Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Jo Yonderly, Rama Lama Records 2021.
Continuing the theme of undiscovered bedroom musicians, this time we’re off to Malmo Sweden.
Jo Yonderly is an enigmatic figure who started sending demos to Rama Lama records some time ago but left no contact details.
This was somewhat frustrating for the label who wanted to develop the relationship and release the material, however without the unknown artist’s permission their hands were tied.
Years of frustration changed when they were contacted by documentary film maker Djoana Djones who was making a documentary of underground Swedish musician Jo Yonderly and thus the connection was finally made.
Calling the artist’s debut album Greatest Hits 1.0, particularly when they have spurned the limelight, reveals a sense of humour either on Yonderly’s part, or that of the record label, however similar tactics have been used before.
Little known American folk musician Phil Ochs ironically titled one of his final albums Phil Ochs Greatest Hits with a cover picture dressed as an Elvis impersonator.
Jo Yonderly’s music falls much more into the experimental category than the previously reviewed Black Fly.
He enjoys treading the fine edge between order and chaos as he blends musical styles and genres creating his own distinct sound.
Bass plays an important part in the compositions, often leading, and keyboards are less prevalent as heavily distorted guitars replace them filling out the sound.
The guitar solo in Giant Golden Frog has many of the qualities of the work of master guitarist Robert Fripp, particularly his work on David Bowie’s Scary Monsters album.
It’s really quite difficult to categorise Jo Yonderly; he’s like a bowerbird in his eclecticism.
Sometimes there are hints of ‘80s new wave and at other times it’s like something from the future, but it is always highly inventive.
My favourite track is the wonderfully titled Big Boys Cry and Small Men are Violent.
The record company has posted some of his songs on YouTube as audio streams only and a trailer of the documentary is due for release any day now.
