Find The Key

Got an email from Chris Hickey recently, letting me know that his two rare, home recorded albums from '85 and '87 are now available for download on iTunes. About time, as Chris is the real deal alright. "What I've come to do is becoming part of you..." The wonderful song featured here, from Looking For Anything, pays homage to the leader of the Harlem Renaissance by the way.

Chris Hickey - Langston Hughes

He Will Shine

I'm really looking forward to the upcoming solo album of Phil Cook, the former Megafaun man who shines on guitar and soulful organ in Hiss Golden Messenger at the mo. Want a sneak peek? Here goes. All together now: gonna be a...

Phil Cook - Great Tide

And in case you overlooked 'em, Megafaun was a pretty cool combo, too. Here they honour Phil Kaufman, the producer and tour manager who really made a name for himself when he stole the corpse of countryrock legend Gram Parsons and burned it near Joshua Tree.

Megafaun - Kaufman's Ballad

In Excelcis

Heard our Bonnie lad devoutly covering a song penned by magical Dutch lofi loner Broeder Dieleman yet? Well worth it. "Go on ahead, I'll come by foot..."

Bonnie Prince Billy - Gloria

Want a taste of the original, too? Thought so. Sung in pastoral Dutch, while the unmistakable brogue of Zeeland province adds just that special flavour. Like it as much as I do? Disappear here.

Broeder Dieleman - Gloria

Won't Forget Your Charm

Just to show there was much more to rocksteady trio the Melodians than just that evergreen called Rivers Of Babylon. So rock it with me, brothers and sisters.

The Melodians - Sweet Sensation
The Melodians - You Don't Need Me
The Melodians - Rock It With Me

Over You

Mark 'Sun Kil Moon' Kozelek can be a total dick sometimes, and if you think that's a bit harsh, do check out his latest antics in this article in the Guardian. Musically though, he continues to deliver the goods. His new Universal Themes picks up where last year's fascinating Benji left off, with a slightly heavier sonic palette and an even denser dose of soulsearching stream-of-conciousness lyrics, which probably won't win him any new converts. He's a sure contender for the FTSOTS songtitle of the year award though.

Sun Kil Moon - Cry Me A River Williamsburg Sleeve Tattoo Blues

Sky Turns Black

Time for some left of center hiphop noir today, with my main man Jeremiah Jae on the mic. On the new The Night They Took Us In Like Family he gets help from a Nashville turntable wiz called L'Orange, a guy who digs way deep to keep his samples original. Check that hypnotic piano riff in the prize track below to hear just what I mean.

L'Orange & Jeremiah Jae - Taken By The Night

Everything's A Poem

Totally forgot to alert you to the new Simon Joyner album Grass, Branch & Bone when it came out a few months back, and I'm truly sorry about that. To put things right, just have a listen to the Dylanesque silver spider's web of the wonderfully titled Last Train To Crazy Horse. A beauty, huh? Thought so.

Simon Joyner - Last Train To Crazy Horse

Bye Mr. Prophet

Just got the sad news that Ornette Coleman died yesterday. The Prophet of Freedom was 85. A true pioneer, he managed to change the shape of jazz to come, often with nothing more than a plastic alto saxophone. Miss him.

Ornette Coleman - Peace

In This Land

Always liked this acoustic take on the old Reverend Gary Davis classic by Airplane longhairs Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassady.

Hot Tuna - Death Don't Have No Mercy

Now get ready for the real thing.

Reverend Gary Davis - Death Don't Have No Mercy

Holding Back The Ending

Played me some Pond last night. Fine threesome from Portland, Oregon. Made two albums on Sub Pop in the early nineties, of which the eponymous debut is well worth seeking out. Slightly psychedelic non-grunge. Young splendor indeed. Wonder what these guys are doing now...

Pond - Young Splendor

Little Black Train

"Lay down your rifle now, here comes the Lord..." Banjo lovers rejoice, 'cause Charlie Parr's got a new rekkid out. And mighty fine it is, too.

Charlie Parr - Empty Out Your Pockets

So Glad

Happened upon this beauty thanks to brother Ib over at the revived Siblingshot on the Bleachers blog. It May Sound Silly by Gladstone Anderson and the Mudies was a Jamaican bestseller back in 1972. No surprise there, as Gladdy's jazzy piano is simply irresistable.

Gladstone Anderson & Mudies Allstars - Portrait Of Inga

Heard Voices

Happy Len surprisingly goes all honky tonk on us, tackling country legend George Jones on his classy tour souvenir Can't Forget. Cool choice, maestro.

Leonard Cohen - Choices