Crazy Mary Knucklehead CD

All of Crazy Mary's impulsive musical proclivities -- eclecticism and eccentricity chief among them -- are as much in play as ever on Knucklehead, the band's fifth full-length outing, sometimes maddeningly so. Co-leaders Charles Kibel and George Kerezman split the songwriting duties pretty well right down the middle, so while the stylistic consistency may leave something to be desired, the songs cover a lot of ground, and usually in splendid, carefree fashion. "Invisible" has almost a klezmer or Eastern European feel with Walter Steding's forlorn, omnipresent violin accompaniment, and the far-out "Land of Jagged Mountains," featuring Steding again as well as Kibel's electric sitar, explores spirituality and Middle Eastern modality, but elsewhere Crazy Mary goes all brassy and buoyant, utilizing the New York Horns for the funk blowout "When the Shit Hits the Fan" and antiapocalypse "Duck and Cover." The novelty "Brian Jones" is a hoot, too, making good use of the proverbial Bo Diddley beat, and the band follows it up with the faux-innocent "Let's All Have a Party," a breezy proapocalypse tune that reproduces down to the backing handclap early rock & roll balladry, conceptually a pretty inspired sequence. The title track reinvents surf music as swank go-go pop, and, except for the vocals, "Still Water" does Chicago blues surprisingly convincingly. Kibel even gives hip-hop a shot on "Angel in Disguise," even if it sounds more like an aged EMF. Knucklehead certainly won't lose one of New York's favorite garage bands any fans, and it's easy to imagine it gaining them a few. ~ Stanton Swihart

CRAZY MARY is proud to release its latest recording, 'KNUCKLEHEAD." It features special guests, legendary avant-garde violinist Walter Steding who has performed with Robert Fripp, Chris Stein and David Byrne, and New York Horns whose members have performed with Southside Johnny, Blood Sweat and Tears, Donald Fagen, and They Might Be Giants.

CRAZY MARY's last album, 'BURNING INTO THE SPIRIT WORLD," was voted by the New Century Music awards as the BEST rock album by a group in 2001. It was in the top 30 on over 30 radio stations nationally as reported to CMJ. Upon its release, CRAZY MARY was named band of the month by Nefarious Entertainment MagazineCRAZY MARY's third release, 'ASTRONAUT DUBS'(Humsting Records 2000)) was featured on over 360 stations and charting on 27 stations top 30. Johnny Thunders, (Radioactive Dub) was featured in February on the nationally syndicated Spin College Radio, and also appeared on CMJ's (College Music Journal) compilation 'Certain Damage' vol. 114.

CRAZY MARY's second recording called 'SHE COMES IN WAVES' (Humsting Records 1999) charted on CMJ's top 20 adds. It has been played on over 370 stations and charted on 40 stations top 30. In addition, the title track will appear on CMJ's 'Certain Damage' vol.

109. Tracks from this release have been played on the prestigious 'Idiot's Delight' radio show, hosted by legendary DJ, Vin Scelsa.

on WNEW FM, New York,

Audio Mixer: Mike Caiati.

Recording information: Coyote Recording Studios, Brooklyn, NY.

Photographer: Rob Featherstone.

Crazy Mary: Sophia Jackson (vocals, various instruments); Charles Kibel (guitar, harmonica, background vocals); George Kerezman (guitar, keyboards, bass, background vocals); Nick Raisz (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Personnel: Jason Spittle (mandolin); Walter Steding (violin); John Isley (saxophone); Chris Anderson (trumpet); Dan Levine (trombone).