Vibraphonist/percussionist Mike Dillon has spent the last three decades playing well over 200 shows a year with both his own band, as well as a sideman with artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Les Claypool and Ani DiFranco. So when the pandemic hit in early 2020 forcing Dillon off the road, he instinctively directed his perpetually restless creative energy to writing and recording. Residing in Kansas City after spending 15 years in New Orleans, Dillon and producer Chad Meise would track a trilogy of albums: 'Shoot The Moon,' 'Suitcase Man' and '1918.' Collaborating with his record label Royal Potato Family, they would release these records exclusively via Bandcamp just days after they were mixed and mastered. In 2021, those albums will now receive the full vinyl treatment, as well as complete digital release across all streaming outlets.
The second recording in the series, 'Suitcase Man' is a nine-song cycle through which Dillon examine his life and choices made over the past 55 years. It's a distinct entry in his extensive discography, notable for its strikingly honest lyricism and minimalist arrangements that incorporate sparse vibraphone and percussion with a handful of background vocals by Tiff Lamson of Givers. Songs like "Empty Bones," "Turkish Rose" and "Matthew" represent Dillon at his most creatively daring, while confirming his ascent into the upper echelon of cult outsiders in the lineage of artists like Tom Waits, Harry Partch and Captain Beefheart.
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lyrics
you never went bald
you never went grey
you never grew old
you stole you away
what triggered the trigger
final straw
sudden crack
you never did leave
but you’ll never come back
your final letter
didn’t say goodbye
my beautiful brother
did you fight did you cry
was it the future
or was it the past
smoke filled exhale
proceeding the blast
were you always alone
with your radiant smile
did every breath
feel like running a mile
you never went bald
you never went grey
you never grew old
you stole you away
credits
from Suitcase Man,
released November 6, 2020
Mike Dillon - Vibraphone, Marimba, Bass Marimba, Vocals
glorious as always. these collection of musicians are to be followed to the ends of the earth! I was (probably) at this show. it's always great to have this live music town as my place to live! beef
Heavy, soulful jazz mixed with the darker side of psychedelia makes for a potent brew on the latest LP from Bristol duo Run Logan Run. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 14, 2021