In three decades plus, he’s managed to mash elements of erosion rock, de-composition, crunchy & western, something close to blues, punk snark, lo-fi hi-fi, pseudo jazz, gospel a-choir-ing, semi-standard piano standards and a side swipe of Andalusian gypsy flamenco.
His genre is difficult to pinpoint when questioned by authorities at passport control;
Q:“You’re a musician ?
A: “Yes, I guess.”
Q: “What kind of music do you play ? “
A: “ I don’t know.“
If musical classification were likened to sonic masonry, then one can prepose that Howe Gelb’s stone work is but the mortar in between all categorical bricks. An uneasy fit for the discernible listener, but none the less, nicely holds it all together.
He’s probably ‘folk’ with a side of cacophony … let’s go with that.
He has a catalogue of over 60 albums of his various incarnations, including Giant Sand.
He’s produced albums for John Doe and K.T. Tunstall.
He’s made original music with his friends Anna Karina (French New Wave) and Pappy Allen (Pappy & Harriet’s).
He had helped M. Ward and Grandaddy get their first albums out.
His 90s rhythm section became Calexico after turning them on to his hometown in Tucson, Arizona.
Giant Sand and Howe Gelb classics
Some covers and some new songs as usual
Lorenzo Corti: guitars and effects
www.facebook.com/howegelbmusic/
https://howegelb.bandcamp.com/