Offbeat Magazine, August, 2001

The Journal of Music Not Commonly Played on the Radio or Found in Stores or Anywhere Else for that matter

 

“Suburban New Age Rap Bluesman Issues Debut Record” by Miffy Huggleburt

 

            The music industry is waiting with bated breath to see the public reaction to a new CD just out this month, a CD which has the potential to change the face of popular music.  It’s Herbal T’s new disc, “Organic Free Range”, and you may have a hard time finding it in your local record store.  For two reasons: one is that the artist claims that his music should be categorized as “suburban new age rap blues” - a category not given much bin space these days in most record stores.  The other reason is that Free Range Records, Herbal T’s own label, has had some production problems and seems to have lost all of the CDs.  Because of this, we were only able to review the CD liner notes.

            Herbal T demonstrates a virtuoso range of writing, singing, and musicianship in this debut album, from the classic electric blues riffs of “Frequent Flyer Blues” to the mostly a capella lullaby “Go to Your Room”.  He also touches on all aspects of the suburban angst lifestyle, including religion (“What Would Jesus Do?” and “I’m Saved”), parenting (“Driving My Kids in My Minivan”, “Only the Best”), and career advice (“Organic Free Range”).  The weakest track is probably “Parcels, Tape, Addresses, and Twine,” to the traditional tune of “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Twine”, which advises a friend on the risks of opening a retail mail and packing store.

            Fingers Felske, fresh off a nonstarter solo career, seems much more comfortable in the backup role behind Herbal T, playing his usual collection of instruments, including celery, harp, dog collar, school bell, bass milk jug, chicken bones, and the telephone book.  Lily Marlene, a newcomer to suburban new age rap blues music, also backs on most of the tracks.

            Overall, the trio’s effort can only be guessed at, since no one has heard the music, but the coffee shops are sure to be buzzing over the profound imagery of the cover art, all of which alludes to the topic of the title song, “Organic Free Range”, which implies that today’s youth may try to rebel and be free, yet still is just chicken for the slaughterhouse.

            While one would hope the label would wait for an actual CD to be released, word is that Herbal T is back in the studio with some more songs, ready to meet the Herbal-mania which is perceived to be just on the horizon.

Seattle’s Other Alternative Paper, August, 2001

 

“A Few Minutes with Herbal T, a Cult Leader in the Making” by Moondog McGriff

 

Our music correspondent caught up with suburban new age rap blues musician and songwriter Herbal T just before his recent free concert on 1^st Avenue near Pioneer Square.

 

SOAP: Tell me about your style of music.

 

Herbal T: Well, it’s totally new, that’s the main thing. No one’s ever heard it before.

 

SOAP: So I understand.  Wasn’t there a problem with the release of your CD?

 

Herbal T: Oh, that was just a little technical glitch, but don’t you see?  It was, like, perfect, because that’s what my music is all about - imperfection in the commercial we all live and work and sleep and live in.

 

SOAP: Maybe you could tell me more about your roots. What drives you to make the music you do?

 

Herbal T: I’m angry.  I’m really angry.

 

SOAP: Your songs don’t seem so angry.

 

Herbal T: Well, I don’t sing angry.  But I’m angry FOR everyone.  Everyone growing up today.  I want to save them from having to be angry themselves, because that’s really bad karma and they can get in trouble.

 

SOAP: Okay, but what should they be angry about?

 

Herbal T: Look around you!  Can’t you see?

 

SOAP: Um, I only see some streetpeople and a regentrifying warehouse.

 

Herbal T: Exactly!  That’s my point!

 

SOAP: Well, can you tell me a little about the world you live in?

 

Herbal T: I can so totally tell you about that.  See, in my world, which is your world, too, and in fact it’s everyone’s world, there’s a lot of pressure on people.  There’s pressure to be a consumer.  There’s pressure to fit in, and go to the right schools, and eat only politically correct foods and not drink coffee that wasn’t grown fairly. I mean, living in the suburbs is HARD. It’s not for everyone.  That’s my world.  That’s what I sing about.

 

SOAP: What do you have to say to your critics who say songs on your new album are anti-Christian?

 

Herbal T: I say that’s the world we live in.  Even Christians are anti-Christian.

 

SOAP: What’s your favorite song on your album?

 

Herbal T: Oh, that’s a tough one, ‘cause I put so much of myself into every one.  Now, “Frequent Flyer Blues” was all about my father, because he used to travel all the time for work.

 

SOAP: So is that your favorite, because it’s about your father?

 

Herbal T: No.  I think my favorite is “Dog Park”.  I think it’s a fun song and it brings back happy memories.

 

SOAP: So you had a dog growing up?

 

Herbal T: No, I wrote it for a friend of mine named Sandy.

 

SOAP: So your friend Sandy had a dog-

 

Herbal T: No, he didn’t.  Sandy wanted to have a dog, but his mother was allergic.  He said if he had a dog he’d take the dog to the dog park. So I wrote that song for him.

 

SOAP: So what would you say we’re your biggest musical influences?

 

Herbal T: Well, I have to stand up and salute for the first one, the number one influence in my career, the one who was always there for me, who always knew how to make me laugh -

 

SOAP: Your father?  Your mother?

 

Herbal T: No, Stan Freberg.  And Shel Silverstein.  And Sal, the monkey on the new Muppets show.  Not the one in the theater - the one in the TV station.

 

SOAP: Oh-kay.  Now, about your tour.  Right now you’re at Pioneer Square.  Where are going next?

 

Herbal T: I thought I’d go up to Northgate Mall and see if I can make some spare change up there.  At least enough to get a cheeseburger at Red Robin’s.