Givin' Gifts

Wherein the congregation is sternly reminded that it's Christmas time. Have a good one, readers. I'm gonna saddle me up my big white goose and fly south for a while. See ya in a new year.

Rev. A.W. Nix - Death May Be Your Christmas Gift

Way Out

Time for that inevitable list, mi amigos da musica. These metamodern beauties were in heavy rotation at the FTSOTS headquarters anno domini 2014. Accept no substitutes.
1. Sun Kil Moon - Benji
2. Hiss Golden Messenger - Lateness Of Dancers
3. Bob Dylan & The Band - The Basement Tapes Complete
4. Bonnie Prince Billy - Singer's Grave A Sea Of Tongues
5. Steve Gunn - Way Out Weather
6. Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds In Country Music
7. Ryley Walker - All Kinds Of You
8. Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band - Intensity Ghost
9. Leonard Cohen - Popular Problems
10. Chasing Rainbows - With Henk Jonkers

Sturgill Simpson - Turtles All The Way Down
Ryley Walker - Clear The Sky
Chasing Rainbows - Without You Around

Jonestown Aloha

It never really occured to me to go and check out the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Dunno why exactly, although that rather lame bandname may very well have played a role. Recently though, a friend with good taste presented me with one of their early albums, which meant I just had to give them a try. And guess what? Their fresh take on psychedelica surprised me a great deal. Just goes to show how wrong you can be sometimes...

Brian Jonestown Massacre - What You Isn't
Brian Jonestown Massacre - Those Memories

Oh Là Là

A couple of French guys chugging along like the Velvets incarnate? Why not, mes amis de musique, why not. Rob Jo and pals deliver très bien - and very obscure - protopunk from 1975.

Rob Jo Star Band - Acid Revolution

Love Is Real

On October 20, 1979, a clearly inspired, just born again Zimmy debuted a trio of new songs in the studios of Saturday Night Live. "God don't make promises that he don't keep..."

Bob Dylan - Gotta Serve Somebody
Bob Dylan - I Believe In You
Bob Dylan - When You Gonna Wake Up

Behold The Man

Just found out that a documentary has been made about Grant Hart, with loads of footage from his Hüsker Dü  and Nova Mob days. Hope to catch it soon somewhere. In the meantime, here's our barefoot singing drummer live in '94, with just a guitar for company. Straight from the gut.

Grant Hart - Evergreen Memorial Drive
Grant Hart - Back Somewhere

Don't Look Back

Travis 'Scratchy' Wammack is hardly a household name, although the former child prodigy is a member of the Memphis Music Hall Of Fame, a one-time bandleader for Little Richard, and an extremely soulful guitar player to boot. Want proof? Easy.

Travis Wammack - Put On Your Shoes And Walk
Travis Wammack - Easy Evil

Dreamland

Leave it to mr. Waits to pose the right questions. Here's a particularly good one: "Who will put flowers on a flower's grave?"

Tom Waits - Flower's Grave

Open Road

"This is a one way trip and there's no turning back..." Peter Hammill in acoustic mode, but as intense as always. Songtitle says all about the guy really.

Peter Hammill - Driven

Two From Lisbon

A gloomy Monday morning like this one practically begs for the sound of the fado. Be warned: instant saudade's gonna get you.

João Ferreira-Rosa - Embuçado
Carlos Do Carmo - Saudade Mal Do Fado