Pete Astor
“My Right Hand”
Spilt Milk
Spilt Milk is the brand new album from indie auteur Pete Astor, previously of The Loft, The Weather Prophets, and other esteemed acts. It was recorded onto ½ inch tape at the home studio of James Hoare of Ultimate Painting, The Proper Ornaments and Veronica Falls, with James playing guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and singing backing vocals. “He was”, says Astor, “an amazing band.” Other contributions came from members of Astor’s live band, with Pam Berry (Black Tambourine, Withered Hand) supplying vocals, Jack Hayter (Hefner) on pedal steel, Alison Cotton (The Left Outsides) on viola, and Robin Christian (Male Bonding) and Susan Milanovic (Feathers) on drums.
On an album of tremendous songs, my personal favorite is “My Right Hand”, a hymn to everyone’s best friend. The subtleness of the way Astor sings about the subject (think “She Bop” or “Rosie”) is creative and sentimental. Astor sounds so innocent, but he obviously has that Lou Reedish style to him while sounding like Poco or the Flying Burrito Brothers. I am so impressed.