Full Of Lead

Luckiest man alive? Just rediscovered 1968, the second solo effort by former Slint axe hero of sorts David Pajo. A forgotten gem for sure. Have a taste.

Pajo - Cyclone Eye

How It Used To Be

"Paralyzed by the emptiness..." Erin Osmon's biography of Jason Molina - he of Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co fame of course - is a fascinating and insightful read, but it sure is a sad and uneasy one, too. No wonder, as it's the story of a prolific artist with a capital A slowly but surely giving in to his ghosts, culminating in his tragic death at only 39 years of age. On the up side, Riding With The Ghost (out on May 15) provides an excellent opportunity to revisit Sparky's impressive back catalogue. Here's one prime example.

Songs: Ohia - Blue Factory Flame

Eggs In Your Head

"Uh-oh, I don’t like those snake eggs..." Make way for the good doctor from New Orleans, casting his customary voodoo spells. Spooky!

Dr. John - Zu Zu Mamou

Justice Is Fair

The Left Reverend McD bares it all on this delicious and outrageous slice of early seventies soul. "She's a nigga in jeans, she's an outlaw, she don't wear a bra... she's a whitey in jeans, she's an outlaw and she don't wear a bra..." With thanks to Dylan's whole mid-sixties oeuvre of course, and She Belongs To Me in particular.

Eugene McDaniels - Outlaw

Wake Up!

Heavy rock riffing over wild afrobeat rhythms? Quite a combination, but believe me, it works a treat. Chase the voodoo down with Marcos Garcia & co on the eponymous debut of Here Lies Man, out as we speak in a sleeve to die for on the cool RidingEasy Records. Hombre, I can't wait to see these guys live.

Here Lies Man - When I Come To

Find A Key

John Prine once did some recording in the legendary Sun Studios of Sam Phillips in Memphis, Tennessee. The resulting Pink Cadillac mostly gets a lot of flak for some reason or other, but I've always had a weak spot for it. Not a perfect record by far, but you can't go wrong with the two tasty songs below for instance.

John Prine - Automobile
John Prine - Down By The Side Of The Road

Reaching Back

As Dylan told writer Bill Flanagan in a recent interview: "My voice cracking here and there wouldn’t bother me, bum notes or wrong chords would bother me more. On September Of My Years, I didn’t fix anything. (...) My voice cracking here or there just might mean it was recorded too early in the day, but it doesn’t hurt the overall effect, it wouldn’t bother me." Just happens to be my favourite song on the Nobel laureate's new Triplicate collection of crooners.

Bob Dylan - September Of My Years

Just The Same

Transmogrified folk/blues koans, as the enthusiastic liner notes aptly call 'em, anyone? Thought so. Mr. Fussell's remarkable What In The Natural World possesses a certain old-timey warmth one doesn't encounter too often nowadays, and that's a joy to behold. Playing this album is akin to visiting a good friend you haven't seen in a long long time. Out now on the always reliable Paradise Of Bachelors imprint, and a surefire contender for many an end-of-year list.

Jake Xerxes Fussell - Have You Ever Seen Peaches Growing On A Sweet Potato Vine?

Electrical Resistance

Ferocious punk rock packed in what's no doubt the coolest album cover of the year. And of course I couldn't resist buying the accompanying t-shirt, why even ask? The Ohms are one more side project of Ethan Miller, the bearded omnivore from Oakland who already made waves with Comets On Fire and the excellent Heron Oblivion. Turn it way up if you dare.

Feral Ohms - God Of Nicaragua

Listening Wind Pt. 2

"Cold winds blow, the rains they fall..." Yup, it's tough out there. As promised, here's a second stormy six pack for your listening pleasure. Lovely artwork once again by Tinca. Enjoy and take care, my amigos da musica.

Tim Hardin - Part Of The Wind
Loudest Whisper - Cold Winds Blow
Moby Grape - Bitter Wind
Freddie North - Cuss The Wind
Jun Kamibuko - Go Through The Wind
Alabama Thunder Pussy - Second Wind

In Bloom

On his fine new ep Night Talks, Mark Kozelek sings a rickety duet with the one and only Kath Bloom, cult artist par excellence. Intriguing to say the least.

Mark Kozelek with Kath Bloom - Pretty Little Flowers

Bothered All The Time

Great blues find: the late sixties recordings of Hayes McMullan, a guy who once played with the legendary Charley Patton. Powerful stuff.

Hayes McMullan - Look-A Here Woman Blues
Hayes McMullan - Kansas City Blues