Stace England and the Salt Kings "The Amazing Oscar Micheaux" (Independent 2009)

For those, like me, who did not know who Oscar Micheaux was, he was the first black American film director responsible for over 40 films challenging racism is the US, long before the Civil Rights movement, starting as they did in the silent era. Sadly, most of his films didn’t survive,

Like his first film, The Homesteader (1919), the title of the first track on the album, based on his own book of the same name, a fictionalised account of his being the only black homesteader in South Dakota. Second track, Vendome, is the name of the Chicago theatre where it enjoyed a triumphant run. It was a sensation. See how useful sleeve notes are? This information would be lost in mp3 format, yet is crucial to the understanding of each of the 12 tracks on The Amazing Oscar Micheaux, pertaining as each one does, to a specific film or the times in which they were made. Although no copies of Homesteader exist, it’s not hard to imagine how African Americans must have felt at that time seeing films with all black casts up on the silver screen in the theatre. The up-tempo, almost indie rock number conveys the sense of excitement that must have been felt.

There is a number of musical styles employed on the record, each track requiring as it does, a different interpretation. The more sombre films, such as Within Our Gates and The Symbol of the Unconquered, both made as a direct challenge to D.W. Griffiths The Birth of a Nation, are played in a suitably serious, sombre and beautiful fashion.

unfortunately, to give the record the review it deserves, to get across the thoroughness of the work undertaken, would involve a track by track account, as each track comes with lyrics and sleeve notes (the overall packaging is a crime to miss out on should one download the album as it is fabulous) but there is simply not enough room in Americana UK Towers review department for such indulgences. Sadly.

What I would say though, is The Girl From Chicago is a fantastic track that I personally thank Mr Micheaux for inspiring which, along with the country inflected Lying Lips are worth buying this hugely impressive album for on their own. That said, it’s worth buying, not downloading, copying or stealing, simply because it deserves it and to not do, is to miss out on a wealth of fascinating images, words and music.

Date review added:  Saturday, January 09, 2010
Reviewer:  Scott Baxter
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  band website