Idolator
Time for another installment of the Coulda-Shoulda-Woulda Files, where we raid our archives in search of a lost gem.
Artist: Jenny Toomey
Album: Antidote, 2001
What happened: Most people know singer Jenny Toomey for her extra-curricular activities: She co-founded the D.C.-based punk label Simple Machines, and eventually went on to establish the Future of Music Coalition, a musicians' rights advocacy group. Stumping for the FMC on college campuses across the country might not have allowed her to promote Antidote as much as she could have, and the album—subtle and beautiful as it—fell through the cracks.
Why it should have been a hit: Jazz, pop, country-tinged—there's a lot that Toomey does on this double-disc effort, and she does it all well, from sad torch songs ("Useless Excuses") to droney laments ("Fall on Me," which features Andrew Bird's strings) to joyous covers (like her take on Curtis Mayfield's "Fool For You)." We pull this one out every few months:
Jenny Toomey - Useless Excuses [MP3, link expired]
Jenny Toomey - Fall On Me [MP3, link expired]
Jenny Toomey - Fool For You [MP3, link expired]
Jenny Toomey [Official Site]
Comments
What, no mention of Tsunami, Toomey's excellent band? For shame! Everyone should track down a copy of "Old Grey Mare" from A Brilliant Mistake as well. It rules.
this was a great album - i actually prefer it to any of the stuff she released as tsunami.
I am probably one of the only people still listening regularly to Deep End, Tsunami's debut, but I think it's a great record.
...and let's not forget her invaluable publication, "The Simple Machines Mechanics Guide".
I am probably one of the few people who saw Tsunami open for Gallon Drunk and PJ Harvey. Theyw ere pretty good. But Gallon Drunk blew everyone to pieces. Get them coulda shoulda woulda, you know?
@Jfrankparnell: I'll see your Gallon Drunk and raise with "Tsunami opening for Jesus Lizard." David Yow refused to go on stage at City Gardens (the pride of Trenton, NJ) for nearly an hour and nearly caused a riot because he hadn't received all the beer specified in the band's rider.
As for Gallon Drunk, I occasionally hear "Some Fool's Mess" played as intro/outro music during televised sports broadcasts -- it holds its own among the traditional "jock rock" warhorses.
you know what would be good for the Shoulda Coulda file? Bettie Serveert's "Palomine" record.
Fun fact: I designed the packaging for this record!
So, can we seriously start a small paypal account called "The Jenny Toomey Album Fund", so that she could start releasing an lp every year? Or something to that effect? Pretty please?
I've had a long-standing crush on her. It's about time I actually listened to her music. *blush*
@plasticaisle: I was hooked from those 7"s from years before Deep End.
@Al aka El Negro Magnifico: She had that effect on me also. But Kristen did also.
isn't that the girl from 'in living color?'
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