Cream And Pink

Looks sure can be deceiving sometimes. On the cover of last year's Añoranza album, Jésus Méndez doesn't resemble a full-blooded flamenco singer at all really. In his slick cream coloured suit, complete with pretty pink hanky in the left front pocket, you'd expect him too croon the lighter stuff and nothing but. The man from Jerez de la Frontera is the real deal alright though. Try him por bulerías to hear what I mean.

Jésus Méndez - La Luz De Tus Ojos Grises

Can't Stand It

Memphis scenester Jim Cole was such a cool guy apparently that even the mighty Oblivians were green with envy. So much soul...

Oblivians - Jim Cole

Hurt Me

"One foot, another foot..." Finally got my copy of the new HGM album, and I'm glad to say it's a stunner once again. Sweet as John Hurt indeed.

Hiss Golden Messenger - Sweet As John Hurt

And while we're on the subject, here's the blues master from Avalon himself.

Mississippi John Hurt - Stack O'Lee Blues

One more? Why not. Golden Gunn happens to be a limited edition, vinyl only collaboration between New York picker Steve Gunn and Hiss Golden Messenger's M.C. Taylor. Their lazy but oh-so-funky desert rock (imagine J.J. Cale writing the score for a spaghetti western) definitely deserves a wider audience.

Golden Gunn - The Sun Comes Up A Purple Diamond

Touch Me And See

"Fruitless and free! No symmetry!"

Guided By Voices - I Am A Tree

Like A Hurricane

Gospel the soulful way. When the Reverend Johnny L. Jones gets going in Atlanta’s Second Mount Olive Baptist Church, the angels rejoice in heaven. Raw and lofi, but oh so inspired.

Rev. Johnny L. Jones - Sometimes I Feel Like I'm Almost Gone
Rev. Johnny L. Jones - I Got Drunk For The Lord/Train Is Moving On

And We'll Run

Heard that cacklin' fresh Tunng track yet? If So Far From Here is anything to go by, Turbines will be one more mesmerizing freakfolk masterpiece. Out in June.

Tunng - So Far From Here

Right On

Somewhat belatedly got the sad news that Cedric 'Im' Brooks, renowned Jamaican sax player and flautist, passed away earlier this month. He was 70 years old. Brooks played on numerous albums by Count Ossie & the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Light Of Saba, and the Skatalites, but I specifically urge you to track down his irie '77 instrumental solo album Im Flash Forward.

Cedric 'Im' Brooks - Right On Rasta

ArteSano

Check out what I bought when in Catalunya recently. ArteSano is the latest offering from Miguel Poveda, the singer from Badalona who's widely regarded as one of the truest voices in flamenco today. Take it away, maestro.

Miguel Poveda - El Alfarero
Miguel Poveda - Hondo Y Sin Soga

Time Flies

Exactly twenty five years ago today, Chet Baker fell to his death from an Amsterdam hotel room.

Chet Baker - I Remember You

Drown Those Sorrows

"They say that whiskey ain't the best way, but then I ain't too smart..." Back with a bang alright. Amongst other things, I happened to visit many a barroom in the Ciudad Condal, so here goes with a thirst-inducing four pack. ¡Salut, amics!

Steve Young - Broken Hearted People (Take Me To A Barroom)
Gillian Welch - Barroom Girls

Ramblin Red Bailey - 8 Weeks In A Barroom

Hank Snow - The Face On The Barroom Floor

Real Action

And fun galore. "You go to Satan, little darlin'..." Gonna ride that hobo train, all the way to hell. Well, just flying out to my beloved Barcelona actually, but you get the point. Adios, back in a week or so.

Rube Waddell - Go To Satan

You To Me Were True

This in rememberance of Crawdaddy magazine founder and rock critic par excellence Paul Williams, who passed away recently. If you're talking books on His Bobness, Williams' three Performing Artist tomes are definitely among the cream of the crop. The following tracks stem from one of his fave shows, the excellent Dortmund 1987 with the Heartbreakers. Temples in flames alright.

Bob Dylan - Shelter From The Storm (live Dortmund '87)
Bob Dylan - I'll Remember You (live Dortmund '87)
Bob Dylan - The Ballad of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest (live Dortmund '87)