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I couldn't have been more tickled to hear Trout Fishing in America had put out a holiday CD. After all, these guys (Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood) are so well-known in Austin they are almost a local act; they sing the songs of Emily Kaitz, which is enough to get you a pass into Heaven in my book; and they sing that funny18-Wheels on a Big Rig song. Better still, their record company sent me this cool free copy of Merry Fishes to All!

So, it is with their oeuvre and these various positive associations in mind that I undertook to review Trout Fishing's latest songwriting tour de force. And tour de force it is, too. It seemed, on first listen, that they took a big risk releasing a CD of "mostly original" songs. By giving us a full dose of Trout but no well-known tunes, they risked producing a record people won't want to play at any time of year. But ultimately, the risk payed off for me on several tracks.

The Eleven Cats of Christmas is a wonderful song, and not only for those who tend to shelter large numbers of unwanted strays, though it does have the authenticity of the can't-say-no cat lover written in every word. This song also has that special acoustic Trout Fishing sound, impossible to describe but recognizable whenever you hear it.

I was enchanted with Bob and Bob, a song about two snowflake "brothers" that draws on the inherent wackiness of "twins" Ezra and Keith. You Gotta Get Up is as beautiful an acoustic offering as you will hear on KUT's Folkways this year. And the raw sentimentality of The Christmas Letter rang true for me. I've written many such letters, and this tune did a better than average job capturing the wistfulness of such efforts.

The more times I played this CD, the more I liked its offbeat takes on holiday Americana. Songs that sounded unfamiliar the first time through, were charming and appealing on second listen. This is a must-have CD for Trout Fishing fans, but also a welcome and quirky gag gift to acoustic music listeners everywhere. Just let these two fellows get a foot in the door, and they're liable to get a grip on your Christmas spirit, too.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Trout Fishing in America:
Ezra Idlet-vocals, guitars, sleigh bells
Keith Grimwood-vocals, electric bass, string bass

Additional musicians: Fred Bogert-guitars, keyboards, comet, vocals
Bob Bowers-saxophone, clarinet
Angelina Davis-violin
Chris Munson-drums
Mason Roberts-cello

From the promotional materials:

Trout Fishing in America is a nationally acclaimed performing and recording group based in northwest Arkansas. While they have a strong following for their sophisticated repertoire of music for grownups, the group has also garnered national awards for its six previous "family" recordings. The duo has been featured on the Today Show and has performed at the White House. Trout Fishing in America has earned over 20 national awards and honors, including a Grammy nomination and several "Best of the Year" accolades and Gold awards from Parents' Choice and the National Parenting Publications. Billboard magazine notes their "rare musicianship, humor and inspiration." Chicago Parent suggests, "If you haven't heard them yet, it's time to do some trolling." Keith and Ezra plan a typically energetic performance itinerary throughout the winter.

Trout Fishing in America

Merry Fishes to All

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Track List