Bob Wiseman - In Her Dream: Bob Wiseman Sings Wrench Tuttle
It should be said at the beginning that there is no Wrench Tuttle. Former Blue Rodeo band member Bob Wiseman used the pseudonym and, from what I’ve read, went to great length to present him as a real person to the Canadian media. In Her Dream: Bob Wiseman Sings Wrench Tuttle was the Canadian musicians’ first solo album and was released in 1989. CHART magazine named it as one of the top 100 Canadian albums. Blocks Recording Club out of Toronto will be re-issuing a limited edition vinyl but the free and legal digital version is now available through WFMU’s Free Music Archive.
This album may best be described as a casual mixture of country and punk. Bob Wiseman feels at ease in both genres. His somewhat raspy and out-of-control voice makes the perfect edge to this rough and ready album. The opening “Older Brother” is a good example of his somewhat outrageous folk-rock blend and is what Hank Williams might sound like if he was a punk rocker. Other tracks like “Bhopal” are pure and surreal alternative while “Dog on a Leash” is blues-rockabilly. Whatever genre Wiseman leans into has his unique touch which I am tempted to call a Canadian version of Tom Waits’ equally rough and mystic styling. This excellent album will grow on you.
The album is available in its free and legal online version at WMFU’s Free Music Archive in 192kbps MP3.
the record re-release party for the vinly is july 30th at the gladstone here in toronto with many guests performing the songs including the bourban tabernacle choir, final fantasy, great lake swimmers, the phonemes, laura barrett, don kerr and more
Comment by bob wiseman — June 20, 2009 @ 6:35 am
Thanks for linking to this excellent album, I particularly liked Bhopal, and I will definitely seek out more of Bob Wiseman’s work.
Have you heard WhiteRoom’s self titled album? It’s free on Jamendo http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/4244 (I’m sorry I don’t know how to make links) and I loved it, it’s got a lush mixture of different musical styles and artfully (so far as I can tell, I can only speak English) blends multiple languages in the lyrics.
Comment by RadFemHedonist — July 10, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
Thanks so much for this. I wish I had known about the LP re-issue (I would have grabbed a copy) and the party at The Gladstone. I haven’t seen Bob perform since 1990 or 1991, when he was just trying out his solo chops at The Opera House in Toronto. He’s a true artist and this album is an incredible gem. Too bad that it’s the kind that has been left in mom’s jewelry box. It’s nice to know it is being heard again!
Comment by The Basement Rug — November 18, 2010 @ 1:08 pm