I'm People

One thing about me has never changed. I get absolutely giddy about new album releases with new songs ......

For the fifty-five plus years that I've been listening to and buying records, I've had different favorites, mostly defined and separated by a few years or a decade of close attention. As the years pass, favorites may fade a little in my eyes and ears, and new names enter for consideration. Over the last 10-15 years, there's been three or four musicians/bands that I've followed closely. One just released a very anticipated (by me) new record which arrived at my front door a few hours ago.

'I'm People' by Hiss Golden Messenger. 

For the past month or two, I've purposely avoided listening to anything from the album other than the first single that was released, (I couldn't resist all temptations), opting to let anticipation build and wait (very impatiently) for its arrival so I could plant myself in front of my stereo system and take it in, song-by-song, for the first listen, in its entirety ..... like we did in the days before the internet and song samples and previews galore.

First listen and I've given three songs, 5-star ratings ....  Shaky Eyes, Mercy Avenue and Depends on the River.

I'm sure that with time, one or two others will also end up on that list.

And I'm thinking I'll be listening again tomorrow .... that's if I don't wake up at 3am and listen again tonight. 

Saturday Vinyl Finds

It would be kinda funny, if it wasn't sad in my eyes but for the records that I'm interested in, the used bookstore is turning out to be a better source for interesting and surprise finds than the two record stores in town.

Late 60's, post-bop jazz from Germany. 

'Blues Happening' by The Klaus Doldinger Quartet.

A complete unknown and purchased for the album cover image and the potential gleamed from a quick speed reading of the back cover liner notes ..... and very pleasantly surprised at what I've heard. Causing a re-thinking of my avoidance lately of soprano saxophone recordings.

A 1969 release on the World Pacific Jazz Records label and with vinyl in near mint condition. (I love when that happens.) This is proving to be a priority with this bookstore's used record buyer.

Also from 1969 ..... 'Another Voyage' from The Ramsey Lewis Trio. On Cadet Records.

I've only listened to a couple cuts but there's a funk-jazz sound and vibes present here that I've always associated with the late 1970's. Possibly a decade ahead of its time.

So, I'm thinking with these weekend vinyl finds, that I'm about to venture down an additional record collecting rabbit hole with late 1960's, early 1970's period post bop recordings. 

I returned the next day to take home a record that I left behind on Saturday. I first noticed it in another guy's hands. He eventually decided against it and put it back into the racks. Not sure of the sound and unwilling to take a leap of faith at the asking price, I previewed it at home via YouTube. It may be the highlight of the weekend finds ....

'Outback' from Joe Farrell. Released in 1972 on CTI Records. A huge bonus that Chick Corea is playing electric piano on the album. Also present is Elvin Jones, who played drums on classic John Coltrane records. It's certainly jazzier than what became the normal CTI (soft jazz) sound.

Horace Tapscott

On the turntable, a recent jazz find ....

'Live at Widney High, December 26, 1971' by Horace Tapscott & Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. 

Spiritual jazz. A recording of one of what were free community performances in early 1970's, south Los Angeles.

Horace Tapscott on piano. Linda Hill with vocals.

Record Store Day 2026

I don't get overly excited about it these days. I never have and never will spend hours overnight or early morning, in line waiting to get in the store. Electing instead to stroll in late afternoons or the next day to sift through what remains.

My sole contribution this year to the Record Store Day craziness .....

An old favorite band for the past 25-30 years. The latest album from Son Volt, being officially released on RSD 2026, (from what I gather), and on sky blue opaque vinyl and it's a return to their original sound, which is great news!!

I was actually looking for the RSD release by The Jayhawks, which after scouring two different stores, I came up empty handed but I did stumble across the Son Volt record at stop number two, which I vaguely had a clue was going to be one of the days releases but have to admit that I forgot about so it was a 'win one, lose one' type of affair. There was also a live John Coltrane recording on my radar but there were no copies available .... if they received any at all. 

I've listened to side one so far and greatly enjoyed what I heard.

I also came across 'Sleepless Night' by Yo La Tengo in the used new arrivals bins. Only to discover upon returning home that I already have on my shelves. It's a vinyl ep and all six songs are on one side of the record.

From 2020. Another favorite band from the last thirty years. Initially excited thinking that I didn't have it .... but I was wrong. But still excited!!

I laugh about it today because when I first came across the record, I was like: Oooooh far out! I don't have this!!" Then as I was paying at the cash register: "I don't think I have this." Then while driving home: "Do I have this?" (Experiencing increasing fear with each passing mile that I did.) Then while pulling into my driveway: "Oh geez. I think I may already have this record." 

Such is the scale of excitement that often comes with searching for used vinyl records .... along with increasing age, decreasing memory and the sheer volume of records at home.

Looking North

Another from the recent Shifting Paradigm Records discoveries.

'Looking North' by Bryan Nichols. Released in 2016.

Solo jazz piano alternately reminding me of similar sounding moments and directions from Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea recordings of the 1970's. Best heard with midnight moods and vibes. 

Bandcamp Page
 

Random Playlist #4749

Just another popup playlist featuring mostly little-known random tunes .....

• Barn Burning - Friendship Fails You
• Call and Response - Trapped Under Ice
• The Lowest Pair - Pear Tree
• Memory Tapes - Wait in the Dark

Several of these songs were first heard on the Oregon Public Broadcast overnight online radio stream that used to be heard after regular programming had concluded for the day. Regrettably in my opinion, the stream was ended a few years ago. It was a great source of new music. Mostly Indie Rock or Indie Pop sounds.

• The Outdoor Type - On My Mind
• Porcelain Raft - Drifting In and Out
• Radical Face - Ghost Towns
• Shotgun and Jaybird - Secret
• Thieving Irons - Sleepwalking Into the Ocean
• Tired Pony - Point Me at Lost Lands / Pieces

I broke some sad news earlier today to a couple of people where I assumed that they already knew. It never crossed my mind that they didn't. There's a lesson in there about tact, sensitivity and the dangers of assumptions.

• The Twilight Sad - Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave
• The xx - I Dare You

First Playlist of 2026

Just another random playlist for a Sunday evening. And just in case I ever get my own community radio program .....

• Hiss Golden Messenger - Mahogany Dread .... I keep changing favorite HGM songs every month or two. Then can't get enough of the current favorite. A testament to the strength and depth of their collected works.
• Arlo Guthrie - Deportees
• 75 Dollar Bill - Like Laundry
• Greg Brown - Who Woulda Thunk It
• Fred Neil - Everybody's Talkin ..... I got to know the Neil Diamond cover long ago from what I identify these days as my first vinyl album.  More time has always been demanded with the songwriter's version.  
• Warren Zevon - Empty Handed Heart ..... I've always loved the Linda Ronstadt descant in this song. Gives me chills and all that.
• Tom Rush - Urge for Going ..... You know what I thought upon hearing this song this evening? "They just don't write songs like this anymore."
• Drive-By Truckers / Patterson Hood - Box of Spiders
• The Lost Gonzo Band - Loose and I'm On My Way .... I think the album is from the mid-1970's. Something about listening to The Eagles, Poco, JD Souther, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, etc., must have led me here.

Monday bonus tracks ....

• Tom Jans - Gotta Move
• Little Village - Solar Sex Panel / She Runs Hot ..... Kind of an early 1990's supergroup with John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe and Jim Keltner.
• The Bats - Sir Queen
• Stephen Stills and Manassas - Anyway
• Little Feat - One Clear Moment .... The daily goal that I strive for each day in these senior years.

Seven Last Words

I recently discovered this great independent record label, based in Minneapolis, Shifting Paradigm Records, and from what I can tell, releasing mostly jazz. 

One of my recent selections from their catalogue is 'Seven Last Words' by Adam Booker.

Released in 2020. Alternating between classical leaning solo bowed acoustic bass and more traditional sounding jazz quartet pieces with trumpet and flugelhorn .... no saxophone, 

An album review from the No Treble webpage:

No Treble

...... and the Bandcamp page:

Bandcamp - Seven Last Words

Revolver

In the cd player. 'Revolver' by The Beatles. A 2009 remastered version.

I rarely listened to their records until ten or fifteen years ago. I'm still catching up today. As I listened, I thought of those folks back in the 1960's who had been fans for three or four years and taking a first listen to each of The Beatles new releases from 1966 until their breakup. The anticipation they must have felt. And on the day of release, ..... (because the real true followers and fanatics were there in the record store on the day of release for new records from their favorite bands and musicians) .... hearing each of these songs for the first time. Hearing 'Taxman' and then the excitement for what would come next on the record. Having no idea what sounds would follow with 'Eleanor Rigby.' Hearing 'Love You To' and as it neared its final notes, the anticipation of what was next with Here, There and Everywhere.' All these songs that have become standards nearly sixty years later and heard so often, they were all new and unknown at one time.

That idea has always been fascinating to me. I had my favorite musicians and bands back in the 1970's and beyond and I've always felt that excitement while one tune was playing, over what new song I was about to hear next. Especially so on the dive home with a new record and during the seconds of silence between songs on a record. Those seconds could sometimes seem like an eternity.

Trumpets and Trombones

Part of my continuing obsession and search for new sounds ..... the self-titled album by Kelan Philip Cohran & The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, on compact disc and the Honest Jons Records label. Released in 2012.

Out of Chicago, a jazz-funk blend of trumpets and trombones by (according to Wikipedia) jazz trumpeter, Kelan Philip Cohran and his eight sons. 

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Favorite song from the record .... 'Spin.' Ten delightful minutes of head-bobbing, jazz-funk, trumpet, trombone and percussion groove joy. Give it a listen!!

Saturday With a Chill In the Air, Playlist

A quiet (and chilly) Saturday night playlist. Maybe some recent repeat choices ......

• Watchhouse - New Star
• Hiss Golden Messenger - Standing In the Doorway
• Gregg Allman - All My Friends ..... Flashing back. Freshman year of college. Eighteen years old. Playing this record in my dorm room. Probably should have played the record less and studied more.
• Stephen Stills & Manassas - Anyway ..... (A drastic switch for no particular reason in playlist tone and era.) I always seem to find my way back to the 70's.
• Souther-Hillman- Furay Band - Fallin' In Love
• The Beatles - Nowhere Man / Here, There and Everywhere
• Bruce Cockburn - Last Night of the World / Joy Will Find a Way
• Dan Fogelburg - Part of the Plan ..... There are some great songs on his early albums before he went all sugary sweet. Just my opinion.
• Grateful Dead - Box of Rain .... 'It's just a box of rain, I don't know who put it there. Believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare.'

Greensky Bluegrass

"So many things about me nobody seems to know" ......

I've been a fan of Greensky Bluegrass for a couple decades now. My introduction was a Relix Magazine sampler disc with their song, 'Tuesday Letter.' I've seen them live two .... maybe three times. Bought a cd out of a suitcase from one of the band members at that first show. Dragged my brother along to a second show. I'm not always a fan of the long, extended jams .... my mind gets foggy after a while of the 'noodling,' which I'm not sure is an established term of 'Deadheads' or a description of my own making .....but the basic songs, which make up the albums, I love.