Brain Drain

Soul upside down? In need of some brain food? Check out this special six pack to make them clouds disappear pronto. Clever - and slightly Gigeresque - artwork by Tinca. "You don't really need a brain, ducky..."

Steve Young - Brain Cloudy Blues
Burning Spear - Brain Food
Sly & The Family Stone - Can't Strain My Brain
Parliament - Presence Of A Brain
Soft Boys - Sandra's Having Her Brain Out
Tall Dwarfs - The Brain That Wouldn’t Die

Just Passing Through

Just got the sad news that self-proclaimed renegade picker Steve Young has passed away a few days ago. Left me cold. The underrated outlaw's Seven Bridges Road album ('72) is obligatory listening for any honest rock and country lover. Miss him.

Steve Young - Montgomery In The Rain
Steve Young - One Car Funeral Procession

Doin' Things My Way

Thanks to the unsurpassed New York Taper, here's yet another fine live cover by my fave band of the last couple of years, Durham's Hiss Golden Messenger. These guys can boogie, lord. Most of you will know Lonesome, On'ry And Mean by way of Waylon Jennings, but it is in fact a Steve Young original.

Hiss Golden Messenger - Lonesome, On'ry And Mean (live Brooklyn 2015)
Steve Young - Lonesome, On'ry And Mean
Waylon Jennings - Lonesome, On'ry And Mean

Drown Those Sorrows

"They say that whiskey ain't the best way, but then I ain't too smart..." Back with a bang alright. Amongst other things, I happened to visit many a barroom in the Ciudad Condal, so here goes with a thirst-inducing four pack. ¡Salut, amics!

Steve Young - Broken Hearted People (Take Me To A Barroom)
Gillian Welch - Barroom Girls

Ramblin Red Bailey - 8 Weeks In A Barroom

Hank Snow - The Face On The Barroom Floor

Long Live Longnecks

I have to admit this tenpack formula is a rather lazy affair, but heck, it´s summer, right? Let´s milk it some more then. Today we´re going completely country, with a varied and soulful selection of originators, outlaws and outsiders of the genre. So take that rocking chair outside, pour yourself a tall cool one (may I suggest the Lone Star brand?) and "sing a little bit of these workin´ man blues..."

Merle Haggard - Workin´ Man Blues MP3

Louvin Brothers - Let Her Go, God Bless Her MP3

Steve Young - One Car Funeral Procession MP3

Tom T. Hall - I Hope It Rains At My Funeral MP3

Delmore Brothers - I´m Lonesome Without You MP3

Tony Joe White - High Sheriff Of Calhoun Parish MP3

Red Sovine - Phantom 309 MP3

Larry Jon Wilson - Let Me Sing My Song For You MP3

Jim Ford - Harlan Country MP3

Johnny Dowd - Ballad Of Frank And Jesse James MP3