Friday, October 30, 2020

Carries You Out













These guys prolific? You must be kidding me, mate. Nightcap At Wits' End has just hit the shops, but an expanded Garcia Peoples are said to be working on the follow-up already. Haven't totally digested this one yet to be honest, but first listens show a somewhat alarming increase in unashamed prog vibes. Hey now lads, bombast is just around the corner.

Garcia Peoples - Painting A Vision That Carries

Thursday, October 29, 2020

Spent A Lifetime




Just got the sad news that Billy Joe Shaver no longer walks among us. The original honky tonk hero from Corsicana, Texas, an outlaw among outlaws, was 81. Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and even Elvis covered his fine fine songs over the years. Miss him.

Billy Joe Shaver - Old Five And Dimers Like Me
Billy Joe Shaver - Honky Tonk Heroes

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Kinda Overdid It

 












The illustrious troubadour duo of Bill & Will takes on a Hank Williams Jr. oldie in grand style, featuring an adventurous Matt Sweeney on guitar. Great stuff! Four tracks have appeared so far, which might just mean there's a whole album of covers in the works. Fingers are crossed.

Bill Callahan & Bonnie Prince Billy - OD'd In Denver

And lest we forget, mr. Callahan's recently released one of his own, too. Gold Record sure does glitter here and there, but the irony factor's so high it's like listening to a Dave Eggers novel set to music at times. Don't overdo it, Bill.

Bill Callahan - Let's Move To The Country

Monday, October 26, 2020

Ain't No Time


 











You may know this lovely ditty by way of the Fairports, but here's the original, courtesy of beatnik folkies Richard & Mimi Fariña. Richard died at only 29 in a motorcycle accident, two days after his fine novel Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me was published. And for the trivia lovers among you: Mimi was the younger sister of Joan Baez.

Richard & Mimi Fariña - Reno Nevada

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Wherever They Fall






 







Just got the sad news that the great Jerry Jeff Walker has passed away. The cosmic gonzo cowboy, real name Ronald Clyde Crosby, was 78. Although he penned the much-covered Mr. Bojangles, now a bona fide classic, he remained a cult hero to the end. "Just gettin' by on gettin' by is my stock and trade, livin' it day to day..." Miss him.

Jerry Jeff Walker - Gettin' By
Jerry Jeff Walker - Pissin' In The Wind

Friday, October 23, 2020

Memories Can't Wait


 











Recently unearthed: a recording of brother Duane's last gig at the Painters Mill Music Fair in Maryland back in October 1971, just 12 days before that fatal motorcycle accident. The sound quality is audience on cassette tape only, but with such a historic document, who cares? Here's a short (due to a fade-out?), sweet and jazzy take on Elizabeth Reed, with Juicy Carter guesting on sax. Play loud.

The Allman Brothers Band - In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (live '71)

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Stay Full





















Remembering the dapper former Swell Map with the Keith hair and the cool velvet jackets today. Saw him live one time, which ripped. Here's a couple of ramshackle personal faves.

Nikki Sudden - Still Full Of Shocks
Nikki Sudden - English Girls
Nikki Sudden - French Revolution Blues
Nikki Sudden - High And Lonesome

Monday, October 19, 2020

When We Rise


 











Can't really believe I didn't showcase this raw diamond in these pages much earlier, as Ascension Day has long been a favourite of mine. Militant, left-leaning British protopunk anno 1971, so go figure. Power to us all!

Third World War - Ascension Day (single version)

Friday, October 16, 2020

Tilt-A-Whirl


 











Been enjoying a pre-release copy of this warm and charming lil' record since the hot days of July, and as of now, you can all follow the ongoing adventures of Jerry David DeCicca. The musician and producer from the Midwest has been living in sunny Texas for a while now, and his third solo outing has a true lone star vibe to it, toads and all. Hell, he even managed to get Augie Meyers of Sir Doug fame to play along. Might as well dig in, y'all.

Jerry David DeCicca - Coffee Black

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Cloud Of Dust


 











Elizabeth Rankin McQuade was a Scottish-born Australian singer who recorded this mesmerizing beauty back in 1962. It was a fave of Lux & Ivy of Cramps fame, and now it can be one of yours, too.

Betty McQuade - Midnight Bus

Monday, October 12, 2020

Touch Me


 











Found in the basement of a Michigan farm a while back: a soundboard recording of the legendary final performance of the original Stooges line-up, just before Fun House came out. Although he was sacked right after this gig, bassist Dave Alexander wasn't as out of it as rumoured, and with the Ig in fine form and Ron Asheton as electrifying as can be, Live At Goose Lake makes for a true proto-punk document.

The Stooges - Dirt (live '70)

Friday, October 9, 2020

With Praise












Just got the sad news that Bunny 'Striker' Lee has passed away. The legendary reggae producer, inventor of the flying cymbal sound in the mid seventies and a big influence on dubmaster King Tubby later on, was 79. He had a hand in more crucial reggae and dub tracks, many of them big hits, than you can shake a stick at. Miss him, my brethren.

Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling - Bangarang
Derrick Morgan - Rasta Don't Fear
Bim Sherman - Down In Jamdown>
Johnny Clarke - Enter His Gates With Praise
I Roy - The Godfather
Bunny Lee & Brad Osborne - Super Star Dub

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

'Til They're Sore





















That new spiritual jazz movement really gets my juices flowing. And Idris Ackamoor, funky and free, is one of its prime shamans. I'm pretty sure that legends of the genre like Pharoah Sanders and Sun Ra would have dug this. Mingus even? Anyway, this is a sure contender for jazz album of the year.

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids - Tango Of Love

Monday, October 5, 2020

Take That Ride





















Let's enjoy a cool couple of tracks from a fine fine Ry Cooder gig today. It's 1974, we're in New York's legendary Bottom Line club, and brother Ry is in his prime, so here we go.

Ry Cooder - Preacher (live '74)
Ry Cooder - Goin' To Brownsville (live '74)

Friday, October 2, 2020

Earth Is Burning




 









Mr. Mould does what he has to do in these dystopian days and delivers a really angry record with all the intensity of his Hüsker past. Chapeau! For further reading, go here to sample an endearing interview in this week's Guardian. Nice to hear that Grant Hart and him were able to bury the hatchet in the end.

Bob Mould - Forecast Of Rain