Set in a Chinese restaurant, the foot stomping, kung-fu fighting video for all-gal bluegrass quartet Uncle Earl’s John Paul Jones-produced “Streak O’ Lean, Streak O’ Fat” is one of the more jarring cultural blends we’ve encountered recently. In a totally good, weird, Zeppelin-related way. The band doesn’t fight — that’s left for various hollaback girls (and boys). They stand amidst it all with shit-eating grins, shouting Chinese over old-timey fiddles and loopy Raymond Scott sound effects, until it’s time to school the karate choppers with Western dancing. We’re not making this up…
We dig the bluegrass goth look, but two lingering questions: Why’s creepy piano dude John Paul Jones such a stand-up-while-I-play showoff? And is that Contra or Square dancing? Neither? Reminds us of Zach and Will down on the farm.
Waterloo, Tennessee is out on Rounder Records. Hear some tunes at Earl’s Space.
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That was a bit too weird for me.
Not bad; just…
Odd.
1. The dude is (isn’t it?) John Paul Jones, who produced the record.
2. Neither. Clogging.
Love it! The John Paul Jones cameo is perfect!
You do realize that the “creepy stand-up-while-I-play showoff” piano player is John Paul Jones, don’t you?
@ all
Cearly I’m retarded. Thanks fact checkin’ cuzs.
why am i so creepy?
The interesting thing is that John Paul Jones has better taste in female-southern-acoustic collaborators than Robert Plant does. Uncle Earl (old-time band) is far more awesome than Alison Krauss (brilliantly talented, but middle of the road bluegrass).
it’s like weapon of choice, but bluegrass. awesome.
Not bad but I still prefer Max’s All You Can Eat which mixes bluegrass, tex-mex, peruvian chicha AND hip hop. Not everyone’s cup of tea, especially since singer/rapper El Guaco sings/raps in quechua, but worth a looksee.
That’s the worst fake instrument playing since that sax chick in the Hungry Eyes video.
Also, the “chef” is Casey Driessen, arguably the most influential young fiddler there is.
The G’earls do play their own instruments, so “fake” is pretty relative. I guess they are using to trying to mimic their own record. Kristen’s clogging kicks ass.
That was terrific, and this was the first place I found it on-line. Since we are identifying people in the clip, Laura Cortese is at the table of dancers who stand up to the challenge. She is touring with the band this year on bass (and fiddle) and clogs with Kristin in Footworks.
Awesome! Awesome!
I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time! G’earls, you’re wonderfully creative! And that odd influence of Abby just keeps on crankin’…
Looking forward to your return to the Tampa area.
-roger
Just curious as to who the girl is in the Irish dance solo dress? And are they able to get the noodles out of her costume?
Love this video, the best band and music I have heard in a long while. Keep up the Wonderful music and Quirky aditude. Love Ya!
It is AWESOME! Oldtime music is alive and well!