Jack Elias is the dark star of folksong poetry. From the more discordant ramblings of Quaoub (what Elias formerly toured under), comes Chopping Board, the vinyl first release from this Lebanese-Australian songwriter via Spence, Cohen, Prince Billy and Baier cut live from an Erskineville lounge room. “As ugly as magic” or homemade coffee threatening to stop the heart, vocals fly low and deep under a breath loaded with bold grace, questioning God and all in the great ways of Cave and Callahan while nimble fingers curl across a warm, loose-tuned companion guitar. Sonia Zadro (of extravagant 60s Italian pop supergroup Terza Madre, lends rich, lilting vocals evocative of Amalia Rodrigues to beauties such as Evil is Old Bread, as if sung from beyond happiness and the grave. As clear as mud, Chopping Board’s simple, ancient sound presents as a cicatrice without suture, a treasure tonic for the intuitive digger (or coffee cup reader). “Why I write such excellent songs”? suggests the gutty Elias on the writing of this press release, bastardizing Ecce Homo. Listen down.