Written by Kathleen Szmit
Chandler Travis blows. With his funky Philharmonic he also swings, grooves, croons, and clearly has a helluva blast doing so.
One of the things I love about this latest CD from the Cape’s quirky musician is the delightfully personal feel of having been invited to an afternoon jam session, complete with adult beverages and lots of laughter.
The album begins with “Mid-morning in Moscow,” a slowly rollicking tune that is guaranteed to get you up and moving, even on the most overcast and Moscow-esque of the Cape’s winter morns.
From there, Travis and his Philharmonic segue into “You and Me, Pushing Up Daisies,” an endearing, oddly sweet song about lasting love. Meanwhile, the next tune, “Graciously,” is so upbeat and fun it will yank the bad mood right out of you and dance it into a much better frame of mind.
“All My Good Luck is Gone” is a hilarious tongue-in cheek-look at life that puts woes and troubles into better perspective. When someone sets to whining about his or her lot in life, play this song.
Next up is “Fruit Bat Fun,” a tune with a calypso feel, reminiscent of the islands. Kids will love this song for its plain silliness.
“Anne” is a cheeky ditty that pays homage to a friendly neighbor. I particularly love the plaintive trumpet, and the way Travis factors “real life” elements into his lyrics such as doing the laundry, getting the mail, and cheating on a spouse, sneaking these elements into such infectious melodies that you almost miss the head-shaking revelations.
“Work It” is the song to listen to when you’re at the end of your rope and don’t know whether to let go or swing. This song, a swell combination of catchy music and to-the-point lyrics, is a much-needed reminder that life gets better, especially when you’ve got the Philharmonic to listen to.
For those possessing a sense of wanderlust, “The Day the Casuals Went to Sweden” tackles the myriad frustrations of international travel, while “Tomatohead Blues” transports one instantly to New Orleans. Get your beads on.
“The Number Song” is another fun kid-oriented tune that offers reminders of Raffi, should he indulge in a shot or two of Cuervo, and “Taoist Vacation with Mashenka” is almost meditative, in a fun sort of way. Imagine meditating with the assistance of a funky guru who makes you smile real wide.
The CD wraps up in fine Philharmonic style with “Everything Can Go Wrong So Easily.” Don’t be fooled by the title. This is a song that will have you so happily lost in its groove you might not notice the world collapsing around you.
Things might go wrong easily, but with such swingin’, groovin’ tunes, who cares?