Flat hat tip? Why thank you! I knew that Ph.D. would get some use eventually. I love Hat's too flat--brilliant and more timely than ever. And Little Kawai right after--another sweet/funny song that would never, ever, be on a SD album! Great review by Jon Pareles, thanks for bringing it up, Randy, and thanks for posting, D-Mod. I really enjoyed reading such a thoughtful review. Thanks for sharing that. Very smart man that Pareles...I remember sitting next to him at a Robert Fripp solo gig and he was furiously taking notes.  few days later I read his really insightful review...not many like him around.

Circus Money is right up there with my favorite albums. Whereas with DF albums you know you're going to get something that could be SD, not least because of DF's voice but also because the overall vibe and sound are similar, w/WB it's so much more raw and vulnerable and filled w/saudade. The lyrics are ridiculously smart (Darkling Down? Who throws in a buzzard's banquet and a cupo of spleen with a puke-streaked tunic? So funny and yet so deliciously--and troublingly--dark...) but there's just so much feeling--if SD cooly observes our human foibles and failings, WB speaks in the first person, and that's a big switch. Anyway, I could go on so I'll spare you, but I do also want to add that the performances by the musicians are stellar--Chris Potter on Paging Audrey and Dean Parks on Upside looking Down are just two examples. Yes, they really did play their hearts out. When Dean Parks comes in for his solo it's like a revelation, the heavens opening up, and Potter's never sounded better, never more melodic.  I'm so glad this forum is here--Walter's work has been so significant for me, it's wonderful to have the opportunity to read the words of people who also clearly appreciate and understand his contribution, so thank you guys for creating this and sharing the love and the sounds.

I love this website! Thank you so much for sharing this material. I am a huge fan, and Circus Money has never stopped being on heavy rotation for me. Amazing to hear the vulnerability on the demo of Paging Audrey. Larry Klein said he tried to get WB to belt less, and I assume this was a recording of his explorations! Are there more recordings from the Slim's gig? It sounds phenomenal.