Big Al Whittle “Don’t Act Stupid and Stop Acting Clever!” (Independent 2003) When you’re faced by something like this it’s difficult to know how to react - is this an idiot savant or just an idiot? The opening ‘George Joseph Smith’ tells the story of the mass murderer, the chorus of which is ‘drown her in the bath, drown her in the bath, coz I’m a psychopath’. Genius or lunatic, or both. ‘Big Red Sausage’ is a seaside postcard brought to life and ‘Swimming Pool’ is a disturbing tale of a 9 year old in lust/love. ‘Telephone Song’ proves he can do sad too - this record won’t bore you, and I smile every time I think about it. My guess is genius and lunatic. Available direct from Big Al himself for £7 inc p&p, phone 01773 812626.

Americana UK REVIEW