Victor Charlie

"Everything’s better and then you notice that you were always unaware..." This is postpunk, anno now. And well, why not? After all, Viet Cong oozes cool all over and brings that essential something extra to the table. Call it character.

Viet Cong - Pointless Experience

Take Your Rest

Just got the sad news that British folk guitarist John Renbourne has joined his old pal Bert Jansch for that great gig in the sky. Renbourn, a true pioneer of British folk guitar and a founding member of the great Pentangle, was 70 years old. Miss him.

Pentangle - Sweet Child
John Renbourn - I Know My Babe

Like An Angel

As befits a member of the Carter family clan, Anita sure could sing. And then some.

Anita Carter - Satan's Child
Anita Carter - All My Trials

Burn Tony Black

One of the silliest song ever, ain't no doubt about it. Still cracks me up every time I play it, which is not too often by the way. From 1978, on the legendary Stiff label. For those not in the know: Tony Blackburn was a famous British disc jockey.

Binky Baker & The Pit Orchestra - Toe Knee Black Burn

Don't Even Know You

New Zealand calling, with a re-release of one of the most charming albums in the mighty Flying Nun catalogue: Send You by the Sneaky Feelings. Get it now if you don't own the original already; you don't know what you're missing. Couldn't resist bonus track: a ramshackle beauty from the so-called Dunedin Double, the first Flying Nun release ever.

Sneaky Feelings - Strangers Again
Sneaky Feelings - Pity's Sake

Can't Hardly Hold Her

Did she pester him to leave town?
No. A little.
When did they go?
When his friends started calling her Lines.
As in?
State lines. As in don't take a minor across them. When they started calling him Chuck.
As in?
Chuck Berry. A musician who took a girl across state lines.

Just some delicious dialogue from the novel I'm currently devouring: Smith Henderson's breathtaking debut Fourth Of July Creek.

Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Rock And Roller

I'm All Right

Future royalty? Singing sisters Nina and Laura Philips hold court in the fair city of Haarlem in the lowlands, and have just crowdfunded a tasty debut record. If you're smitten by First Aid Kit, to name the most obvious comparison, be sure to give these Daughters a chance.

All The King's Daughters - Because I Wanted To

Left This Mark

That new Elephant Micah album sounds very yummy indeed, folks. So if you're into Bonnie Prince Billy, say, or the late Jason Molina, be sure to give Joseph O'Connell a chance, too.

Elephant Micah - By The Canal

Can't Help It

As surprisingly covered by Hiss Golden Messenger on their recent European tour, here's Sweet Baby James. His Angry Blues features the one and only Lowell George on slide, which is always a joy to behold. "Gonna sit back here, gonna watch this cloud roll by..."

James Taylor - Angry Blues

In The Congo

Only mid March and a bit of spring in the air already? Perfect circumstances to enjoy some electrifying grooves from sixties Congo. So all hail the wonderfully named Negro Succes, featuring the quicksilver guitar of Bavon Marie Marie, a younger brother of the famous Franco.

Negro Succes - Kokisa Confiance Te
Negro Succes - Majo

Mister Mister Pt. Three

Still owe you part three, the last installment, so here goes. It's six pack time again, my esteemed amigos da musica, so better stock up for the wintertime...

Tom Waits - Mr. Henry

The Lollipop Shoppe - Mr. Madison Avenue
The Other Half - Mr. Pharmacist

Mr. Fox - Mr. Fox

Gregory Isaacs - Mr. Cop

John Coltrane - Mr. Day

People Are Learning

The Pressure Sounds team, still the finest reggae reissue imprint around, has unearthened yet another forgotten roots beauty. The Inturns, who were also known as the Viceroys by the way, recorded Consider Yourself back in '78 with producer Phil Pratt at the helm. And while we're not talking the same league as - say - the Gladiators or the Mighty Diamonds here, their songs definitely deserve to be heard by the faithful. So for a taste, check out the hopeful Jah Ho Jah and rejoice.

The Inturns - Jah Ho Jah

Callin' Me Home

To make you feel better, here's two by Emmylou, live with her Hot Band. Paying homage to her late great mentor Gram Parsons of course.

Emmylou Harris - Hickory Wind (live '75)
Emmylou Harris - Wheels (live '76)

Little Bit Frightening

Agustín Castellón Campos, better known as Sabicas, was one of the true great flamenco pickers. A gypsy from Pamplona who went into exile during the Spanish civil war, ending up in New York City, he truly could play as fast as lightning.

Sabicas - Mi Soleá
Sabicas - Alma Gaditana