Smiley Smile

Some more Miles? Why not. How about my fave ballad of his? Just might be the delicate Circle from '67. Great solos from the man with the horn himself and from Wayne Shorter on sax, but it's Herbie Hancock who really steals the show here with a classy, pseudo-classical tour de force. Please let me know your poison in the comments. Back in a week, ciao ciao.

Miles Davis Quintet - Circle

Milestones

Could be you love the otherwordly mid-seventies Miles groove albums - Agharta, Pangaea, Dark Magus - as much as I do. Could be you didn't dare to take the plunge just yet. Whatever the case, you really should read one excellent recent article on this still rather uncharted jazzrock territory, by Angus Batey in The Quietus magazine. Like the man said: "Listen."

Miles Davis - Maiysha

Heard The News

Caught the wonderful Hiss Golden Messenger in the fair town of Brussels last Friday. Grooved like Crazy Horse or even Feat incarnate, no lie, with Phil Cook's funky organ and sharp slide as special delights. But there was time for an acoustic version of that wonderful ditty called Jesus Shot Me In The Head, as requested by yours truly, as well. Diamond!

Hiss Golden Messenger - Jesus Shot Me In The Head

Mister Mister Pt. Two

The second installment already? Time sure does fly, mister. Six pack!

Leroy Smart - Mr. Rich Man
Jimi Hendrix - Mr. Bad Luck
African Music Machine - Mr. Brown
Speed Glue & Shinki - Mr. Walking Drugstore Man
The Anomoanon - Mr. Train
Wire - Mr. Suit

Look Back

While everyone and their dog are cutting a rug to Zimmy's ol' blue eyes tribute, I'm revisiting this fine fine solo gig from 1965. The location? Manchester's Free Trade Hall, where our Bob would be called a Judas for rockin' out with the Band just one year later. Now, the folkies are hanging on to his every word, as they should. For this is one mesmerizing performance, which would make a worthy addition to the ongoing Bootleg Series projects some day.

Bob Dylan - She Belongs To Me (live '65)

Mister Mister

Hey psst, mister... Indeed, my amigos da musica, it's six pack time again. Stay tuned and play it cool, there's more to come.

Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff
Sonny Boy Williamson - Mr. Down Child
The Heptones - Mr. President
Randy Burns - Mr. War
The Birthday Party - Mr. Clarinet
The Killer Kane Band - Mr. Cool

Light Won't Shine

Just got the sad news that soul singer and songwriter supreme Don Covay has left us. He was 76. His early work, which greatly influenced the Stones et al, is the stuff of legend of course. Mercy Mercy indeed. But my all-time fave Covay moments can be found on the seventies compilation Checkin' In With Don Covay. It's still in print as far as I know, so be sure to pick up a copy pronto.

Don Covay - We Can't Make It No More

Flower & Tree

Calling all folkies to check out Forest Mountain Hymnal and their new project Dear Balladeer. In installments of two a month, Nashville husband-and-wife duo Rebecca and Jonathan Moody will be releasing 24 previously unrecorded folk tunes as collected by the legendary 'dean of American balladeers' John Jacob Niles. Try on their Shirt Of Lace for size below.

Forest Mountain Hymnal - Shirt Of Lace

And just in case you're wondering what all the fuzz is about, here's the maestro himself. "And bid me farewell for ever-o..."

John Jacob Niles - The Gypsy Laddie

Only A Million

Rejoice, for I finally found me a copy of mr. Parker's Live! Alone In America on cd - used to have this beauty on tape back in the days. So here's a sample: the excellent white reggae of Soul Corruption. "Chase those crazy baldheads outta the town!" And do note that Graham's quip about the White House has become obsolete since then. Hurray!

Graham Parker - Soul Corruption