Bleu Velveta
ZUNGA
Between 1994 and 1996, Atlanta-based Bleu Velveta garnered critical acclaim and a solid following based on their powerful performances and the Cabaret-Diva glamour of vocalist and songwriter Wanda B. Working with her writing partner Mark Baker (guitar) and bassist/arranger Robo, this team crafted music that could turn from straight up power pop to Floydian atmospherics to jam-band transmigrations within the space of a tune. Add to that the guitar magic of George Trotter and the emerging drumming phenom Jamie Shepard (only 18 at the time!!).
This, people, was a BAND.
Blending quirky art-pop lyrics and structures with
high-combustion improvisation,
every BV show was unique.
Bootlegs abound, all of atrocious quality.
Alas, the typical strains of band life took their toll, and in fall 1996 BV lost and replaced two members -- first guitarist Trotter, and shortly after that, Shepard. While the replacement characters were in fact first rate players, the peculiar chemistry was lost, and soon BV was no more.
But in late summer 1995, the team had invaded Rob Gal's legendary Snack'n'Shack studio in Atlanta for two brutal weeks of tracking and mixing. The result was ZUNGA, an amazing capture of a first-rate performing band in full flight. Ranging from the power-pop of Lovely Love Affair or the the trilingual L'etat C'est Moi, to the terrifying atmospherics of Picture to the Bonaroo-ready extended improv of Susan, this band was a force to be reckoned with. And capping it all is the head-snapping surprise of Edith Piaf's classic La Foule.
So now, almost 15 years later, a few copies of this underground classic remain.
You can get yours here for a mere fifteen beans, postage paid.
See what the buzz is about. Buy now.
(sound samples coming soon)