Yellow & Blue

If this one doesn't remind you of vintage Lou Reed I don't know what will. From Time The Teacher, the stately new album by former Black Swans frontman Jerry David DeCicca. Wrinkled and true indeed.

Jerry David DeCicca - Grandma's Tattoo

And speaking of the Black Swans, here’s a couple of fine tunes from way back when to remember them by. Cock-a-doodle-doo!

The Black Swans - Rooster
The Black Swans - Joe Tex

I'm A Party

In search of the perfect party soundtrack? Look no further, my amigos da musica. Ernesto Chahoud, Lebanese digger and dj supreme, has just compiled it for you, and inna Ethiopian stylee at that. It's Taitu time!

Tèshomè Meteku - Hasabe

Deeper And Down

"Now you're stranded alone and the past is unknown and there is no easy way down..." Presenting a bottomless six pack for your lowdown listening pleasure. Deep art by Tinca. Easy now...

Albert King - Down Don't Bother Me
Fraser & Debolt - Don't Let Me Down
Dusty Springfield - No Easy Way Down
Billy Joe Shaver - Low Down Freedom
John Martyn - Go Down Easy
The United States Of America - Coming Down

True West

Some days, an acoustic twelve string paired with a regular electric is all you need really. And had I gotten this instrumental debut by the duo of Jesse Sheppard and Drew Gardner just a teeny bit earlier, it would have made my end of year list for sure. A hypnotic American Primitive soundtrack to an imaginary Western, The Black River is available on the Debacle label.

Elkhorn - Due West

Still Worth Doing

Down here at FTSOTS headquarters we completely agree with Kris Kristofferson's maybe not very subtle but most definitely heartfelt motto: if you don't like Hank Williams, buddy, you can kiss my ass. Which is precisely why we present these honest homages to the Hillbilly Shakespeare this fine Monday. "We never met I know and yet I know you well my friend, and if ever I get to heaven on high I hope you'll shake my hand..." Amen to that.

Kris Kristofferson - If You Don't Like Hank Williams
Moe Bandy - Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life
Jimmy Murphy - I Long To Hear Hank Sing The Blues
Stoney Edwards - Hank And Lefty Raised My Country Soul
Freddie Hart - Hank Williams' Guitar
Tim Hardin - Tribute To Hank Williams
Mark Chesnutt & George Jones - Talking To Hank
Waylon Jennings - Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way
Johnny Cash - The Night Hank Williams Came To Town
Ry Cooder - Hank Williams

Anything But

Worshipping at the altar of electric Miles, Albert Ayler, and the Sun City Girls, the Sunwatchers take no prisoners on their dense second outing, cleverly called II. Easy listening is obviously not very high up their list, but don't let this drive you away. Give 'em some time and you might be rewarded for stamina. Oh, and one wouldn't want to miss these New Yorkers covering Dylan and the Meat Puppets on an inspired Lagniappe Session over at Aquarium Drunkard either. Stand in solidarity, folks!

Sunwatchers - Silent Boogie

Angel Dust

Huelva province's finest flamenco singer just might be Francisco José Arcángel Ramos, the none-gypsy better known as just Arcángel. Here he digs deep por soleá. "Erase my name from your lips and don't call me..."

Arcángel - Llego La Hora

Play For Life

Hey now, new Dave's Picks alert! Hot on the heels of late last year's wonderful Volume 24, which presented a truly cooking Berkeley show from '72, here's Binghamton '77. It was the last show of the year the two sevens clashed for Jerry and co, but there's lots of energy here, not to mention a setlist to die for. Maybe not up there with the famous Cornell gig from the spring, but definitely worth your precious time.

Grateful Dead - Jack Straw (Live Binghamton '77)

Place To Go

All hopped up to see Colter Wall on stage in Barcelona's Sala Rocksound tonight. Here's hoping the young Canadian with the mighty voice plays this beauty.

Colter Wall - Thirteen Silver Dollars

Always Woman

Virgil, that famous Roman poet of old, is on record to have proclaimed that 'woman is ever a fickle and changeable thing'. Be that as it may, here's a pair of lovely recent tunes by two strong and talented women. Semper femina indeed. Let Laura Marling bowl you over first with the price track of her last album, and listen to Joan Shelley's mouthwatering take on an old chestnut next. I'm sure Nick Drake, and maybe even ole Virgil himself, would have been proud.

Laura Marling - The Valley
Joan Shelley - Time Has Told Me

Sahara Blues

Worth it for the cover alone: Eghass Malan, the first studio outing by Les Filles De Illighadad. The music, an electric take on that stark and hypnotic desert blues called tende, ain't half bad either. From the heart of Niger, and straight from the heart. Find a copy on the hot Sahel Sounds label, and go see them on tour in France and Spain. I know I will.

Les Filles De Illighadad - Eghass Malan

Where It's At

Just got the sad news that Dennis Edwards has passed away. The lead singer of the Temptations during their amazing psychedelic soul phase was 74. Miss him.

The Temptations - Psychedelic Shack

Don't Look Now

"Pay close attention to my story, you'll find every word is true..." Presenting an eyecatching six pack for your listening pleasure. Blinding artwork as usual by Tinca. Stop, look, and listen, my amigos da musica...

Traveling Echoes - Looking For A Better Place To Live
Nightriders - Lookin' For My Baby
The Soul Stirrers - Looking Back
The Spiders - Inside Looking Out
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Look Over Yonders Wall
The Temptations - Take A Look Around