Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant

Amazon.com
Ramsay Midwood's debut, Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant, is an album of swampy, bluesy songs full of soul and steeped in myth about backwaters and working-class outsiders--hobos, junkies, lusty men, and their dangerous ladies. Originally self-released, Shoot Out received so much grassroots attention that, unsigned, Midwood became a darling of Los Angeles venues like House of Blues. He landed at Vanguard Records, and his folk-rock fits comfortably alongside the label's legendary folk and blues artists, many of whom could serve as archetypes for his idiosyncratic characters. Midwood can sound like a male Bobbie Gentry at some turns (the sultry drawl, lackadaisical lead guitar, tempo, and Southern themes of "Chicago" and "Alligator's Lament"). Other times he calls to mind artists like Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan, especially delivering the spoken-word vocals on closer "Fisherman's Friend." Overall, this is a pleasing debut from an artist to watch. --Jillian Steinberger

Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant,Ramsay Midwood,Vanguard Records,Americana,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant

Average customer rating: Quirky, but great. Blood Red American From LA By Way Of Germany The Bob Dylan of our generation The Bob Dylan of our generation

Shoot Out at the Ok Chinese Restaurant Ramsay Midwood Manufacturer: Vanguard Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Singer Songwriters | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Popular Delusions & the Madness of Cows Five Dollar Bill East to West Wail & Ride Snake Farm ASIN: B00006SM8D Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

1. Chicago
2. Mohawk River
3. Monster Truck
4. Feed My Monkey
5. Esther
6. Waynesboro
7. Spinnin' on This Rock
8. Alligator's Lament
9. Heaven's Toll
10. Grass'll Grow
11. Fisherman's Friend

Amazon.com

Ramsay Midwood's debut, Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant, is an album of swampy, bluesy songs full of soul and steeped in myth about backwaters and working-class outsiders--hobos, junkies, lusty men, and their dangerous ladies. Originally self-released, Shoot Out received so much grassroots attention that, unsigned, Midwood became a darling of Los Angeles venues like House of Blues. He landed at Vanguard Records, and his folk-rock fits comfortably alongside the label's legendary folk and blues artists, many of whom could serve as archetypes for his idiosyncratic characters. Midwood can sound like a male Bobbie Gentry at some turns (the sultry drawl, lackadaisical lead guitar, tempo, and Southern themes of "Chicago" and "Alligator's Lament"). Other times he calls to mind artists like Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan, especially delivering the spoken-word vocals on closer "Fisherman's Friend." Overall, this is a pleasing debut from an artist to watch. --Jillian Steinberger

Customer Reviews:

Quirky, but great........2007-01-15

If you like the quirky fringe of creativity, this is a CD for you. I really enjoy it.

Blood Red American.......2003-04-30

Ramsay Midwood doesn't spend a whole lotta time going up and down the scale singing a bunch of notes. He picks out a few and blows 'em through the roof. He acted in "Grapes of Wrath" with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago; and his first song is coincidentally called "Chicago" and sounds like it could have come from a similar world as Tom Joad, "Pick a bale a day, looky looky yonder, pick a bale of cotton." "I did 5 years on a dry lake bed, never thought of home & I always dressed in red," he sings on the lumbering harmonica blues "Mohawk River." "Monster Truck" is a softer rebellious track, "If you don't like it, you can kiss my ***." "Esther" is a piano-based ragtime with Ramsay's world-weary voice trudging through a long day. "You must have me mistaken for someone who lives in your mind," Ramsay starts on "Waynesboro" where he reference Bob Dylan, "And yes mister Zimmerman, the times are always changing..." "Spinnin' on This Rock" is a fascinatingly brutal stream of consciousness yarn about shooting your friends to watch them run. "Heaven's Toll" is a lumbering tale of frustration. "The grass is green & the sun is yellow; take a tip from a real smart fellow," Ramsay sings on the childlike "Grass'll Grow" complete with accordian backing. "Fisherman's Friend" is a Dylan homage with a great wry vocal like "Bobby D." The CD concludes with the croaky traditional "Dreary Life." "Shoot Out @ the OK Chinese Restaurant" is great smoky rural country blues. Why this blood red American had to go to Germany first to get this disc released on Glitterhouse two years before being picked up by Vanguard in the US is a mystery; but the disc is finding a devoted audience. It's stark, unadorned, and affecting workingman craft. Enjoy!

From LA By Way Of Germany.......2002-12-24

Who could predict that Germany would be a mecca for roots rock artists? Glitterhouse would seem to know what's going on long before anyone else. Not to worry, Vanguard has finally released "Shootout At The OK Chinese Restaurant" by Ramsay Midwood. Ramsay is a fixture on what appears to be an alt country revival in Los Angeles second only to what happened there in the late sixties, early 70's. Fair warning, though. Ramsay could probably be labeled as an acquired taste. Singing in a baritone drawl, backed by midtempo, greasy, swampy guitar licks and fiddle, Ramsay cruises through a set of songs that are drunken, backporch, foot tapping, sometimes sinister, sometimes laugh out loud funny, gems. The only dilemna I have is the American version has some songs on it that my German version doesn't. I may have to have a second copy. Get yours today and while you're at it, (sorry Amazon.com, you don't carry him yet) cruise over to Miles Of Music and order a copy of the latest by Mike Stinson. You'll be glad you did!

The Bob Dylan of our generation.......2002-12-08

Vanguard Records recently decided that Midwood is too good to be ignored in his own country. After his success in Europe, Midwood is now being hailed in the US as the new Bob Dylan, and like Dylan and Tom Waits, his music is timeless. In this debut album, Ramsays songs tell stories of interesting characters in different places, such as Chicago, Mohawk River, Waynesboro and Alabama.

His album title is enough to show that Midwood has a playful spirit when it comes to music. Although his themes are loyal to the melancholy Blues tradition, his lyrics, especially in "Feed My Monkey," are odd and humorous. "Waynesboro" is a twangy number in which Ramsay rambles about "the good old days and a good old-fashioned wife." Most of the tracks are low-key and easy to listen to, evoking Western images of rolling hills and dusty roads.

This album is far from being cliché, even within the template of bluegrass. Midwood combines various instruments and sounds to create his own signature blues: trumpet, banjo, harmonica, piano, organ, accordion and the fiddle, as well as the usual set of guitar, bass and drums. In terms of instrumentals, "Fishermans Friend" is an interesting number. "Spinnin on this Rock" is one of the best tracks on the album, with great piano and fiddle accompaniments.

You will not be bored with this album, for Midwood delivers even the most pessimistic themes with a tune that makes ones feet tap. His entire album, by respecting tradition and ignoring modern trends, never begs for attention but rewards those who are not turned off by his non-conformist, old-fashioned style. The last track on the album is "Dreary Life," a pre-war folk ballad sung a capella. It is a suitable finale that brings the album into a complete circle, advocating a return to tradition.

Midwood's drunken, monotonous voice -- the faint crackling that sounds like a needle scraping a record -- and the overall rough style of his music claim authenticity. You do not have to be a bluegrass lover to appreciate his music. If you've ever had the blues, you'll know what he's singing about.

The Bob Dylan of our generation.......2002-12-08

Vanguard Records recently decided that Midwood is too good to be ignored in his own country. After his success in Europe, Midwood is now being hailed in the US as the new Bob Dylan, and like Dylan and Tom Waits, his music is timeless. In this album, Ramsays songs tell stories of interesting characters in different places, such as Chicago, Mohawk River, Waynesboro and Alabama.

His album title is enough to show that Midwood has a playful spirit when it comes to music. Although his themes are loyal to the melancholy Blues tradition, his lyrics, especially in "Feed My Monkey," are odd and humorous. "Waynesboro" is a twangy number in which Ramsay rambles about "the good old days and a good old-fashioned wife." Most of the tracks are low-key and easy to listen to, evoking Western images of rolling hills and dusty roads.

This album is far from being cliché, even within the template of bluegrass. Midwood combines various instruments and sounds to create his own signature blues: trumpet, banjo, harmonica, piano, organ, accordion and the fiddle, as well as the usual set of guitar, bass and drums. In terms of instrumentals, "Fishermans Friend" is an interesting number. "Spinnin on this Rock" is one of the best tracks on the album, with great piano and fiddle accompaniments.

You will not be bored with this album, for Midwood delivers even the most pessimistic themes with a tune that makes ones feet tap. His entire album, by respecting tradition and ignoring modern trends, never begs for attention but rewards those who are not turned off by his non-conformist, old-fashioned style. The last track on the album is "Dreary Life," a pre-war folk ballad sung a capella. It is a suitable finale that brings the album into a complete circle, advocating a return to tradition.

Midwood is perfect to listen to when your ears are tired from overly processed popular music. His drunken, monotonous voice -- the faint crackling that sounds like a needle scraping a record -- and the overall rough style of his music claim authenticity. One does not necessarily have to be a bluegrass lover to appreciate his music. If you've ever had the blues, you'll know what he's singing about.

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