The Claypool Lennon Delirium at Majestic Theatre, Detroit, MI, USA APR 27 2019

SEAN ONO LENNON AT IRVING PLAZA NYC
(mattheasleyphotography)

www.citybeat.com
Sean Lennon and Primus' Les Claypool Bring Their Psych/Prog/Art Rock Delirium to Greater Cincinnati
The twosome will showcase their collaborative project — which Claypool has likened to a “freak stew" — at Covington's Madison Theater on April 30
BILL FURBEE
APR 26, 2019

Sean Lennon and Les ClaypoolPHOTO: ATO RECORDSWith its sophomore effort South of Reality, The Claypool Lennon Delirium once again dives fearlessly and fruitfully into the deep end of the Psychedelia and Prog Rock pond, leaving no acid-soaked stone unturned in an endless search for mind-bending bliss. And, to the delight of fans new and old, they’ve come back up for air with an ambitious set of new material that’s a great trip for fans of explorative Art Rock and pedestrian Pop alike.

For the uninitiated, head-scratching reader — and if the project name didn’t give it away — The Claypool Lennon Delirium is a relatively new collaboration between Sean Lennon and Les Claypool of Primus. The duo met up over wine at Claypool’s place as a year off approached, and that meet-up led to their 2016 debut, Monolith of Phobos. That album (appropriately enough, named after an actual space rock on the surface of Mars’ moon Phobos) was received well by fans and critics alike, peaking at 84 on the Billboard albums chart. Rolling Stone admired its “creepy prog-funk” and American Songwriter praised its “heavily hallucinogenic style.”

Claypool himself has likened the project to a “freak stew,” admiring collaborator Lennon’s natural inclination to reflect not just his father’s artistic flourishes, but also his mother Yoko Ono’s avant-garde leanings, as well.

Backstory and pedigrees aside, the music itself is an adventurous marvel sure to delight many beyond just the cult of Primus devotees. Sure, you’ve got the overly accomplished bass-lines Claypool is known for and his characteristic, nasally carnival barker vocals (which are both a bit restrained here). But you’ve also got Lennon’s tendency to compose and deliver tracks with an unmistakable flair.

At its most jaw-dropping moments, it’s quite an odyssey. The tunes ebb and flow like notes upon a Möbius strip blotter sheet, with twists and turns just around each bend; varying blankets of Psychedelic Pop clouds float overhead with synths, sitars and simulated string sections in the midst of placid vocal harmonies and blissful ripples below. You’ll hear nods to many of the new and old-guard arms of Psychedelia: Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, King Crimson and even The Melvins. But most notably, and perhaps appropriately, the project prominently touches on a rediscovered thrill of The Beatles at their playful, Psychedelic peak.

The depths that The Claypool Lennon Delirium plunges are a treat for Prog/Psych fanatics, but they don’t sacrifice the project’s appeal to casual Rock fans in the process. The collaboration reaches beautiful, odd places that have been untouched by many in the music community for far too long. It’s a welcome new chapter in the ongoing career of both artists.

The Claypool Lennon Delirium's current tour comes to Covington, Kentucky's Madison Theater Tuesday, April 30.

SEAN LENNON AT MADISON THEATER
(Chris Bryce)

The Claypool Lennon Delirium at Majestic Theatre, Detroit, MI, USA
APR 27 2019


Setlist

1. There's No Underwear In Space
2. Astronomy Domine
(Pink Floyd cover)
3. Little Fishes
4. Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons - Movement II Too the Moon
5. The Court of the Crimson King
(King Crimson cover)
6. Cricket and the Genie (Movement I, The Delirium)
7. Cricket and the Genie (Movement II, Oratorio Di Cricket)
8. Breath of a Salesman
9. Amethyst Realm
10. Easily Charmed by Fools
11. Toady Man's Hour
12. Cricket Chronicles Revisited: Part 1, Ask Your Doctor - Part 2, Psyde Effects
13. Like Fleas
14. Tomorrow Never Knows
(The Beatles cover)

Encore:
15. Boriska
16. Southbound Pachyderm

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liveforlivemusic.com
The Claypool Lennon Delirium Performs On Minnesota Public Radio’s ‘The Current’ [Watch]
Sam Berenson
Tuesday, April 30th, 2019


Screengrab via The Current

In February, The Claypool Lennon Delirium officially released their second album together, South of Reality, via ATO. South of Reality is the follow-up to 2016’s Monolith of Phobos, the band’s debut record that displayed their fascinatingly raw authenticity, and 2017’s Lime And Limpid Green EP, which featured psychedelic covers of Pink Floyd, The Who, King Crimson, and Flower Travellin’ Band.

Les Claypool and Sean Lennon recently stopped by Minnesota Public Radiostation The Current, to perform a trio of songs off of South of Reality. The Claypool Lennon Delirium’s in-studio performance began with “Blood and Rockets: Movement I”, Saga Of Jack Parsons – Movement II, Too The Moon”, the lead single off of South of Reality. The band then worked through the Sean Lennon-led “Easily Charmed By Fools”, along with “Little Fishes”, which hears Claypool and Lennon sharing the vocal lead.

Watch pro-shot video of The Claypool Lennon Delirium’s performance for The Current below:

The Claypool Lennon Delirium continues their tour on Wednesday, April 30th with a stop at Covington, KY’s Madison Theater.  For a full list of upcoming tour dates and ticketing information, head to the band’s website.

[H/T JamBase]

Sean Lennon at The Danforth Music Hall