Album List

Various Artists
Bocce & Bourbon: The Comfortable Songs of Chandler Travis & David Greenberger
CD: 2015, Iddy Biddy, 19 tracks

The Chandler Travis Philharmonic has kept a low profile the past couple of years while Chandler has enjoyed developing two great new bands, the Catbirds and the Chandler Travis Three-O (the latter being a smaller, satellite version of the Philharmonic -both delivered critically acclaimed debut albums in 2013), but we’re back with a vengeance in 2015, with two new albums: “Bocce & Bourbon: The Comfortable Songs of Chandler Travis & David Greenberger” in March; and “Waving Kissyface Vol. 1″, coming this summer or so.

“Bocce & Bourbon” is, on the one hand, a compilation of 19 examples of Chandler’s best work with his favorite lyricist, David Greenberger (also of Men and Volts and Duplex Planet fame), that spans more than three decades and includes both the Chandler Travis Philharmonic and Three-O as well as the Catbirds and the Incredible Casuals; but about half of it (nine new songs, plus a re-imagined alternate version) is brand new. The lyrics share compassion, warmth, and inventive imagery, echoed in music that is gently but firmly idiosyncratic, and the whole is surprisingly coherent -hard to catagorize, perhaps, but not hard to get.

Available on CD and download from our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Three-O
This is What Bears Look Like Underwater
CD: 2013, Iddy Biddy, 14 tracks

The Three-O (Fred Boak, John Clark, Berke McKelvey, and Chandler Travis -because what’s a Three-O without four people?)’s debut album is the classic length (twelve songs), plus a couple of fan favorites (NRBQ’s “Things To You” and the Fab Four’s “In My Life”), recorded over the last year or so at Trout Towers Casino and Ice Station Zebra, with guest star turns from Philharmonic bandmates Rikki Bates, Mark Chenevert, Dinty Child, Keith Spring, and Cliff Spencer.

Closest in mood and texture to Chandler’s recent “After She Left”, “Bears” stakes out ample territory of its own, both traditional and strange -half comfort, half mirage…

Available on CD and download from our Merchandise page

The Catbirds
Catbirds Say Yeah
CD: 2013, Iddy Biddy, 12 tracks

The Catbirds (Rikki Bates, Dinty Child, Chandler Travis, & Steve Wood) unleash their first full-length effort, recorded by Ducky Carlisle at Ice Station Zebra in Medford, MA, a broadside against all that is quiet, tasteful, and reserved, featuring 10 originals, one cover, and Pete Labonne’s immortal “Pajama Pants Baby” -an all-out back-to-basics melee!

Available on CD and download from our Merchandise page

The Catbirds
Viborate
CD EP: 2011, Iddy Biddy, 4 tracks

Two Incredible Casuals (Rikki Bates and Chandler Travis),one Greenhead (Steve Wood,also a charter member of the Freeze) and one Dinty Child (also of Session Americana and the Chandler Travis Philharmonic) make up the Catbirds,who present their first recorded collision with the “Viborate”EP,an urgent message from Those Who Still Rock. The quartet spent two days in a studio last November and cut more songs than they could reasonably fit on one album,so consider this the appetizer for the main course,which will follow in the fall.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Chandler Travis Philharmonic Blows!
CD: 2010, Sonic Trout, 12 tracks

The only time we ever had a studio recording session with the full Philharmonic all in attendance at one time was about eleven years ago for four of the tracks that ended up on “Let’s Have a Pancake” – until now. Twelve tracks, recorded live in the studio, no overdubs to speak of, band happy as clams, horns blowing, rhythm section smokin’ -a party not waiting to happen for another second! Featuring twelve new originals, this is the most straight-forward, undiluted CTP effort yet.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Travis & Shook
The Essential Travis, Shook and the Club Wow
LP: 1974 (or so), Just Like Real
CD: 2010, Big Pink (South Korea), 16 tracks

A Korean re-issue of the only official Travis & Shook album, originally released sometime around 1974 and out of print for at least 30 years, with two unissued outtakes from the original album, “Hush Now Baby” and “Teenage Prayer.” Co-produced by Keith Spring and featuring NRBQ’s Terry Adams, Tom Staley, Tom Ardolino, and Donn Adams, plus Alan Dawson, John Payne and Bill Elliot, among others, plus new liner notes by Chandler Travis and Keith Spring.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

After She Left Chandler Travis
After She Left

CD: 2009, Sonic Trout, 11 tracks

Chandler’s first solo CD since 1998’s “Ivan in Paris” features many of the usual CTP suspects – Keith Spring, Rikki Bates, Dinty Child, Mark Chenevert, Ken Field, etc., plus new bassist John Clark- and definitely is his quietest, most romantic effort to date, featuring nine new originals, plus Steve Shook’s first new song in decades, “Ask Too Much”, and an unexpectedly spellbinding version of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.”

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page


Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Tarnation and Alastair Sim (a/k/a ‘Kitty’)
CD: 2007, Sonic Trout, 48 tracks

The first Chandler Travis Philharmonic album in five years makes up for lost time with forty-eight (yes- 48!) tracks of utter insanity, including magnum opuses like “I’m Chandler’s Butterfly”, complete with sitar, mandocello, and 4 drum kits; the afro-pop influenced “Vasco Da Gama”, which features about 50 vocal tracks; the Dave Brubeck-ish instrumental “Ronald”; and the Prince-inspired “Dance Godammit” (not to mention a “heavy”, gothic, minor-key version of “Brown Eyed Girl” that could very well bury that one once and for all.) Guests include George Carlin, Ramona Silver, Bleu, many of Boston’s best horn players, and members of NRBQ and the Incredible Casuals.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Various Artists
I’m a Fool For Christmas (Radio Ball #25)
CDR: 2005, Iddy Biddy, 22 tracks

Highlights from the 2004 Christmas Cavalcade benefits, featuring THE CHANDLER TRAVIS PHILHARMONIC, THE INCREDIBLE CASUALS, ED “MOOSE” SAVAGE, THE TICKS, JOHNNY & JOEY SPAMPINATO, JENNIFER KIMBALL, TONY GODDESS, RAMONA SILVER, AMY FAIRCHILD, SHAUN WORTIS, SETH RICHARDSON, THE GREENHEADS, KAMI LYLE, FRED FRIED & BRUCE ABBOTT, ALLAN SHEINFELD, and THE SHOOK FAMBLY SINGERS. A splendid time was had by all!

Available for download on our Merchandise page


The Entire Sonic Trout Family
Another Christmas Gift For You

CDR: 2004, Sonic Trout, 21 tracks

a collection of 21 holiday favorites (mostly originals) by Chandler Travis and his various musical pals, including the Incredible Casuals and the Chandler Travis Philharmonic, all in a variety of flimsy disguises, not to mention the amazing Steve “Woo-Woo” Wood and Pete Labonne (who is a genius) -all now re-mastered, edited down, and spiffed up in a shiny, new, non-CDR official Sonic Trout Package! Perfect for any occasion, as long as it has something to do with Christmas. (And by the way, half of all proceeds go to Bread & Jams, a Cambridge organization providing food and counseling to the homeless.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Incredible Casuals
Yearbook ’04 (LIVE! at da ‘Coma!) (Radio Ball #24)

CDR: 2004, Iddy Biddy, 15 tracks

like it sez, 15 songs (9 never before released), all recorded gorgeously (definitely not Horrend-o-phonically!) at the Wellfleet Beachcomber in the summer of 2004 (well, two were recorded there in past years) -it’s the next best thing to being there!

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonette
Live at Bubala’s (Radio Ball #23)
CDR: 2003, Iddy Biddy, 19 tracks

The first new RadioBall in almost three years features a scaled-down version of the Philharmonic playing twelve brand new songs (including the immortal “Where’s My Glasses”) and seven old favorites, with particularly strong work from Keith Spring, Tim Dickey, Mark Chenevert, and Keiichi Hashimoto, all lovingly rendered in glowingHorrend-O-phonicstereo!

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Llama Rhymes
CD: 2002, Sonic Trout, 15 tracks

The CTP 2003 model comes with more songs, more musicians, bigger sets, more lavish costumes… why, it’s positively bloated with pure quality and prairie goodness, not to mention guest star appearances from Boston-area favorites Bleu, Ramona Silver, and Suzi Lee; NRBQ’s Johnny Spampinato; and even George Carlin (famous comedian!) A true, deep, lasting piece of art that you’re damn lucky to even be reading about! Jesus!!

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Let’s Have a Pancake
CD: 2000, Sonic Trout, 12 tracks

The official studio debut of the Chandler Travis Philharmonic, and Chandler’s first all-studio album in more than two decades, AND the album that first introduced the world to the delights of alternative dixieland music! This reckless aggregation of disparate instruments (horns, mandocello, accordion, guitar) and reckless ideas has been throwing music aficionados for serious loops ever since.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Lester
Lester (Radio Ball #22)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 12 tracks

LESTER was a short-lived (just ’92 & ’93) but nonetheless quite bitchin’ little rock combo from Cape Cod, led loud and large by Steve Wood, an amazing guitarist with a full, gorgeous tone and a loose, raucous, no-holds-barred performer who some may know from his guest appearances with the Incredible Casuals. He has written some beautiful songs here, dark, honest, and disturbing, and he is ably supported by Jay Cournoyer and Cliff Letsche from the High Kings and (you guessed it) Chandler Travis, who contributes three songs. This is easily the heaviest RadioBall yet…

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic and others
le Spectacle de la Lizarde!!! (Radio Ball #21)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 9 tracks

from the wild show the CTP did at the Lizard Lounge in September with the Trombone Shout Band (about 12 trombones, blowin’ like hell!), Pete LaBonne (4 cuts!), Alastair Moock, Ramona Silver, Brass Planet, Suzi Lee, and Jim Fitting; it also features a nineteen-minute collage of live stuff, home recordings, and god only knows what else, including the kitchen sink…

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis
You Must Come Over To-night (Radio Ball #20)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 12 tracks

one of our finest efforts; basically, this is another full Chandler studio album, with material drawn from the “Ivan in Paris” sessions and more recent recordings, with guest stars (Fred Fried, Abe Laboriel Jr., Terry Adams, Terry Anderson, Dick Wetmore, and the June Trailer Dancers) galore!

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

RadioBall#19 Chandler Travis
Dogsuit #2 (Radio Ball #19)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 16 tracks

the second all-acoustic RadioBall, featuring 11 or 12 new originals, plus covers of Cole Porter, Loudon Wainwright III, and Roy Hamilton songs, occasionally embellished by guest stars Tin Dickey, Dinty Child, Rich “Babe” Hardy, and Johnny Spaminabatabobadaboatobolobollabodoa. … perfect for either campfire or hootenanny!

Available for download on our Merchandise page

RadioBall #18 Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Introducing the Chandler Travis Philharmonic (Radio Ball #18)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 14 tracks

introducing, indeed… We’re running a little late at this point, but this one features relatively high fidelity, a rocking “When Can We Do This Again”, “Llama Rhymes With Mama”, and the inimitable Rikki Bates crooning three of your favorites!

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Various Artists
Day Job (Radio Ball #17)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 15 tracks

features cuts from the many musicians associated with the Philharmonic, here heard in entirely different settings. More jazz than usual on this one, and the recording quality is a few steps up from Horrend-o-phonic…(quite a few, actually.) Includes two tracks each from Ken Field, Keith Spring, and Brass Planet, among others.

Available for download our Merchandise page OUT OF PRINT

Chandler Travis
Burned (Radio Ball #16)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 0 tracks

with this one, we are proud to say that we have moved beyond music entirely. Each copy of “Burned”, was in fact personally lit on fire and burnt to a crisp by yours truly. Includes no music whatsoever, but does have cool Jeffrey Williams artwork and liner notes to tell you who is missing!

Available from our Merchandise page OUT OF PRINT

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Let’s Music! Vol 2 (Radio Ball #15)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 14 tracks

features more selections from the Philharmonic glory days at the Kirkland, again recorded in shimmering Horrend-o-phonic. Includes startling versions of “”Fluffy”, “Turning Into My Parents”, “Bongos Summer Cottage”, and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Travis & Shook
Weekend on Mt Cod (Radio Ball #14)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 22 tracks

before the Philharmonic and the Incredible Casuals, way back in the 70s, was Travis & Shook (aka Travis Shook & the Club Wow.) This one features home tapes, live stuff, and 2 outtakes from our only album (w. cameos from Q members), plus much fine work from Keith Spring and constant genius acoustic guitar voicings from the legendary Steve Shook.

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Monkeys of Nothing (Radio Ball #13)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 14 tracks

One of our most dispensible RadioBalls ever! Still, if you have never heard the Cocos, “Its a Buttercup World” will open your mind to a whole new world of possibilities; not to mention the epic “E” and “Shiny Rice” (a preview from the CTP instant songs album); plus, possibly the best liner notes ever by Keith Spring!

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
… Live at Bickford’s (Radio Ball #12)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 14 tracks

the entire first string -including a five man horn section -holds forth at 11am (in the morning!) at Bickfords Family Restaurant for the immortal free pancake breakfast/record release party for “Lets Have a Pancake.” A truly great moment in show-biz, preserved in its entirety in crystal-clear (way clearer than usual, anyway; apparently, pancakes make great baffles) Horrend-o-phonic!

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Incredible Casuals
The Future Will Be Better Tomorrow (Radio Ball #11)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 17 tracks

technically, this is not really a RadioBall, but seeing as Rikki and I both play on it and (mostly) produced it, we think we should get to count it as one if we want. It’s a whole bunch of marvelousness from that other band, comprised largely of outtakes from previous albums (including 9 Chandler songs), plus a handful of things that have appeared previously on compilations.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
The Sound of Food (Radio Ball #10)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 14 tracks

includes a frisky, new, studio-produced pop tune called “When She Smiles at Me” and a touching Whitey Houston rendition of “Are You Lonesome Tonight”…truly, no home should be without this precious (albeit mostly Horrend-o-phonic) keepsake!

Available for download on our Merchandise page OUT OF PRINT

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Bosoms (Radio Ball #9)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 16 tracks

features particularly fetching cover art by David Greenberger, and liner notes from the estimable Joe Coughlin. Most of it is from the Midway, in this case one of those rare Sundays when the whole “first string” was on duty -plus, on the second set, Scott Schettler on bass clarinet and Phyl Block on violin (!!!), all brought to you in the semi-gorgeous Horrend-o-phonic sound process.16 tracks, including a fairly unusual version of “The Rite of Spring”, the title cut, and an excerpt from a new song called “Weasel Dont Be Mean.” This is Dinty’s favorite so far, and I know you will not want to be without it (at first.)

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
The Dog Ate My Album (Radio Ball #8)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 15 tracks

again we travel back in time, this time to 1997 for twelve live tracks from the Midway, plus three outtakes from our recently released, soon-to-be-wildly-acclaimed official debut, “Let’s Have a Pancake” (including an alternate version of “What’ll It Be” with some gorgeous piano work from NRBQ’s Terry Adams), and a spaced-out dub from Rikki Bates. By far our best recorded RadioBall to date, it also features some of our most out playing (check “Get Out of Here”, “Monkey of Nothing”, and Rikki’s dub!)

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis
Dogsuit (Radio Ball #7)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 16 tracks

a little side trip into the world of acoustic music, this archival release (circa ‘87-’93) features absolutely no regular Philharmonic material; what it has instead are ten originals, one by the Louvin Brothers, and five by the Kinks (the group they tried to get God to save), mostly obscure delights from their “Preservation” period. No jazz…very relaxing.

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Taffy Shoot (Radio Ball #6)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 16 tracks

another all-Horrend-o-phonic effort, this one features one of my favorite opening sequences: “Superbowl XXXIIII”, right into “Lawrence of Arabia”, segueing effortlessly into “Yo Tomo Mi Mano”, and finally diving into the yawning abyss that is “Inna Gadda Da Brown-Eyed Girl” (once again, Van the Man is greeted rectally.) Words fail me.

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Let’s Music! (Radio Ball #5)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 18 tracks

one of our more gonzo efforts, this all-Horrend-o-phonic extravaganza is pure essense de RadioBall, comprised of the choicest gems from our one-year residency at the Kirkland Cafe in Cambridge in 1998. Includes “(You & Me) Pushin’ Up Daisies”, “Surf’s Up”, and “Milk Truck on Fire”, plus the world’s worst version of “Walk On By” and a leisurely “Wipe Out” performed with a really drunk old lady on drums.

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Miss America Presents (Radio Ball #4)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 14 tracks

mostly from a video taping session for a cable show called “Tom Lawlor & Friends”, with a heaping dollop of Horrend-o-phonic Midway stuff and a dash of stuff from the Sou’wester in Chatham. In honor of Miss America, this one features more venerable old favorites (like “I’ve Been Hurt”, “Eje Ka Jo”, Glen Styler’s “You Killed My Love”), and less originals (“Time Marches On”, “Fruit Bat Fun”, “When the Roses Shine in Picardy.”)

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Rocket Travis Infinity Caravan 2000 (Radio Ball #3)
CDR: 2000, Iddy Biddy, 13 tracks

half from a very nice sounding show at Johnny D’s in Somerville, and half more Horrend-o-phonic adventures at the Midway, this one features swell versions of “Somerville”, “Honeydripper”, “Stay Like That”, “Fluffy”, and “Not Unhappy”, and is our most popular RadioBall to date.

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Y’ Gotta Have the Mental (Radio Ball #2)
CDR: 1999, Iddy Biddy, 17 tracks

mostly Horrend-o-phonic from the Midway, plus a couple of nicely recorded duo cuts with just Dinty and Chandler, and a couple from an in-store appearance at Border’s in Hyannis. Includes many debuts (among them “2000 or Bust”, “Sha La La (Lover’s Heart)”, and three, count ‘em, 3, improvs), plus the wanton destruction of Van Morrison’s “Brown-eyed Girl”.

Available for download on our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Holiday Time (Radio Ball #1)
CDR: 1999, Iddy Biddy, 15 tracks – OUT OF PRINT

7 seasonal offerings (including one massive medley): mostly home recordings of Chandler’s, plus a couple of live recordings with the band; plus 8 live tracks from the Midway in Horrend-o-phonic. Includes “Crab Napkin”, “Meat Chant”, and “Money Won’t Buy You Happiness.”

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Raw Blarney!
CDR: 1999, Iddy Biddy, 13 tracks

“a St. Patricks Day substitute for people who can’t stand Celtic music; badly recorded at the Kirkland/Club Bohemia, St. Patricks Day, 1998.” In the tradition of the Replacements beloved “The Shit Hits the Fans” cassette, “Blarney” is thirty minutes of drunken hooliganism and token references to Irish stuff, recorded in full “Horrend-o-phonic” stereo! Come bask with us in the magical mists of the Emerald Isles!

Currently only available at gigs and then only when we have them – write to us and let us know if you want one!

Chandler Travis
Ivan in Paris
CD: 1998, Sonic Trout, 14 tracks

Aided and abetted by a large and varied cast including drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., seven-string jazz guitarist Fred Fried, Incredible Casuals bandmates Aaron Spade and Steve Wood, producer Bill Scheniman, and a host of others, Travis leans toward the quiet side on his second solo effort, but doesn’t fall over entirely.

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis Philharmonic
The Dreadful Humming of the Chandler Travis Philharmonic
Cassette: 1997, Sonic Trout, 4 tracks – OUT OF PRINT

The original Chandler Travis Philharmonic release – now long out of print (but all four songs are available on the “Let’s Have a Pancake!” CD)

Chandler Travis
His Lavender Silhouette
Cassette: 1996, Sonic Trout
CDR: 2009, Iddy Biddy, 15 tracks

largely acoustic settings, featuring cameos from Rikki Bates, Steve Wood, Medium Al Anderson, a barely audible Johnny Spampinato, and actual studio musicians from Hollywood, California! Jam-packed with insight, wit, heartbreak, and decay, and awarded five stars by Boston’s Noise fan-zine.

Available by download from our Merchandise page

Chandler Travis
writer-songsinger
CD: 1992, Sonic Trout, 15 tracks

solo debut featuring eleven Travis originals, a collaboration with lyricist David Greenberger (Men & Volts, Duplex Planet), a song by Steve Shook, (the other half of Travis Shook and the Club Wow), Bob Dylan’s “Spanish Harlem Incident”, and an Armenian-sounding adaptation of “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” that noone really wants to take credit for. An effort that hearkens back to the glory days of such stylistic slug-fests as the Beach Boys’ Sunflower and the first Randy Newman album -yet even more obscure!

Available on CD or by download from our Merchandise page