Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers - 'Notes From the Archive: Recordings 2011-2016'

I had never heard of her prior to two weeks ago. I read a few lines of a review, checked out a few seconds of song samples and ordered this. It was more than next day delivery but even next day would have been too long of a wait.

How could I have not have known? I can't know everything but there's no way these songs should have passed by me all these years without notice. 

Starts with an Indie Rock vibe but feels more Singer/Songwriter the deeper you get. Reminds of new discoveries made during late night listening sessions of Oregon Public Broadcasting radio. 

And I love the simplicity and the black of the cover art. All you really need is the basics.  

Highlights after two listens are, 'Wolves', 'Blood Ballet' and 'Does It Feel Slow?' which is a duet with Holden Jaffe (another new name for me), but every song feels incredibly must listen vital.

"I'm not waiting for the wolves to rip my heart out, I'm not waiting for the wolves."

Jack Teagarden

'1944' from Jack Teagarden & His Orchestra.

Big Band Jazz. On vinyl. A compilation of his recordings from 1944.

Jack Teagarden sings and plays trombone.

 

Opera ..... Verdi

Verdi - "Requiem"

From, 'Verdi - The Complete Works', a 75 CD box set. 

So whoever thought that I would be listening to opera? ....... and liking it!!!!  But that's what has happened on this cold winter late night!!!

Found a couple of these at the Friends of the Library, used bookstore. Since I was chatting with a Twitter friend just a few days ago about opera, I thought that maybe I should take a chance. And there's more there. Maybe not the entire Decca Records collection shown here but a third of it. All appearing to be incredibly clean and in near mint condition. And now, as I type these words, I've discovered that there's two discs in each package. Another genre now has representation in my collection. 

A Strange Dream

 'A Strange Dream' by Smokescreens

Listening to on Youtube. In consideration for possible purchase. What would be described as Jangle Pop. Expect lots of guitars and a bouncy sound. And yes, the cover art is a factor once again!!

Went ahead and made the purchase on vinyl. The collection gets exponentially cooler.

12/12/20 .... And now it has arrived in the mail!!! I love next day delivery!!

Eddie Condon

On Vinyl. Never heard of the musician but again I loved the cover photo and it was in the dollar bin so I thought why not ....It's a tribute to his friends in the Jazz world according to the sub-title. People such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, The Gershwin's and others ..... 

More vital history lessons!!!

It's from 1956, the tear I was born which is another reason to listen.

McKinney's Cotton Pickers

McKinney's Cotton Pickers

Released in 1957 on ten inch vinyl. It's Big Band Jazz from the 1920's. Found  while digging through bins of old Jazz recordings. 

Feels like I'm watching history pass by. 

I love the cover art. Probably would have just kept digging right on by it had I not taken notice of the cover. Cover Art matters!!!

Desert Island Albums

I could make a desert island album list every week and each might change slightly but would have most of these records listed most of the time. There's no way I can limit it to five or ten. Even twenty is a struggle .....

• Neil Young - After the Goldrush
• Keith Jarrett - Koln Concert .... Heard for the first time on late night FM-radio. Improvisational piano Jazz. My first Jazz album. Timeless.
• Son Volt - Okemah and the Melody of Riot .... Discovered Son Volt before I discovered the band that they came out of, Uncle Tupelo.
• Peter Gabriel - So
• U2 - The Joshua Tree .... When it first came out (vinyl) I listened exclusively to the side that had the songs that received radio play. It wasn't until years later that I discovered the greatness of side two.
• Jackson Browne - Late For the Sky ..... Eighteen years old. Freshman in college. Away from home for the first time and listening to this each day.
• Bob Dylan - Blood On the Tracks .... Same as above. Got to know all these songs intimately. Terribly homesick and it helped to get me through that first year of college.
• Bob Dylan - Slow Train Coming
• Cat Stevens - Tea For The Tillerman .... Early 1970's. The phone on the wall rang. I answered. A friend on the other end of the line told me to be quiet and listen. 
• John Coltrane - Giant Steps .... The first CD that I purchased. Made the transition from vinyl to compact disc just a little easier and less stressful. Though I did find my way back to vinyl years later.
• Pete Yorn - Musicforthemorningafter ...... That's the title. No spaces between the words.
• Traveling Wilburys - Traveling Wilburys Volume 1
• Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon .... Heard him in concert in Portland, 1976, opening for Jackson Browne and was hooked from the first song, 'Frank and Jessie James.'
• Warren Zevon - Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School
• Yo La Tengo - Fade
• Tom Petty - Wildflowers
• Guess Who - Wheatfield Soul
• Bonnie Raitt - Home Plate
• Little Feat - Under the Radar .... My old friend and Little Feat lover Mitch (RIP) always refused to listen to the post-Lowell George era recordings, I couldn't even get him to listen to this one. It's my favorite though.
• John Hiatt - Slow Turning
• The Feelies - Here Before
• Portland Cello Project - Portland Cello Project
• Donald Fagan - The Nightfly
• Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown
• Neil Young - Harvest

I would just have to go down with the ship. I would never be able to swim to that desert island with all the albums that I struggle to choose from.

• Jackson Browne - For Everyman
• Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water ..... 'The Boxer' might be the greatest song ever written. They certainly don't write songs like this anymore.
• Liz Story - Escape of the Circus Ponies ..... Solo piano stories without words. Very visual for me. 
• Keith Jarrett - Changeless .... Hypnotic in spots. Beautiful throughout. Improvisational Jazz trio.
• Colin Linden - Through the Storm, Through the Night
• Sonny Landreth - Levee Town .... Slide guitar heaven!!!
• Eugene Friesen - New Friend .... Turn out the lights and prepare to be taken places. Majestic cello!!
• Joseph Arthur - Big City Secrets .... Put on the headphones at Borders one night ..... 
• John Prine - Common sense .... Picked it up because I read that Jackson Browne was singing background vocals on a song. Discovered John Prine!!!
• Jolene - In the Gloaming
• Peter Himmelman - From Strength to Strength

When starting, this was supposed to be ten favorites. Though I knew I could never limit it to that. The list could easily be much longer than the above. Fifty years of listening and collecting tends to have that effect on a person. There's two choices: List everything or nothing!!!

• The Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse

12/25/20 ...... And two very recent additions ......

• The Bats - Foothills
• Maggie Rogers - Notes From the Archive: Recordings 2011-2016

The Glands

The Glands - 'Double Coda'

I know next to nothing about The Glands. Perhaps less than nothing. This was a blind compact disc buy. Stumbled upon three different albums, listened to thirty second (if that) samples of a couple songs and went with my gut feeling. Really had no idea at what I would discover but further hesitation might just mean losing out

The opening song, 'So High,' has a Beatlesesque vibe.

I hear bits and pieces that suggest influences from The Replacements and The Rolling Stones. 

From what I read, this is a collection of unreleased tracks. Great tunes here!! And apparently I still have the released tracks to look forward to. My instincts came through again!!

The Ellington Suites

Duke Ellington - The Ellington Suites.

An antique shop find on vinyl.

Jazz pieces recorded in 1959 and the early 1970's. Three separate suites that fit well together.

Impressions of side one .... It alternates between big-band, cinematic type songs and smaller, quartet ballads.

'The Single Petal of a Rose' is a beautiful tender piano ballad with a hint of cello.

'Apes and Peacocks' sounds like it could have been written for a movie. Perhaps a film such as the original 'Little Shop of Horrors.' In this case that's a good thing. 

Tomorrow..... A more focused listen to side two when not multi-tasking.

I love the cover photo and the mix of green and black. Eye catching!!! Causes the desire to flip it over for further checking it out/

Scene Creamers

A totally blind buy!! Attracted by the cover art. 

The Scene Creamers - 'I Suck On That Emotion' From 2003 and on vinyl. A definite upgrade to the collection.

There's a sticky pad note attached that informs: "Members of The Make Up" Well I don't know The Make Up either. 

While listening, The Rolling Stones and The Stooges came to mind. Hints of Psychedelia and Post-Punk. 

I'm becoming quite accomplished in the art of blind buying. My working theory is, Go with the cover art if the price is right. It's a gamble but after fifty years of record buying, the instincts are usually correct. This was one of three blind buys from a Saturday afternoon bin digging session. My idea of fun.

Saturate Before Using

Jackson Browne's self titled first album .... also known as 'Saturate Before Using.'

Bought this 48 years ago and have likely listened to it at several dozen times or more over the years. Most likely one of the first fifty records added to my, at the time, beginning and growing collection. I heard 'Rock Me On the Water' and "Doctor My Eyes' on the radio and his music became my go-to sounds for the next twenty-five years.

Saw this in my downtown antique shop, .... where the guy working there always calls me "young man," .... and with a note attached (from a trusted source) that informs, "Early Pressing" and I don't have to look to know that it's in great condition ..... and well I couldn't pass that up, even if it is a duplicate copy. And especially after gazing at the song titles and getting all excited and feeling like it was 1972 again. 

I tried listening as if it was my first time. But that's tough to pull off. It's actually has been quite awhile since my last listen. 

So why would I buy such a thing if I already have a copy? ..... Because the sleeve has a different feel (texture) compared to my own, often spun, original copy, I'm a  huge fan, an obsessed collector and mostly because I'm a nerd!!

Mathias Eick

'Skala' from Mathias Eick. On ECM Records from 2011.

ECM's motto, 'The most beautiful sound next to silence.' ..... I've probably mentioned that here a time or two previously.

Trumpet player.

My continuing search for new sounds and directions in Jazz has led to the discovery of Mathias Eick.

And a bonus with beautiful cover art!! Which has become a general necessity these days to be added to my collection.  

AND it's on vinyl!!! 

There's two additional recordings currently in the mail. It appears that I'm officially hooked. 

Steely Dan Playlist

I don't know why I'm doing this. Don't know why I'm torturing myself. Few things make me so achingly nostalgic. So sad for lost youth. But here goes. A Steely Dan playlist .....

Doctor Wu ..... These days, this is where Steely Dan's music starts for me.

My Old School ..... Might as well just get out the old yearbook and inflict nostalgic memories of what once was. Remembering the old faces and places as I listen.

Rikki Don't Lose That Number ..... This is the one that now says, high school to me. And I don't think it actually received radio play until I was out of high school.

Deacon Blues ..... I wasn't much of a fan initially. But the album, 'Aja' grabbed my attention. By then I had some getting acquainted to do.

Dirty Work

Throw Back the Little Ones

Kid Charlemagne ..... "And I'm never going back to my old school."  It is more difficult than I would have ever thought.

Hey Nineteen ..... "Please take me along when you slide on down."

Only A Fool Would Say That

49th Parallel

Neil Swainson Quintet - '49th Parallel'

A recent vinyl reissue of this 1989 album arriving at my front door. I'm really loving when that happens.

I love the packaging on this record. Gatefold sleeve with liner notes and an interview. Just the way that it all is presented ..... catches my eye.

Previously unknown Jazz sounds. Neil Swainson is a bass player. Original songs except for one Joe Henderson cover. And there's a bonus download track to be found in the packaging.

It's amazing how there's always something old, especially with Jazz, that's exciting and unique to discover. That's new to one's ears.

Trumpeter Woody Shaw's final studio recording.

I do wish that they had kept the original 1989 album cover for this reissue. I would have purchased that upon first sighting, no song samples needed .....

London Jazz News Review

Ghost of David

'Ghost of David' by Damien Jurado.

You just might see his photo next to an entry in your dictionary for Indie singer/songwriter. Early stripped down Neil Young meets Nick Drake and Elliott Smith. 

Not my first Damien Jurado experience. I have at least a half dozen of his albums. Was feeling extreme frustration at the ongoing non-delivery of his latest and discovered this gem while messaging amazon support. So great things do sometimes arise from displeasure. And I've been assured that the initial frustration will ease by this coming Friday .... "at the latest." I'll likely play this album three or four times before then.

From 2000 on Sub Pop records. Usually an indication of quality. Beautiful melodies are to be found within!! 

On the song 'Paxil' he shows that he can switch direction and rock as well as anyone. Surrounding it are more acoustic sounds. 'Walk With Me' reminds of Neil Young's, 'Love in Mind.'

Mix-Tape For You, From A Life Of Listening

 If I could sit down and create s mix-tape tonight for you, wherever you are .....

• Steely Dan - My Old School ..... More than anything else, their music causes flashbacks to high school.
• Neil Young - Tell Me Why ..... I never tire of hearing this. You say, "Neil Young" and this is almost always the first song that comes to mind.
• Son Volt - Back Into Your World
• Bob Dylan - Precious Angel
• Tom Rush - River Song ..... I have this memory from fifteen or twenty years ago, of sitting in my car in a parking lot, waiting for my Mom to arrive for a lunch date and this song playing on my ipod.
• Mike Oldfield - Moonlight Shadow
• The Eagles - Peaceful Easy Feeling ..... Always been the first song that comes to mind when FM-Radio is mentioned.
• Gordon Lightfoot - Seven Island Suite ..... As goofy as it might sound, I used to visualize myself strumming along, adding an additional air acoustic guitar to the song.
• Warren Zevon - Accidently Like a Martyr ..... "We made mad love, shadow love, random love and abandoned love, accidently like a martyr." 

Gold Record

'Gold Record' by Bill Callahan.

I know next to nothing about Bill Callahan. He's a new voice for me that I stumbled across while perusing possibly Amazon or itunes, where he seems to be very popular.. A low key singer/songwriter that I've been trying to decide who he reminds me of. Maybe a cross between Bill Morrissey, Greg Brown and Tom Rush .... which certainly adds up to a good thing. More Bill Morrissey than the others.

This recording has just been released.

Pitchfork Review

Pieces Of A Man

Gil Scott-Heron - 'Pieces Of a Man'

A recent vinyl find of this 1971 recording.

I think my introduction to his music was forty years ago with the 'No Nukes' benefit concert compilation and his contribution, 'We Almost Lost Detroit.'

Great lyricist. 

All Music Guide Review

"I saw my daddy greet the mailman                          And I heard the mailman say                                "Now don't you take this letter to heart now Jimmy      Cause they've laid off nine others today"                  He didn't know what he was saying                          He could hardly understand                                    That he was only talking to                                  Pieces of a man."

Drive-by Playlist

Another Saturday playlist. Just because. Just stuff heard on the radio in hopes of hearing something new where I feel the need to investigate further  ..... 

• Angie McMahon - Keeping Time ..... Sounds a little like The Pretenders to my aged ears.
• White Stripes - 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues ..... I'm reminded of Bob Dylan now. 'Tom Thumbs Blues' to be specific.
• The Sea and Cake - Harps
• Land of Talk - Weight of the Weekend *****
• Kingsley Ibeneche - My Freedom
• The Black Keys - Run Right Back
• Sault - Over
• Leon Bridges - Sweeter
• Love - Skid
• Gorillaz - Aries *****
• Daniel Romano - A Rat Without a Tail ..... Geez, I sure hope that's not the true inspiration behind the song.
• Elephant Stone - Motherless Child (Love's Not For War)
• SASAMI - Not The Time
• The Decemberists - This Is Why We Fight
• Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream

The Clean

'Getaway' by The Clean.

A vinyl find!! Indie Rock.

A new band for me, discovered in the wake of my record store closing and the resulting increase in  research for new sounds. I just can't physically stumble onto new things like usual. Discovering that there is something exciting about finding new music on your doorstep.

Incredible cover art, which is also on display inside the gatefold and individual record sleeves. (It's a double LP with a bonus cd.) Eye catching cover art has become a huge purchasing factor for me these days.

Frenzy

In the wake of my local record store of choice's closing, I've gone on a feeding frenzy of searching and buying in an attempt to upgrade my collection. At the same time, I've been guilty of binge viewing of all these YouTube Vinyl Community videos, (The "VC"), which have resulted in placing depraved ideas in my head. Things I don't have and that I really should have if I ever aspire to truly hold my head up high and look incredibly hip and cool in The VC. Not to forget whoever comes across this collection in the days after I depart this world. Because I still want to look cool even after passing.

So I've been all over Amazon, armed with ideas and at the same time cleaning up on local going out of business bargains and even a spur of the moment road trip to my long ago college town where when passing by their downtown record store thought to myself; "Why not?"  Saving money being the only con I could think of, I strapped on my face mask and ventured inside.

So now for the first time, I have some Iggy Pop & The Stooges, The Fugs, The Fall, The Bats, Eyelids, The Standells, Filthy Friends, 9 Below Zero, Manfred Man BBC Recordings and much more in my collection. And I've also been on the focused mission of a completist to acquire all Elbow recordings and get more Bill Frisell Jazz guitar sounds.

I've even thumbed through the one dollar bins .... until now an aspect of record collecting that I've always avoided, not so much out of extreme snobbery (well maybe a little of that) but more the fact that they always seem to be in boxes on the floor and I have a thing about bending over and/or getting on my knees in public places, but this waist level search resulting in a good condition David Blue original vinyl find from 1973 with the endlessly cool Asylum Records platter label which I first came across in my teenage years as an early era Jackson Browne and Eagles fanatic and a few years later, Warren Zevon. Surely I couldn't pass that up. I'm pretty sure that would have been one of those 'mortal sins' I've always tried to veer away from since hearing of them in my Catholic grade school days.

And this is just the beginning it seems because I'm an incredible nerd and an addict and never truly satisfied and even after occasional bouts of gazing upon the clutter and wondering if all this is getting out of control, the mood quickly fades and transitions into withdrawal pains which in my case is generally a period of one or two days of abstinence before said pains kick in.

Late Night Frenzy

Just another late night hour (or two) with OPB Music Radio .....

• Best Coast - Boyfriend
• Cloud Cult - Chemicals Collide
• No Aloha - In Your Car
• RAC - Passion
• Caveman - Thankful
• Kyle Craft - Of Lucky Hand
• Eleanor Friedberger - He Didn't Mention His Mother
• Deerhoof - Future Teenage Cave Artists
• The Good The Bad and the Queen - The Poison Tree
• Margaret Glaspy - Stay With Me
• Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
• Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Faded In the Morning
• Caroline Rose - Feel the Way I Want 

Little Fictions

'Little Fictions' by Elbow. 

One of those great music collecting moments when you discover a band or musician who is new to your ears but who has actually been around for twenty years and has a sizeable catalogue of recordings already released. But then you wonder why it took you so damn long to make the discovery. First heard late at night on Oregon Public Broadcasting Radio, initially thinking, 'Hey new Peter Gabriel music!! Wrong once again though!! Helping now to keep me busy during this pandemic, purchasing their music in various physical formats. 

Short But Great OPB Radio Playlist

• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Bad Brood *****
• The National - Conversation 16
• Elbow - The Delayed 3:15  ..... I keep mistaking Elbow's lead singer for Peter Gabriel. I'm sure that Guy Garvey will enjoy reading that. But hey!! It kept me listening the first time. It sent me on a voyage of discovery.
• Julien Baker - Something
• The Decemberists - Make You Better ..... And their from Oregon!!!

Gil Scott-Heron

'Secrets' by Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson.

Many years ago, I heard the Gil Scott-Heron protest song, 'We Almost Lost Detroit' on the 'No Nukes' compilation. Purchased this record as a further exploration into his music.

Racial injustice protests from the late 1970's.

The Folk Implosion

'Dare to be Surprised' by The Folk Implosion.

Not exactly folky.

Indie Rock minimalism. Basically two guys sounding as if they are playing great songs in their garage. Found three vinyl 45's recently in my record store resulting in ordering this album on compact disc. It arrived in my mailbox and went straight to the cd player!! And still waiting on the highly anticipated  arrival of another.

Afternoon OPB Playlist

A rare early afternoon session with OPB Music. Usually reserved for late nights.

Sudden sad news yesterday that my local record store is closing. No indication beforehand that it was being considered, even as I spoke to one of the owners the day before about sisters (mine) and fathers (hers). It says '#retirement' on the store's facebook page but I can't help but wonder if the sight of too many people in the store with limited floor space during this covid crap has something to do with it? I know that it caused me to feel uncomfortable and exit much sooner than I usually would have. I actually wondered at the time if they were feeling uncomfortable as well? If they saw closing the store as the only option for staying safe and healthy?

• The Strokes - The Adults Are Talking
• The Beths - Dying to Believe
• Post Animal - Special Moment
• The Cure - Lovesong ..... A classic from the 1980's.
• Leon Bridges - Sweeter
• The Velvet Underground - Femme Fatale
• Elbow - White Noise White Heat ..... I hear something in this that reminds me of Peter Gabriel.
• Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
• Margaret Glaspy - Devotion
• Pinegrove - Phase
• Doves - Winter Hill *****
• Mondo Cozmo -  Upside Down
• Soccer Mommy - Lucy
• Christian Lee Hutson - Get the Old Band Back Together ..... First time I've ever heard the words in song: "You know I can still kick all your asses."
• The Airborne Toxic Event - Hollywood Park

Another OPB Radio Playlist

Late night, in and out of the room, tuned in to OPB Music Radio, playlist .....

• Hanni El Khatib - ALIVE
• Caribou - Home
• The Clash - Spanish Bombs ..... Their 'London Calling' album continues to be one of the holes in my vinyl collection. Can't ever find it at a price I am willing to pay. 
• Car Seat Headrest - Can't Cool Me Down
• The Pixies - All Over the World
• Cloud Control - Scar ..... The highlight of the listening session.
• Andrew Bird - Fake Palindromes ..... What's a palindrome?
• Brownish Black - Dance Fever ..... Reminding of the disco dance competition television show from the 1980's.
• Phosphene - Cocoon

Terry Riley

'Lisbon Concert' by Terry Riley. Improvisational piano. Jazz or Classical, I'm not sure.

I wouldn't compare it to Keith Jarrett's, 'Koln Concert' but there's moments that bring those sounds to mind. Certainly not the minimalism that Terry Riley usually engages in.

Walking Proof

'Walking Proof' by Lilly Hiatt. Just recently released.

I've been a huge fan of her father, John Hiatt, for  .... Well since the late 1980's. upon discovering his, 'Bring the Family' album. Apparently great songwriting runs in the family.

Just stumbled upon this during my first actual record store visit since early March. It's only been out a couple months. Hard to believe that someone already turned this in to be placed in the used, 'new arrivals' compact disc crates.

And now I have her three previous albums to check out.

Been finding several examples lately of 'Just when you think there's no more new music to discover ...... '

May 1977 Late Night Jazz

Because I came across an empty cassette case that I had labeled: 'Steve Kuhn ..... Side One ..... album "Motility"  ..... And dated the recording to tape, 5-11-77. It was from a Portland, OR radio station late night broadcast program, called 'Light's Out.' Anyway, the tape is missing so this is what came up when I entered 'Steve Kuhn - Motility" in a youtube search.

There are several other items on this tape. It was just a younger me, recording from radio broadcasts of this program over several nights. There's some Chick Corea, 'The Hilltop', Keith Jarrett from his 'Facing You'  album. Also some Gary Burton from his 'Passengers' album, some title less John Abercrombie, plus music from a 'State of Siege' soundtrack .... and more.

Good chance that this was my introduction to Jazz.

Buffalo Tom Again

'Quiet and Peace' by Buffalo Tom. From 2018.

Favorite song .... 'Freckles'. The album ends with a rockier cover version of the Simon & Garfunkel song, 'The Only Living Boy In New York.'

Great Indie Rock band and more great cover art!! One that I wish I had on vinyl.

Sunday Evening Playlist

Sunday night listening to OPB Music Radio, hoping to discover something new.

• Houndstooth - No News From Home
• Michael Nau - Hoops ..... OK so now I'm thinking about basketball, even if that's not what the song is about.
• Woods - Where Do You Go When You Dream? ..... Seems like frightening places more often than pleasant places.
• Phantogram - Into Happiness
• The Black Keys - Gold on the Ceiling
• Deer Tick - Mange ..... 'Mange'? I'm going to attempt to use that on the word game I play online.
• Stephen Malkmus - Shadowbanned
• Laura Marling - The Muse
• Ages and Ages - No Nostalgia ..... That's always been one of my biggest problems .... Way too much nostalgia. For everything that's passed it seems.
• Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
• Weyes Blood - Something to Believe
• The National - Bloodbuzz, Ohio

The Bats

I've been viewing a ton of videos on YouTube of people showing off their vinyl record collections. It was there that I was introduced just a few days ago to The Bats ….

The album, 'Daddy's Highway' ….. Just received in the mail. On vinyl. I love the colors used in the cover art!! From 1987. The Bats were from New Zealand. This is their first full length album. I've seen it called Indie Rock and Power Pop. Just an enjoyable listen!!

20 Miles

'I'm a Lucky Guy' by 20 Miles.

If it's on Fat Possum Records, you can pretty much assume it will be good!!!

Judah Bauer from Jon Spencer Blues Explosion on guitar with his brother on drums. Minimalist Rock tunes. I was surprised to notice that it's from 1998. I thought it was much more recent.

CSNY 1974

In case there's people who never knew their early 1970's classic songs, CSNY is David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young.

Attempts in 1973 to record a new album to follow-up two highly successful records had fallen apart. A stadium tour was organized for the Summer of 1974 .... an attempt to test out new material with hopes leading to recording a new album following.

The new album never happened. CSNY splintered further afterwards and went in different directions in solo and duo efforts. At the time it seemed like a decade passed before CSN (without Young) got back together in 1977 to release a new record.

Six years ago, a box set from that tour was released. This is my first listen to the first disc in the set. Powerful harmonizing is what stands out.

Pedro the Lion & Buffalo Tom

'Control' by Pedro the Lion, from 2018. On colored vinyl. If I had to guess, a yellow-ish/gold-ish combination of colors. A sticker on the back of the album calls it "opaque yellow."

Indie Rock

I didn't used to care much for colored vinyl, but I'm becoming a enthusiastic convert in my old age.

I don't know much about the band, being fairly new to their sound. The cover art certainly grabbed my attention initially.

Also listening to a 2019 Record Store Day (One of my favorite holidays) release of the 1989 self titled debut album by Buffalo Tom.

I always arrive late, mid-afternoon, to these annual Record Store Day events as I don't care for the hours standing in long lines and crowds once inside my record store when the doors open in the morning. So I was extremely fortunate to find a copy of this. Though I'm thinking that I may have asked the owner to hold a copy for me under the counter. If true, than an advantage and perk to holding longtime customer status.

On a transparent colored vinyl that could possibly give a case of vertigo if stared at for long periods. Looks as if it's spinning in opposite directions.

More Indie Rock!! Not that there's ever anything wrong with that.

Bonuses!!! .... Inside the gatefold sleeve is a 12" print of the cover art. Inside the gatefold itself are two or three dozen photos.

Bonus Bootlegged Dylan

'Another Self Portrait' by Bob Dylan. Volume Ten in his Bootleg series. Alternate and unreleased recordings from 1969-1971 and sessions during the making of his albums, 'Self Portrait', 'New Morning' and 'Nashville Skyline'.

I've said it many times before but I wish all my favorite musicians would follow Dylan's lead and release more of their alternate takes, demos,  unreleased takes, etc. I enjoy listening to these recordings as much as I do the finished albums. What more could a completist ask for?

Like the other volumes in the series, there's also a booklet detailing the period in time and these recordings with dozens of photographs.

A couple highlights are a cover of Eric Andersen's song, 'Thirsty Boots' and a stunning piano and violin version of 'If Not For You'. Others include the beautiful 'Copper Kettle' and 'If Dogs Run Free'.

Tom Waits

'Orphans' by Tom Waits

What an incredible voice!!!

I don't know if I need to say anything more.

Instead of numbered discs, there's three discs titled; Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards. And a booklet with photographs.

If you've never heard Tom Waits, you really should. If you've heard and never appreciated his voice, you should really listen again.

Big Band Jazz Radio

A few years ago, I stumbled across this treasure trove of  recordings of old radio programs in an antique shop. There were nine or ten records in the bins. I knew nothing about them but the price was good so I took a chance on one, loved it and quickly returned to purchase the others. Shortly later, I discovered three or four more records from the series in my local record store.

Live recordings of Big Band Jazz and Swing from the 1930's and 40's on the Hindsight Records label. I think there's a few from 1950's programs as well. There's an announcer introducing each song which gives the feeling of sitting around a radio in those years, possibly on a Saturday or Sunday evening ..... Maybe a glimpse into what my parents and grandparents life may have been like.

Mono recordings. Interesting liner and song notes on the back side of each album cover. Part of my awakening in recent years into styles other than the music I grew up with. Sometimes the search for vinyl records leads to great discoveries. History!!!

Synchronicity

From 1983 as I recall. 'Synchronicity' by The Police. Difficult to believe that it's now almost forty years later. The rare three member band.

I've always wished that I was one of the voices in the background on 'King of Pain' singing ...... "That's my soul up there."

I was never much a fan of The Police until this record came along. And then they broke up shortly later.

Their sound mixed pieces of Rock, New Wave and Reggae and also originally Punk.

I recall a college girl that I worked with for a short time and who I was attempting to impress by mentioning that I was a fan of the band, informing me that she hated their song from a previous record, 'Roxanne.'

The Car Over the Lake Album

Back to the 70's again. 'The Car Over the Lake Album' by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. These days this would likely be called Americana.

The songs 'Whippoorwill,' 'Cobblestone Mountain' and 'Gypsy Forest' were once included on actual mix-tapes that were put together and presented to friends. Yes cassette tapes ..... The 'playlists' of the 1970's and 80's.

After the Goldrush

Sometimes you just need to go back to the old classics. The records that you grew up with and that have been with you for as long as you can recall. "After the Goldrush' by Neil Young.

This record was my introduction to Neil Young's music. 'Forced' to stop playing basketball, to sit and listen by the wise older brother of a best friend. From 1970, a time when Neil Young hadn't seemingly been around forever. His third album. (There was a period where I thought it was his first.) I don't recall if I had known of his involvement with Buffalo Springfield yet.

A record that's been on every Desert Island Disc list that I've ever compiled with pen and paper and an album where the entire lyrics have long been memorized from a nearly unreadable lyric sheet included with the vinyl record.

His style has gotten more electric and louder over the years and veered off into other directions occasionally but these largely acoustic Singer/Songwriter roots were my starting point. I've loved much of his work in the fifty years since After the Goldrush and its follow-up, Harvest came out but have always felt a little disappointment that nothing since has reached this level in my eyes. That's just me and my personal expectations and hopes.

Webster Young

I've become a huge fan in the last year of Jazz trumpet. I would much rather hear a trumpet than a saxophone ….. and that's considering that John Coltrane is my all-time favorite Jazz artist.

I don't actually have this in my collection. (Yet anyway.) Listening to it via YouTube. I love the muted trumpet on this. But what really grabbed my attention and shouted, LISTEN TO ME!!! ….. is the cover artwork. A search is underway to find this on vinyl. Compact disc is not good enough for this beautiful cover photograph!!!

From 1957, which I read somewhere recently is considered as the greatest year ever for Jazz recordings.

Melodic, beautiful and soulful!! A very enjoyable listen. There's a sense of sitting in a Jazz club, taking this in.

On the Prestige Records label, which is right there with Blue Note Records when it comes/came to consistently great Jazz recordings and cover art.

All Music Guide Review

Noel Pointer

Noel Pointer is a Jazz violinist. This record titled, 'Phantazia' is from 1977 on the Blue Note label. I put it on the turntable because I wanted to hear the song, 'Night Song.'

It's rare that I recall the exact store where I purchased a particular record from those days, but I found this while digging through the used records bins at Django's Records in Portland, OR. My copy still has the price tag on it ..... $3.25. I still recall the disappointment felt when walking into the same store sometimes in the early 1990's, full of the anticipation and excitement for a vinyl record treasure search and to discover that it had transitioned to all compact discs.

Seemed to me at the time, that should have been an amendment and addition to the list of mortal sins. I eventually got over it but still haven't recovered from the discovery one day that the store had gone out of business.  I've always mourned the loss of record stores. But I digress ..... Thankfully a few lasted and there's been a comeback.

A Random 60's Playlist

A little playlist from the 60's. Yes the 1960's. Most of these songs I would hear late at night listening to the radio while the rest of the house slept. This is where my interest in music really began. AM radio hits mostly. Soon to discover the FM dial.

• Gary Puckett and the Union Gap - Young Girl
• Otis Redding - Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay 
• Phil Ochs - Outside of a Small Circle of Friends
• Guess Who - These Eyes ….. This song is counter balanced by their song, 'Friends of Mine.' If not familiar, give it a listen sometime. 
• Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday
• Arthur Alexander - Anna (Go To Him) ….. The Beatles also recorded this song. I first heard it on the television program, 'Married With Children' as a song Al keeps hearing on the radio, that he loves from his youth but doesn't know the title.
• Eric Burdon and the Animals - San Francisco Nights ….. Introduced through the older brother of a friend, who was my first record collecting mentor.
• The Mindbendes - A Groovy Kind of Love
• The Foundations - Baby Now That I've Found You ….. This still gives me 'chills' that bring back the feelings of those times listening to the radio. Actually most of these songs do to a certain extent but none quite like this.
• Neil Diamond - Kentucky Woman ….. A few years later as a teenager, I took a lot of good natured grief for being a Neil Diamond fan. It wasn't thought to be cool. What the hell, I didn't care.

Mark Kozelek

Something a little different .....

The latest recording by Mark Kozelek titled 'All The Best, Issac Hayes.' Spoken word pieces with piano accompaniment about places he's visited while on tour.

As if he's sending out postcards or letters with what he sees in places like San Francisco, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Los Angeles  .....

David Ramirez

'Fables' by a Singer/Songwriter named David Ramirez, discovered just a few hours earlier while viewing videos on YouTube of peoples vinyl record collections and album suggestions.

This recording is from 2015.

Another example of just when I think there's nothing else to discover, something great rises up and presents itself. And it's like, "How could I not known of this?"

Early favorite tune …. 'Rock and a Hard Place.' ….. "But for all the things I've lost, there are a few I've gained. Most came between a rock and a hard place." Those lines speak to something emotional inside of whatever makes up what I have become!!

A Dose of The Blues

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'The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1969.' This is Volume three of a three part set on DVD.  Great black and white footage of various Blues musicians. Huge names in the history of The Blues playing on each others songs. Live recordings in small television studios during a European tour. I love the imagery that goes with each song. And each song is a treasure.

It seems that a different tune may stand out with each viewing. Today it was Hound Dog Taylor & Little Walter performing 'Wild About You.'

Other highlights …. Skip James performing 'All Night Long' and Koko Taylor singing 'Wang Dang Doodle.' 

There's no filler material on this set, just classic Acoustic (mostly) Blues. So if you have a couple hours …..

New Jason Isbell

New song from Jason Isbell titled 'Only Children'. He just keeps writing great tunes!! I've only listened to it four or five times tonight. From his new album to be released next week. One that I'm feeling extreme excitement about. Feels like old times, this anticipation for a new record. And there's nothing quite like the experience of listening to a new album for the first time.

Rolling Thunder Revue

There's almost 150 cuts and 633 minutes of music and chatter. Purchased this almost a year ago and because I've been attempting to be a Dylan completist, I felt called to pursue the entire collection of recordings. I initially tried to resist but that didn't work out so well. I'm finally breaking into these treasures tonight. Old memories of youth returning like it was just a short time ago. I look at something like this and have no idea where to start. The beginning seems too obvious. So I'm starting with the last disc in the collection.

I've always been fascinated with this period because Dylan was just coming off his album 'Blood On The Tracks' which I had gone through my Freshman year of college being obsessed with. At the time, the live recordings from this tour seemed like a letdown in comparison. Thankfully I see things much differently now. Time and history eventually break down misguided opinions.

I marvel at the thought that it's been almost half a century since these shows took place and that I was around at the time. These shows were all in the northeastern U.S. and Canada. I don't recall if Dylan passed through my Oregon on this tour. Amazing stuff!!

Late Night Playlist

Just another run of the mill, stay-at-home edition, Friday night / Saturday morning, OPB streaming playlist .....

• Kate Davis - Cloud

Well the song identification feature isn't updating so I'm not even sure if the song listed is correct. Instead I'll offer a quick, whatever comes to mind in this moment, stranded somewhere anywhere playlist ....

• Bob Dylan - Precious Angel
• Gordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My Mind
• Peter Gabriel - Red Rain ..... "I cannot make a single sound as you scream."
• Warren Zevon - Sentimental Hygiene
• Talking Heads - This Could Be The Place
• Sting - They Dance Alone
• Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World ..... Was hearing this song in my mind earlier this evening.
• Steely Dan - My Old School ..... Thinking about a friend who likes this song and gave me a new appreciation of it.
• Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays ..... Suddenly popped into my mind.
• Bad Company - Bad Company ..... Been having this song flash through my head for the past couple days. No idea why. Reminds me of a Christmas long ago and my parents giving me the album as a present.

Blue Mountain

'Midnight In Mississippi' by Blue Mountain. From 2008. Americana. Or Alt-Country if you prefer. Part of the 1990's direction taken by bands like Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Son Volt, Whiskeytown (Ryan Adams), The Jayhawks .... to name a few.

All Music Guide Review
Twangville Review

Todd

'Hermit of Mink Hollow' by Todd Rundgren.

I was a lukewarm fan in the 1970's. I enjoyed a few of his songs, the hits heard on the radio, but knew little else about him. My college roommate though was fanatical and would play this record several times a week. It was later in life that I started digging a little deeper.

In recent years the song, 'I Saw the Light' (not on this record) has become a go-to tune, maybe even a desert island song list choice of mine. I've come to love all Todd's classic tunes from my teenage and college years. It's not like they can be forgotten!! And I'd bet that my old college roommate is still digging out his vinyl for an occasional spin. I'll have to ask him.

Damien Jurado

Damien Jurado's 1999 album, 'Rehearsals For Departure.' Singer-songwriter from Seattle. On the Sub Pop record label which seems to produce many interesting Indie Rock recordings. One of those smaller labels trusted for quality sounds.

Favorite songs ..... 'Honey Baby' and 'Letters & Drawings.'

All Music Guide Review

Big Daddy Wilson

Picked this up this past summer just because I thought it looked interesting and a possible undiscovered gem. It's been waiting for a listen ever since ..... until today that is. Big Daddy Wilson is Wilson Blount. How to describe it? Well it's comparable to the music of Keb Mo. Given that is, that people know who Keb Mo is.

And I was correct in imagining that it's a hidden and unknown gem. At least to my ears.

Just Another Saturday Evening Playlist

If you have to be stuck at home during these stay-at-home times …. Well then a Saturday evening playlist could be just what one needs. No theme tonight other than where my mind and ears take me.

• Pearl Jam - Thumbing My Way ….. Heard tonight on Aussie, Three D Radio hosted by my Jackson Browne fan group friend, Jude and her husband, Rodney.
• Radio Moscow - Stinging ….. They're actually from Iowa. Also heard on Three D Radio.
• Avishai Cohen & Big Vicious - Teardrop ..... Sidetracked by new Jazz sounds. First heard this yesterday. Avishai Cohen is a trumpet player. Exploring alternate directions.
• Quiet Hollers - Almost Was Good Enough ..... From a Jason Molina tribute album titled 'Sing It Brother, One More Time.'  I think I've mentioned about seventy-five times now how huge a Jason Molina fan I am. 
• Jonatha Brooke - Annie ..... Her voice transports me to another late night a decade or two ago. Funny how the speed of time passing by messes up your perception of how long ago specific memories took place. Also funny how the smallest things can occasionally remain with you forever.
• Jonatha Brooke - At the Still Point ..... Sometimes you need a second helping!!!
• Big Daddy Wilson - Ain't Got No Money 
• Anders Osborne - Traveling With Friends

Friday Night Playlist (For Elle)

Friday night, and a mostly 'singer/songwriters', playlist. Because what else is there to do when you're under a shelter-at-home suggestion/directive? …..

• Eliza Gilkyson - Beauty Way
• Gary Louris - True Blue ….. One of the voices, until leaving of The Jayhawks.
• Ry Cooder - Straight Street
• Gene Clark - On Her Own
• Willard Grant Conspiracy - Good Morning Wadlow
• John Prine - Come Back To Us Barbara Lewis Hare Krishna Beauregard …. From his 'Common Sense' album, which was my introduction to John Prine's music, which I purchased several centuries ago because Jackson Browne was singing background vocals on a song or two, totally unaware of what I was about to discover. R.I.P. John Prine.
• Peter Himmelman - 245th Peace Song
• Yonder Mountain String Band - Take A Chance On Me ..... Because I needed a bit of a mandolin fix at this moment in time.
• Kathryn Claire - Never Be ..... "There was just me, There was just you."
• Peter Gabriel - The Veil ….. I think this is a reason for album releases. Great song but for some reason when standing by itself as a single it tends to fade from memory over time when not part of a greater work that gets repeated listens.
• The Gourds - Lower 48 ….. Because apparently I needed a little Zydeco vibe in my evening as well.
• Pops Staples - The Lady's Letter

Songs: Ohia

Self titled album which is basically the late Jason Molina. He recorded under this name and Magnolia Electric Co. Possibly Indie Rock, Alternative Country, Singer Songwriter is my best effort at a description. Terrifically prolific songwriter who recorded in the late 1990's into the 2000's. There are times when you can detect a definite Neil Young influence.

If you're new to his music you'll find a treasure chest of music to discover

Intelligent lyrics and essential listening!!!

All Music Guide Review

Gabor Szabo

Jazz from 1968. 'Dreams' by Hungarian Jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo.

Doesn't sound like anything that I've ever associated with the 1960's.

All Music Guide Review

Just Another Late Night Online Radio Listening Playlist

• Shearwater - The Snow Leopard
• Dum Dum Girls - Too True To Be Good
• Deerhunter - Plains

I can always count on being exposed to bands and music that are new to me. These late night listening sessions are quite possibly my main source of discovering new sounds these days. 

• Summer Cannibals - Not Your Turn
• Eyelids - The Accidental Falls
• Spoon - Black Like Me ..... There's a few seconds of piano that remind me of Martha My Dear by The Beatles. Not sure if anyone else would hear it.
• The Afghan Whigs - Algiers ..... One of those bands whose name I've seen around for years but have no idea what they sound like ..... until now that is. This has a slight early to mid 1980's, U2 feel to my ears. Further investigation required.
• Wajatta - Don't Let Get You Down
• The Raveonettes - Aly, Walk With Me
• King Tuff - Keep On Movin'

Prior to this listening session, I was making up a online grocery list but quit in frustration as every pickup date for the next week was apparently taken. I guess they don't want my money. 

• MAITA - Kid Anymore
• Fontaines D.C. - Boys In The Better Land
• Broken Social Scene - 7/4 (Shoreline) ..... Another familiar name and no previous idea of their sound. I think I saw a recording or two just this morning while looking at the Third Man Records page. Again, more investigation needed.
• Bright Eyes - Persona Non Grata
• Feist - I Feel It All ..... "I know more than I knew before." *****

Music Fest Northwest

Various musicians and bands playing at Portland's Music Fest Northwest in September of 2009.

One of those compilation discs that you come across while searching through boxes and boxes of used discs in your local record store. You see two or three bands listed that you've heard of and have some level of interest in and take a chance on the rest. Generally for fifty cents or a dollar.

In this case there's Portland Cello Project, Frightened Rabbit, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Portugal the Man and Blind Pilot among those involved.  The only disappointing aspect is it appears that only one of the twenty-one songs is live. The word, "fest" generally gives the impression of live music.

Cool cover artwork though!! It's in cardboard gatefold packaging with more artwork inside.

Favorite songs are 'We Sing In Time' by The Lonely Forest and 'Poke' by Frightened Rabbit, which is the solo live recording.

New Pearl Jam

'Gigaton' by Pearl Jam.

New Pearl Jam just released a week ago. (it's about time!!) The compact disc arrived in the mail this weekend and this is my initial listen. (We have time for such things these days.) I want another listen or two before giving an opinion on it besides that I love it. of course Eddie Vedder has one of the great voices of alltime so that will likely prejudice any thoughts that I have.

Judy Garland

It wasn't all that long ago when I would have never listened to Judy Garland. I would have never given it a chance. But with age came an interest in the music from the decades before I was born.

Big Band sounds from the late 1930's and 40's. This now is history to me ..... as much as any book I own. I want to hear these sounds that my parents most likely danced and sang along to. Bonus points for being on vinyl.

I don't recall purchasing this but I obviously did. Looking through the collection and there it was.