A tinklers performance. 11/8/09
David Eberhardt | baltimore, md | 11/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The "Tinklers" (of Baltimore) are Charles Brohawn and Chris Mason. At 4 PM on this Sunday they performed some of their classic songs and Chris read prose excerpts from "The Elements" recently published by Rupert Wondolowski and available at NORMLS book store, for approx. 50 people. They ended the set with a song everybody demands- "Cheesewolf, meanist kid in Junior High" (turns out at the end of the song that Cheesewolf- at least in Glee Club may not be so bad afterall).
But "He can even make you cry".
To me, it is the attitude and the poetry from the Tinklers that stands out, although their music is also impressive. The music is raw, but borders on the smoolh in a way that suggests genius. The each play electric guitars, but Charles often bangs on a home made drum and Chris plays the banjo and cigar box ukelele. Some of Charles slide guitar work is as good as any that I have heard- be it from the All Man Brothers or Johnny Winter, etc.- it also (you're gonna hear this word from me again) suggests genius. He plays around the edges of the melody- smudges it- in a very enticing way.
I do not use the word, genius, lightly. Although the establishment music and poetry worlds would not pay for these guys- that IS exactly the point. They are too natural, too obvious, too bold- just listen to some of the lyrics:
"Thinking too much, I'm thinking too much, I think I'm thinking too much, I think I think I('m thinking too much"
or,
"Don't put your finger in the fan", or
Mom cooks inside,
Dad cooks outside"
often they are lyrics from kids and youth- obviously-BUT
as I said before- it's the attitude- an attitude that adults seem to have lost but desparately need to return to- an attitude that is not preachy but the ultimate in insightful! It may b pro environment, but maybe we, as adults (and the Tinklers are both adults) actually do think to much and ruin things in that way. The Tinklers don't ruin things, and there is a lot of humor in their work and playing that just plain makes them lovable! They are a combination of "Sesame Street" and Charles Bukowski.
They remind me of how society does not, maybe CANNOT, recognize the truly special- therefore remind me of neglected and unrecognized greats like Emily Dickinson or Van Gogh. I buy everything they do and collect it because I think that in the 3000's? if we are still around? it will be hugely valuable.
They only SEEM childlike. The are actually and ELEMENTAL FORCE.
Take the line: "Trees like to rot in the forest". This is an immortal line, in my opinion!
I had a hard time hearing words in some of the songs and can only suggest that Charles go to bongos or a softer drum set. The words are the best thing about the Tinklers- altho their music is deceptively simple. I want to hear those words.
Another neglected geius, Marshall Reese, down from New York, preceded the Tinklers with his astounding videos- anti Bush, anti war, videos. You just gotta google and see this stuff- and hear the Tinklers- whenever it is possible.
from a fanatic fan david eberhardt poet and activist from baltimore
my web site davideberhardt. [...] or goggle david eberhardt then hit poetry and prose
"
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1