Chris Connelly is an amazing talent. Not only does he have outstanding vocals, but he also delivers his songs with such intense emotion, it makes you feel you are a bystander in a theatrical production. Through his melodic, velvet vibrato and aloof tonality, Connelly evokes a sense of melodramatic mindfulness, submerged in a world of reflective reverie and mystical musings. He’s a class act, whose career spans 40 years, and whose music remains timeless, original and of a high calibre.
Born in Scotland, but now based in Chicago, Connelly started his musical career in Edinburgh with the band “Fini Tribe” and has since released over 20 solo pieces of music and has collaborated with many musicians including projects like Ministry, The Revolting Cocks and Pigface, as well as contributing more recently with Cocksure and The Joy Thieves. He has also published four books including poetry, autobiographical and fictional narrative, which are testaments to Connelly’s artistic flair, astute intellect and extensive talent.
Following his respect and admiration for Nico, Connelly has written a 24-track album called “Eulogy to
Christa: A Tribute to the Music & Mystique of Nico”. Due to be released in late autumn 2022, the album will be released via by Shipwrecked Industries in the USA and Easy Action in the UK. It’s an impressive album and who’s latest single “Eulogy to Lenny Bruce”, originally appeared on Nico’s 1967 album “Chelsea Girl”, but has been reworked and released by Connelly. Although the song was originally written by Tim Hardin, the lyrics have been slightly modified but still captures the tragic tale of Lenny Bruce.
As cover track, Connelly really does make it his own, yet still retains the sorrow and melancholy of the original. It’s a neo-classical outtake from the theatre of lost dreams and desire. It’s art personified, that captures the barren sentiments of its muse and undercurrents of deep emotion. Through his mesmeric vocals Connelly elevates Eulogy to Lenny Bruce to ethereal heights, that tingles the senses and chills to the bone. Through its magnificent musical arrangements, Eulogy to Lenny Bruce makes you feel like you are waltzing in a sonic storm of oscillating orchestras, surging in solitude and separating in sorrow. Along with the eerie murmurs, Eulogy to Lenny Bruce creates a wave of neo-shoegaze, that tantalises with tension and smoulders in silence. It’s an exquisite track, whose subtle shifts to more clankier strums, tilts towards neo blues, whilst drifting to a baroque-rock shore.
Selected as the Manc Reviews’ “Single Of The Week”, Eulogy to Lenny Bruce is a recommended purchase for any Nico/Velvet Underground fan or for anyone who appreciates music that soars from an epicentre of emotion that is amplified from a burst of orchestral operatics, that sweeps you away on a transcendental tide.
‘Eulogy to Lenny Bruce’ is now available via Apple Music, Amazon and Bandcamp. On November 11th 2022, the full ‘”Eulogy to Christa’ album will be released digitally and is already available for pre-order via Bandcamp. The CD version of the album will be released on December 4th 2022.
Connelly’s album release show takes place on Thursday, November 10th 2022 at Chicago’s Gman Tavern. He will be accompanied by Matt Walker, Carolyn Engelmann and other members of Sons of the Silent Age. Tickets can be obtained at http://bit.ly/ChrisConnelly_1110.
CREDITS
‘Eulogy to Lenny Bruce’ written by Tim Hardin
‘Eulogy to Lenny Bruce’ published by Spirit Music, copyright Spirit One Music o/b/o Allen
Stanton Productions
Recorded at The Rock Noir July 2021 / January 2022
Mastered by James Scott at Populist Recording and Mastering
Produced by Chris Bruce
Chris Connelly: Vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, harmonium, harmonica, keyboards,
bass
Sleeve design by Greg Rolfes
Layout by Kimberly Blessing
Cover photo of Nico by Alastair MacKay
Inside photo of Nico taken by Howard Goldblatt
Publicity by Shauna McLarnon @ Shameless Promotion PR
Management: Kimberly Blessing @ Shipwrecked Industries
Chris Connelly is published by Bicycle Music/Concord BMI
Dedicated to Nico (Christa Päffgen) 1938 – 1988
For the lovers on St. Stephen’s
Video by Emma Kathan
Keep up with Chris Connelly
www.chrisconnelly.com
https://chrisconnelly.bandcamp.com
https://facebook.com/ChrisConnellyOfficial
https://twitter.com/Connelly_Chris
https://www.instagram.com/connellyofficial
https://soundcloud.com/chrisconnellyofficial
https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisConnellyDotCom
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chris-connelly/44132448
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4IZgjF9Cb5w0gQTUOYSCQK
https://www.amazon.com/gp/entity/Chris-Connelly/B000AQ6VYI