Review - Les Claypool: Of Whales and Woe

by Eric Hancsak
August 18, 2006

Les Claypool has a reputation as one of the greatest bass players in rock music. On his latest release "Of Whales and Woe," the funk is still there. His bass playing chops are front and center, taking the place, on many tracks, as the main source of percussion.

To the educated Claypool fan, his quirkiness is what makes him great. Simply put, Les Claypool is an original. Mix in Frank Zappa, with Rush, Parliament-Funkadelic and some saturday morning Looney Tunes and you have a general idea of his direction.

On "Of Whales and Woe," Claypool is joined by Gabby La La (sitar), Mike Dillon (percussion) and Sherik - who's sax playing sounds a bit like the way Jimi Hendrix would have played, had he not chosen the guitar - forming an accomplished and equally nutty cast of musicians.

Be patient. Look deep. Give this one a chance to dance in the surreal recesses of your brain.

Pay attention to: "One Better," "Rumble of the Diesel," "Filipino Ray"

Rating: 4 out of 5