Of Whales and Woe

Of Whales And Woe is the first solo album by Les Claypool, the bassist and vocalist of Primus. The album was released on the May 30, 2006. The album features Skerik (saxophonist of the Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade), Mike Dillon (percussionist, also of the Frog Brigade), and Gabby La La (multi-instrumentalist). "Back off Turkey" also features Les' children, Cage and Lena. The track "Iowan Gal" is a love song for his wife, Chaney Claypool.

Of Whales and Woe
Studio album by
Les Claypool
ReleasedMay 30, 2006
Recorded2005, 2006
GenreExperimental rock, progressive rock
Length39:29
LabelPrawn Song
ProducerLes Claypool
Les Claypool chronology
Of Whales and Woe
(2006)		 Of Fungi and Foe
(2009)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Rolling Stone[2]

Background

Of Whales and Woe marks the first album release under the name Les Claypool. Though previous "solo" efforts were issued under a variety of monikers, these new recordings are the most self-contained to date. On most of the tracks Claypool provides drums and guitar as well as his usual bass and vocals while band members add instrumental variety (Skerik - sax, Mike Dillon - marimba and percussion, Gabby La La - sitar). The CD includes an assortment of musical styles and also includes Les' theme for Seth Green's hit animated show Robot Chicken that airs on Adult Swim.

The song "Phantom Patriot" takes its name from the 2002 incident where a Richard McCaslin infiltrated the secretive Bohemian Grove campground in California. He was heavily armed and had the words "Phantom Patriot" written on his outfit.

The live band that toured in support of the album was Les Claypool's Fancy Band.

Track listing
  1. "Back Off Turkey" – 2:11
  2. "One Better" – 5:59
  3. "Lust Stings" – 4:08
  4. "Of Whales and Woe" – 3:03
  5. "Vernon the Company Man" – 2:32
  6. "Phantom Patriot" – 4:01
  7. "Iowan Gal" – 3:29
  8. "Nothin' Ventured" – 3:08
  9. "Rumble of the Diesel" – 4:03
  10. "Robot Chicken" – 0:40
  11. "Filipino Ray" – 3:51
  12. "Off-White Guilt" – 2:21

iTunes Bonus Track
  1. "D's Diner (Live)" - 8:05

Personnel
  • Les Claypool - bass (1-6, 8-12), vocals, percussion (1, 3, 7, 9, 12), guitar (2-4, 6, 8, 9), drums (2-4, 6, 8, 11), bass banjo (7), misc. instrumentation (10)
  • Cage Claypool - percussion (1)
  • Lena Claypool - marimba (1)
  • Mike Dillon - marimba (2, 12), vibes (4, 6, 8), tabla (5), percussion (12)
  • Skerik - tenor sax (2, 4, 6, 8, 12), baritone sax (3, 12), horn arrangement (12)
  • Gabby La La - theremin (4), sitar (5, 11, 12)

Production

Chart performance

Album
Chart Provider(s) Peak
position		 Certification Sales/
shipments
Billboard 200 (U.S.)[3] Billboard 115 Not certified N/A
Billboard Top Heatseekers (U.S.)[3] 2
Billboard Independent Albums (U.S.)[3] 5

References
  1. Allmusic review
  2. Rolling Stone review
  3. Les Claypool Artist Billboard Chart History at AllMusic
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