Kinda Overdid It

 

The illustrious troubadour duo of Bill & Will takes on a Hank Williams Jr. oldie in grand style, featuring an adventurous Matt Sweeney on guitar. Great stuff! Four tracks have appeared so far, which might just mean there's a whole album of covers in the works. Fingers are crossed.

Bill Callahan & Bonnie Prince Billy - OD'd In Denver

And lest we forget, mr. Callahan's recently released one of his own, too. Gold Record sure does glitter here and there, but the irony factor's so high it's like listening to a Dave Eggers novel set to music at times. Don't overdo it, Bill.

Bill Callahan - Let's Move To The Country

Ain't No Time

 

You may know this lovely ditty by way of the Fairports, but here's the original, courtesy of beatnik folkies Richard & Mimi Fariña. Richard died at only 29 in a motorcycle accident, two days after his fine novel Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me was published. And for the trivia lovers among you: Mimi was the younger sister of Joan Baez.

Richard & Mimi Fariña - Reno Nevada

Wherever They Fall

 

Just got the sad news that the great Jerry Jeff Walker has passed away. The cosmic gonzo cowboy, real name Ronald Clyde Crosby, was 78. Although he penned the much-covered Mr. Bojangles, now a bona fide classic, he remained a cult hero to the end. "Just gettin' by on gettin' by is my stock and trade, livin' it day to day..." Miss him.

Jerry Jeff Walker - Gettin' By
Jerry Jeff Walker - Pissin' In The Wind

Memories Can't Wait

 

Recently unearthed: a recording of brother Duane's last gig at the Painters Mill Music Fair in Maryland back in October 1971, just 12 days before that fatal motorcycle accident. The sound quality is audience on cassette tape only, but with such a historic document, who cares? Here's a short (due to a fade-out?), sweet and jazzy take on Elizabeth Reed, with Juicy Carter guesting on sax. Play loud.

The Allman Brothers Band - In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (live '71)

Stay Full

Remembering the dapper former Swell Map with the Keith hair and the cool velvet jackets today. Saw him live one time, which ripped. Here's a couple of ramshackle personal faves.

Nikki Sudden - Still Full Of Shocks
Nikki Sudden - English Girls
Nikki Sudden - French Revolution Blues
Nikki Sudden - High And Lonesome

When We Rise

 

Can't really believe I didn't showcase this raw diamond in these pages much earlier, as Ascension Day has long been a favourite of mine. Militant, left-leaning British protopunk anno 1971, so go figure. Power to us all!

Third World War - Ascension Day (single version)

Tilt-A-Whirl

 

Been enjoying a pre-release copy of this warm and charming lil' record since the hot days of July, and as of now, you can all follow the ongoing adventures of Jerry David DeCicca. The musician and producer from the Midwest has been living in sunny Texas for a while now, and his third solo outing has a true lone star vibe to it, toads and all. Hell, he even managed to get Augie Meyers of Sir Doug fame to play along. Might as well dig in, y'all.

Jerry David DeCicca - Coffee Black

Cloud Of Dust

 

Elizabeth Rankin McQuade was a Scottish-born Australian singer who recorded this mesmerizing beauty back in 1962. It was a fave of Lux & Ivy of Cramps fame, and now it can be one of yours, too.

Betty McQuade - Midnight Bus

Touch Me

 

Found in the basement of a Michigan farm a while back: a soundboard recording of the legendary final performance of the original Stooges line-up, just before Fun House came out. Although he was sacked right after this gig, bassist Dave Alexander wasn't as out of it as rumoured, and with the Ig in fine form and Ron Asheton as electrifying as can be, Live At Goose Lake makes for a true proto-punk document.

The Stooges - Dirt (live '70)

With Praise

Just got the sad news that Bunny 'Striker' Lee has passed away. The legendary reggae producer, inventor of the flying cymbal sound in the mid seventies and a big influence on dubmaster King Tubby later on, was 79. He had a hand in more crucial reggae and dub tracks, many of them big hits, than you can shake a stick at. Miss him, my brethren.

Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling - Bangarang

Derrick Morgan - Rasta Don't Fear

Bim Sherman - Down In Jamdown

Johnny Clarke - Enter His Gates With Praise

I Roy - The Godfather

Bunny Lee & Brad Osborne - Super Star Dub

'Til They're Sore

That new spiritual jazz movement really gets my juices flowing. And Idris Ackamoor, funky and free, is one of its prime shamans. I'm pretty sure that legends of the genre like Pharoah Sanders and Sun Ra would have dug this. Mingus even? Anyway, this is a sure contender for jazz album of the year.

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids - Tango Of Love