Mechanicatastrophe

Virtuoso jazz/boogie pianist Louis Vause celebrates release of second album. In October 2006, following the success of his debut album Pianophernalia (Transcopic), musician and entertainer Louis Vause will be releasing his second album Mechanicatastrophe via idiosyncratic High Coin label.

"Beneath his hands come echoes of Dr John, Professor Longhair, Fats Waller and James Booker. But there is something else too: a rolling, swampy lilt that is all his own" Jay Rayner (Observer)

In 2006 we see the long-awaited release of Mechanicatastrophe and find Louis recording with a band this time round on all but 3 of the tracks - tracks 3, 8 and 14 feature Louis' trademark virtuoso solo piano playing. This is what Louis had to say about his new album, and his rhythm section...
"What struck me listening to the playback of what we'd done for the first time was that the titles of the tunes had become more than tags; they expressed who we are, what we've heard, where we've been... and why we bother."
"Don' Dave Bryant on Drums and percussion, the armchair to bassist, Gareth Hugh Davies' upholstery; a groove into which we could all recline, Singapore Slings in hand, and (so to speak) shoot the breeze." Louis Vause.

Self-taught Jazz and blues pianist Louis Vause has worked with the likes of the Nutty Boys, Butterfield 8,(both offshoots of Madness), Bobby Valentino, James Hunter, Graham Coxon, Dave Graney, Pussycat Dolls and The Auteurs. In 2003 he was commissioned by Paramount Pictures to form and lead the swing band for the remake of "Alfie" starring Jude Law and he has also acted in such shows as Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Swiss Toni and The Fast Show, with University mates Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson. This year Louis also featured in the spoof Radio 4 phone-in "Down the Line" with Whitehouse and Higson.

Realising - reasonably enough - that as a blues piano player in his forties the avenues open to him for record deals; 'X Factor, Pop Idol' etc were less than hopedful his creativity was given full reign. As Louis tells it:

"It was with a kind of wild, totally unfounded optimism that I entered The Lord Stanley, my local pub, in the days running up to Christmas 2004. The Lord Stanley, just north of Camden Square, is a hang out of musicians, film makers, chefs, actors - wonderful people all, who work between drinks or drink between jobs - I've never been sure which. The christmas tree was up and there was a roaring fire in the grate next to the piano. Perhaps I timed it right. The atmosphere was smoky and convivial and i walked to the bar and said in a tolerably loud voice that I was looking for someone who needed a tax loss. I was asked to play a tune on the piano and, with the sound of laughter at my quip, "Stick with me and i can lose you a million' still ringing in my ears, left with the promise of £2000.00 an hour later."

Louis Vause (excerpt taken from Mechanicatastrophe liner notes).

MECHANICATASTROPHE Tracklisting:

1. Mechanicatastrophe
2. Omdurman Express
3. Finger Snapping
4. Five O Clock AM
5. Moonshine
6. For Jubs
7. Harlequin Blues
8. The Road's had one too many
9. Gumshoe
10. At The Pavillion By The Sea
11. Requiem For A Flugel Horn
12. Dark Dark Night
13. Mechanicatastrophe Revisited
14. Where Is Aretha?

Produced by Mike Pelanconi and Louis Vause Recorded by Mike Pelanconi at Eastcote Studios, London, January 2005 Except tracks 3, 8, 14 Recorded by Chris Wyles at The Stone Rooms, London May 2005 All compositions Louis Vause C 2006 Featuring John Eacott Trumpet and Flugel Horn, Louise Elliot Tenor Saxaphone and Flute, Gareth Huw Davies Double Bass, Dave Bryant Drums and Percussion, Louis Vause Piano.

All pics copyright©John Rensten