Agreed Loomis, about Kontiki. The cover of Emitt’s new one disturbs me; what’s with the crying face?! He’s a pretty miserable guy (his original contract, ex-wives), but c’mon, that’s no way to present him! I listened to the samples of it on Amazon, and it sounds pretty good, I'll get it. I think the producer may have helped Emitt with it somewhat, ’cause Emitt played Ray Paul and myself the stuff he was currently working on when we recorded with him at the time of the show, and the songs were in a sophisticated, Jazz-chord Steely Dan kinda style, not exactly what he is known and liked for. Can you imagine McCartney songs incorporating Jazz chords?!
Since you like Kontiki, give Chewy Marble a listen. Brian Kassan was The Wondermints original bassist/songwriter, leaving them right before they hooked up with Brian Wilson, becoming his touring and sometimes-recording band. Doh! He left because he wanted to do more of his songs, so he started Chewy Marble as a vehicle for his songwriting career. Great Pop songs, very Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney influenced---melody and harmony. I'm on about half of the second album (Bowl of Surreal); all Brian wanted was Ringo Starr fills!