When a good friend recommends that you listen to music, you should always follow their lead. Michael Trew, from the Seattle, progressive band Moon Letters asked me to listen and review one of hi friend, Zac Bauman’s albums. And, I am so glad that I did. I am making that same recommendation to you now. Please listen to Zac Bauman’s Bell Jar.
Zac Bauman’s music is a great mix between folk, progressive and classical rock. Zac Bauman is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and recording artist specializing in intricate fingerstyle guitar arrangements and layered ‘baroque pop’ bedroom recordings. Known for his genre-blending productions that incorporate elements of Americana, folk, classical, blues, ragtime, bossa nova, rock, pop, psychedelia, and world music, some major influences include Leo Kottke, Brian Wilson, Paul Simon, Zach Condon, and Sufjan Stevens. Add, I’ll add one more name to that list: Jonathan Wilson; especially some of his past albums, and especially, his latest, Eat the Worm.
“Bell Jar, was self-released by Zac Bauman, back in 2017. It was the culmination of nearly five years of intensive writing, composing and recording work in Bauman’s home studio. Conceived as a loose concept album exploring depression and mental health, the songs on Bell Jar, invite the listener into a kaleidoscopic landscape of ever-shifting musical ideas. With arrangements veering from the intimate to the epic. Bell Jar, fuses Bauman’s baroque pop sensibilities, deep roots in American Primitive Guitar, and introspective lyricism to create an aesthetic all its own”.
Bauman plays an eclectic menagerie of instruments to weave the album’s colorful sonic tapestry, including: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, 12-string guitar, slide guitar, banjo, tenor and soprano ukuleles, mandolin, electric bass, violin, accordion, chromatic harmonica, bass harmonica, melodica, harp, trumpet, trombone, wood flute, pennywhistle, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, mbira, chord organ, Hammond organ, ships piano, toy piano, gamelan orchestra, various drums and percussion, and sound design. Accompanying Bauman on the album are: Joe Espena, on trumpet and trombone, on tracks: 3, 6, 8, 9, and 13; The Beat Nun, singing backing vocals on tracks: 5 and 12; and Doug Shernock, on the electric guitar solo on track 13. Inspiration from E.E. Cummings’ Somewhere I Have Never Travelled is featured on track 4.
I enjoyed every song on the album for its individual value. But my favorites were: The opener, “Over and Over”. This song opened and sounded like a Black Crowes classic. I am a Black Crowes/blues fan, and I can’t wait for their new album this year. This made the wait even more difficult.
“Requiem for Joe Death”, is a soft, acoustic guitar track, like a wonderful travelling guitar solo from the Black Crowes or my favorite blues band, Led Zeppelin.
Not much of a banjo fan, however, Zac might help me to appreciate it more, as Steve Martin did in the ‘70s. “(Nothing) Like a Rolling Stone”, turns the idea of the classic rock song “Like A Rolling Stone” on its edge.
“Soulmate”, opens with E.E. Cummings’ reading parts of: Somewhere I Have Never Travelled. Then, some solemn bells and percussive music take over. Then, it turns into a soulmate, love song. Zac sings, “How I know it’s love. It grabs me by the ankle bones. When I see that another standing right in front of me, is sharing half of my soul”.
The title track, Bell Jar, is full of bells, chimes, and brilliant percussion mixes that stimulate the sense. All of this combined with flutes, toy piano, and acoustic guitar. It sounds a little like a wonderful mix between Jonathan Wilson’s best music of the past, combined with one of my favorite album’s of 2023, Harp’s Albion. One of this album’s best songs, for sure.
“This Lonesome Life”, is a slow acoustic guitar and keyboards folk song, filled in with a soundscape full of soft drums, woodwinds, and percussion.
“Exaltation at World’s End”, opens with deep and bold acoustic guitar. Then, some more of that wonderful folk/country acoustic travelling guitar, like Led Zeppelin or The Black Crowes. A stunning instrumental, and by far the best, without lyrics and singing.
“Beleganjur Blues”, is easily my favorite song. It reminds me of that classical bolero, (whose title escapes me). But it is a remarkable song, which I listened to often. It’s over 6 and a half minutes, and that was still not enough. It opens with harmonica and soft drums. The percussion is soft and comforting.
“Blasphemer Rag”, has that ragtime feel, with some Western, early 19th Century music, added. The artificial vinyl record, pops, and skips at the opening are notable. The keyboards are great.
“Breath of Life”, is a wonderful acoustic guitar, mixed with electric guitar track; set by an evening fireside, complete with crickets. The lyrics are straightforward and direct, but do not fit the delightfully playful melody. Or maybe that is the joke. Don’t take life and death so seriously. We all must face it anyway. The acoustic guitar work towards the end, provides comfort, along with keyboards.
I love ragtime music from the 1920’s. “Snaggletooth Rag”, is definitely the better of the two ragtime – like songs on the album. The acoustic guitar playing is exceptional. Wish it was longer.
“Stranger to You”, opens with a lovely acoustic guitar melody. Despite the upbeat melody, the song is about unrequited love. It includes the support vocals of The Beat Nun. Why be upset, I guess? Better to move on…with harmonica in hand.
What if you could have been there, when, Rome burned? What would it have been like? What would you sing about? “While Rome Burns”, is not about Rome. Zac sings, “Every way I turn my head, I see the smoke of burning fires”. Yeah, but this is not about Rome. It is about the way Zac sees life. Later he sings, “Take me, take me by the hand. Are we lost in a loveless life?” Then, he almost conjures Steely Dan’s “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo”, with that ’20-‘30s blues playing. Excellent!
“That Familiar Feeling”, is the album closer. And wow, did he save the best for last. The acoustic and electric guitar playing is wonderful. The keyboards and percussion are as good as they have been throughout this album. The lyrics reach their peak. Zac sings, “Dark as a cloud billowing outward – inward. Stark as a howl shuddering through the timber. Form is a lie – what are you? You ain’t. Death isn’t to die – only a transformation. Where can I go? Tell me, what can I say? When this song is my only carriage?” Yes, it may seem like a sad ending, until you think about all that has come before.
Every track on Zac Bauman’s Bell Jar, is worth your time. This was a rousing surprise to listen to, for its effervescent innovation and uniqueness. Every song, from “Over and Over”, which starts off like a Black Crowe’s classic, to the closing finale; and longest track on the album, “That Familiar Feeling”. It is worth your time and energy to process and listen to…attentively. I enjoyed receiving this album from 2017, and look forward to Zac’s future albums.
Album Track List:
- Over and Over – 2:26
- Requiem for Joe Death – 2:07
- (Nothing) Like a Rolling Stone – 4:17
- Soulmate – 7:32
- Bell Jar – 4:50
- This Lonesome Life – 3:07
- Exaltation at World’s End – 3:46
- Beleganjur Blues – 6:31
- Blasphemer Rag – 3:33
- Breath of Life – 6:28
- Snaggletooth Rag – 2:16
- Stranger to You – 5:04
- While Rome Burns – 6:54
- That Familiar Feeling – 7:17
Bell Jar was recorded at home in Eureka, California. All songs were written, arranged, performed, recorded and mixed by Zac Bauman. The album was mastered by Bill Henderson, (Azimuth Mastering). Album artwork by Cheyendra Salas.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
Bandcamp: https://zacbauman.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://@zacbaumanmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zacbaumanmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/31CNwQojYzRfIqhnNnShqc
Email: zacbaumanmusic@gmail.com
YouTube and Music Video Links: