Tonky

Tonky is Lonnie Holleys second collaboration with producer/multi-instrumentalist Jacknife Lee, following 2023s Oh Me Oh My, which became the esteemed visual artists most acclaimed recording to date. In general, Tonky covers much of the same lyrical and musical ground as Oh Me Oh My. Holley, 75 years old at the time of the albums release, reflects on his tumultuous life as well as other peoples reactions to his art and music, while offering messages of peace and hope, urging the audience to never give up. The set opens with "Seeds," a nine-minute recollection of the trauma and abuse Holley suffered as a youth, when he did time at the notorious Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children. Though hes endured a lot throughout his life, Holley doesnt sound bitter or vengeful, and is clearly grateful to be alive. "Protest with Love" sounds like his attempt at a radio-ready R&B song, as he sings a simple message of love and perseverance over a sensuous groove. He sings of making the world a better place and turning nothing into something on "The Burden," and he praises the uplifting powers of music on "Strength of a Song." Still, there are moments of harshness, such as the noisy, industrial textures of the brief "Fear the Machine" and the billy woods-featuring "I Looked Over My Shoulder," or the lyrics of "Kings in the Jungle, Slaves in the Field," which describe the destruction of his lifes work by slave masters. The albums most moving moment is "Did I Do Enough?," a relatable questioning of self-worth and significance. On "Thats Not Art, Thats Not Music," Holley lists some of the criticisms hes faced for his work, and expresses the alienation and rejection hes felt. Yet despite all this, he has no choice but to remain optimistic and have faith in humanity, and on the concluding "A Change Is Gonna Come," he asks, "What can we do but help each other?" ~ Paul Simpson

廃材を使った作品で知られるアラバマ州バーミングハムのアーティストによる5作目。打ち込みと生楽器を巧みに交えながら、ゴスペルとファンクとジャズとヒップホップに詩の朗読とラップが溶け合うマーブル状の音像を作り上げている。モデスト・マウスのアイザック・ブロック、ラッパーのビリー・ウッズらゲストの顔ぶれも多彩。終盤はゴシック・ロックになる。
bounce (C)山口智男