Out Of My Back Door

This here tune is brand new and way retro. Funky too, in an understated J.J. Cale kinda way, if you know what I mean. Turn it up and move around.

Natural Child - Out In The Country

Why I Hang Around

Finally took the time to buy Steve Gunn's Time Off, and boy am I glad I did. Hypnotizing stuff. You need this, too.

Steve Gunn - Street Keeper

Trying To Hide

Feelies fans of the world unite? Well, why not. If you share my soft spot for Haledon's finest, do head over to the excellent Doom & Gloom From The Tomb blog pronto. There, you'll find a mighty fine collection of live covers 1977-2009 waiting for you. For a taste, here's their take on one of my fave Wire ditties.

The Feelies - Outdoor Miner (live)

All Mixed Up

"Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair, so I can climb up and get into your underwear..." Paul's Boutique: funniest rap album ever hands down.

Beastie Boys - What Comes Around

Live Dead

Dylan backed by the Dead wasn't exactly a marriage made in heaven, alas. Dylan covering Captain Trips & co with his own touring band could often be quite pleasant though.

Bob Dylan - Friend Of The Devil (live Berlin '96)
Bob Dylan - Alabama Getaway (live Berlin 96')

Blue In Green

More jazz? Why not. The standard On Green Dolphin Street was recorded by many, but I've always been particularly fond of pianist Wynton Kelly's blue blue take on things.

Wynton Kelly - On Green Dolphin Street

Hush Now

Don't know why, but it's a Billie kinda day. So here's the lady, singing the blues as only she could.

Billie Holiday - Don't Explain

Fat Man Connection

What do these two mellow-sounding songstresses from the seventies have in common? They both got a little help from the one and only Lowell George.

Barbara Keith - Detroit Or Buffalo
Valerie Carter - Face Of Appalachia

No Guidance

"In 1984 I was hospitalized for approaching perfection..." Now isn't that a hell of a line to start an album with? Found myself on a bit of a Joos trip last night. Here's hoping the esteemed mr. Berman will end his self-imposed musical retirement some day.

Silver Jews - Random Rules

No Free Rides

Wah-wah cowboys on the warpath. This monster comes from last year's Long Island album, which has really grown on me.

Endless Boogie - General Admission

Radio Ethiopia

Muziqa muziqa... This swinging six pack from Addis and beyond goes out to a certain someone who'll be working in a remote part of Ethiopia for the next month or so. Happy trails, babe.

Samuel Belay - Aynotchesh Yerèfu
Mahmoud Ahmed - Antchiyé
Seyoum Gèbrèyes - Muziqa Muziqa
Alèmayèhu Eshèté - Shèegitu Maré
Tamrat Fèrèndji - Anchin Yagegnulet
Tèshomé Meteku - Yèzèmèd Yèbaed

Out With The Guys

You just gotta love this cool adultery ballad by smooth talkin' mr. Bobby Sheen. "Love stealing ain't worth stealing when you're gonna lose what you've got at home..." Dude doesn't want to lose the kids, dig?

Bobby Sheen - Love Stealing

Sing The Frost Away

"Winter brings us to the singers, and the drinkers glass in hand, roll up smokers, cards and jokers, listeners all who sit and stand..." A huge and obvious influence on the likes of Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior, and Linda Thompson, British folksinger Anne Briggs didn't like the sound of her own recorded voice. She quit singing at the tender age of 27.

Anne Briggs - Fire And Wine