AKA Grafitti Man

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AKA Grafitti Man
Studio album by
John Trudell
Released1992
LabelRykodisc[1]
ProducerJesse Ed Davis, Rick Eckstein
John Trudell chronology
Fables and Other Realities
(1991) 		AKA Grafitti Man
(1992) 		Johnny Damas & Me
(1994)

AKA Grafitti Man is an album by the Native American musician John Trudell, released in 1992.[2][3] The songs, parts of which were rerecorded, first appeared on four cassettes Trudell made in the 1980s and early 1990s.[4][2] The aka Grafitti Man cassette, recorded with Jesse Ed Davis in 1986, was called the best album of the year by Bob Dylan.[5] Trudell supported the album by touring with his band, the Grafitti Man Band.[6]

Production

The album was produced by Davis and Rick Eckstein, and executive produced by Jackson Browne; additional sessions and remixing occurred at Browne's home studio.[7][8] While mostly employing spoken word, Trudell also added his background vocals to a few tracks.[9] Kris Kristofferson sang on "Somebody's Kid" and "What He'd Done".[10] "Baby Boom Ché" is about the revolutionary characteristics of early Elvis Presley.[11] "Restless Situations" is about the end of romantic love in a relationship.[12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Robert ChristgauA−[14]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[15]
Los Angeles Daily News[16]
MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide[17]

Robert Christgau wrote that "the settings, sharp studio-rock readymades keyed to the very '60s guitar of the late Jesse Ed Davis and spiced occasionally by Native American chants or drumbeats, can get you going, and Trudell takes them as his due."[14] The Austin American-Statesman noted that Trudell "couches much of his recitations in free verse; and when he rhymes, the meter of his poetry seldom accompanies that of the accompanying music."[18]

Rolling Stone stated that "Trudell employs basic rock, blues, traditional indigenous music, street shuffles and folk songs to craft a compelling hybrid that encompasses many viewpoints and visions of reality."[19] The Edmonton Journal determined that, "deliberating with knowledge and grace, like a scholar-turned-actor, Trudell muses on quarrels both personal and global while gloriously emotional guitar and vocal chants underscore the context."[20] The Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph listed AKA Grafitti Man as the third best album of 1992.[11]

AllMusic wrote: "Although this is spoken word, musically these pieces are songs and not meandering ideas. Trudell's lyrics, voice, and timing also fit well with the music and never seem forced."[13] The Encyclopedia of Popular Music deemed it "the best introduction to his work, a style that measures profundity against irascible humour."[15]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Rockin' the Res" 
2."Grafitti Man" 
3."Restless Situations" 
4."Wildfires" 
5."Baby Boom Ché" 
6."Bombs Over Baghdad" 
7."Rich Man's War" 
8."Somebody's Kid" 
9."Never Never Blues" 
10."What He'd Done" 
11."Beauty in a Fade" 
12."Tina Smiled" 

References

  1. ^ "Album Reviews — AKA Grafitti Man by John Trudell". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 18. May 2, 1992. p. 61.
  2. ^ a b "John Trudell Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Baird, Robert. "Trial by Fire". Phoenix New Times.
  4. ^ "Between the Lines of John Trudell". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  5. ^ Snowden, Don (27 Dec 1986). "Indian Rights Activist Finds Outlet in Rock". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 2.
  6. ^ Marbella, Jean (23 June 1992). "Trudell channels anger into poetry chanted to music". The Baltimore Sun. p. 1C.
  7. ^ Bahr, Jeff (April 14, 1992). "Indian Activist's Life Mirrors Role in 'Thunderheart'". Omaha World-Herald. p. 27SF.
  8. ^ Booth, Philip (April 17, 1992). "Using music as a soapbox". Friday Extra!. The Tampa Tribune. p. 20.
  9. ^ Takiff, Jonathan (19 June 1992). "Indian Activist Speaks & Sings from the Heart". Features Yo!. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 65.
  10. ^ Catlin, Roger (24 Apr 1992). "From activist to poet to performer, Trudell sets his message to music". Hartford Courant. p. D1.
  11. ^ a b Asakawa, Gil (1 Jan 1993). "The best CDs of the year weren't by superstar acts". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. D1.
  12. ^ Armstrong, Gene (August 28, 1992). "Records show Indian values mesh in music". Arizona Daily Star.
  13. ^ a b "AKA Grafitti Man". AllMusic.
  14. ^ a b "John Trudell". Robert Christgau.
  15. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 271.
  16. ^ Shuster, Fred (April 3, 1992). "Spoken Word". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L45.
  17. ^ MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 780.
  18. ^ Davis, John T. (16 Jan 1992). "The ballads of an angry man". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 10.
  19. ^ Jurek, Thom (May 28, 1992). "Recordings — AKA Grafitti Man by John Trudell". Rolling Stone. No. 631. p. 53.
  20. ^ Metella, Helen (31 May 1992). "AKA Grafitti Man John Trudell". Edmonton Journal. p. C4.
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