The King Of Hokum is a man of many tales and he comes down the phone line at me sounding more American then I do. Although C.W.Stoneking was born here in Australia (from Yankee stock), I sense the eccentric personae that he has taken on is one that pervades his existence. Or at least it does when he is still performing talking to the press and when he is on the stage.

It has been 2 years since that wild sounding record King Hokum burst on the scene and the blues and roots music sounded like it came from another age, even though the songs were mostly written by the intriguing C.W. And a mystery man he was to me on the phone and besides that I think he put the hoodoo on my technology as the recording failed to work. So his drawl and quotations were lost to the ether but will his voice will still resonate in my mind.

After my return from being kidnapped in India, I found his latest recording Jungle Blues mysteriously on my desk. Was it delivered by one of his Calypso music loving friends from Africa, who stumbled into my house stoned on rum? Quite possibly, as there was a unique fragrance that I could not quite place surrounding the package. I slipped it out of the wrapping and found C.W. being chased by a tiger on the cover. Frightening stuff!

If you want to take a trip with C.W. and experience his tales from being shipwrecked in Africa and spending time in the jungle, check out his latest release. You may get spooked and you also might have to keep checking the liner notes to believe this record was made in the last 10 months.

Without going through Jungle Blues track by track, simply, if you liked King Hokum you are going to really enjoy this record. But what stands out the most about this record is the anachronistic sound and production. My kids listened to it in the motor vehicle with me and they were gob smacked that this piece of art was recorded this century. It is a charming and fun mix of music and lyrics that make you smile. I don't think you can avoid it. C.W. described the record as "more of the same, only more 'jungley' with some Calypso too."

Recently C.W. and I crossed paths in Los Angeles at the Redwood Bar. A wonderfully nautical styled haunt and hiding in some of the corners were pirates from various foreign locales. Gracing the stage was C.W. and an unconventional Primitive Orchestra of local musicians. I told him watching and listening to him play was a bit distracting with the freaky pirates in attendance and the gruesome pictures of Tarantino's Grindhouse on the moving picture screen with no sound.

"That would have been interesting. Usually they just had pictures of fish swimming in a tank on the television. We were well received in Los Angeles and I tried to find the best musicians I could and pay them enough so they would play," he drawled.

The horns and his banjo and guitar work and decidedly 1920's sounding vocals made for an impressive set. But I was still a bit worried about the images I saw of blood and guts and those creepy looking pirates edging closer to my vantage point. I was slightly freaked out, so I ordered another double shot of Patron to calm my nerves as C.W. continued spinning tales.

C.W. Stoneking and his Primitive Horn Orchestra will be traveling and performing in exotic locations from Katoombah to Hobart from the 12^th of November until the 18^th of December. Check out his tour dates at http://www.myspace.com/cwstoneking.

Joining C.W. on his tour will be Brownbird Ruby Relic who C.W. described as a "one-man hip-hop blues performer" by C.W. Brownbird's website describes him as a 'vegan straight edge chicano blues musician and a purveyor of the Holler Blues".

This show looks set to be something unique and I highly advise you to seek these intriguing musicians out when they come to a joint near you very soon.