Antipop: New York Underground Mix (Fang Records, 1988)
My Fang Records label's first LP was a compilation of 4 groups: the Mommyheads, Life in a Blender, Plugbunnies Inc & myself solo as Church of Betty. The groups released the record by performing at CBGB, the first of many Fang multi-bills over a period of years. My contributions: The Dirt Inside, Flying to Tibet, Winter Rain. Recorded by Chris Biondo. Art: Zode, Pablo Tauler, Lou DeMonte.
Church of Betty West of the East (Fang Records, 1989) BANDCAMP
The first Church of Betty album was largely a solo effort following my first journey to the South Asian subcontinent. Experimental compositions tapping avant concepts, dissonance, sound collages of field recordings from India & Nepal, early exploration of Indian instruments. Guests: Adam Cohen, Jan Kotik, Elliott Sharp, Kevin Miller. Songs: Blue Swan, Schoolhouse, Autumn, Mountain Rain Shadow, Annapurna, Folk Tune/Fishermen, Celebrate the Leaf, Whiny Art Song, The Flight, Eyes Expanding, Dasain, Driftwood, It's Your Loss, Latter Days of Rome Recorded by Chris Biondo. Art: Zode, Pablo Tauler, Lou DeMonte.
"The world of Betty is one previously uncharted, where sitars, Indian horns, and more westernly instruments commingle to produce music that would sound exotic in any planetary locale." - College Music Journal
Thirsty Ears: Fang Records Bands Live at the Knitting Factory (Fang Records, 1991)
My indie label Fang Records was a staple at the original Knitting Factory on Houston Street. This compilation included the Mommyheads, 101 Crustaceans, Oren Bloedow, Dolores, the Very Pleasant Neighbor, Brian Woodbury's Popular Music Group, and 2 of my combos: Church of Betty w/ Ed Pastorini, Cindy Rickmond, Claire de Brunner, Jan Kotik & Michael Holt, and Goulash, a trio w/ Dan Fisherman & Jenny Wade. From COB: Zanzibar & Rhythm of the Dreaming. From Goulash: Heya Dharma & Tell Me Now. Recorded by Doug Rice. Art: Gideon Kendall.
Life in a Blender It Likes Me (Fang Records, 1992)
I played guitar in Don Ralph's Life in a Blender in the early '90s. This album captures my era in the group, which also included Dave Moody, Ken Meyer & Chris Butler at the time. I produced 2 tracks: Cool Mom & Unfortunate Planes. Recorded by Al Houghton.
Church of Betty Kashi (Fang Records, 1993) BANDCAMP
This album reflects a year of study in Varanasi with my Hindustani music gurus, Balchandra Patekar & Rabindra Goswami. A mix of Indian-accented pop, light classical experimentation, dissonant jams & sound collages. My primary collaborator was drummer Jan Kotik. Guests: Ed Pastorini, Cindy Rickmond, Elliott Sharp, Tim Thomas, Tom Tedesco, Brian Woodbury, Elizabeth Shaler, Gregor Kitzis, Matt Darriau, Dan Fisherman, Kevin Miller, Melanie Miller, Courtney Shriver. Songs: Why Do You Cry?, Stories of Life and Death, Diwani Diwani, Electric Crematorium, Woodstock, Song of the Dwarf, Kiss the Boot, Marshmello Rocky, City of Light, Planet Turns, Quality of Wood, Sathiyam Neeye, When We Were Four, Kashi, A Perfect Country, Mutant Morning Raga. Recorded by Chris Biondo & Al Houghton. Art: Zode, Pablo Tauler, Lou DeMonte.
"True sonic adventureland, impressive and intense." - New York Review of Records
Church of Betty In Search of Spiritual Junkfood (Ponk Records, 1994) BANDCAMP
In the mid-90s COB reformed into a new combo w/ Jonathan Feinberg (drums), Joe Quigley (bass), Ed Pastorini (piano) & Jan Kotik (guitar). This album represents a progressive high watermark for the group. During this period, we traveled to Vienna to perform in the Contemporary Indian Music Festival, changing the trajectory of the band. Guests: Cindy Rickmond, Marlon Cherry, Marc Mueller, Paul Mueller, Bob Muller. Songs: Bodgaya, True Karma, Hammerhead Shark, Visions of Beauty, Virtual Reality, Crimson Tide, Evaporate Victoria, Alu Au Gratin, The Road Is the Gold, One Way Ticket, The Kicking Game, Spiritual Junkfood. Recorded by Gil Shuster & Al Houghton. Art by Zode, Pablo Tauler & Lou DeMonte.
"This record is not joking, and it issues a very serious challenge to all other purveyors of psychedelia." - Sound Views
The Hand Meet the Hand (Fang Records, 1995)
In '95 I was approached by an up-and-coming young musicians signed to Geffen Records named Kenny Siegal. He knew my early Maryland work through Brian Geltner of Plugbunnies Inc. The 3 of us instantly formed The Hand, a raw rock n roll group that produced 4 albums in 3 years. Songs: Hands, Lazy Old Sun, Climb the Wall, Little Murders, Woodstock, Hard Black Glass, Barstool Blues, So Far So Good, Tropic of Capricorn, View from the Roof, Cross of Gold. Produced by The Hand. Art: Gideon Kendall.
Church of Betty Blossom and Decay (Fang Records, 1995)
Kenny Siegal brought the Hand aesthetic to his production of original COB w/ Ed Pastorini, Jan Kotik & Cindy Rickmond, recorded & mixed in a span of 72 hours. This beautiful album was not released for years and has been little heard, despite being one of our finest. Songs: Venus Flytrap, Read My Book, Cross of Gold, Meat, Walk With Me, Magic Key, The Conversation, Wait, Wonderworld, Last Week. Art: James Williamson.
Johnny Tibet Cowboys in India (Fang Records, 1995)
An experiment in re-writing Indian songs in a variety of musical styles into English progressive pop songs. The core group was a trio of COB's Chris Rael, Joe Quigley & Jonathan Feinberg. The group never performed, but there are some beautiful little-heard tunes in here. Songs: Dinosaurs, Flying Fish, Ordinary Boy, Molecules, Messages, Illumination, My Allison, Strange Pilgrims, The Balloon Song, Fortunate Man. Art: Chris Rael.
The Hand Second Hand (Fang Records, 1996)
The Hand came back together the following year for this second 8-song collection of hard-driving rockers. Songs: Weight of Industry, Guillotine, Problems with Being Too Pretty, Repulsion, The Sky, Electric Chair, Naked Truth, Radio Friendly Guy. Art: Gideon Kendall.
Najma Forbidden Kiss (Shanachie Records, 1996)
Contemporary westernized remakes of the classic Hindi film songs of SD & RD Burman, sung by Najma & produced by myself, Brian Woodbury & Jonathan Feinberg. Guests: Steve Gorn, Joe Quigley, Bob Muller, Mark Feldman, Gregor Kitzis, Aaron Heick, Steven Bernstein, Dan Levine, Sarah Hewitt, Ed Pastorini. Songs: Piya Tose, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Aaj ki Raat, Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaye Re, Thandi Hawaon Ne, Aaj ki Junli Raat Ma, Kai Hai Re Hamne Kasam, Hounton Mein Esi Baat, Dil Pukare, Aradhana (The Treasure of Your Eyes).
"A juicy primer to a world of music that is under-appreciated for its sheer creative audacity, Forbidden Kiss comports itself with an air of cultural surrealism." - Jazz Times
The Hand Mule Me (Messenger Records, 1997)
The Hand came into full creative flower on this Messenger Records release. There's not much to say, but plenty to hear: Stepping Stone, Cringo, No Walls, No Sound in Outer Space, The Hotel, Hatchet, Cowbone Mobile, The King's Table, The Ghost, The Sun Climbs, Funny Business, Atlantic City, Vomit Pile King, Kiss Me Judas, Wouldn't It Be Beautiful, Cat Puddle, To That I Drink, Coney Island, Ten Bolts Fall. Art: Jessica Kane.
"After freefalling kicking and screaming into their world, you come out the other side and land firmly right back where you begin, safe but uneasy." - Circus
The Hand Sad Circus Clowns (Fang Records, 1997) BANDCAMP
The Hand made a second album in 1997, this one focused on my songs, recorded at The Magic Shop by Danny Kadar. Guests: Bradford Reed, Claire de Brunner, Deep Singh. Songs: Vinegar Cocktail, Cranberry Street, Tiger Lily, Sad Circus Clowns, Delicious Pain, Fruit on the Vine, Golden Melody, Cross of Gold, Tijuana Holiday, Come to Me. Mastered by Chris Athens. Art: Jessica Kane.
Johnny Society It Don't Matter (Messenger Records, 1997)
At the end of this manic year, The Hand split into Church of Betty and Johnny Society. There were simply too many songs for one band to record. We recorded the first Johnny Society record at legendary Bearsville Studio near Woodstock. Highlight tracks for me include The Bucket Breaks, You Won't See Me Tomorrow & It Don't Matter. Recorded by Danny Kadar.
Church of Betty Comedy of Animals (Fang Records, 1998) BANDCAMP
I met tabla player Deep Singh through Najma. In '98 we quickly formed a quartet with Jon Feinberg & Joe Quigley. This is our first album, recorded by David Voigt & mastered by Chris Athens. Guests: Kenny Siegal, Gwen Snyder, Sam Bardfeld, Gregor Kitzis, Claire de Brunner, Paul Mueller, Marlon Cherry, Simon 7. Songs: Blood and Roses, Onion, Comedy of Animals, Fallen Arrow, The Hill, Tiger Lily, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, I Fly Tonight, Pound Cake, Ordinary Boy. Art: James Williamson.
"A thrilling work, overflowing with vision." - All Music Guide
Church of Betty Fruit on the Vine (The Telegraph Company, 1999) BANDCAMP
One of our best loved albums, Fruit on the Vine came out when the group was nearing the peak of its notoriety. COB's world chamber instrumentation comes into full flower on this record. Guests: Gregor Kitzis, Gwen Snyder, Matt Goeke, Marlon Cherry, Bob Muller, Neel Murgai, Steve Horn, Steve James, Ed Pastorini, Cindy Rickmond, Brian Geltner, Kenny Siegal. Songs: The Magic in You, I Swim in You, Cool Water, Fruit on the Vine, Tail End of a Dream, Guruji, Red Line, Skin of the Ocean, Deep in the Ocean, Monolith, Ruby, Night Logic. Recorded by Danny Kadar, mixed by Bryce Goggin, mastered by Howie Weinberg. Art: James Williamson, Heather Jones.
"Chris Rael's brash new world of raga, ghazals, Bombay filmi, and smart street-corner prog rock." - Village Voice
Penny Arcade Bad Reputation (Fang Records, 1999) BANDCAMP
Soundtrack album for Penny Arcade's classic show. A mix of Penny performances and my atmospheric music and sound beds for the show. Cast: Penny Arcade, Jennifer Belle, Bina Sharif, Christine Holt, Catherine Hourihan, Viva Knievel, Linda Martini, Julie Atlas Muz, Barbara Sicuranza, Patti van Dyke, Kelly Webb, Jodi Wetzel. Musicians: Jon Feinberg, Jan Kotik, Ed Pastorini, Deep Singh, Marlon Cherry, Marc Mueller, Paul Mueller. Select tracks include No Mona Lisa, Carmen Baby, Erotic Tango & Mona Lisa (I Hate that Bitch). Recorded by Al Houghton. Art: Jasmine Hirst, Heather Jones.
Bengal Tigers Songs About Birds and Trains (Fang Records, 1999) BANDCAMP
Contemporary westernized interpretations of Bengali folk songs by some of America's finest Indian musicians, including Samir Chatterjee, Sanghamitra Chatterjee, Krishna Batt, Ramesh Mishra, Steve Gorn, Ned Rothenberg, Joe Quigley & Jon Feinberg. Samir and I arranged the songs: O Maji Re, Sujan Maji Re, Khanchar Bithar Achin Pakhi, Sohag Chand Badani Dhani, Konjange Bhasai Tari, Amar Dukhe Dukhe, Majhi Tumi Majh Ganje, Rajar Pankhi, Sadher Lau, Isthishaner Rel Garita. Recorded by Danny Kadar. Art: James Williamson.
Chris Rael & Deep Singh Tunnel Ragas (Fang Records, 2000) BANDCAMP
Deep and I used to play in the subways for the Music Under New York program. We made good money and built the audience for the band this way. We made this album of sitar-tabla instrumentals at home to sell underground. It's one of our most popular albums. Songs: S.T.P., Phoolan Devi, Subway Song, Robert's Dream of Fame, You Broke My Antlers, Sorry Please, All Mixed Up, Salmon Fudge and Beer, Zasapalooza, Thanks for Calling, Free Ishtyle, Blood and Roses, Now Approaching Grand Central. Art: Bernd Auers, James Williamson.
"Moving beyond the mere meeting of East and West; the audience is extremely integrated because the music has a universal appeal." - India Abroad
Marty Matz A Sky of Fractured Feathers (Fang Records, 2001)
Deep and I befriended the great Beat poet Marty Matz, who loved to read to music. We composed music for each poem in this collection and recorded it in our Lower East Side home. Poems: Ode for Bob Yarra/Like a Bolt of Green Lightning, Duration in Time, When Maguey Spines Burn the Wind, Under the Influence of Mozart, If I Were a Collector of Things, When Blues and Heartaches Prosper, Nicotine Stained Dreams/Until My Back Is Moonburned, The Currents of My Life, In Search of Patiti, A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Enlightenment, A Sky of Fractured Feathers, I've Opened a Wound on the Sun/I've Heard the Lost Appleseed, No Magic Egypt Ever Blooms, I Know Where Rainbows Go to Die. Art: Clayton Patterson, James Williamson.
Church of Betty Tripping With Wanda (Fang Records, 2002) BANDCAMP
'Wanda' was the nickname of my New York art uncle, Play-House of the Ridiculous founder John Vaccaro. This album captures our music at its zenith. Guests: Kenny Siegal, Brian Geltner, Marlon Cherry, Gwen Snyder, Gregor Kitzis, Ina Litera, Matt Goeke, Leah Coloff, Dan Levine, Paul Shapiro, Cindy Rickmond. Songs: Flowers Pushing Up, Cross of Gold, Electric Chair, Birthday Song, Dirty Waters, Magic Key, The Tammy Show, Crystal Ball, Ampersand, Tripping With Wanda, I Smoke You Jack, Down and Out in New York City, Empty Glass. Produced by myself, Kenny Siegal, Joe Blaney, Danny Kadar & Bryce Goggin. Mastered by Fred Kevorkian. Art: James Williamson.
"If otherworldly rock exists, surely this is as lofty as it gets. A rich, brimming, brilliant record." - All Music Guide
Church of Betty Revenge of the Hippies (Fang Records, 2003) BANDCAMP
Produced by Kenny Siegal, this album captures our early-2000s lineup playing mostly live in the studio: Rael, Singh, Feinberg, Quigley, Marlon Cherry & Rima Fand. Songs: Galaxies Fade, Treasures in the Sand, Rain Falls on the Mighty, She's Really Alive, Movie Star Blues, Diamonds in Sunshine, Big Red Seahorse, Mushroomy, Friends for Life, Something in the Air, Revenge of the Hippies, She's Really Alive (reprise). Recorded by Tom Schick, mastered by Greg Calbi. Art: James Williamson.
"Musical and cultural fusion of the first order." - Boston Herald
Chris Rael The Devil You Know (Fang Records, 2004) BANDCAMP
When Quigley & Feinberg moved out of town, Chris returned to Kenny Siegal's Old Soul Studio in Catskill NY to make this solo album with Hand bandmates Siegal & Geltner. Guests: Jonathan Gregg, Rima Fand, Dan Levine, Gwen Snyder. Songs: Cable Nation, Rebellion Cabaret, Poor Little Rich Girl, Madness of King George, 100 Ways to Lie, Giddyup Blues, Before and After, Hole in the Sky, Piss Test, Clean Channel, The Devil You Know, Fuck or Fight. Art: Jasmine Hirst, James Williamson.
Chris Rael Cranberry Street (Fang Records, 2005) BANDCAMP
This solo effort was recorded by Jack McKeever at The Maid's Room in the Lower East Side. It includes some new songs for Penny Arcade, Rima Fand & my father Richard Rael, who had just died, and a number of re-do's of older songs I had wanted to try different ways. Guests: Jon Feinberg, Joe Quigley, Ed Pastorini, Brian Geltner, Rima Fand, Marla Hansen, Serena Jost. Songs: Diamonds in Sunshine, Woodstock, Sympathy, Fruit on the Vine, Giddyup Blues, Hole in the Sky, Acid Mantra, Cranberry Street, Dirty Waters, Thank You for Loving Music, The Devil You Know, Cross of Gold, Open Your Eyes. Mixed by Tom Schick, mastered by Fred Kevorkian. Art: James Williamson.
Chris Rael's Araby (Dixon Place, 2009) BANDCAMP
A live recording of my show Araby, based on the short stories of James Joyce's Dubliners. This show won the Composition Award for the New York Fringe Festival in 2011. These performances were recorded by Scott Lehrer at Dixon Place in 2009. Singers: Dudley Saunders, Nancy Magarill, Carlos Ponton. Ensemble: Reuben Radding, Brian Geltner, Matt Goeke, Ina Litera, Philippa Thompson, Maria Jeffers, Amali Premawardhana. Singers & players: Marlon Cherry, Rima Fand, Pinky Weitzman. Story/songs: Prelude, The Sisters, An Encounter, Araby, Eveline, After the Race, Two Gallants, The Boarding House, A Little Cloud, Counterparts, Clay, A Painful Case, Ivy Day in the Committee Room, A Mother, Grace, The Dead. Art: James Williamson.
"The musical soars, achieving the kind of musical bliss that is currently missing on Broadway. Araby hits high note after high note, particularly on the standout song Grace. As the singers' harmonies rise above the swooning orchestration, the song - and the show - lives up to its name." - Back Stage
Church of Betty Globestra The Lazarus Rose (Fang Records, 2013) BANDCAMP
A new cultural fusion of South Asian, Western and Sephardic traditions is explored on The Lazarus Rose. Vlada Tomova and I are the primary vocalists. The material was developed with grants from the Jerome Foundation and the Puffin Foundation. The Globestra: Deep Singh, Marlon Cherry, Nacho Arimany, Rima Fand, Claire de Brunner, Steve Horn, Emilia Simeonov, Amali Premawardhana, Greg Squared. Songs: Alta Es la Luna, Ya Viene al Cautivo, La Adultera, Una Matika de Ruda, Adon Haselichot, Ventanas Altas, Ven Chika Nazlia, La Rosa Enflorese, Tres Hermanikas, Landariko. Produced by Kenny Siegal, mastered by Fred Kevorkian. Art: Brian Stinemetz.
Church of Betty Swirled World (Fang Records, 2015) BANDCAMP
The gang reunited for this new album in 2015. We did sold-out shows at the Living Room in Williamsburg with Pugwash, Stew & Eszter Balint.The group included Brian Geltner, Chris Cochrane, Claire de Brunner, Rima Fand, Pinky Weitzman, Isabel Castellvi, Otto Hauser & Marlon Cherry. Songs: Wake Up, Ever Deeper, I Remember You, Beautiful Vessel, I Don't Sing, Endure, Swirled World, Brooklyn Soul, Muse, Paella. Produced by Kenny Siegal at Old Soul, mixed by Tyler Wood, mastered by Fred Kevorkian. Art: Pablo Tauler.
"Rael has consistently blended rock and Indian classical music better than any Western guitar guy, ever." - Village Voice
Your Name Here Punk Was Just a Style (Fang Records, 2023/1986) BANDCAMP
