Mummer's the Word - Dirty Linen

Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Mummer's the Word

by CHRIS KOCHER

[ Excerpt from the print edition of Dirty Linen #141 (May/June 2009) ]

Every New Year's Day in Philadelphia, the Mummers Parade winds its way down Broad Street through the heart of the city. Elaborately dressed, hoisting umbrellas, and dancing to joyful music, these thousands of colorful jesters share an uplifting message: Cast off your cares, put on a smile, and step into the possibilities of a new tomorrow.
Across the Schuylkill River, a new tradition has emerged in recent years: Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams' annual "New Year's Eve Eve" celebration. The World Café concert -- which sells out months in advance -- is a hometown gig for frontman and songwriter Joziah Longo, and that only magnified the band's alchemic energy last year. [read more...]

Flapjacks DVD Review

Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
Thursday March 29, 2007 - Binghamton, NY

"Live performances can be electrifying experiences -- and when you're talking about Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, concerts can be downright transcendent." [read more...]

The Gospel of Gandalf

Catch the spiritual rhythms of the Slambovian Circus
by CHRIS KOCHER (Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin)

"If all matter in the universe is made up of tiny vibrating strings, as many physicists now think, then Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams may be the band closest to hearing that music of life surrounding us." [read more...]

Who is Gandalf Murphy?

Interview with Joziah on KyndMusic.com (from February 2006):

"KyndMusic: Everyone will want to know, even if you've been asked a million times, who is Gandalf Murphy?"

"Joziah Longo: Gandalf Murphy is the nickname for the founder and first presenter of the Circus of Dreams. Our first flyer said "Gandalf Murphy presents: The Slambovian Circus of Dreams". He's kind of our first mentor/advisor, "the man behind the curtain". He used to live in an old circus trailer with his wife Cleo behind the theater where we first created and rehearsed the band and we used to have coffee with them on breaks and talk about life. They had a lot of ideas about how we could uniquely do what we are trying to do, ideas bigger and trippier than anything we've done so far. But it's all been done in the same spirit and heart of those original ideas and keeps growing towards those shared all inclusive dreams." [read more...]

New articles and pics

- Puppet House Theater - Year of the Dog, New Years Show - Review / pictures!

- Cool article in New Haven's PLAY Magazine: [archived on the Slambovian Free-Press...]

- Some pictures from our Knowlton River Festival show last summer: http://urlsnip.com/381980 - [dead link - no longer online]

- Pictures from Falcon Ridge a few years back...

Hudson Valley Magazine's "Best of the Valley" October 2004 Issue!

The Circus has been voted "Best Band" in Hudson Valley Magazine's "Best of the Valley" October 2004 Issue!

Full page color photo of the band on the banks of the Hudson River with full page feature article by Tom Staudter. Pretty groovy! (photo no longer online)

http://www.hudsonvalleymagazine.com

Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia

The Slambovian Circus of Dreams made it's full band debut at Jammin' Java (May 30) in Vienna Virginia - A big success! Thanks to all our fans and supporters and for the radio and press support we got for the show.

The Connection - Vienna edition did a homecoming story featuring Tink:  "Local girl comes home... and she's bringing The Circus with her!"  [read more...]

(Article will soon also be viewable at our Slambovian-Free Press page)

Looking forward to returning to Jammin' Java this fall!

"From Gig to Gig, a Band Draws Loyal, Local Fans"

Sunday, April 18 - New York Times
Article by TOM STAUDTER

"IF some measure of success for a band working its way up in the music business is being able to inspire fans to cook and serve 450 turquoise-colored pancakes, free of charge, to a concert audience, then Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams has hit the mark.

The pancakes were meant to resemble the title song and package illustrations of 'Flapjacks From the Sky,' Gandalf Murphy's new, independently released two-CD opus. They were served to concertgoers as part of the festivities at the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts in Mount Kisco during intermission at the band's concert celebrating the album's release in late February."  [read more...]

Brattleboro Reformer

 'On the trail of a mystical, funky, psychedelic band of musical do-gooders'
Story by Dave Madeloni.

"First of all, there is no Gandalf. And you can stop searching your map of the Balkans for Slambovia. The Circus is really just a band - a whimsical, entertaining, and endearing one. But they are essentially, just a rock band. A band of dreamers." [read more...]

"Flapjacks from the Sky" has just been given a "5 star" review by Roots Music Report

RMR calls Flapjacks "A triumphant record project that is bound to become a dynamic contribution to Roots Music." 

Have a look for yourself at:
http://www.rootsmusicreport.com/CDreviews/RootsRockreviews.php3