the wonderful world of unicycling aardvarks

NEW

2009-07-06T10:32:00.003+01:00

Back with an album reflecting the easy going '70s style rock of its predecessor, Wilco's newest seems almost on a par with that very underrated album. Try this:

mp3 Wilco: You and I

Two ones from the last, one bside and a live one:

mp3 Wilco: One True Vine
mp3 Wilco: Sky Blue Sky (live on Later with Jools Holland)

Buy here.

The Bible, pt 4

2009-06-20T09:06:00.003+01:00

Time for more biblically inspired songs, as we wend our way through the Old Testament.

mp3 Steve Earle: Jericho Road
mp3 My Morning Jacket: Gideon
mp3 Plain White Ts: Hey There Delilah

More to come...

Back Again

2009-06-10T17:57:00.005+01:00

Back again after another very long gap. Sorry, very busy.

But it's a good 'un. The Drive-by Truckers very own Patterson Hood releases his new solo album in a fortnight, Murdering Oscar. Here's a taster:

mp3 Patterson Hood: I Understand Now

And, some older/obscure ones,

mp3 Patterson Hood: Heavy and Hanging
mp3 Patterson Hood: Uncle Disney
mp3 Patterson Hood: King Kong '76

Back!! With the Dexateens' Singlewide

2009-05-19T19:55:00.004+01:00

Sorry for being so quiet, busy. So, back come The Dexateens with an easy-going acoustic country rock set, redolent of the late '60s and early '70s heyday with more than a touch of The Jayhawks. Try these:

mp3 The Dexateens: Down Low
mp3 The Dexateens: New Boy

Buy here, download drm-free here.

The Handsome Family: Honey Moon

2009-05-02T08:59:00.002+01:00

Off to see the Handsome Family next week, with their strange ideas about the world, murder ballads, gothic country. Oh yes, and now sweet love songs with an occasionall dollop of homage to 50s and 60s harmony groups. Try these:

mp3 The Handsome Family: Darling, my Darling
mp3 The Handsome Family: My Friend

And, an older goodie, that some of you might know from Cery's Matthew's cover (now there's an album to post):

mp3 The Handsome Family: Weightless Again

Buy and download drm-free here, download drm-free here.

1969, pt 3

2009-04-26T12:59:00.003+01:00

A twang to part three. This was the era that saw country hit the rock mainstream, through the likes of the Stones. It was also the year that saw the second of the prison recordings that saw his credibility restored. There is a raw energy to these recordings that chimed well with the rock and roll generation.

mp3 Johnny Cash: San Quentin

Townes van Zandt's second and third albums were released in 1969. His second, Our Mother the Mountain, featured some of his great songs, even though he would record many of them again without the somewhat florid arrangements. This though, is mighty fine.

mp3 Townes van Zandt: Kathleen

The Band followed up Music From Big Pink with their eponymous masterpiece, the template for what these days we call Americana.

mp3 The Band: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Johnny Cash sang on the first track, and The Band connection is clear. 1969 was the year Dylan went country with Nashville Skyline.

mp3 Bob Dylan: I Threw it all Away

At the real cutting edge were Gram Parsons' Flying Burrito Brothers with The Gilded Palace of Sin (great title), as country rock edged closer to country itself:

mp3 The Flying Burrito Brothers: Sin City

more to come...

The Bible, pt 3

2009-04-23T18:01:00.003+01:00

Onwards to Moses now.

mp3 Iron & Wine: Sodom, South Georgia
mp3 Leonard Cohen: The Story of Issac
mp3 Bruce Springsteen: The Promised Land

Inspired? Well, alright. Enjoy....

Iron and Wine

2009-04-20T19:47:00.003+01:00

Coming soon, an Iron & Wine collection of rarities etc. Meanwhile, on Sam Beam's website there's a collection of versions of songs from The Shepherd's Dog, here.

Try this:

mp3 Iron & Wine: Flightless Bird, American Mouth

Or these rarities...

mp3 Iron & Wine: The Trapeze Swinger
mp3 Iron & Wine: Dead Man's Will

Buy here.

1969 (pt 2)

2009-04-17T17:30:00.003+01:00

Things take a distinctly English turn on part two. By 1969, Ray Davis' obsession with The English past was in full flow on the concept album Arthur. It's stand-out track was one of the Kinks' great singles.

mp3 The Kinks: Victoria

1969 saw David Bowie make his first mark and his first hit single. However, as everyone knows that song, I thought I'd offer this 1969 b-side. Those who know his 1969 album, originally Man of Words, Man of Music (what a shite title) will recognise the fact that it is saddled with some pretty OTT arrangements which often mar the songs. This song, featuring Mick Ronson for the first time, suffered in particular. This simplified guitar and cello version works much better (Ronson would hit his straps next time up).

mp3 David Bowie: The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud

1969 saw two albums from the Fairport Convention that were just beginning to emerge from the Californian folk rock cover versions into the band that gave us folk-rock and two of the great English songwriters, namely Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny. The first of the two, What We Did On Our Holidays, saw the first great Richard Thompson song.

mp3 Fairport Convention: Meet on the Ledge

1969 also saw The Who release the mishmash that was Tommy. Like most rock double albums, it was a good single one waiting to get out (that's why, incidentally, the fact that many bands now release shorter 40 minuteish cds is A GOOD THING. Anyway, forget all the meaningless plot (such as it was), this is great late '60s Who.

mp3 The Who: See Me, Feel Me

more....

EASTER WITH THE HOLD STEADY!!!

2009-04-13T14:45:00.004+01:00

The Hold Steady have a new live set out; they will also feature in the Bible. But here's some live & live in Studio, all on an Easterish theme. These are the biz!!!

mp3 The Hold Steady: Lord, I'm Discouraged (live on BBC)
mp3 The Hold Steady: Both Crosses (acoustic live on XFM)
mp3 The Hold Steady: Crucifixion Cruise (Virgin Digital Sessions)
mp3 The Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels (live)
mp3 The Hold Steady: Lord, I'm Discouraged (acoustic, live on BBC)

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Bible pt 2

2009-04-13T09:08:00.003+01:00

Part Two, up to the flood.

mp3 Bob Dylan: Gates of Eden
mp3 Bruce Springsteen: Adam Raised a Cain
mp3 Jackson Browne: Before the Deluge

More to come...

1969

2009-04-12T11:34:00.003+01:00

A while back a pal sent me a text (yes, you) challenging me to produce a cd of the best of 1969. So, I'm gonna do it in installments. It's starting a bit heavily:

mp3 The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter

In 1968, the Stones returned brilliantly to a mix of the blues, country and brilliant rock'n'roll; they also captured the zeitgeist with the likes of Street Fighting Man and Sympathy for the Devil. In the year in which flower power turned darker, and Altamont saw fans killed by Hell's Angels, the Stones captured the mood in this brilliant, menacing and snaky masterpiece. Rape, murder, just a shot away...

mp3 The Stooges: I Wanna Be Your Dog

In spite of their would be Satanic Majesties poses, you know the Stones feared the reaper. Not Iggy. This is, pure and simple, on of the great slabs of primal rock. But now, romance gives way... c'mowwwwwn,,,

1969 also saw Led Zep make their first two albums. Already, the heavy riffing was there, but so were the blues and folk that made them a more interesting band than many recall. Of those, I reckon this is the highlight, its heavy blues riff, Plant's wail.

mp3 Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused

Finally, the obscure. Mott the Hoople's first album wasn't up to much bar this first slice of Ian Hunter's Dylan fetish.

mp3 Mott the Hoople: Backsliding Fearlessly

More to come...

Justin Townes Earle: Midnight at the Movies

2009-04-11T19:47:00.000+01:00

The second full length effort from the well labelled son of Steve, sees his fine old fashioned yet now country style intact, and sounding pretty darn good. Try these:

mp3 Justin Townes Earle: Midnight at the Movies
mp3 Justin Townes Earle: Here We Go Again

From his earlier efforts:

mp3 Justin Townes Earle: Faraway in Another Town
mp3 Justin Townes Earle: A Desolate Angel's Blues

Buy here, download drm-free here.

More Decemberists

2009-04-11T09:05:00.003+01:00

Ok, I've been listening... it's all in place, this album's just awesome. I'll try and convince you thus. To start, Colin McEvoy doing two live:

mp3 Colin Meloy: Isn't it a Lovely Night/The Rake Song

From the album:

mp3 The Decemberists: Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid

You can here the whole album performed at SXSW on NPR here.

Buy here, download drm-free here.

The Whole of the Bible

2009-04-04T09:00:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, been busy. So here's a new feature, the themed series. My mate Pete said 'I bet you can't do an album of songs which (in their titles) do the bible'. So here goes. To kick off, Genesis (pt one).

mp3 Fairport Convention: Genesis Hall
mp3 The Stills: In the Beginning
mp3 Josh Ritter: The Temptation of Adam

More to come...

Buy here

The Decemberists: The Hazards of Love

2009-03-24T17:25:00.004Z

The Decemberists' The Hazards of Love takes The Crane Wife's interest in English folk-rock into a related territory, the interface bewteen folk rock, early prog rock and even early heavy metal.

mp3 The Decemberists: The Hazards of Love 4

I thought I'd take the chance to post one or two earlier rare ones:

mp3 The Decemberists: Grace Cathedral Hill
mp3 The Decemberists: I Don't Mind
mp3 The Decemberists: Clementine

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit

2009-03-15T09:40:00.004Z

Jason Isbell, late of the Drive-by Truckers comes up with his first album in his new incarnation, the 400 Unit. It's a fine set of country-soul tinged rock, helped by Isbell's sweet southern tones. Try this:

mp3 Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit: Cigarettes & Wine

Or, from his first solo outing, Sirens in the Ditch:

mp3 Jason Isbell: Dress Blues

The band, doing an old Truckers' great live:

mp3 Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit: Danko/Manuel

An acoustic version of another:

mp3 Drive-by Truckers: Decoration Day

Buy here, download Sirens drm-free here.

The Damnwells One Last Century

2009-03-09T20:16:00.004Z

That fine rock band The Damnwells are back with a new album. Amazingly, you can download the entire thing for free courtesy of Paste magazine here or from their own site here. Or, you can try:

mp3 The Damnwells: 55 Pictures

Here's an old KEXP show:

Sleepsinging
Electric Harmony
I Will Keep the Bad Things from You
Sleepsinging 2
Texas

Buy here

Back with Vetiver's Tight Knit

2009-03-03T17:00:00.002Z

Been away again, back now. Looking to Vetiver, whose newie has a lovely '70s feel and some damn fine tunes. Try this:

mp3 Vetiver: Rolling Sea

And here's a rarer old one:

mp3 Vetiver: Angel's Shame

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Phosphorescent & Willie Nelson

2009-02-20T15:52:00.004Z

Back!!! Phosphorescent, the moniker of the always interesting Matthew Houck, has produced an album of Willie Nelson songs. Damn fine too; try this:

mp3 Phosphorescent: Can I Sleep in Your Arms?

Of course, here's an excuse to roll out a couple of old numbers:

mp3 Willie Nelson: Can I Sleep in Your Arms?
mp3 Willie Nelson: Always on My Mind
mp3 Willie Nelson: Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

And Nelson with Dylan doing the Townes van Zandt classic Pancho and Lefty:

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Russia

2009-02-12T17:04:00.003Z

Off to Moscow and St Petersburg, so won't be posting for a week. Hear these:

mp3 Emily Harris: Living in Moscow
mp3 Uncut: St Petersburg
mp3 The National: Cold Girl Fever

Buy here

Cat Power's Dark End of the Street ep

2009-02-05T21:23:00.002Z

Cat Power does great covers. Her ep from late last year was an addendum to Jukebox; a great set of covers. I thought it might be fun to offer up the originals:

mp3 James Carr: The Dark End of the Street
mp3 Credence Clearwater Revival: Fortunate Son
mp3 The Pogues: The Auld Triangle
mp3 Otis Redding: I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)
mp3 Fairport Convention: Who Knows Where the Time Goes
mp3 Aretha Franklin: It Ain't Fair

Can't seem to find the Cat Power for sale, thougfh I'm sure it is (it was, for sure).

John Martyn RIP

2009-02-01T09:26:00.002Z

John Martyn died this week, after health problems that dogged his later years. His key records, especially Solid Air, were melodic innovative masterpieces that, rather like Van Morrison's best work, transcended genre and type. I was lucky enough to see him play at the cambridge Folk Festival, many years ago, in one of the marquee tents, with bassist Danny Thompson; they were sensational. These two seem somehow fitting:

mp3 John Martyn: May You Never
mp3 John Martyn: Over the Hill

And, from another:

mp3 John Martyn: Stormbringer

There's a great live performance of Solid Air with Danny Thompson from 1987 here and again below.

Buy here.

It's the Return of Lest We Forget: Richard & Linda Thompson's I Want to see the Bright Lights Tonight

2009-01-27T19:46:00.002Z

Saw Richard Thompson do his 1000 Years of Popular Music show the other night (more anon). He was doing other people's stuff, but it led me back to his '70s classic. Remember these?

mp3 Richard & Linda Thompson: Withered & Died
mp3 Richard & Linda Thompson: The End of the Rainbow

As a bonus, here's an Old Grey Whistle Test version of a classic from the follow up Hokey Cokey:

Buy & download drm-free here.

Bon Iver: Blood Bank

2009-01-21T18:10:00.002Z

Is there anyone out there who wasn't wowed by For Emma? Well, to keep us happy before the next, the now collective Bon Iver have released a four track ep, and fine stuff it is. Here's the title track:

mp3 Bon Iver: Blood Bank

There was also a fine Daytrotter session a few months back. Get it here.

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Otis Gibbs: Grandpa Walked a Picketline

2009-01-18T09:31:00.005Z

Think Guthrie and Guthrie's heirs. As a man, Otis Gibbs has done the hard travelin' too (in the words of the master). His music is American to its fingertips, and his voice wears all them miles well, and a beard to die for. Serious music, with a light touch.

mp3 Otis Gibbs: Preacher Steve

There's also a great live show on his website here.

mp3 Otis Gibbs: Caroline (live)

And here's the man singing Ain't Nothin' Special.

Buy here

North Mississippi Allstars: Hernando

2009-01-11T18:15:00.003Z

Still mopping up 2008, here's the big Southern rock gettin' down, as they say. Some fine rock'n'roll, of the old school:

mp3 North Mississippi All Stars: Keep the Devil Down
mp3 North Mississippi All Stars: Long Way from Home

The song that converted me in the first place, from their debut Shake Hands with Shorty:

mp3 North Mississippi All Stars: Goin' Down South

Buy here.

Murry Hammond

2009-01-06T20:00:00.002Z

Murry Hammond is the bassist of the Old '97s. Last year he produced a solo album, I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm on My Way, an attractive mix of country gospel and train songs (and I love train songs... I feel a post coming on); it's pretty unique, works as a whole and I love it. Try these, especially the first which is a kind of personal hymn which and knocked me out when I first heard it:

mp3 Murry Hammond: I Believe, I Believe
mp3 Murry Hammond: Next Time Take the Train

Here's one of his songs from the last album by the Old '97s, Blame it on the Gravity. Try this:

mp3 Old '97s: Color of the Lonely Heart is Blue

Download drm-free here, can't find the cd in the UK, Amazon US have it as do iTunes.

New Year

2009-01-01T09:10:00.004Z

Every year, some hardy souls go swimming in the sea; yes, here in our very own Whitley Bay, in the NORTH SEA. No snow this year, but it's bloomin' cold. My first year here, we had heavy snow on the beach! Meanwhile, I'm at home in the warm. A few new year songs for you all. Hope, despite all the shit out there, it's a good one.

mp3 The Bottle Rockets: Brand New Year
mp3 The Mountain Goats: This Year
mp3 Broken Family Band: Happy Days Are Here Again

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Missed it: Silver Jews' Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea

2008-12-28T10:21:00.002Z

Don't know why this slipped the radar 'til now, but it did. In fact, rather like last year's sleeper, Wilco's Sky Blue Sky, it's a real grower whose easy going west coast '70s vibe tricked the listener (well, this listener) into missing something. Try these:

mp3 Silver Jews: Suffering Jukebox
mp3 Silver Jews: We Could Be Looking for the Same Thing

From the old days:

mp3 Silver Jews: New Orleans

Buy here.

Joe Pug: Nation of Heat

2008-12-24T14:53:00.004Z

Just heard this guy (last night). Wow. From his Nation of Heat ep:

mp3 Joe Pug: Hymn 101
mp3 Joe Pug: Nation of Heat

And a recent live session:

mp3 Joe Pug: At Arm's Length (live at Hear Y'a, get whole session here)

Download drm-free here.

Yuled out (nearly)

2008-12-24T10:49:00.003Z

Bought the better half's prezzie here last week when I was in Belfast. More importantly, in one small market, three great beer tents. What a great place...

mp3 Pedro the Lion: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
mp3 Hayes Carll: Grateful for Xmas
mp3 Alison Crowe: In the Bleak Midwinter

I'm not sure that any of these are available to buy.

More yulery...

2008-12-23T11:32:00.004Z

For your delight, a picture of a Danish Christmas decoration.... And more of the Chrtistmas album by installments.

mp3 Ron Sexsmith: Maybe this Christmas
mp3 Robert Earl Keen: Merry Christmas from the Family
mp3 John Prine: Christmas in Prison

Buy or download some drm-free here, or download some drm-free here.

Oh yes more Festive Stuff

2008-12-22T15:27:00.002Z

O yon festive cheer, I hope you like our Christmas boxes. This time, Christmas songs...

mp3 Bruce Cockburn: Cry of a Tiny Babe
mp3 Aimee Man: Calling on Mary
mp3 Damien Rice & Lisa Harrington: Silent Night

Buy or download some drm-free here.

More Festive Fun: Ho Bleedin' Ho

2008-12-21T11:17:00.002Z

I thought I'd treat you to a piccie of my home made decoration. Isn't it luvverly? As a reward, listen to these seasonal goodies:

mp3 Sufjan Stevens: That was the Worst Christmas Ever!
mp3 Okkervil River: Listening to Otis Redding at Christmas
mp3 Ryan Adams: Hey Parker it's Christmas

More festive goodies to come...

Buy and download some drm-free here, download some drm-free here.

All Bleedin' Right it's Christmas

2008-12-20T15:46:00.005Z

Against my better judgement I got into the festive spirit by putting up the Christmas tree (and buying the bloody thing, how much?!!!). Here's a lovely piccie:

Now isn't that festive? Why not some festive music too? These are the biz, really.

mp3 The Felice Brothers: Christmas Song (from Tonight at the Arizona)
mp3 Willard Grant Conspiracy: Christmas in Nevada (from Everything's Fine)
mp3 Steve Earle: Christmas in Washington (from El Corazon)

Ther is also a great bit of video of Tom Waits performing Christmas Card from a hooker in Minneapolis here.

More festive cheer tomorrow. Bet you can't wait.

Buy and download some drm-free here; download some drm-free here.

The Gaslight Anthem: The '59 Sound

2008-12-13T17:52:00.003Z

From New Jersey, geographically and spiritually, armed with some fine slabs of rock and roll, come The Gaslight Anthem. Try these:

mp3 The Gaslight Anthem: Great Expectations
mp3 The Gaslight Anthem: The Backseat

And, from an acoustic radio show (you can get more here):

mp3 The Gaslight Anthem: Here's Looking at you Kid (live)

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Great Lake Swimmers & Tony Dekker

2008-12-09T19:46:00.003Z

I loved the Great Lake Swimmers' Onigara. Found this cover of an old Neil Diamond song by their mainman, Tony Dekker:

mp3 Tony Dekker: Song Sung Blue

As a bonus, here's another couple of odd 'uns:

mp3 Great Lake Swimmers: Moving Pictures Silent Films
mp3 Great Lake Swimmers: Song for the Angels (Miracle vesrion)

Buy/download drm-free Great Lake Swimmers here, download drm-free here.

Vetiver: More of the Past

2008-12-04T20:33:00.006Z

A little while back, Vetiver issued their eclectic covers album Things of the Past. Now comes an ep More of the Past. Again, it's real good fun. Try this one:

mp3 Vetiver: Just to Have You

In the old LP collection lies the original, by Nils Lofgren's first band:

mp3 Grin: Just to Have You

Buy or download drm-free here, download drm-free cheaper here.

Matt Pond PA: Freeep

2008-11-29T10:13:00.002Z

Matt Pond PA are giving away a free ep, with devilish cunning known as the Freeep.

Try this one: mp3 Matt Pond PA: Hearts and Minds

Download the whole thing here.

Neil Young: '70s

2008-11-26T20:55:00.004Z

For me, Neil is up there with Dylan. Here, some old gems froim the '70s, two Neil one CSN&Y... unreleased...

mp3 Neil Young: River of Pride (White Line)
mp3 Neil Young: Campaigner
mp3 CSN&Y: Human Highway

These are not, to my knowledge, available elsewhere.

Lest We Forget: The Saw Doctors' If this is Rock and Roll I Want My old Job Back

2008-11-23T16:54:00.002Z

Back in the '90s The Saw Doctors took over where The Pogues had left off for Oirsih rock'n'roll. They were at their best live, but theri records had their moments too. This 1991 album had its moments:

mp3 The Saw Doctors: N17
mp3 The Saw Doctors: I Hope You Meet Again

From the follow up, try this:

mp3 The Saw Doctors: The Green and Red of Mayo

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Ryan Adams: As it Should Have Been?

2008-11-20T20:31:00.002Z

Two acoustic snippets live at KCU Austin, minus the MOR sheen. Awesome, as the album should have sounded? This is ****in' brilliant; listen!

mp3 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: Fix It (acoustic)
mp3 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: Go Easy (acoustic)

If only....

Buy the album here.

Donny Hue and the Colours: Tell Tall Tales

2008-11-13T19:20:00.003Z

A fine set of acoustic solo songs from Donny Hue. As the press release says:

The album was self recorded by Donny Hue in Brooklyn in 2008. The story of the Tales from Donny Hue, "I picked these songs up while on the move....on a train, a bicycle, a plane....however you see fit. They come from certain sights and sounds that never leave you alone, that creep up and tap you on the shoulder every now and then, eager for attention. Maybe these aren't meant to be tales, or even songs, but pictures of someplace that I've been or seen. It doesn't matter where they take you, or if they got you where you were going, but at least, even for a moment or so, you saw 'em."

Try this:

mp3 Donny Hue: Good Time Happening

Here's the video.

Links to buy via the links above.

Jenny Lewis: Acid Tongue

2008-11-07T20:55:00.002Z

The new album from Jenny Lewis took a while to sink in, but now it's taking off. A mix of real old rockers and some very pretty ones. This has a lot:

mp3 Jenny Lewis: Godspeed
mp3 Jenny Lewis: Pretty Bird

Here's a wee bit of video of her & Elvis Costello on Letterman, thanks to Culture Bully here.

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Gladshot: Burn Up and Shine

2008-11-03T19:37:00.004Z

A fine blast of power-pop from NYC's Gladshot, with some damn fine tunes. Sounds like summer, so not a bad way to brighten up the dark of November. Try these:

mp3 Gladshot: All I Want is You
mp3 Gladshot: He Was Gone

Buy here

More Ryan Adams & the Cardinals Live

2008-10-30T13:05:00.004Z

Cardinalology (bloody awful title & cover, by the way) is out. To celebrate, one song from it & two older ones from a recent gig (get the whole gig here):

mp3 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: Fix it (live)
mp3 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: Oh, My God, Whatever, etc. (live)
mp3 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: Come Pick me Up (live)

See Fix It Live on Letterman here.

Buy Ryan Adams here.

Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power & the Amorphous Strums: Dark Developments

2008-10-29T16:18:00.002Z

Having posted about Vic Chesnutt's old stuff, suddenly here's a home recorded collaboration between the man himself and other Athens luminaries. It has electrics, the man's familiar rasp, and sounds less confrontational than his last. Try this:

mp3 Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power & the Amorphous Strums: Mystery

As a bonus, here's a great Dylan cover:

mp3 Vic Chesnutt: Buckets of Rain

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Trenches

2008-10-22T22:16:00.003+01:00

Off to the battlefields of the First World War, so quiet fir a few days (this is where we're staying). So, some songs:

mp3 Kevin Coyne: (Take Me Back to) Dear Old Blighty
mp3 John Wesley Harding: Anonymous 1916
mp3 Roy Harper: Berliners

Lambchop: OH (Ohio)

2008-10-22T18:51:00.003+01:00

It took me while, but I'm fast coming round the view that this slice of soul infused '70s style rock by Lambchop is, well, the business. Try these:

mp3 Lambchop: Slipped, Dissolved & Loosed
mp3 Lambchop: I'm Thinking of a Number

Buy here.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy: Is it the Sea

2008-10-20T20:10:00.003+01:00

Will Oldham again? Yes, the ever prolific one returns with some live material recorded in the Celtic Fringes 2006. Why? Well, here's the reason. Some old songs, some current ones, some traditional, but all wrought anew in collaboration with a Scottish folk ensemble, Harem Scarem. Try this:

mp3 Bonnie "Prince" Billy: A Minor Place (live)

Not (unaccountably) on the album, but from the same tour, here's a magnificent version of a classic:

mp3 Bonnie "Prince" Billy: I See a Darkness (live)

Buy here.

Antony & the Johnsons: Another World

2008-10-19T09:16:00.003+01:00

Antony & the Johnsons return with an ep, Another World. Much sounds familiar, bar Shake the Devil's rumbustious r'n'b at halfway. But, if it ain't broke... Try this:

mp3 Antony & the Johnsons: Another World

As a bonus, from their debut:

mp3 Antony & the Johnsons: Blue Angel

Buy here, download drm-free here.

One offs number 1

2008-10-12T15:37:00.005+01:00

Some classic songs, from albums or whatever, that weren't that great as a whole. The photo, by the way, is of St Kevin's, Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland.

mp3 Hothouse Flowers: Sweet Marie
mp3 Turin Brakes: Feeling Oblivion
mp3 Runrig: The Fisherman

Buy here

Dylan's Bootleg 8

2008-10-11T20:39:00.003+01:00

Look, it's long been a given for me that his Bobness faded, his voice gone, the never-ending tour a tale of a man who's lost. And yet, Oh Mercy, parts of the latest stuff. Well her comes the latest installment of the Bootleg series. Some leaves me cold, but some.... Oh Mercy had some killer songs (a Lest We Forget to come), but this version just blew me away, with its raw beauty and echoes of Blood on the Tracks:

mp3 Bob Dylan: Most of the Time

From the soundtrack of the movie Gods and Generals:

mp3 Bob Dylan: Cross the Green Mountain.

Wow!

Buy here.

Lest We Forget; Paul Weller's Wild Wood

2008-10-11T19:51:00.003+01:00

After The Jam. Paul Weller got lost in '80s soul boy frippery with The Style Council. The early 'nineties saw him reinvent himself, once more from a 'sixties starting point of the soul tinged British rock and demi-mystic folky feel of that era. The result was Wild Wood, which still sounds classic now. Try these:

mp3 Paul Weller: Sunflower
mp3 Paul Weller: Wild Wood

The next one, on the album, was in that acoustic style. Here, live in 1993, it's something different:

mp3 Paul Weller: Foot of the Mountain (live)

Buy here.

Horse Feathers: House with no Home

2008-10-04T20:48:00.002+01:00

A new album by the delectable Horse Feathers, all delicate voice and strings, breath and air. Try this:

mp3 Horse Feathers: Curs in the Weeds

They have a great Daytrotter session here, including this version of a song from the album:

mp3 Horse Feathers: Helen

And from their first album:

mp3 Horse Feathers: Finch on Sunday

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Oakley Hall

2008-09-28T17:15:00.002+01:00

Been trawling some Daytrotter (more of which anon). Got listening to some Oakley Hall, who have two sessions; I'd forgotten how much their mix of rock'n'roll & trad floats the proverbial sea-going vessel. Here's from the first session:

mp3 Oakley Hall: All the Way Down (daytrotter)

From Gypsum Strings:

mp3 Oakley Hall: Confidence Man

From Second Guessing:

mp3 Oakley Hall: Landlord

Buy here, download drm-free here.

43 Presidents: Of Great & Mortal Men

2008-09-24T15:58:00.003+01:00

It's here. A couple of years back J Matthew Gerken, Christian Kiefer and Jefferson Pitcher, took up a challenge via the February Album Writing Month: between the three, to come up with a song for each of the 43 presidents of the USA. They posted the demos, and decided to take it further. The result is Of Great & Mortal Men, a remarkable three cds worth of songs featuring a whole roster of leading talent, but maintaining a remarkable coherence. I've got my copy all the way from the USA. Try this:

mp3 The last Cocked Hat (click here to go to label)

Buy from the label here or pay more here

Elvis & Lucinda: some more You Tube

2008-09-21T15:24:00.004+01:00

Two of my favourite artists, together. Try these:

Elvis & Lucinda: Indoor Fireworks

Elvis & Lucinda: Blue

Elvis & Lucinda: Wild Horses

Some Footage: Magazine, Neil Young

2008-09-17T07:02:00.003+01:00

Looking back, two great bits of contrasting live footage. An old bit of Howard Devoto's band at his icy best and Neil Young with a phalanx of hippies.

mp3 Magazine: Permafrost (live)

mp3 C,S,N & Y: Down by the River (live)

Damien Jurado: Caught in the Trees

2008-09-14T09:20:00.002+01:00

It's great to have a new Damien Jurado album. There's a real depth to his body of work now, as well as a bucketful of real sweet melody. Try these:

mp3 Damien Jurado: Gillian was a Horse
mp3 Damien Jurado: Last Rights

As a bonus, here's a song from his last album performed live in the studio:

mp3 Damien Jurado: Denton, TX (live)

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Okkervil River: The Stand-ins

2008-09-13T17:58:00.003+01:00

It's the companion piece to last year's The Stage Names, rather as Appendix was to Black Sheep Boy. Try this:

mp3 Okkervil River: Blue Tulip

Released with The Stage Names was a parallel album of demos. Try this:

mp3 Okkervil River: John Allyn Smith Sails (acoustic demo)

Buy here, download drm-free here.

For...

2008-09-09T12:28:00.000+01:00

It's my wedding anniversary, so I thought I'd post these to my wife of these 18 years, along with a picture of the fine village of Ventry, where we went on our honeymoon. Hope they ring a few bells for some....

mp3 The Jayhawks: All the Right Reasons
mp3 Broken Family Band: You Get Me
mp3 Richard and Linda Thompson: A Heart Needs a Home
mp3 Gillian Welch: I Made a Lover's Prayer
mp3 John Hiatt: Feels Like Rain

Buy here.

Lest we Forget: The Jayhawks' Sound of Lies

2008-09-03T07:01:00.004+01:00

Gary Louris' masterpiece came after Mark Olson quit the band. It is suffused with a quiet bitterness, weariness and longing, some crunching rock and aching twang. At the time it seemed to pass under many people's radar. A pity. Try these:

mp3 The Jayhawks: Sound of Lies
mp3 The Jayhawks: Bottomless Cup

The later song was written and sung by Tim O'Reagan. This is an acoustic take on his later song:

mp3 The Jayhawks: Tampa to Tulsa (acoustic)

An earlier Gary Louris song:

mp3 The Jayhawks: Waiting for the Sun (acoustic)

As a final treat, here's an Olson?louris song sung by Maria McKee, and the men themselves:

mp3 Maria McKee: Precious Time

Buy here.

David Bowie Santa Monica '72

2008-08-28T20:40:00.003+01:00

I can recall grabbing a cassette of this bootleg at Camden Town market in the '70s. It's now out released officially. It's Ziggy era Bowie at his absolute peak, with Ronson on electric form and the quieter acoustic moments still understated and beautiful. Try these:

mp3 David Bowie: My Death (live)
mp3 David Bowie: The Width of a Circle (live)

As a bonus, two items from Bowie's recordings from this era for the BBC:

mp3 David Bowie: Hang Onto Yourself
mp3 David Bowie: Moonage Daydream

As a bonus, an old bootleg early run through of a classic. Sounds like it was recorded in a barn, but sounds great:

mp3 David Bowie: Drive-in Saturday (live)

Buy here.

Return

2008-08-28T14:17:00.004+01:00

Apologies for lack of posts, but a mixture of a wedding in France and a modem failure stalled matters. So, we'll roll some stuff out over the next few days.

These songs fit right now, but I thought I'd dedicate them to a good friend and the control freak that tried to fuck up his life and, instead, fucked themselves. I can remember Lou Reed once introducing Femme Fatale with the remark "This is as song about someone who was once..."; or of course, Dylan's

I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment
I could be you

Yes, I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
You'd know what a drag it is
To see you

mp3 David Ford: I Don't Care What You Call Me
mp3 Will Johnson: Closing Down My House
mp3 Drive-by Truckers: Goodbye

Buy the artist's music here.

Rachel Unthank & the Winterset

2008-08-06T21:27:00.003+01:00

Took my time to post Northumbria's finest, but local folk done good with a Mercury nomination. In fact, what got me thinking of this was the Robert Wyatt post a week or two back. So, here's Rachel Unthank & the Winterset's take on the man, and then another.

mp3 Rachel Unthank & the Winterset: Sea Song
mp3 Rachel Unthank & the Winterset: Felton Lonnin

Buy here.

Leonard and Marianne

2008-08-02T11:34:00.002+01:00

Back in the 'sixties, Leonard Cohen had a love affair with a young Scandinavian woman. That affair seems to have informed his classic debut album. This morning, BBC Radio 4 ran a programme, where they talked to both of them: for the next few days you can listen here.

mp3 Leonard Cohen: So Long, Marianne

It's really worth doing.

Buy here.

The Avett Brothers: Second Gleam

2008-07-29T17:31:00.003+01:00

The Avett Brothers last release before heading off into the Sony paid Rick Rubin world sees them strip away the ornate instrumentation of Emotionalism and head back to the quieter waters of yore. Haunted tales and strong narratives, eschewing the wham bam Pogues go bluegrass moments. Try this:

mp3 The Avett Brothers: Bella Donna

From the original Gleam:

mp3 The Avett Brothers: Sanguine

And, from Emotionalism:

mp3 The Avett Brothers: The Weight of Lies

Buy here, download Second Gleam drm-free with two extra tracks here.

Lest we Forget: Christian Kiefer's Medicine Show

2008-07-26T09:00:00.002+01:00

Kiefer's Medicine Show, from 2002, is in many ways a companion piece to his Welcome to Hard Times (more of which anon). A song cycle woven around an old time travelling showman, looking at the Americam myth, with music quite unlike anyone else.

mp3 Christian Kiefer: Bad Dreams
mp3 Christian Kiefer: Slack

As a bonus, one from 2007's Dogs and Donkeys:

mp3 Christian Kiefer: Slow Rivers

And, older one:

mp3 Christian Kiefer: With Fishes

Medicine Show seems out of print, but can be bought here; download drm-free here.

More Ryan Adams live

2008-07-25T09:07:00.003+01:00

When his nibs went solo, he did a series of solo gigs and recordings. If you can get them, the likes of Destroyer, 48 Hours & The Suicide Handbook contain stuff that sometimes tops the likes of Heartbreaker, Gold and Demolition. At the same time, he did some great solo shows (or nearly solo shows). One came in Denver 2002, in which he was accompanied by cellist (whose nbame escapes). One is a lovely version of one of his finest songs, the other a remarkable cover that does what all great covers do, completely rewrite the song.

mp3 Ryan Adams: Oh My Sweet Carolina (live)
mp3 Ryan Adams: Brown Sugar (live)

There's a great version of Carolina on YouTube here, and lots of other stuff.

At the time of Easy Tiger, with his band he ran through some of the album's tracks in electric mode:

mp3 Ryan Adams: Two (live in the studio)
mp3 Ryan Adams: Pearls on a String (live in the studio)

More to come... Buy here.

The Weight return: Are Men

2008-07-18T20:59:00.003+01:00

I've posted about The Weight before here, and I've been listening to their latest offering Are Men since I was sent a copy. It's no let down; I'm a big fan. The old elements are there, along with what sounds like a lot of good times had in the making. The label deny an alt-country tag; I think it applies still, but with a whole lotta twang. This is fast becoming one of my favourites of the year so far. Try this:

mp3 The Weight: Like Me Better
mp3 The Weight: Sunday Driver

Meanwhile, still not available as far as I can work out, is ST:

mp3 The Weight: Highways

It's out on August 5th; Ten Mile Grace is downloadable drm-free here.

Lest we Forget: Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom

2008-07-16T17:44:00.003+01:00

This was Robert Wyatt's first album back after his accident, leaving him in a wheelchair. It still sounds like nothing else. Wyatt played keyboards, hit all sorts of percussive instruments, had great people with him (such as Fred Frith) and sung his weird and wonderful songs with the same yearning beauty he's brought to everything else since. Try this:

mp3 Robert Wyatt: Sea Song

As a bonus, a later version of another one of the album's great songs, this version from Solar Flares.

mp3 Robert Wyatt: Alifib

Buy Robert Wyatt here, though Rock Bottom doesn't seem to be in print (WHY NOT?).

Ryan Adams live pt 1

2008-07-15T19:29:00.003+01:00

Ok, I'll come clean, I'm yet another one of those fans of the frustrating one himself. But, when he's brilliant, he sure us. So, I thought I'd start posting a kind of live stuff by installments. The first two are from a gig in Santa Cruz, California, 2007; he'd just mended his wrist (broken skateboarding, Pewee) and was back on the big bad electric.

mp3 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: I See Monsters (live)
mp3 Ryan Adams & the Cardinals: I Taught Myself How to Grow Old (live)

By contrast, try these from 1999 back in North Carolina; the first with Caitlin Cary (with him of Whiskeytown).

mp3 Ryan Adams: Dancing with the Women at the Bar
mp3 Ryan Adams: Hey There, Mrs Lovely (a song thta turned up on his most recent ep Follow the Lights, with differnet words)

Buy Ryan Adams here; download his classic Heartbreaker drm-free here.

And Back with some Hold Steady

2008-07-15T15:42:00.008+01:00

Ok. All the end of terrm shit and some holiday, time to get posting. To kick things off, today sees the official release of The Hold Steady's newie, Stay Positive. Having had a week on inertia with the old ipod firmly in ear, my digital advance copy has been well listened to and its a good 'un. Perhaps the outstanding track is Lord, I'm Discouraged? The label have asked folk not to post anything, though you could try here; you can hear samples and some observations from the band here.

As a bonus anyway, here's an acoustic live version of a fave from Boys and Girls in America:

mp3 The Hold Steady: Chips Ahoy (live acoustic)

And, from the movie I'm Not There, a Dylan cover:

mp3 The Hold Steady: Can I Please Crawl Through Your Window?

Buy here, download drm-free here.

Shearwater: Rook

2008-06-30T18:26:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, been busy. This one took a bit of time to sink in. Shearwater started life as an Okkervil River side project, but now stand i their own right with Jonathan Mielburg as their guiding light and soaring tenor. A dramatic, reflective album.

mp3 Shearwater: The Snow Leopard
mp3 Shearwater: Home Life (with crafty steal from Van Morrison's You don't Pull No Punches but You don't Push the River)

As a bonus, an old one.

mp3 Shearwater: Wedding Bells

They also have a great Daytrotter session here.

mp3 Shearwater: Nobody (Daytrotter session)

Buy here, download DRM-free here.

Willard Grant Conspiracy: Pilgrim Road

2008-06-23T18:23:00.003+01:00

Robert Fisher's ever-evolving ensemble return with his most ambitious offering to date. Pilgrim Road features the arrangements of the Scottish composer Malcolm Lindsay and has a a kind of neo-classical gothic twist to it and a vast array of different instruments (anyone out there play the Jerusalem Chuch Bells?). it also features the vocals of Iona MacDonald, on this:

mp3 Willard Grant Conspiracy: The Puglist
mp3 Willard Grant Conspiracy: Vespers

This is in a very different vein from the all out rock assault of Let it Roll; you can download three tracks from the band's website here.

This album has far more in common with 2003's Regard the End, which featured some of the same musicians. This is a wonderful song:

mp3 Willard Grant Conspiracy: Fare Thee Well

He can also be seen performing this and two other songs solo here (Fare Thee Well is especially brilliant).

Buy here.

Josh Ritter Live

2008-06-22T09:24:00.002+01:00

Maybe I'm not alone in not being swept along by the tide of approval of The Historical Conquests. In any case, Josh Ritter still cuts it live. Here are a few samples:

mp3 Josh Ritter: Kathleen (4 Songs Live)
mp3 Josh Ritter: Good Man (live in Dublin)

E-music have put out an ep of him solo:

mp3 Josh Ritter: Wolves (live at the Record Exchange)

NPR in the states have a performance at the Met with the violinist Hilary Hahn here; try this:

mp3 Josh Ritter & Hilary Hahn: Girl in the War (live at The Met) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

As a bonus, here he is backing Kathleen Edwards:

mp3 Kathleen Edwards: Mercury (live)

Buy here, or download drm-free here; Lots on You Tube here.

I See Hawks in LA: Hallowed Ground

2008-06-16T09:52:00.003+01:00

The California Country band I See Hawks in LA return with a new album Hallowed Ground. As before, witty and perceptive songs rock and roll along with a real country lilt with echoes of the likes of The Flying Burrito Brothers. Try these:

mp3 I See Hawks in LA: Pale and Troubled Race
mp3 I See Hawks in LA: Never Alive

Their last album, California Country featured this:

mp3 I See Hawks in LA: Midnight in Orlando

As a bonus, that album featured this great song about the eponymous US senator's stand on the Iraq war. Here's a great live version:

mp3 I See Hawks in LA: Byrd from West Virginia (highly recommended)

You can hear more here, buy here or download drm-free here.

The National: Apartment Story

2008-06-15T16:07:00.003+01:00

The National released a new ep, The Virginia ep with a dvd A Skin, a Night. In reality, most of its is out-takes, demos etc from last year's brilliant Boxer. The lead song is pretty darn fine however:

mp3 The National: You've Done it Again, Virginia

You haven't heard Boxer? Well, you should; try this:

mp3 The National: Fake Empire

This is one of my early faves, off their eponymous debut:

mp3 The National: Cold Girl Fever

The Virginia ep also features a lovely song from their Daytrotter session:

mp3 The National: Lucky You

Buy dvd/ep here and download ep drm-free here.

Lest we Forget: Graham Parker & The Rumour's 'Stick to Me'

2008-06-11T21:22:00.004+01:00

Back in the mid-seventies, Graham Parker was touted as a to be big thing. Emerging from the london pub rock scene that saw the likes of Nick Lowe make their name, Parker's big push was his 1977 album Stick to Me. It went for broke withe big E-Street band style arrangements and Stax horns. Unfortunately, the 24 track masters went wrong, and the band were forced to record it damn near live in thestudio, which gives the record a raw quality. Unfortunately, in 1977, the album seemed out of place to many; compare Elvis Costello's debut. As such, it got lost. A shame, as these samples show:

mp3 Graham Parker & The Rumour: Stick to Me
mp3 Graham Parker & The Rumour: Watch the Moon Come Down

As a bonus, a live version of tghe Anne Peebles classic (done brilliantly on the album itself):

mp3 Graham Parker & The Rumour: I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down

Buy here.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy: Lie Down in the Light

2008-06-05T16:49:00.003+01:00

Will Oldham returns with a remarkably sunny record, rooted in country but heading to all sorts of places, and very different from last times The Letting Go. This time, it's Ashley Webber singing too, and a few stray instruments, Try these:

mp3 Bonnie "Prince" Billy: For Every Field There's a Mole
mp3 Bonnie "Prince" Billy: I'll be Glad

As a bonus, here's a live version from Edinburugh in 2006 of his classic song:

mp3 Bonnie "Prince" Billy: I See a Darkness (live)

Buy here

The Felice Brothers

2008-05-31T16:53:00.003+01:00

Another recent set of visitors to these parts were the wonderful Felice Brothers. Their latest eponymous album has echoes of The Band's rural Americana. Their label have put two tracks up for you to download and try (you can also get them here):

mp3 The Felice Brothers: Wonderful Life
mp3 The Felice Brothers: Frankie's Gun!

From their earlier album Tonight at the Arizona comes this rather wonderfully titled item:

mp3 The Felice Brothers: Rockefeller Drug Law Blues

And a live version of a song from the same album.

mp3 The Felice Brothers: Hey Hey Revolver

Buy here.

Lest we Forget: Sandy Denny solo

2008-05-29T16:56:00.005+01:00

Sandy Denny was one of the great English singers, and its been good to see her getting some of the attention her genius deserves. She emerged out of the late 'sixties folk scene to join Fairport Convention. For them, she brought classic songs like Fotheringay and Who Knows Where the Time Goes, as well as lending her glorious voice to the classic folk songs and Thompson/Swarbick classics that made up the epochal Liege and Lief. With that she left the band, though continue to be part of a wider Fairport circle of musicians. She produced four solo studio albums: the first two pretty brilliant, though all undermined on occasions by overly bombastic string arrangements (perhaps owed to her record company's pressure for sales). For many, she is only known for her singing on Led Zep's Battle of Evermore. Tragically, she died young.

Recent years have seen increasing interest in her work. As a result, some of those songs have emerged in more stripped down forms, notably on the box set A Boxful of Treasures. These songs were from The North Star Grassman and the Ravens and Like an Old Fashioned Waltz:

mp3 Sandy Denny: Next Time Around
mp3 Sandy Denny: At the End of the Day

On the same box set is a lovely song which was left off Rendezvous, in full and stripped down versions. Here's the later:

mp3 Sandy Denny: Full Moon

As a bonus, Mark Olson (once of the Jayhawks) produced this song on his new album, The Salvation Blues:

mp3 Mark Olson: Sandy Denny

I will return to matters Fairport et al anon.

Buy Sandy Denny here; Mark Olson here

Evan Dando live

2008-05-28T09:17:00.003+01:00

Went to see Evan Dando playing one of the unadvertised gigs at The Cluny in Newcastle on Monday, and mighty fine he was too. He played the whole of It's a Shame About Ray, then lots of other stuff, all solo just accompanied by acoustic guitar. Interestingly, some of the highlights were from his solo stuff. Here's two oldies done on acoustic:

mp3 The Lemonheads: Confetti (acoustic)
mp3 The Lemonheads: Down About It (acoustic)

From his solo album Baby I'm Bored, one of the highlights of the gig:

mp3 Evan Dando: All My Life

And a live version of the old Gram Parsons classic:

mp3 Evan Dando: $1000 Wedding (live)

Buy here.

Vetiver: Things of the Past

2008-05-22T20:08:00.002+01:00

Vetiver's covers album does something a bit different, going back to the '60s and '70s, with a great country-rock feel, Try these:

mp3 Vetiver: Roll on Babe
mp3 Vetiver: Road to Ronderlin

For fun, here's one of the originals (the cds still not in print; do it):

mp3 Ronnie Lane: Roll on Babe

Buy here.

Bon Iver

2008-05-18T21:29:00.006+01:00

Big news in the Observer et al, Bon Iver's album For Emma, Forever Ago is a must for all of us who love a proper I loved her and she's gone number. It's a real must:

mp3 Bon Iver: The Wolves Acts I & II
mp3 Bon Iver: Blindsided

And from Later with Jools Holland:

mp3 Bon Iver: Flume (live)

But the album here, download DRM-free here.

Elvis Costello: Momofuku

2008-05-17T10:24:00.003+01:00

Elvis Costello has finally brought out a new rock'n'roll album. Everytime he does this, it's nailed as the great comeback (and a sense of relief from all the left field experimentation and collaborations) and turns out not to be; I suspect this will be the case here. Nonetheless, it is very rare that a Costello album doesn't contain something great. What will it be on this? If we still had singles, I suspect this would be it:

mp3 Elvis Costello and the Imposters: American Gangster Time

When the last rock'n'roll album came out, the stand out track turned out to be this song. here it is in an alternative version:

mp3 Elvis Costello and the Imposters: Country Darkness (Clarksdale Sessions)

And here is a little rarity, from a tribute album to June Carter Cash.

mp3 Elvis Costello: Ring of Fire

Buy the music here.

Lest we Forget: Van Morrison's Veedon Fleece

2008-05-17T08:42:00.005+01:00

Veedon Fleece. 1974, was the last of the great run of masterpieces Van Morrison produced, that began with Astral Weeks. The later ones tend to be forgotten. Veedon Fleece is steeped in Irish pastoral, and still sounds as fantastic now. Try these:

mp3 Van Morrison: Linden Arden Stole the Highlights (removed by request)
mp3 Van Morrison: Streets of Arklow (removed by request)

From the previous year, a previously unreleased track that came out on The Philosopher's Stone:

mp3 Van Morrison: Try for Sleep (removed by request)

The cd doesn't seem to in print at the moment. Why not?

Hayden

2008-05-13T20:52:00.003+01:00

After a gap of four long years Hayden returns with In Field & Town. A genuine one-off, he writes fantastic songs. From the new one, try this for size

mp3 Hayden: Lonely Security Guard

Of the older stuff, these very much float my boat still:

mp3 Hayden: Home By Saturday
mp3 Hayden: Carried Away
mp3 Hayden: Bad as they Seem (long version)

Buy Hayden here.

Lest we Forget: Pere Ubu's Dub Housing

2008-05-11T09:16:00.004+01:00

Coming out in 1978, Pere Ubu's Dub Housing took the new wave somewhere else altogether, to produce a surreal gothic masterpiece. Off kilter rockers collided with droning incantations. Beefheart meets the Velvets? Or not? Try these:

mp3 Pere Ubu: Dub Housing
mp3 Pere Ubu: On the Surface

Buy the album here and download DRM-free here.

Travel by Sea

2008-05-11T08:56:00.004+01:00

The new album by Travel by Sea, Days of My Escape, is out. It's folkie, a bit of J. Tillman, with a bit of electronica... a fine sound. Try these:

mp3 Travel by Sea: Truth Was
mp3 Travel by Sea: Too Much too Quickly

And from their first album, Shadows Rise:

mp3 Travel by Sea: I Won't let You Down

And a bonus, a fine cover of the Will Johnson (Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel) song:

mp3 Travel by Sea: Closing Down My House

Buy here, DRM-free download here.

The Dexateens

2008-05-08T07:13:00.003+01:00

Just discovered The Dexatens. A heady blend of country rock. What's even better, you can download their album Lost and Found for free from their website here. If you want taster, try this:

mp3 The Dexateens: Lost and Found

Also, try the title track from their earlier Red Dust Rising:

mp3 The Dexateens: Red Dust Rising

Buy their music here, download drm-free here.

Gary Louris & other Jayhawks

2008-05-06T20:52:00.004+01:00

The Jayhawks were one of the ultimate alt-country bands. Their long collapse saw solo records emerge. The last was main songwriter Gary Louris, who has released his first solo album Vagabonds. Try this:

mp3 Gary Louris: True Blue

Mark Olson released a fine solo album last year, The Salvation Blues. Try this:

mp3 Mark Olson: Clifton Bridge

Tim O'Reagan has a solo album, which I'll get to soon, Meanwhile try this stripped down version of a great song he did for the Jayhawks:

mp3 The Jayhawks: Tampa to Tulsa

And the band as it was. Try this acoustic live version:

mp3 The Jayhawks: Blue

Bu the artists music here.

Lest we Forget: Suede's Dog Man Star

2008-05-04T20:52:00.004+01:00

Of all britpop's finest, Suede had it all. The great tunes, soaring vocals and Bowie impersonations. Try these:

mp3 Suede: The Wild Ones
mp3 Suede: The Power

Buy Suede here.

Sun Kil Moon: April

2008-05-01T20:44:00.003+01:00

Mark Kozelek's Red House Painters made a series of great records. Sun Kil Moon's newie April continues that line of opened out melancholia. Try this:

mp3 Sun Kil Moon: Moorestown

As a bonus, a bit of Kozelek solo:

mp3 Mark Kozelek: Rock'n'Roll Singer
mp3 Mark Kozelek: New Jersey (live)

Buy here, download some drm-free here

Lest we Forget: the live recordings of Townes van Zandt

2008-04-27T21:49:00.003+01:00

The great man is long gone, but the more the long lost live recordings become evident the more the man's genius is clear.

Try these:

mp3 Townes van Zandt: Pancho & Lefty (Rear View Mirror)
mp3 Townes van Zandt: Tecumseh Valley (Bluebird Cafe)
mp3 Townes van Zandt: Lungs

Buy the artist here, download drm-free here.

Whiskeytown's Strangers Almanac reissued

2008-04-26T09:45:00.003+01:00

From early on in Ryan Adam's career, Whiskeytown's major label debut had some great songs. It's now reissued, with (as is the fashion) a whole load of extra stuff. From the original album, try this:

mp3 Whiskeytown: Losering

From the extras, try these:

mp3 Whiskeytown: 16 Days (acoustic)
mp3 Whiskeytown: Nurse with the Pills (live)

Buy here.

Lest we Forget: Lloyd Cole's Rattlesnakes

2008-04-20T08:48:00.003+01:00

The early to mid-1980s saw a lot of crap produced, much of it now sounding horribly dated by those tinny synthetics (especially the drum sound). Lloyd Cole's debut still sounds of its time, but has lasted well; literate and tuneful pop music at its best. Try these:

mp3 Lloyd Cole & the Commotions: (Are You Ready to be) Heartbroken
mp3 Lloyd Cole & the Commotions: Down on Mission Street

I don't think Cole ever quite hit the same heights again, thoiugh these two from the follow-up East Pieces are both killers:

mp3 Lloyd Cole & the Commotions: Lost Weekend
mp3 Lloyd Cole & the Commotions: Perfect Blue

Here's a lovely live recording:

mp3 Lloyd Cole: Why I Love Country Music (live)

Buy Lloyd Cole here.

Centro-Matic & South San Gabriel

2008-04-18T15:34:00.003+01:00

The new album's here (well, double album). Centro-Matic's half seems to be hard rocking and loud; South San Gabriel widens the musical palate whilst keeping the usual melancholy. Try these from Dual Hawks:

mp3 Centro-Matic: I, Kite
mp3 South San Gabriel: Emma Jane

Buy Centro-Matic and South San Gabriel here, download DRM-free here.