Purple Roses

And here we go with For The Sake Of The Song's dirty dozen of 2019, so take a step behind if you please. Unseen and out of sight, between the country and the mountains and the sea, and with ripping artwork by Tinca, these are the albums that moved and shook us this year.

1. Rose City Band - Rose City Band
2. Ian Noe - Between The Country
3. Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains

4. Garcia Peoples -  One Step Behind

5. Joan Shelley - Like The River Loves The Sea

6. Steve Gunn - The Unseen In Between
7. Jake Xerxes Fussell - Out Of Sight
8. Dire Wolves - Grow Towards The Light
9. Nick Cave - Ghosteen
10. James Matthew VII - Stoned When I Pray
11. Simon Joyner - Pocket Moon
12. Hiss Golden Messenger - Terms Of Surrender

Rose City Band - Rip City

Without Her

Two delightful (and very different) modern takes on an old ballad from the Ozark mountains by way of Scotland. Find them on two brand new, high quality folk albums by kindred souls Jake Xerxes Fussell (Out Of Sight) and House and Land (Across The Field).

Jake Xerxes Fussell - The Rainbow Willow
House and Land - Rainbow 'Mid Life's Willows

What Love?

It's that time of year again, my amigos da musica, so hallelujah, here we go. FTSOTS presents the ten push and pulls of the year, not forgetting the finest reads around. Always a pleasure. Winning artwork - 'his dreams of music', yes sir - comme d'habitude by Tinca. Dig in and crack up.

1. Jake Xerxes Fussell - What In The Natural World
Jake Xerxes Fussell - Pinnacle Mountain Silver Mine
2. Colter Wall - s/t
Colter Wall - You Look To Yours
3. Joan Shelley - s/t
Joan Shelley - The Push And Pull
4. Fleet Foxes - Crack-Up
5. The Feelies - In Between
6. The Weather Station - s/t
7. Hiss Golden Messenger - Hallelujah Anyhow
8. Here Lies Man - s/t
9. Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile - Lotta Sea Lice
10. John Moreland - Big Bad Love

Flamenco dept:
Luis Moneo - Mi Cante, Mi Palabra

Top books on music:

1. Erin Osmon - Jason Molina: Riding With The Ghost

2. Clinton Heylin - Trouble In Mind: Bob Dylan's Gospel Years

3. Reinhard Kleist - Nick Cave: Mercy On Me

4. Allan Jones - Can't Stand Up For Falling Down: Rock'n'Roll War Stories

Just The Same

Transmogrified folk/blues koans, as the enthusiastic liner notes aptly call 'em, anyone? Thought so. Mr. Fussell's remarkable What In The Natural World possesses a certain old-timey warmth one doesn't encounter too often nowadays, and that's a joy to behold. Playing this album is akin to visiting a good friend you haven't seen in a long long time. Out now on the always reliable Paradise Of Bachelors imprint, and a surefire contender for many an end-of-year list.

Jake Xerxes Fussell - Have You Ever Seen Peaches Growing On A Sweet Potato Vine?