'Tadpoles', Review by Jeff Penczak, Terrascope
NICK WHEELDON - TADPOLES
(LP from Le Pop Club)
Wheeldon's schizophrenic career includes over two dozen albums in as many different projects. He also finds time in his hectic schedule to record solo albums backed by "friends" and, most recently The Living Paintings. This, their follow-up to 2024's Waiting For The Piano To Fall was recorded in a week last March in a purpose-built studio/barn in Lüe, France. [The Sheffield native has been based in Pari for the past dozen years.]
One thing you can always expect from Wheeldon is the unexpected. Tadpoles offers intimate soul-searching lyrics that ponder the imponderables of the world we live in (while there's still a world left to live in), heartfelt vocals oozing emotion, hope, and frustration, impeccable accompaniment from the Paintings (Stephane Jach on violin, Sam Roux on piano, Luc Martin on bass, and Nico Brusq on drums), and sensitive brass (sax, mellophone, clarinet) to enhance the impact of the arrangements. There's a laidback, Byrds/Daniel Romano groove to 'Sleeping Dogs' and I suspect Wheeldon has spent a few nights alone with No Other if the title track is any indication.
Break out the tissues for 'Patient Of Desire.' Roux's lengthy heartbreaking piano coda increases the emotional impact of this weeper. There's hope in 'Sooner Or Later": "sooner or later the night reveals the stars" and the lengthy finale 'Summer Prey' is the most improvisational track here, a loose little shuffling jam where the Paintings get to shine and let their freaky jazzy bluesy swagger strut their stuff, playing the Magic Band to Wheeldon's Captain Beefheart!
It's been a long, strange trip for Wheeldon through his various musical guises but the Living Paintings may be his best accomplices yet and we can only hope for more eclectic, electric fun times and surprises to come.
(Jeff Penczak)