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Kathy McCarty
There was a weird convergence of Daniel Johnston related stuff in the collective consciousness in 2004: There was a Johnston tribute record featuring of-the-moment artists like TV on The Radio, Death Cab for Cutie, and Bright Eyes. A bunch of us crazy Austin kids saved Johnston's "HI, HOW ARE YOU?" graffiti on the side of the old Sound Exchange building (yes, Spoon fans, that Sound Exchange) from being demolished when a Baja Fresh franchise moved into that space. And Before Sunset, the sequel to Austin director Richard Linklater's 1994 film Before Sunrise, was released. Before Sunrise featured K. (better known as Kathy) McCarty, formerly of Austin art punk fixtures Glass Eye, covering Johnston's "Living Life" as its end title song.
So, after all that, it seems only logical that 2005 would see the re-release of McCarty's brilliant but long out-of-print album of Johnston covers, Dead Dog's Eyeball. This is probably one of my favorite records of all time -- I think if I ever move away from Austin -- living somewhere like Fargo, ND or London -- this will be the record to listen to when I'm homesick. It's the perfect combination of two Austin icons.
McCarty's voice is so clear and stunning; the production is subdued and doesn't overpower Johnston's exquisite little songs. This album truly is perfection. (Is that enough adjectives, you think? I mean them all, I truly do!)
The Bar/None site reports that the new edition of Dead Dog's Eyeball will feature extra tracks and videos, including one by Linklater. And, in what I imagine is in conjunction with this release, McCarty will be playing at SXSW. And, if I'm not mistaken, it will be her first appearance at the festival since 2001.
I really wish I had some Glass Eye mp3s to share, but alas, I do not. But here are a few tracks from the original pressing of Dead Dog's Eyeball. I'm so tempted to post nearly every track, but I know The Queen of the Front Row would kill me for that!
K. McCarty - Living Life
K. McCarty - I Am A Baby (In My Universe)
K. McCarty - Desperate Man Blues
K. McCarty - Golly Gee
News on the Bar/None website announced the album would be re-released in January 2005, but there's no sign of it yet.
Posted by Little Miss Rock'n'Roll at 02.11.05 at 1:03 AM
Comments
i can't believe its been ten years. kathy toured on this record and made it up to providence when it first came out. they threw her on before some horrible jam band on a tuesday night. i taped the show and kathy was very nice, and did some spots for my radio show afterwards. i bought as much stuff as i could from them because i thought they could use the gas money. the tape and spots are around here somewhere. god, i'm old.
Posted by: mark at 02.12.05 at 1:07 PM
Your old, I would go to Glass Eye gigs at the UT union and Liberty Lunch back in the 80's. Love them and Kathy, I am so excited she is back again.
BTW, if you want some Glass Eye MP3s let me know, I am listening to Bent By Nature right now.
Posted by: DoctorB at 03.17.05 at 3:48 PM
Soo... apparently Glass Eye kicked butt at SXSW. They've got a new (last) album coming out, a website, and everything. They even *gag* have a myspace page for their new album, with a few songs from it. Kathy also released a new album last year, and it's even available on iTunes. Sheesh, how times change.
Posted by: rbb at 03.23.06 at 10:18 PM
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