Cairo Gang Discography of CDs

Cairo Gang albums The Cairo Gang's self-titled debut album is a collection of frequently ambient acoustic and electric structures that hold aloft sensitive melodies and impressionistic vocals. Reminiscent of the lighter material of fellow Chicagoans Califone, songs like the gently pulsating "Warning" and "Lazy Time Since Last September," while superficially fragile-sounding, have a primal energy all their own. Recording information: Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Louisville; Tulsa, OK.

Cairo Gang CD discography For this new album of songs, Bonny Billy and The Cairo Gang together have built a bridge forward, assembled with riffs and bits from Emmett Kelly's guitar and the lyricism of Bonny's heart. But mostly, The Wonder Show of the World was, in its making, about trust. It's a record made eye-to-eye in a room, close and careful, by and for a few men who wanted to be together, who wanted to make music that sounds as good to listen to as it did to make, and who in doing so forged something new in space, the wonder of you and of them. Although The Wonder Show of the World is the first Bonnie "Prince" Billy record to feature a co-billing with the Cairo Gang, he's been accompanied by guitarist Emmett Kelly many times, both as part of his live band and in the studio for some of his best work of the 2000s (The Letting Go, Lie Down in the Light). This time it's special, though, with Kelly in the limelight like he's never been on record and a spare, no-frills production to emphasize the music-making on display. His playing is fluid and virtuosic but never showy, and his range is impressive, from fingerpicked guitar to lazy but jagged country-rock (on the occasional track with drums) to the brooding, stately "Teach Me to Bear You," where he tears off a solo channeling Eric Clapton during the last few seconds of a five-minute track. As always, Will Oldham's lyrics never fail to impress, and the best are front-loaded. The mystery of the opener, "Troublesome Houses," is revealed quickly ("I once loved a girl, but she couldn't take that I visited troublesome houses"). He inhabits his characters fully, and his lyrics reveal these characters' inner thoughts in intriguing fashion: some are stark and declamatory, others hurt and questioning, still others simply puzzled and helpless when faced with the hands they've been dealt. More than most Bonnie "Prince" Billy records, this is one of those austere records, filled with lyrical archaisms -- fans will think first of Master and Everyone -- but Kelly and company prove a capable foil for the monolith of Oldham's rustic songwriting and singing. ~ John Bush Personnel: Shahzad Ismaily (vocals, percussion).

Cairo Gang albums Track Listing of songs: Island Brothers; New Wonder;

Cairo Gang music CDs Track Listing of songs: Uwar; Guider; Privacy; Doug McComb Over; No More No Where; Kickstart; Friend in Common; Spit in Layers; Long Looks; Blanes Echo Blirds, Bleeze Echo Blouds; Oh Solo; Roots Dug Into Dunes = Landslide; Second Door From the Left; Flicker; Friday the 13th Part 2; Oakey; Gameshow Buzzer; Drivin' Me Crazy;