Wednesday, January 30, 2019

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

Monday, January 28, 2019

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

Friday, January 25, 2019

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

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

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

Monday, January 21, 2019

A Thousand Pelts


















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

Gillian Welch - Pocahontas

Friday, January 18, 2019

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

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

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

Monday, January 14, 2019

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

Friday, January 11, 2019

Pass The Time





















Nick Drake? Nope, Dave Evans. Good vibes.

Dave Evans - City Road

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

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

Monday, January 7, 2019

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

Friday, January 4, 2019

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

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

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