C or D: The Chamber Strings - Gospel Morning

I was surprised that only one passing reference to this record turned up in search (on a thread about wishful reunions for 2007, no less!), I figured more people on ILM would be all over this thing. Its a 1997 album from Kevin Junior, a Chicago musician that spent quite a few years in Europe collaborating with Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks before he headed back to the States to form his own band and release this. Its kept a fairly low profile over the years, but has gained cult status among certain indie pop fans, from what I understand. The influences are pretty clear - you can definitely hear the Sudden influence, as well as Big Star and early 70s Stones, but I think it goes well beyond pure hero worship. Any thoughts? Is the 2001 follow-up, Month of Sundays, worth tracking down?

Anyhow, I say a very solid classic.

huh, was just thinking about these guys, because i was listening to epic soundtracks last week. I saw them open up for the pernice bros. way back when, but i never ended up getting any of their stuff. i should probably track it down!

Hah, I was actually thinking of you as one of the posters most likely to be into this album!

yeah, it is probably right up my alley. one of those bands i've always had in the back in of my mind, but never actually gotten into.

I actually love this album. I found it used somewhere in 2003, didn't listen to it for a year or two, and listen to it regularly since then. It's pretty much my default cleaning-the-apartment music, and also one that comes in handy when I need background music for a show or party and want to put something on and forget about it.

The 2nd album is wonderful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAk-I2qd-0M

I've been meaning to find out what happened to them, so thanks for the reminder. Kevin Junior got into heroin around the time of the second album and disappeared for 5 or 6 years. They've evidently been back together for a few years now; there are some new songs on their Myspace page but they haven't released anything yet.

Documentary I haven't watched yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN16I55zNtM

Thanks for the links HL! I definitely need to track down that second album.

... and I finally did. Picked up a copy for $2 just now.

Band was so good. Saw one of the comeback shows - great - but then ... no comeback.

Yeah that was a pretty anticlimactic comeback.

RIP Kevin Junior. Tragic. :(

saw someone mention this on twitter ... what happened?

Haven't seen a cause posted anywhere, but this is a rough profile of him from 2007:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/heroin-hell/Content?oid=924093

Gospel Morning really will be ripe for rediscovery anytime. It's extraordinary.

A little more about recent times:
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/01/18/musicians-and-fans-express-condolences-for-local-singer-songwriter-kevin-junior

sad... RIP.

Both of the albums are excellent, IMO.

My fave rocker from the second one, which I may like better than the first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhydUC3mQ2E

Ugh, just heard about this. Would've loved to hear something new from him. RIP.

currently enjoying this chamber strings/nikki sudden set, live on WFMU in 1998: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Nikki_Sudden/Live_at_WFMU_on_Storks_show_April_19_1999_Nikki_Sudden__The_Chamber_Strings/

RIP. saw them open for GBV in Chicago at some point. bought Month of Sundays afterward.

Damn. Was never really familiar with his music, but he kept the Epic Soundtracks candle alight.

Gospel Morning is finally on Spotify! What a great album.