, may or may not have murdered his best friend after experiencing a psychotic break.
Funk
And surely that is the biggest difference between Ream and Wilson: Gary Wilson, I would like to think, doesn’t actually talk to mannequins named Cindy and Linda during his spare time. Sure… he is probably an odd duck – but aren’t we all?
The ‘Gary Wilson’ persona is a gimmick. A good one, mind you – but still a gimmick. Kit Ream? Look at that face on the album cover again and tell me his was a put-on.
All That I Am is far from an Outsider masterpiece.
But if you subscribe to the theory that art must challenge the viewer – or in this case, the listener, then surely Kit Ream’s opus is artistic.
The End
Great information and interesting reading, will listen to the tracks today, Thankyou for your very eclectic insights into the world of sound.
Ok, I’m about halfway through “Funk”, (of course I’d choose that one first), and I’m already hooked on the groove, the near monotone and dry vocal delivery is so effective. Kit Ream has been on my radio for a long time but this is the first time I can recall listening. It definitely won’t be the last.
Love Don’t be so Holy Poly over my souly! The music is so nostalgic to me, philosophy and music are where it’s at.
Funk; wow the music is fantastic, it transports your presence to a dirty little club downtown, wherever that is for you. He appreciates the female in people for sure🥳
The End: Totally enjoy outsider music that provokes thought, introspection and takes you into another realm greater more interesting than where you sit.
Thankyou so much for such an inspiring selection🙌really enjoyed it.