Light Up My Life

And here's our last tune of the year: a lovely reading of an old Waylon favorite. Bonnie Will Oldham and Mimi Parker from Low provide the fitting backing vocals. Oh, and a happy new year to you all, dear readers. Let's make 2017 a good one. Cheers!

Mark Kozelek - Amanda

Tower Of Song

The golden sings of 2016? Look no further, my amigos da musica. You want it darker? Shine on.

1. Heron Oblivion - Heron Oblivion
Heron Oblivion - The Desert
2. David Bowie - Blackstar
3. Hiss Golden Messenger - Heart Like A Levee/Vestapol
4. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree
5. Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker
6. Brent Cobb - Shine On Rainy Day
Brent Cobb - Black Crow
7. Cian Nugent - Night Fiction
8. William Tyler - Modern Country
9. Ryley Walker - Golden Sings That Have Been Sung
10. Kikagaku Moyo - House In The Tall Grass
Kikagaku Moyo - Trad

They Shine

I do realize that christmas is just a kiss away and 2017 just around the corner and yes you just can't wait to see the famous FTSOTS end of year list... But please be patient, folks. Come snow or come shine, let's observe some other faves first.

This years must-reads:

Josh Rosenthal - The Record Store Of The Mind

Bob Mehr - Trouble Boys: The True Story Of The Replacements

This year's blazing (re-) issues:

Bonnie Prince Billy - Pond Scum
Bonnie Prince Billy - When Thy Song Flows Through Me

Tim Buckley - Lady, Give Me Your Key
Tim Buckley - Marigold
Terry Allen - Juarez
Terry Allen - Dogwood

Bunny Wailer - Solomonic Singles 1: Tread Along 1969-1976
The Wailers - Arabs Oil Weapon
Jack Rose - Opium Musick
Jack Rose - Linden Ave Stomp
various artists - Cosmic American Music

Jeff Cowell - Not Down This Low

Trump Card

"He's got dollar signs in both his eyes..." Blaze Foley, bless his soul, saw what was coming.

Blaze Foley - Oval Room

We'll Be Free

And while we're talking free jazz: isn't it about time this way out, Africa-oriented spiritual jazz exercition from the seventies by electric Miles sideman Mtume finally got released on cd? Cherry on top?

Mtume - Cabral

This Swings

Extremely powerful free jazz from '71, courtesy of the somewhat forgotten Joe McPhee. His Nation Time is a stone cold classic which you should own for the way cool and somehow vaguely threatening album cover alone.

Joe McPhee - Shakey Jake

Heart Of Gold

Cool stuff from the email inbox - and trust me, that doesn't happen very often. The young Spanish threesome of Peltier, hailing from the fair town of Valladolid, took my fancy immediately though. Indians at heart, their name is taken from the Native American activist Leonard Peltier, 'to honor him and all the Indian tribes'. If desert rock à la Calexico is your thing, lend them your ears.

Peltier - The Blue Story Of Son's Goldminer

Good Company

Takoma picking never goes out of style, and Daniel Bachman just happens to be one of its finest exponents. So do yourselves a favor and check out his self-titled, seventh album on the always adventurous Three Lobed label.

Daniel Bachman - Wine And Peanuts

Wings On Your Back

Nice find for sure: an album of long lost recordings, even including a couple of songs never heard before, by the late great warbler Tim Buckley. A bit lofi maybe, but Lady, Give Me Your Key makes me a happy camper just the same.

Tim Buckley - She's Back Again

Lightning In My Pocket

Always a pleasure to sample some early miss Raitt. Cool slide a specialty. So without futher ado...

Bonnie Raitt - Women Be Wise
Bonnie Raitt - Under The Falling Sky
Bonnie Raitt - Write Me A Few Of Your Lines/Kokomo Blues

Silvery Moon

Presenting a gem from a much-recommended album about the life and times of the immortal Pablo Picasso, through the eyes of class singer Diego El Cigala. A flamenco treat.

Diego El Cigala - Luna De Plata (Gitana)

On My Mind

Bonnie Billy and the Bells go country in an uplifting live medley, recorded in ye olde Oxford town. Hiya, Merle...

Trembling Bells & Bonnie Prince Billy - Bottom/No God/Bottle