The Cucumbers – As You Heard Me
This song concept that accompanies the Jon Fried novella “Hello George” is comprised of 8 song demos for As You Heard Me. They’re songs by an “elusive, aspiring songwriter” Daisy Steinberg. An additional 8 for More Songs for Barry that Daisy sent to the young music publisher, Barry Marcus. That’s the story. The novella, e-book & hard copy of credits & lyrics can be downloaded for a better understanding of The Cucumbers – As You Heard Me – Songs from the novella “Hello George” (Dropped Feb 14/Life Force Records/46:14).
Details about the music that accompanies the novella are available at Bandcamp. Each song is dissected there. The band was formed in 1982 in Hoboken, NJ, as a power pop unit & The Cucumbers are currently the husband & wife team of Jon Fried & Deena Shoshkes. The “band” continued to record through the years & kept their profile in focus.
“Crop Circle” opens with an expressive Bobbie Gentry-type musical charm. Deena sings with all the luxurious timbre of the late Donna Godchaux (former Grateful Dead & Jerry Garcia Band vocalist – “Rain,” “Sunrise”). Then, she continues this folky Country splendor with “Waiting,” delicate & laid-back, but the music has an intriguing bite & savoring melodic undercurrent. “Cut It Loose” is more upbeat but not superficially so – it has a late career Moby Grape tradition sprinkled on top. The Cucumbers have always been resourceful, much the same as Georgia’s Swimming Pool Q’s & their superb vocalist, Anne Richmond Boston (“Silver Slippers”).
Deena isn’t country, but her voice has a serene backroad spirit; she’s not folky but embodies an enrichment of its roots, doesn’t sing easy-listening but is polished with her performance without being immersive. It’s what makes her voice far above the ordinary.
Away from the pop supplement, Deena slides into the realm of both Pal Shazar (Slow Children) & Debora Iyall (Romeo Void). A near juvenile voice with a wise edginess to both “Delete” & “Counting.” Quite a contrast. She reverses direction on “Only You” & goes Top 40 circa early ‘60s. Seductive, competent, & assured. She succeeds with the melodically thin guitars that are an inch away from being beach & sand fodder for Annette Funicello. She keeps the tradition on “One Valentine’s Day,” another infectious piece mindful of Sue Thompson (“Paper Tiger”).
While not a vocalese singer, Deena has a touch of the late jazz singer Annie Ross on “Reeling Feeling,” with its jaunty piano & delivery – it sparkles.
The concept isn’t new. In 1997, a Kathy Acker novel, “Pussy, King of the Pirates,” was reworked into an operetta by The Mekons, Rico Bell, & Ms. Acker. It was performed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
Highlights – “Crop Circle,” “Waiting,” “Cut It Loose,” “Delete,” “Only You,” “Reeling Feeling,” “One Valentine’s Day,” “You Won’t Ever Miss Me,” & “I’m The Girl.”
Color image courtesy of John Niedzwiecki. CD @ Bandcamp & http://www.thecucumbers.net/ & https://deenashoshkes.com/