Funny On Me

Seems like he's always in the van going from gig to gig as jamming on stage is what he really likes, but our man Riley still found the time somehow to record a new album, his fifth already and the least folky thus far. Jazzy with a prominent flute, and sometimes even guilty of venturing into prog rock territory, Deafman Glance definitely has its moments, but I've heard him in better form to be honest. Still stoked to go see Chicago's finest again when he's playing my fair city on an extensive European tour this fall though, as the last time was quite a treat.

Ryley Walker - Opposite Middle

Dive In Again

"Across these sad waters and across my heart..." As promised, here's that second wet wet wet six pack for y'all. Moist artwork by Tinca. Just enjoy, my amigos da musica.

A Certain Ratio - Knife Slits Water
This Heat - A New Kind Of Water
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Sad Waters
Rain Tree Crow - Blackwater
Guv'ner - Bridge Under Water
Sun Kil Moon - Grey Ice Water

All A Dream

Flashback to that revered Paisley underground sound of the mid-eighties. The more or less forgotten Rain Parade always was the most psychedelic of the bunch, and their best songs have aged surprisingly well. "So sad this had to end, some broken things don't mend, they lie where they fall..."

The Rain Parade - This Can't Be Today
The Rain Parade - You Are My Friend

Epico!

An intriguing psychedelic moodpiece from '75 Brazil, complete with sitar, flute, piano, and sax. Movie soundtrack material, ain't no doubt about it.

Lula Côrtes e Zé Ramalho - Omm

Dive In

"Let it flow, baby..." Presenting a wet wet wet six pack for your listening pleasure. Humid artwork as usual by Tinca. Dive in and stay tuned for part 2, folks. Soon come.

Stonewall Jackson - I Washed My Hands In The Muddy Water
Clarence Reid - Like Running Water
Dennis Brown - Well Without Water
The Tweeds - Underwater Girl
Jack O'Fire - Asked For Water
Kevin Morby - Water

Floated Down

Attention banjo lovers, as we've got a lovely take on Child Ballad #10 here, the oft-covered, near-ancient Northumbrian murder ballad also known as The Two Sisters. Find it on last year's recommended I Wish I Were A Sparrow album by Meg's sister Laura.

Laura Baird - Dreadful Wind And Rain

Swinging In The Breeze

It's been thirteen years since his last outing, but the charming Tree Of Forgiveness is definitely worth the long wait. At 71, with a voice that's slowly going, old man John Prine is still going to town alright. “I once had a family, but they up and left me with nothin’ but an eight track: Another Side of George Jones...” Good company I'd say.

John Prine - Knockin' On Your Screen Door

Ding Dong

Glasgow's Trembling Bells take us right back to the pined-for Britfolk heydays of the Fairports on this epic track from their new Dungeness album. "The whole human charade is a striptease down to the skeleton..." Hear hear.

Trembling Bells - Christ's Entry Into Govan

To Memorize

A lovely slice of jazzy early seventies pop courtesy of Robb Kunkel, who caught my ear last year already on the cool but a bit too hit-and-miss Tumbleweed Records anthology Sing It High, Sing It Low. Dig that soaring violin, my amigos da musica... Reissue out now, on Light In The Attic of course.

Robb Kunkel - Whispermuse

Say It Again

Soul survivor Bettye sings Bob. Her brand new Things Have Changed, produced by Keef sidekick Steve Jordan, is a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. The rollicking title track and the funky, New Orleans-flavoured beauty below - say hi to Trombone Shorty - sure are hot stuff though.

Bettye LaVette - What Was It You Wanted

Free Again

Just got the sad news that Cecil Taylor has passed away. The magical pianist from New York City was a true pioneer of free jazz. Miss him.

Cecil Taylor - Excursion On A Wobbly Rail
Cecil Taylor - Steps

Blow Up

A 'mad, crazy, careening out of control, fighting with my guardian angels rock 'n' roll story' anyone? Thought so. Cue Everything Is Combustible, the memoir of former Television guitarist Richard Lloyd. Fun anecdotes galore, as Lloyd is a wacky guy with a huge appetite for drugs, drink and debauchery, never afraid to pay the price, daft philosophies a specialty. Small wonder he lived to tell the tale.

Television - Oh Mi Amore
Television - Adventure
Richard Lloyd - Misty Eyes

Hey You

Cool hairdo, ditto Stones cover. "Tu, tu, te puedes largar..." Find it, with a load of similar gems, on a fun compilation called Beat Girls Español! 1960s She-Pop from Spain and get off of my cloud already.

Sonia - Aquí En Mi Nube

Not Coming

Truly bummed that I won't be able to attend the Thousand Incarnations of the Rose festival, held in John Fahey's home town of Takoma Park later this month. A homage to all things American Primitive, it will be guitar and banjo picking heaven for sure. To console those who can't make it to this Valhalla, there's a wonderful compilation out under the same moniker. Featuring Fahey of course, plus fellow giants as Leo Kottke, Robbie Basho, Harry Taussig, and Peter Walker, it's a long overdue primer on a highly influential movement.

John Fahey - Night Train To Valhalla
Sandy Bull - Little Maggie