Vibrolux by Larry John McNally

His song Nobody's Girl, featured on this recording, was recorded by Bonnie Raitt on her "Nick of Time" album. Akin to a "bluesy, more moody Jim Croce", McNally moves you through his songs at a tempo used on a front porch in the south during a heatwave. An excellent album.

***** Robert Curtis, folkweb.com *****

One of our musical scouts tipped us off about a guy named Larry John McNally, by whom he had heard a number. According to our information the CD was only available in Japan. After a couple of weeks the moment was there: we held a copy in our hands. Remove the shrink wrap, take out the booklet, read.

Produced by Marvin Etzioni. That name is at least familiar (ex Lone Justice, three beautiful albums by himself). A small line-up with guitar by LJM, bass by Jerry Scheff (Elvis Costello and other pearls) and drums by Don Heffington (also ex Lone Justice and drummer on the last Jayhawks album). No further information about the artist. Listen.

Already at the first notes there are shivers running down the spine: this can't go wrong. "I feel nervous and shaky, like everything's falling apart...". Music which reminds one of Lyle Lovett, Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones, of John Martyn, David Essex, and David Blue- the atmosphere of Van's masterpiece "Astral Weeks".

One number even more beautiful than the other: we hold a jewel in our hands. A precious jewel though, given the Japanese Yen has just reached record highs. Little by little the picture gets more complete: Bonnie Raitt once called LJM her secret tip and she did a cover of an LJM song, "Nobody's Girl", on her album "Nick of Time".

An address in Los Angeles. We decide to locate this guy. Sherlock and Watson. Numerous phone calls, befriended musicians and then: we've located him, not in L.A., but on the other side of the continent, in New York. We talk to him, tell him how much his CD moved us, and ask him if his CD is being distributed. That's luck: LJM is the artist AND the distributor. We agree on a price for "Vibrolux" and now it's in the shop.

For everybody who has possession of a couple of ears- for everybody who's still hearing his heart beat- for everybody who can get drunk on music for everybody-really!

*****Spring 1995, Leo Kramer, Utrecht, Holland

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