Lorenzo Menzerschmidt is the unlikely and fortuitous collaboration of former Violent Femmes drummer Victor DeLorenzo, blues bassist Tony Menzer, and rockabilly / country blues man "Lost Jim" Ohlschmidt. Produced by Victor DeLorenzo and recorded by Steve Hamilton, this 11-song album features six original songs and five of the band's distinctive arrangements of classics such as their minor swing version of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." Ohlschmidt's original songs range from the cheeky, self-deprecating "I'm A Mess," to the dark, lonesome depth of "Since My Baby Left This Town." The trio's playing is heavy on free-wheeling ensemble work with just enough solos to keep it interesting (no wanking!). In addition to his taut drumming, DeLorenzo also adds some solid "vocalessence" to originals like "It Don't Work That Way" and "29's a Good Road," and Ohlschmidt's expert fingerpicking on electric and acoustic guitars make this a very UN-typical "blues trio" record!

my picture for the LMS record cover

                                 LORENZO MENZERSCHMIDT

victor

jim

tony

Lorenzo Menzerschmidt by Marc Potochnik

the stage is set...

with hidden tony, even...

W.C. Clark with Lorenzo Menzerschmidt

Playing

lost jim

tony

victor