The short-lived Atlanta septet the Ottoman Empire
were a sort of Georgia indie supergroup starring guitarist Bob Elsey
(formerly of local legends Swimming Pool Q's), bassist Rob Gal (formerly
of the jangle pop ironists the Coolies and musical partner of former
Swimming Pool Q's singer Anne Richmond Boston), guitarist Mark Harper
(ex-Bogues), his brother Clay Harper (later of Jack Logan and Liquor
Cabinet) on vocals, and Walter Brewer (formerly of both Southern
freak-out specialists Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit
and the tragedy-touched jazz-pop combo the Jody Grind) on drums, along
with violinist Danny Pearl and accordion player Dick Tamber. Formed in
1993, the Ottoman Empire released their first album, Lester Square (not,
one would assume, named after the Monochrome Set's pseudonymous
guitarist), later that year on the estimable DB Records. Although the
Ottoman Empire's mix of jangle pop, alt-country, and subtle art rock
textures (think Electric Light Orchestra, not Emerson Lake and Palmer)
was enthusiastically reviewed, sales were minimal and after a follow-up,
1995's Ottoman Gold, the group splintered. Gal joined the punk-poppy
6X, while Mark and Clay Harper released a fanciful and witty children's
record, Not Dogs...Too Simple (A Tale of Two Kitties) with participation
by Ian Dury, Maureen Tucker, and others. Elsey joined a re-formed
Swimming Pool Q's in the late '90s.
Tracklist
1. Do You Know What You Like?
2. This Is It
3. Hollywood
4. Ol Duke
5. Train
6. Torremolinos
7. Waiting For You
8. Forever
9. Elizabeth
10. Drop In The Bucket
11. El Vacance
12. Flower Shop
13. Change
14. That's Amore