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[idiot_guru]

I've been more of an observer than a contributor here for the last 2 years but does anybody pine for a time when Jeff Lewis was not everywhere?
Remember how it was before every Tom Dick and Harry could quote 'The Complete History of Jeffs Sexual Conquests or before the whole Crass album situation engulfed the internet or the Watchmen bits.

A second point - How does the Jeff Lewis of today stand against the Jeffrey Lewis of yesterday?

How do the songs on the upcoming album rate against times gone by?

Which album would you take to a desert island - his first or last?
Be Honest
Everyone is

[Will Oldham]

I know what you mean, Jeff was in the metro (free london daily newspaper read by probably hundreds of thousands of people) the other day - i was told this by 2 different people who don't know anything of him other than that I'm a fan - and yes I do kind of miss the old days purely for selfish reasons , it feels good - as though you're in some kind of exclusive club! but I can't deny Jeff and the guys the level of success and recognition they have reached - they certainly have worked for it with their constant touring, recording, drawing and merchandise producing to keep us happy. I cant say that they have suffered for it though. some of the songs being released on this new album have been around for quite a while and yet sit very comfortably next to the newer tracks (I should stress I haven't heard the new album yet but I am very familiar with all of the songs on it, as many of us on here are) the only real difference I've found over time which applys both to the guys recordings and their live shows is that they are much more professional - a natural result of their constant touring and playing

As for the question on which album would you take to a desert island - I've given it some though and I dont have an answer - I think it is difficult to answer the question with out bias - I love the 1st album, it was my introduction to Jeff's music , it started me down this journey which now sees me as part of this board, having seen them play 20 to 30 times spread over 3 countries - but its also been listened to far to many times over the years that whenever I hear a new song on tour I find it very exciting. in short I'm trying to compare an album which led me to love a band with an album from a band I love - confused? I am! maybe its possible to compare 2 songs ( I have to say this after I put you all through the 'Jeffrey Lewis world cup' a few years ago!) but I find it impossible to compare 2 good albums, where do you start when comparing art, take two sculptures or paintings from the same artist on different subject matter - even on the same subject matter, everything has its good and bad points!

I think I waffed on for a while there to basically say no comment! but there may have been a few points in there.
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[AFB]

Quite simply - I agree with you, progress is good, I like change, I get bored easily. Natural progressions are... well, natural and it'd be a little unfair to all the guys hardwork to use that as detriment.

[CrackyMcCrackerson]

Well, I can say safely that Jeff is a virtual uknown in the midwest and southern areas of the United States. I remember when he played Denton, TX here, ,maybe 20 people(including me and my girlfriend), showed up. You overseas folk get an "overload" of Jeff, while I'm starved of him.

[Will Oldham]

There's our answer then, if you want to see Jeff play and feel like you are discovering a new unknown act, go see him play in his own country!!
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[hamlet]

One reason Jeff couldn't get so much airplay in the states is that our word prudery laws are much stricter than those in England. So when I sent copies of Jeff's early CDs to our most alternative indies radio station DJ I got told,"We can't play that." Forget it for the Crass covers, WWOH could only air on WFMU's internet stream, it could not be broadcast on the radio airwaves. Occasionally I've heard "Anxiety Attack" and Jeff's been on New York Noise, an alternative TV music program. He usually manages to fill the room when he performs around here and is respected as a lyricist by those who know him. I think the new CD will be entirely playable as far as I know, so we'll see what the US media will do.

[CrackyMcCrackerson]

I was thinking that this might be the record that unleashes his talents to a national US audience, as long as I don't have trouble finding it once it's released.

[Kieron]

hamlet, i'm not sure it's radio play that's got jeff popular in the uk - it used to be a struggle to get to hear it anywhere, maybe the odd john peel show and that was it. certainly now things have turned but the initial success was more from word of mouth (in my humble opinion), and by rough trade promoting the cd and actually seeing it on the shelves of places like virgin and hmv (going back to last time i did acid here...). certianly though, there has been more receptivity here (just took a while for radio to latch on)

but anyway, back to the question. second to last time i saw jeff, i was really disappointed - it was for the crass album and the place was rammed with boorish yas. too many people being too precious to actually have a good time and enjoy it. and everyone seemed taller than me so i couldn't see much! but then the last time it was great, it was with ish marquez, stanley brinks and withered hand, and it worked this time, it was still really busy, but it seemed like all the pretentious scenesters had got bored and it was left with just people there to enjoy things. so RIP jeffrey; long live jeff!

EDIT: my fav album is probably it's the one's who've cracked. i'd seen arrow at loads of shows and it really grabbed me. i've not heard much new stuff, but i really hope they're at least one psychedelic/epic song a la arrow or springtime

[fortuneandglory]

Wow, Kieron, I think you've had the opposite experience to me...assuming the Crass show you're talking about is the Edinburgh show they played on that tour. I went to the Edinburgh show, stood right at the front and had an amazing time, it worked so well with the big screen, and it seemed like everyone around me was really enjoying it, it was a lovely atmosphere. But when I went to the Glasgow gig in December, it was very different, nobody seemed to want to have a good time, they were all just standing around looking miserable (trying to look cool maybe?) The O'Henry's show was good, but far too hot and sweaty for my liking, I nearly passed out during Ish Marquez, and there's only so long I can watch Withered Hand fella tune a banjo without getting bored, you know?

(have I said all this before? probably. sorry!)

Anyway, I can't really talk much about the Jeff of old, as I'm a miserable, cursed newbie. I hadn't heard Jeff's stuff much until he supported Daniel Johnston at the Comedy Store in Manchester with Adem a few years ago, and then I was hooked. But I do think that Jeff's getting better and better, and more confident with each new release. So I think my desert island song would have to be Roll Bus Roll. It's just perfect.

[Kieron]

[idiot_guru]

it's strange that most of the people who have so much to say on other threads are the most silent. I feel my point still stands ( although at the time of writing it I was a litre drunk.)
jack fe
Hamlet
Ema
joeletigre
Where are you???

anyway

I have some pics and music from when Jeff played Prague a couple of months ago. it could of been the smallest concert he had played for quite a while. This does not make it any more better or worse for that matter. Although playing table football with Dave and Jack until late was fun.

[jack fe]

To the first point; I know how it is when our little secret becomes public domain. But I don't think it's happened with Jeffrey. Although he's far more well known, I just feel proud of him, and not as resentful as I've felt with other bands in the past.

I think the Jeffrey Lewis of today stands up great against the Jeff of yesteryear.
I saw him perform in London a few days ago. He said it was his biggest headline show ever. Yet he was still wandering around the venue talking with people as usual until it was time to play.
During the show, he stopped for 10 minutes to give his phone number out to all 800 people in the venue, to conduct an experiment. Even if he's on a bigger scale now, his shows are still his own.
But, to the most important point - the songs!

One of his newest songs (which I heard for the first time at this London show) was as strong as anything off the first two albums. In fact, it would fit in the first record, it seemed. As perfect as ever. (the song was 'If I Can't Take It Anymore')

I totally understand why you'd feel the way you do though, and I was almost coming close to it, but whenever I see Jeff play, in whatever situation or context that I might not be so into, he's still the same old Jeffrey.
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[Dav]

I like Jeff latest material a lot but my heart is at his first records, nothing beats homemade recording to me.
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[Dav]

make me thinks of that white stripes song :

Well you're in your little room
and you're working on something good
but if it's really good
you're gonna need a bigger room
and when you're in the bigger room
you might not know what to do
you might have to think of
how you got started in your little room
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[silverwood]

I dont understand why jeff cant have the succsess he deserves and has earnt.
he deserves everything that he gets!
he deserves popularity and recognition!
the more people that get to hear his brilliant music the better is what i say.
he dosnt play music and put all this effort in just so he can play to a select elite few.
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I had a common goal. i caught a common cold.