Jason Beers - Say No More, Seymour (2020)

Guitar. Primal. Blues. These are words that Seymour Ornate Jr. knows all too well. And ones he shall never utter from his lips. For right before recording this album for Quilt Records, Seymour entered a vow of silence. Prior to his career in music, Seymour was a truck driver who traveled all around mid-Missouri. A chance encounter with a one man in Vienna, Missouri who played Cajun accordion, bells, and drums (all at the same time) gave Seymour the encouragement to quit his job and pursue music full-time. During a gig in Theodosia, MO, Seymour encountered Quilt Records own Melvin R. Daniels, who thought he might have "...the next mill-yun dollah sellah!" and promptly offered Mr. Ornate a recording contract. Seymour's only caveat was that his harmonica-playing girlfriend, "Murderous" Sally Helmsfirth, would be on one track. Seymour Ornate Jr. and "Murderous" Sally Helmsfirth then traveled to southern California soon after to record at Quilt Records. Due to Sally Helmsfirth having a run-in with the law while there and ending up in prison, Seymour would not record until she got out. He stayed at a friend of Mrs. Helen Marf's - Paramahamsa Bob Smith. An organ player and follower of the Hindu religion, P.B.S. (as he was known) enlightened Seymour Ornate Jr. to all things Hindu over the following year and he ended up having a revelation. Seymour fell into mahasamadhi and was forever silent. Finally, "Murderous" Sally Helmsfirth was released and they entered the studio. But this album would be an instrumental one, denying the record-buying public the chance to hear Seymour's soulful, baritone vocal. Mrs. Helen Marf and "Murderous" Sally Helmsfirth wound up on a track, as did P.B.S..
You can catch Seymour Ornate Jr. at a club near you.