Saturday Evening Playlist

A playlist of random Youtube videos that I'm watching and listening to tonight. No theme, not one genre. Probably makes little sense to anyone but somehow, one thing is leading me to another.

• The Strawbs - I'll Carry On Beside You ..... From 1971 and the, 'From the Witchwood' album. 
• New Order - True Faith
• John Prine - Wedding Day in Funeralville .... From the, 'Common Sense' album which I purchased because I read that Jackson Browne sang backing vocals on a song or two. 
• Velvet Underground -  Pale Blue Eyes
• Yo La Tengo - Last Days of Disco
• Willard Grant Conspiracy - Soft Hand .... I enjoy singing along to the "Who'll, Who'll" part.
• Greg Brown  - Cold and Dark and Wet .... Or is it Wet and Cold and Dark?    
• Loudon Wainright III - The Swimming Song
• Uncle Tupelo - Moonshiner .... In case I haven't made my position on the subject clear, I'm on the Son Volt side of the breakup.
• Jonatha Brooke - Because I Told You So .... Saw her play this live on a locally produced (Portland, OR) music video program, that aired late on Saturday nights. Like 1:30am. I thought I was the only person in the world watching it but talking to my boss one day about various subjects, I found that he used to watch this video program as regularly as I. This was the 1990's and I've loved this song since.

Sage Francis

Sage Francis - "Copper Gone" from 2014.

I guess it eventually had to happen ....Hip-hop. 

A few of my old friends will likely shake their heads and not understand.

You never know about new or different sounds and ideas (or anything for that matter) until you give those ideas a chance. Not that hip-hop is new to the world but it's new to me. I've just never paid much attention except for a few songs by Seattle's, Blue Scholars.

It was after someone on Twitter had posted a photo of the album cover and mentioned how the record had changed their life. So I went to Youtube and saw a thumbnail for the song, "Make Em Purr."  I listened. Then I listened three or four more times. I loved the haunting piano that plays behind the beats and vocals. I had trouble walking away. I was hooked.

Emmylou

"Cimarron" by Emmylou Harris. Released in 1981. 

For some odd reason, I had this record tucked away in the closet instead of on display with the main collection. Imagine the level of sanity that must have went into this decision.

Incredibly beautiful voice. Still is today!!

There's a beautiful cover of Townes Van Zandt's, "If I Needed You," where the vocals are shared with one of my favorite country music voices, Don Williams. There's also a cover of a longtime favorite Poco song, "Rose of Cimarron." And also a cover of Springsteen's, "The Price You Pay," .... Quite a contrast of two powerful voices between Emmylou's version and that of 'The Boss.'.

Henry Franklin

"The Skipper," from 1972 by Jazz bassist, Henry Franklin. Originally released on Black Jazz Records and reissued in 2021 by Real Gone Music.

I had never heard of Henry Franklin prior to two weeks ago. It was late evening and I was thumbing through the coffee table book, "Dust & Grooves," .... about people and their vinyl record collections and came to the page with a devotee talking about completing his collection of 1970's, Black Jazz Records titles while displaying this record. A little research was the result, followed by a little sampling of sounds and a quick purchase. 

These titles from Black Jazz Records are not something that I ever see "in the wild," as the vinyl community folks like to say. So I've ordered four more records originally released by the label. 

As much as I'd like to have an original copy, the reissue sounds great and I love the cover design and photography. Included with the record is a two-sided, vinyl sleeve size sheet, of liner and song notes. Isn't that all that one really needs?

Sukay of the Andes

Having completed my browsing and upon taking my most recent vinyl haul to the cash register and the owner says: "Hey, there's one more box over here on the floor to look through."  Well that's not the sort of invitation that I've ever turned down.

Among nothing else note worthy, I suddenly found this!!

I fell in love with music from the Andes Mountains in South America, several years ago while wandering around the local summer art festival. The pipes, the groove, the beat, the fun!! It turns out though, that recordings were difficult to find locally. Until that is, when nearly a decade later, I just happen to stumble across this vinyl record in a aged cardboard box, on the floor, at the side of the cash register.  

I don't know if this is the same group that I saw that day at the art festival but it's the same type of music. And it's still lively and fun!!

1960's Album Covers

 

 

Kenny Drew Trio

The Kenny Drew Trio - 'If You Could See Me Now'

From 1976 on vinyl. Piano jazz.

Browsing the bins today and came across this. The guy in the record store told me that it was probably rare but gave it to me for five dollars because it has surface scratch's. I've played both sides and there's a few minor ticks but no skips. I would have taken it for the cover photo alone. 

Adrianne Lenker

'Abysskiss' by Adrianne Lenker. 

First of all, I was going to pick this up for the cover photo alone. It didn't matter that I had no idea of what I would hear or if I would appreciate the music. That said, the music is incredibly beautiful. 

From 2018. Record stores going out of business and drastically slashing prices often leads to blind buys and the discovery of new sounds. 

Adrianne Lenker is a guitarist and lead vocalist for the band, Big Thief.

Jon Mark

 Jon Mark - 'Songs For a Friend'

From 1975, on original vinyl.

An oldie in my collection. I didn't know much about Mark-Almond at the time that I first heard this and I sure didn't know that Jon Mark was the 'Mark' part of that duo. 

Just discovered while posting this entry that Jon Mark passed away less than two months ago. 

It's been quite a long time since I last listened. I recall listening almost daily for a period of time after buying this. 'Songs For a Friend'  is about as mellow as music gets. Piano driven, singer/songwriter ballads, but not what was usual for recordings of that genre and period. It quite often feels sad and dramatic and ends in a wash of strings and 'spoken word' verse/poetry. There's a sense from the song order and flow alone, that he just lost his best friend. Upon listening, one may feel the need to shed a tear.

Jeff Parker & the New Breed

Jeff Parker & the New Breed - 'Suite for Max Brown'

Saw a Twitter friend that I follow (who happens to be from Portland), post a photo of the cover while tweeting what she's listening to. (Thanks Jen!!) Was intrigued, checked it out, listened to a few moments, ordered it and it arrived the next day. If you can't go to the record store because of a little old pandemic or there's simply no stores remaining in your hometown, then this is the way to get your music .... next day, at your front door, when you return home from work!!!

The other directions in Jazz that I've been searching for. On vinyl!!!

Oxford American

A compilation from 2001 and Oxford American magazine. I think they would put out an annual collection of Southern music. I found two or three of these compilations a few years ago for $1. A check today shows they have become quite pricey.

A variety of sounds on each, Americana, Blues, Roots, Appalacha, Country, Zydeco, Singer/Songwriter and more .....  A little of a lot of styles. Older and contemporary sounds. Always filled with gems. 

Compilations done right!!!

Favorites here are ..... 'You R Loved' by Victoria Williams (I love the trumpets), 'The Lonesome River' by Ralph Stanley and Bob Dylan (Old-timey, front porch feel) and 'Down to the Well' by Kevin Gordon (A new name to check out). The song is a duet with Lucinda Williams.

An Evening With Bruce Cockburn

From 1971, Bruce Cockburn - 'High Winds White Sky'

Original vinyl record from my early collecting days that was a tough find back then because it was an import recording. It's been with me for a few years now. Had to travel to Portland as I recall. 

Singer/Songwriter and great guitarist as well, often including a solo guitar instrumental tune on his albums. Favorite songs on here are back to back on side one .....  'Love Song' and 'One Day I Walk'. Both incredibly beautiful!!

Beautiful snow and trees photography on the front and back cover and inside the gatefold sleeve.