It’s 40 years since Giant Sandworms first emerged from the Arizona wasteland and mutated into Giant Sand, the chameleon-like frontage for the songwriting genius of Howe Gelb.
There have been albums, many albums, multifarious incarnations, line-up switches, mash ups and amalgamations (Giant Giant Sand, anyone?). Meanwhile Howe has remained constant. Sure, he’s meandered into melancholy piano rolls, conceptual collections, wild guitar forays and an aching surreal take on Americana and alternative country, but, his oeuvre remains untitled, his inspiration far-reaching, from Queens Of The Stone Age to PJ Harvey, Robert Plant to Yard Act.
And, now a new generation of acts have had their interest spiked by Howe’s ever-expanding catalogue and further interpretations of his unique desertopia are beginning to emerge.
To celebrate the master and his craft, Fire Recordings celebrate those four decades with a string of releases bringing a happenstantial slant to proceedings.
You can now listen to Lily Konigsberg’s shimmering, dreamy interpretation of ‘Shiver’ from ‘Chore Of Enchantment’ that celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary year, Canadian baritone Whitney K’s ‘Happenstance’ from 1994’s ‘Glum’ and Brooklyn duo Water From Your Eyes create a delicate balance of punk riffing and dream pop escapism on their cover of ‘Warm Storm’ from 1991’s ‘Ramp’.
Listen To First ‘Sand Worms’ Tracks Now
“An enigma, an inspiration, and some kind of genius” The Quietus
“The prolific godfather of alt-country” Louder Than War
Celebrating 25 years since the release of Giant Sand’s legendary Chore Of Enchantment, the panoramic masterpiece that was the turning point for the classic line-up featuring seasoned songwriter Howe Gelb and latter-day Calexico members Joey Burns and John Convertino from 1999. The reissue is released alongside 2010’s Blurry Blue Mountain.
Giant Sand will be touring the UK this April which includes a special live date at EartH collaborating with Steve Wynn and Kristin Hersh in celebration of Fire Records’ 40thAnniversary.
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