Sundown

by Eddie Chacon

Overview

Eddie Chacon presented Pleasure, Joy and Happiness quietly as the last chapter of an unusual and noncontinuous career that had peaked commercially three decades earlier. Astonished by the album's warm reception and the places it sent him to perform, the singer/songwriter continued his travels and recording activity with simpatico producer, keyboardist, and writing partner John Carroll Kirby. The making of its Stones Throw follow-up took place in an Ibizan villa -- at the invitation of an appreciative admirer -- and at home in Los Angeles. Featuring support from drummer Will Logan, percussionist David Leach, trombonist Elizabeth Lea, and flutist/saxophonist Logan Hone (a contributor to Kirby's Conflict and Septet), Sundown is altogether livelier than Chacon's intended 2020 farewell. Additional players notwithstanding, the LP is another work of sophisticated simplicity with deliberation seemingly eschewed in favor of spontaneity. Due in significant part to Leach's active hands and the frequent presence of Hone's woodwinds, the material evokes gentle spiritual and Brazilian jazz almost as much as it does smooth private-press soul. Chacon again is a benevolent everyman sage of sorts with a laconic style of writing that suits his voice, an instrument that is rich, honey-sweet, and slightly crisp like baklava. He's still trying to rid his head of bad thoughts ("Thinkin' way too much...barely hangin' on," "I got haunted memories in the place of good times"), but there's a little more spring in his step this time. Lead single "Holy Hell" is a carpe diem jam that starts positive ("Got each other -- that's a start") and becomes heavenly when Kirby's synthesizer curlicues, as cheerful and whistleable as those of Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown," are accompanied by Lea and Hone. The lyrics of "Step by Step" read like bromides but are conveyed with such calmness and goodwill that they effectively start the album with truly pacific grace. The passing of time, either implied or explicit, is a constant theme, whether Chacon is struggling with it or disregarding it. Both sides of the album end with pieces using the sun as a metaphor. On the first side, "Sundown" ("lost so many friends along the way") brilliantly works lapping rhythms that devolve into a stammer and dissolve. "The Morning Sun," combining Logan's craftiest playing with bounding Kirby low end that recalls Larry Heard, ends the LP with an organic house groove ideal for early daylight. Too late to stop now; Sundown will be the second part of a trilogy, at least (right?). ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	03/31/2023
Label:	Stones Throw
UPC:	0659457247812

Tracks

1. Step By Step
2. Far Away
3. Comes and Goes
4. Sundown
5. Holy Hell
6. Haunted Memories
7. Same Old Song
8. The Morning Sun

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Eddie Chacon   Primary Artist
Elizabeth Lea   Band,Trombone
David Leach   Band,Percussion
William Logan   Band,Drums
Logan Hone   Band,Flute,Saxophone
John Carroll Kirby   Band,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Tony Buchen   Mixing
Pierre de Reeder   Engineer
Eddie Chacon   Composer
Justin Sloane   Typography,Art Direction
John Carroll Kirby   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Jack McKain   Photography