Alt-country
pioneers Cottonhead have become somewhat of an underground
institution now in their home of New York City, despite the
unrelenting reclusiveness of songwriter Greg Talenfeld. Gracing
the stages of such finer venues as The Bottom Line, The Living Room, Fez, The
Mercury Lounge and other equally reputable establishments for nigh on twelve
years now, Talenfeld's reluctance to perform publicly is offset only by singer
Mary Birdsong's heartfelt enthusiasm, deep-rooted optimism
and faith. The angelic soaring beauty of her voice in juxtaposition with the
strangled despair of Talenfeld's passionate attempt at guitar playing combine
to create the push and pull "comfort-food" satisfaction that New Yorkers
have grown to know and love as Cottonhead.
Stemming
from the country-western duets of the 1980's Talenfeld-Birdsong
collaboration "The O.K. Canaries", Cottonhead is the plugged
in and tuned up version of this now classic sound,
backed by the solid as shit accompaniment of Kirsten Jansen
on drums, Jeremy Chatzky on bass, and Joe Mendelson
on piano and organ. Despite the unrelenting reports in the media of their unpleasant
yet inevitable break-up, the band invariably re-appears with a new CD and a
new bass amp.
