After collaborating with several backing bands under the Wooden Wand moniker, most notably with The Vanishing Voice, James Jackson Toth is set to release Waiting In Vain, his first album under his own name. The official announcement, posted on Toth’s MySpace page, describes the album as “layered, almost-dreamlike” with “touches of blues, country and soul; the occasional flash of punk swagger; and even some sweet Fleetwood Mac-inspired pop.” You can hear for yourself by visiting the link above.
Waiting In Vain will be released July 29 through Rykodisc, but the day before Toth will play a free record-release show at Grimey’s in Nashville, TN. He then heads west on August 13 to begin a four-week national tour in San Francisco. Interestingly, the tour will pair him with an as-yet unspecified Duchess and Duke. Obvious possibilities include Prince Richard Alexander Walter George, Duke of Gloucester, or Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Duke of Cornwall (except for when he visits Scotland, where he is referred to as the Duke of Rothesay, technically making him two dukes). Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh seems unlikely, because, let’s be honest, he’s pretty old. I don’t see him fitting in with Toth’s reckless rockstar lifestyle. Prince Edward George Nicholas Patrick Paul, Duke of Kent, also seems like a bad match. I mean, look at this guy. Nobody is taking him on tour anywhere.
It seems Toth will be keeping this shrouded in secrecy until the tour begins. With any luck some San Fran bloggers will let us know August 14.
Waiting In Vain tracklist:
All dates with The Duchess & The Duke except noted*