|
Lounging in the Belly of the Beast compilations: Seattle
Performing Songwriters also see: |
electric bonsai band recordings Electric Bonsai Band is actually Andrew Ratshin, member of and principal songwriter for the group Uncle Bonsai, and his acoustic guitar. When this popular Seattle-based trio disbanded in 1989, Andrew began recording and performing, with just his voice and an acoustic guitar, as Electric Bonsai Band. For information about individual releases, select the title on the left. |
Electric Bonsai Band is actually Andrew Ratshin, member of and principal songwriter for the group Uncle Bonsai, and his acoustic guitar. When this popular Seattle-based trio disbanded in 1989, Andrew began recording and performing, with just his voice and an acoustic guitar, as Electric Bonsai Band. With the release of his debut recording, I Am Joe's Eyes, on Yellow Tail Records, Andrew began headlining at clubs and festivals across North America; with the release of a live cassette, 20 Seconds Of Pleasure (a collection of 20-second and 40-second songs) and the critically acclaimed, But I'm Happy Now, Andrew established himself as "one of the premier songwriters of his generation" (The Maverick Report). In 1997, the release of Lounging In The Belly Of The Beast had Sing Out magazine proclaiming Andrew "an absolute original" and "there's more than enough brilliance here to entice and seduce open minded listeners who appreciate exceptionally well written songs." In,
Yellow Tail Records was proud to present the
long-awaited Electric Bonsai Band release, Primal Urges: A
Collection. Recorded live in concert,
this double compact disc -- over 25 songs...over
140 minutes of live music -- features Electric
Bonsai Band performing selections from his previous
releases, as well as a number of new "classics."
Richard Foss of BAM Magazine said that
"Ratshin...merges the
humorous and the profound..." and to
"expect an absorbing, wry
evening of poetic wit and great songs"; this
new recording surpasses those expectations! [When asked why he decided to call himself Electric Bonsai Band, Andrew responded as follows: "For years, people seemed to always be confused by three people being called Uncle Bonsai...one name. I thought that, by calling myself a band, I could effectively continue to confuse people well into the 90's. Now, four solo recordings and three compilations later, it looks like it's Electric Bonsai Band from now on. As I've said before, it's a cheap joke, but it's mine."] And what has the press had to say about Andrew's songs? "The songs on But I'm Happy Now
are all impeccable. Each is perfectly rendered. We
are confident in the years to come, Andrew Ratshin
will be judged as one of the premier songwriters of
his generation.
"Each of Ratshin's songs
describes a clear, self-contained, lyrical, and
musical landscape. While the complex chordings and
tricky rhythmic structures are clearly those of a
trained musician, the songs move crisply in a pop
vein, backed by Ratshin's impeccable acoustic
guitar playing and arranging skills."
"Neither electric nor a band,
Andrew Ratshin is still mesmerizing as a solo
performer, armed as he is with just an acoustic
guitar and a repertoire of sharp-edged
songs...Expect an absorbing, wry evening of poetic
wit and great songs." Yellow Tail Records is
proud to present the Electric Bonsai Band
recordings; compact discs and cassettes are now
available at all local record stores through City
Hall Distribution - or mail order from: The phone number for additional ordering
information or concert schedules is (206)
527-3546. |
|
