Move Along

That new Steve Gunn album sure is lovely, my amigos da musica. Solid songs that go pop, Gunn's trademark guitar work, lyrical yet groovy, backing vocals by the one and only Meg Baird: what more can one ask for? Definitely his best yet. For further reading: here's a fine recent profile on Philly's golden boy in the Guardian.

Steve Gunn - Vagabond

Get By

Treating you to a cool acoustic Go-Betweens ditty today, an acoustic demo for a song that would eventually end up on 16 Lovers Lane. Back in the days I thought these Aussies were just one good band out of many. Only now, since rediscovering them last year, do I realise they were true greats.

The Go-Betweens - The Devil's Eye

Sensory Mind

Flashing back with yet another sonic Bear journal. In the magical summer of '69 in Santa Rosa, LSD and sound pioneer Owsley 'Bear' Stanley recorded a gig of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady (of Jefferson Airplane and future Hot Tuna fame of course) together with drummer Joey Covington. A pristine tape was only recently rediscovered, and if solid experimental jams in power trio mode, obviously inspired by the Hendrix Experience, sound like your thing, you know what to do.

Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady - Star Track

Cooled Me With A Fan

A cold day like today calls for two heartwarming old chestnuts by bluegrass Jerry, recorded long before he became known as Captain Trips.

Jerry Garcia - Roving Gambler
Jerry Garcia - Sugar Baby

A Thousand Pelts

Neil's ole Brando, Pocahontas and me trip, as interpreted by Gillian Welch. Simply stunning.

Gillian Welch - Pocahontas

Boy Looked At Johnny

Presenting the third and final part of our Johnny saga. Sensual six pack artwork again by Tinca. "Just trying to tell a vision..."

Television - Little Johnny Jewel

Mission Of Burma - The Ballad of Johnny Burma
The Replacements - Johnny's Gonna Die

Nikki Sudden - Johnny Smiled Slowly

Die Haut - Johnny Guitar
Liz Phair - Johnny Sunshine

To Find, To Be

Spun Terry Reid's River ('73) last night. Good decision, as it remains a wonderful album from start to finish, airy and funky. Strange though that the rest of Reid's output, the odd song notwithstanding, leaves me rather cold.

Terry Reid - River

Purifying Beam

"Your eyes will turn to glass..." If you're curious about what's going down in Jane's garden, turn up this spooky Britfolk gem from 1970.

Trees - The Garden Of Jane Delawney

Pass The Time

Nick Drake? Nope, Dave Evans. Good vibes.

Dave Evans - City Road

Behind The Sun

In search of a good read? Musician Peter Case peels back some layers of the onion and proves in a personal memoir that he's a true member of the Incredible Stringband appreciation society. Fun fact: even Bobby D. dug their October Song. "I met a man whose name was Time, and he said, I must be goin'..."

The Incredible String Band - October Song
Peter Case - Entella Hotel

Come Lately

Johnny come listen again, as we present another musical six pack of Johnnys. Artwork as usual by the fabulous Tinca. "Old Johnny vowed that he would never, ever end up like the rest..."

The Kinks - Johnny Thunder

John Martyn - Johnny Too Bad

Jim Sullivan - Johnny

Joe Ely - Johnny's Blues

Steve Earle - Johnny Come Lately

The Gun Club - Goodbye Johnny

Destination Egypt

A lovely slice of contemporary cosmic dubjazz, courtesy of veteran sun king Idris Ackamoor & his Pyramids. "Planet needs healing..." Indeed.

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids - Land Of Ra

On The Border

Ringing in the new year with some authentic norteño sounds from the wonderfully named Pingüinos del Norte. Rubén Castillo Juárez and co sure knew how to set a cantina on fire.

Los Pingüinos Del Norte - Yo Soy Norteño
Los Pingüinos Del Norte - Corrido De Luz Arcos