The Mistakes by The Mistakes: Mike Keneally, Henry Kaiser, Prairie Prince, Andy West

THE MISTAKES (original press release from 1995)

What do you get when you take Italy’s finest zydeco musicians and turn them loose on a program of Cyndi Lauper favorites? We have no idea, really, but we imagine it would sound nothing like THE MISTAKES, the semi-long-awaited collaboration between four of modern music’s more intriguing practitioners:

HENRY KAISER – experimental guitarist extraordinaire, he of the countless solo releases and stimulating collaborations with such innovators as Richard Thompson, Fred Frith, Derek Bailey, Herbie Hancock, Michael Stipe etc. etc. etc….most recently celebrated for his tremendously successful musical journeys to Madagascar and Norway with fellow traveler David Lindley, and for the sparkling albums which resulted (“A World Out Of Time” vols. 1 & 2 and “The Sweet Sunny North”). Kaiser’s work on THE MISTAKES continues to stretch the boundaries of what “electric guitar” means.

MIKE KENEALLY – guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist and producer of THE MISTAKES, renowned for his work with Frank Zappa on such albums as “The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life”, “Make A Jazz Noise Here” and “Broadway The Hard Way” (he sang lead on the infamous “Elvis Has Just Left The Building”), star of the Grammy-winning “Zappa’s Universe”, member of the Dweezil/Ahmet Zappa band Z, and responsible for the acclaimed solo releases “hat.” and “Boil That Dust Speck”. On THE MISTAKES Keneally brings off a peculiarly seductive marriage of experimental and pop sensibilities, without compromising either approach.

PRAIRIE PRINCE – immensely well-respected drummer, a charter and present member of The Tubes (encompassing all their releases including the infamous “White Punks On Dope”), several Todd Rundgren tours and albums, and a great deal of session work including the late Tommy Bolin and XTC’s much-lauded “Skylarking” album (featuring the controversial “Dear God”). Prince is also an in- demand creator of stunning graphic art (his work graces the cover and interior of the MISTAKES CD booklet). Even long-time Prairie Prince fans are likely to be stunned by his virtuosic playing on THE MISTAKES.

ANDY WEST – original bassist for The Dixie Dregs (later known as The Dregs) who left many a concert-goer’s jaw slackened during their early tours. West played on all the classic Dregs albums, four of which were nominated for Grammies (including the legendary “Night Of The Living Dregs”). West has recorded and performed with Kaiser on many occasions and was a member of Kaiser’s Crazy Backwards Alphabet band; he’s also recorded with heralded guitarist Vinnie Moore. West aficionados who haven’t heard enough of his singular bass playing as of late will get a hugely satisfying fix from THE MISTAKES.

The breadth of THE MISTAKES is suggested right from the top, with a majestic improvisation (“Put The Bass In The Middle Of My Head”) cutting directly to a shiny, tightly arranged pop gem (“Aye- Aye Monster”). Gathering crazily divergent elements into a seamless and coherent whole, the album is a dream come true for all fans of adventurous rock. With this initial collaboration having proved such a success, Kaiser, Keneally, Prince and West now relish the opportunity to present their efforts to live audiences world-wide.

Mike Keneally has been a lot of things in his 35 year career: stunt guitarist/keyboardist, singer/songwriter, orchestral composer, producer, music director, painter, and more. After getting his start in Frank Zappa’s legendary 1988 big band, Keneally released his first solo album hat. in 1992. Since then he has released dozens more and is working on a new double album.

Learn more at keneally.com