Rambling Quest

Fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar and heavenly harmonies: welcome to the world of Anna Krippenstapel and Heather Summers, playing together as The Other Years. Their lovely self-titled first album reminds me of a rootsier version of First Aid Kit, and is one of the debuts of the year for sure. And although their own material is very strong, this inspired cover of a Michael Hurley song, an old favourite of mine, caught my fancy especially. File under folk with a capital F.

The Other Years - Wildegeeses

You Got It?

Today we'll put the spotlight on that wonderful folk outsider Michael Hurley. The man they call Snock has been going at it since the sixties, but his circle of admirers is still way too small. So let's begin it.

Michael Hurley - Sweedeedee
Michael Hurley - Wildegeeses
Michael Hurley - Reconciled To The Blues

Of A Feather

"There's a high flying bird way up in the sky, and I wonder if she looks down as she flies on by..." Presenting part one of a folky, chirping six pack. Artwork by the one and only Tinca. Stick together, y'all.

Judy Henske - High Flying Bird
Kieran White - Hummingbirds
Leonda - Zono My Bird
Mellow Candle - Messenger Birds
Michael Hurley - The Early Bird Always Gets The Worm
Carol Kleyn - Blackbird

Summer Wine

Some Japanese wiseguy named Hokekyo Sho once proclaimed that ´at the third cup, wine drinks the man´. He got pretty famous with that one, and he just may have been right, too. Which hardly ever stops me from pouring said cup, but that´s another story... Here´s a grand cru, slightly country-flavoured tenpack with a velvety aftertaste about a mighty fine drink. "Strawberries, cherries and an angel´s kiss in spring, my summer wine is really made from all these things..." Salud!

Charlie Walker - Who Will Buy The Wine MP3

The Stanley Brothers - The Little Glass Of Wine MP3

James Luther Dickinson - Wine MP3

Gene Simmons - Drinkin´ Wine MP3

Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Summer Wine MP3

George Jones - Yesterday´s Wine MP3

Michael Hurley - I Like My Wine MP3

Merle Haggard - Little Ole Wine Drinker Me MP3

The Band - Strawberry Wine MP3

Jerry Lee Lewis - Wine Me Up MP3