Sunday, December 31, 2006

2006 - My Personal Music Year In Review - Part Three


Top Ten New Jazz Releases Of 2006

(Listed Alphabetically, Not By Ranking)


BRIDGE 61: Journal CD (Atavistic)

ELECTRIC MASADA: At the Mountains of Madness DCD (Tzadik)

ELLMAN, LIBERTY With STEVE LEHMAN/GERALD CLEAVER - Ophiucus Butterfly CD (Pi)

JORDAN + HAMID DRAKE + WILLIAM PARKER, KIDD: Palm of Soul CD (Aum Fidelity)

EVOLUTIONARY JASS BAND: Change of Scene CD (Community Library)

SEX MOB: Sexotica CD (Thirsty Ear)

SOUND IN ACTION TRIO: Gate CD (Atavistic)

VANDERMARK 5: Free Jazz Classics Vols. 3 & 4 DCD (Atavistic)

VANDERMARK 5: A Discontinuous Line CD (Atavistic)

WARE, DAVID S. (QUARTET): BalladWare CD (Thiristy Ear)



ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Ken Vandermark

Saturday, December 30, 2006

2006 - My Personal Music Year In Review - Part Two




Top Three Live Shows 2006
(Listed Alphabetically, Not By Ranking)

Boris - 10/18/06 At Slim’s in San Francisco, CA

Joanna Newsom - 12/20/06 At The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, CA

William Parker Quartet - 5/24/06 At Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA

2006 - My Personal Music Year In Review - Part One

Well, It's that time again, time to recap my personal music year in review! In this first part, all I'm going to do is list all 247 items (new releases, new reissues, and archival used recordings I scored from any number of sources) that I purchased and passed judgement on in 2006, as it is from this group of releases that I'll make my selections for the best in music for 2006.

ADDS - 168/247 = 68%

AKRON/FAMILY: Meek Warrior CD (Young God)

ALLERSEELEN: Heimliche Welt DLP (Ahnstern)

ASSEMBLE HEAD IN SUNBURST SOUND: S/T LP (Sunburst Sound)

BADAWI: Safe CD (Asphodel)

BAIN WOLFKIND: Music For Lovers & Gangsters CD (Hau Ruuk)

BLACK ANGELS: Passover DLP (Light In The Attic)

BLACK MOUNTAIN: S/T LP (Jagjaguwar)

BLIND ALLEY: The Ruby Kennel Club CD (Freek)

BLIND BLAKE: Ragtime Guitar’s Foremost Fingerpicker DLP (Yazoo)

BODUF SONGS: Lion Devours The Sun CD (Kranky)

BORIS: Pink DLP (Diwphalanx)

BORIS: The Thing Which Solomon Overlooked Vol. 2 LP (Conspiracy)

BORIS: Vein LP (Important)

BRAINBOMBS: I Need Speed/End Up Dead 7” (Big Brothel)

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE: Spacegirl And Other Favorites LP (Candy Floss)

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE: Strung Out In Heaven LP (TVT)

BRIDGE 61: Journal CD (Atavistic)

BUNALIM: Bunalim LP (Shadoks)

CARR, MILLER: S/T LP (Isota)

CASTRO, NICK AND THE POISON TREE: Further From Grace LP (Eclipse)

CAT POWER: The Greatest LP (Matador)

CHATHAM, RHYS: Die Donnergotter (The Thundergods) DLP (Table Of The Elements)

CHATHAM, RHYS: An Angel Moves Too Fast to See LP (Table Of The Elements)

CHILDISH, BILLY: Poems Of Laughter and Violence LP (Hangman)

CHRISTIE, SUSAN: Paint A Lady LP (Finders Keepers)

CLINE, NELS: New Monastery: A View Into The Music Of Andrew Hill CD (Cryptogramophone)

CLUSTER: II LP (Brain)

COHRAN, PHILIP (AND THE ARTISTIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE): The Malcolm X Memorial (A Tribute in Music) CD (Katalyst Entertainment)

COMETS ON FIRE: Avatar LP (Sub Pop)

CONNERS, LOREN: Night Through - Singles And Collected Works 1976 - 2004 (Family Vineyard)

CORSANO, CHRIS - Ben Chasney / Paul Metzger: S/T Split LP (Roaratorio)

CROOK WITH THE RENDERERS, MARYROSE: Ghosts of Our Vegas Lives CD (3 Beads Of Sweat)

CYANN AND BEN: Sweet Beliefs CD (Ever)

D’SILVA, AMANCIO: Konkan Dance LP (Qbico)

DALTON, KAREN: In My Own Time CD (Light In The Attic)

DANIELL, DAVID: Coastal CD (Xeric)

DER BLUTHARSCH: When Did Wonderland End? LP (NKW)

DICKEY, WHIT: In A Heartbeat CD (Clean Feed)

DICKEY, WHIT: Sacred Ground CD (Clean Feed)

DOG FACED HERMANS: Hum Of Life LP (Konkurrel)

DOG FACED HERMANS: Those Deep Buds LP (Alternative Tentacles)

DRAKE, HAMID & ASSIF TSAHAR: Live at Glenn Miller Café Soul Bodies Vol 2 CD (Ayler)

DRAKE, HAMID & BINDU: Bindu CD (Rogue Art)

EDDIE MARCON: Shining On Graveposts CD (Preservation)

ELECTRIC MASADA: At the Mountains of Madness DCD (Tzadik)

ELLMAN, LIBERTY With STEVE LEHMAN/GERALD CLEAVER - Ophiucus Butterfly CD (Pi)

ERSEN: Dünden Bugüne CD (Underground Masters)

ESPERS: II LP (Drag City)

EVOLUTIONARY JASS BAND: Change of Scene CD (Community Library)

EXTRA GOLDEN: Ok-Oyot System LP (Thrill Jockey)

FAKE, NATHAN: Drowning In a Sea of Love CD (Border Community)

FEATHERS: CD-EP (Self Released)

FORSETI: Erde CD (Prophecy)

FROST, EDITH: It’s A Game LP (Drag City)

FUNCTION: The Secret Miracle Fountain CD (Locust)

GAYLE, CHARLES: Shout CD (Clean Feed)

GHQ: Cosmology Of Eye LP (Time-Lag)

GORDONS: Vol. 2 LP (Flying Nun)

GRAILS: The Burden Of Hope LP (Robotic Empire)

GRAILS: Interpretations Of Three Pyschedelic Rock Songs From Around The World CD-EP (Latitudes)

GRAILS: Black Tar Prophecies Vol's 1,2, & 3 CD (Important)

HIGGS, DANIEL (A. I. U.), INTERDIMENSIONAL SONG-SEAMSTRESS: Ancestral Songs LP (Holy Mountain)

HJARNIDAUDI: Pain:noise:march CD (Paradigms)

HOWARD, NOAH (QUARTET): At Documenta IX CD (Boxholder)

HUNTSVILLE: For The Middle Class CD (Rune Grammofon)

ILK: Canticle CD (VHF)

ISIS: In The Absence Of Truth CD (Ipecac)

JAMAL, KHAN: Drumdance to the Motherland CD (Eremite)

JANSCH, BERT: The Black Swan LP (Drag City)

JESU: Silver CD-EP (Hydra Head)

JORDAN + HAMID DRAKE + WILLIAM PARKER, KIDD: Palm of Soul CD (Aum Fidelity)

KANE, JONATHAN: February CD (Table Of The Elements)

KANE, JONATHAN: I Looked At the Sun CD (Table Of The Elements)

KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE: Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble CD (Planet Mu)

KUEPPER, ED: Electrical Storm LP (Hot)

LAMP OF THE UNIVERSE: Earth, Spirit & Sky LP (September Girls)

LEDA SPYROS: Electrikos Aposperitis LP (Anazitisi)

LOUNGE LIZARDS: No Pain For Cakes LP (Island)

LUBELSKI, SAMARA: Spectacular of Passages LP (Destijl)

MV & EE WITH THE BUMMER ROAD: Mother of Thousands DLP (Time-Lag)

MAMMATUS: Mammatus CD (Holy Mountain)

MAURICE AND WALTER: Moolah LP (No Label)

MAYPOLE: S/T LP (Colossus)

MC BAIN, JOHN; The In-Flight Feature LP (Duna)

MECCA NORMAL: The Observer CD (Kill Rock Stars)

MEDESKI, MARTIN, & WOOD: Note Bleu: Best Of The Blue Note Years 1998 - 2005 (Blue Note)

MIGHTY CAESARS: Don’t Give Any Dinner To Henry Chinaski... LP (Hangman)

MORI, IKUE: Painted Desert CD (Avant)

MUNDY, MARC: S/T CD (Companion Records)

NELSON, WILLIE: Songbird LP (Lost Highway)

NEWSOM, JOANNA: The Milk-Eyed Mender LP (Drag City)

NEWSOM, JOANNA: Ys DLP (Drag City)

NOTARO, MARCONI: No Sub Reino Dos Metazoarios LP (Time-Lag)

OAKLEY HALL: Gypsum Strings LP (Brah)

OCTOPUS SYNG: Beyond the Karmadelic Coldness, There's the Lovadelic Warmth LP (Nasoni)

ODAWAS: Aether Eater LP (Birds And Rockets)

OM: Conference Of Birds CD (Holy Mountain)

ONEIDA: Happy New Year LP (Jagjaguwar)

OZKENT, MUSTAFA (AND ORCHESTRA): Genclik Ile Elele LP (Finders Keepers)

PAIK: Monster of the Absolute CD (Strange Attractors Audio House)

PARKER, WILLIAM: Long Hidden: The Olmec Series CD (Aum Fidelity)

PERERIN: Teithgan LP (Guerssen)

PHANTOM FAMILY HALO: The Legend Of Black Six LP (Rollerrinkrampagerecordings)

PSYCHIC ILLS: Mental Violence II 12” EP (The Social Registry)

PSYCHIC ILLS: Dins LP (The Social Registry)

PSYCHIC PARAMOUNT: Gamelan Into The Mink Supernatural CD (No Quarter)

PINK MOUNTAINTOPS: Axis of Evol LP (Jagjaguwar)

RAGAB, SALAH (AND THE CAIRO JAZZ BAND): Ramadan In Space Time LP (Art Yard)

RASHANIM: Shalosh CD (Tzadik)

RED SPARROWES: Every Red Heart Shines Toward The Red Sun DLP (Robotic Empire)

RHYTHM AND SOUND: See Mi Ya LP (Burial Mix)

RIVULETS: You Are My Home CD (Important)

SAN UL LIM: 3 CD (World Psychedelia)

SANDOZ: Sandoz In Dub Chapter 2 - Live In The Earth CD (Soul Jazz)

SELDA: S/T LP (Finders Keepers)

SELDA: Vurulduk Ey Halkim Unutma Bizi CD (World Psychedelia)

SEX MOB: Sexotica CD (Thirsty Ear)

SHEPP, ARCHIE: On This Night CD (Impulse)

SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE: The Sun Awakens LP (Drag City)

SMITH, STEVEN R.: The Anchorite LP (Important)

SONGS OF GREEN PHEASANT: S/T CD (Fat Cat)

SOTHEAR, SREI AND SIN SISAMOUTH: Cambodian Psych-Out LP (El Suprimo / Defective Records)

SOUND IN ACTION TRIO: Gate CD (Atavistic)

SPIRITUALIZED: Lazer Guided Melodies 2x12”+7” (Dedicated)

SUISHOU NO FUNE: Where The Spirits Are CD (Holy Mountain)

TALAT: The Growl CD (Tzadik)

TALL FIRS: S/T CD (Ecstatic Peace)

3/3: Sanbun No San LP (Shadoks)

THTX: The Lost City CD (Cosmo-Revolution Technologies)

TITAN: S/T CD (Paradigms)

TUCKER, ALEXANDER: Furrowed Brow LP (All Tomorrow’s Parties)

UFOMAMMUT : Lucifer Songs LP (Rocket)

VANDERMARK 5: Free Jazz Classics Vols. 3 & 4 2CD (Atavistic)

VANDERMARK 5: A Discontinuous Line CD (Atavistic)

WAITS, TOM: Bone Machine CD (Island)

WAITS, TOM: Real Gone DLP (Anti)

WAITS, TOM: Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards 3CD (Anti)

WARE, DAVID S. QUARTET: BalladWare CD (Thiristy Ear)

WHITE MAGIC: Through The Sun Door 12” EP (Drag City)

WHITE MAGIC: Dat Rosa Mel Apibus DLP (Drag City)

WOMEN AND CHILDREN: Paralyzed Dance, Tonight CD (Narnack)

WOODEN SHJIPS: Dance, California (Radio Edit)/Clouds Over Earthquake 7” (Sick Thirst)

WOODEN SHJIPS: Shrinkung Moon For You 10” (Wooden Shjips)

WOODEN WAND: HAREM OF THE SUNDRUM & THE WITNESS FIGG
LP + 7” (Time-Lag)

WOODEN WAND AND THE SKY HIGH BAND: Second Attention CD (Kill Rock Stars)

WOODEN WAND AND THE VANISHING VOICE: Buck Dharma LP
(Time-Lag)

WOODEN WAND AND THE VANISHING VOICE: Gipsy Freedom DLP (5RC)

YEAR OF: Slow Days LP (Morr Music)

YO LA TENGO: I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass DLP (Matador)

YOUNG, NEIL: Living With War CD (Reprise)

YOUNG, ROLAND P.: Isophonic Boogie Woogie CD (Em)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XIII CD (Tzadik)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XIV CD (Tzadik)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XV CD (Tzadik)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XVII CD (Tzadik)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XVIII: The Treatment CD (Tzadik)

V/A: Beyond Istanbul - Underground Grooves Of Turkey (Trikont)

V/A: Ethnic Minority Music of Northeast Cambodia CD (Sublime Frequencies)

V/A: Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word 2 CD (Delay 68)

V/A: Fonotone Records (1956-1969) 5CD BOX (Dust To Digital)

V/A: Ghana Soundz DLP (Soundway)

V/A: Ghana Soundz, Volume 2 DLP (Soundway)

V/A: In Demons In 10” (Rocket Recordings)

V/A: Looking For Europe 4CD BOX (Auerbach Tonträger)

V/A: Prae-Kraut Pandemonium, Vol. 15 (No Label)

V/A: Radio Algeria CD (Sublime Frequencies)

V/A: Strata-2-East DLP (Universal Sound)

V/A: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of 2CD (Yazoo)


NOT ADDED - 79/247 = 32%

ACKLEY, BRUCE (TRIO): The Hearing CD (Avant)

AGAMENON: Todos Rien de Mi LP (Guerssen)

ALUMBRADOS: A Generation Of Vipers CD (Important)

BAILIFF, JESSICA: Feels Like Home CD (Kranky)

BARON, JOEY (+ BARONDOWN): Crackshot CD (Avant)

BEANS: Only CD (Thirsty Ear)

BIG STAR: In Space LP (DBK Works)

BUCKLEY, TIM: Goodbye and Hello LP (4 Men With Beards)

CAUSA SUI: S/T DLP (Nasoni)

CITAY: Citay CD (Important)

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX: Shark & Storms / Blizzard Of Horned Cats / My Enemies I Fear Not, But Protect Me From My Friends 10” EP (Invada)

EARTHLING SOCIETY: Albion LP (Nasoni)

EHLERS, EKKEHARD: A Life Without Fear CD (Staubgold)

Es: Sateenkaarisuudelma DBL LP (K-RAA-K)

ESPVALL, HELENA: Nimis & Ark CD (Fire Museum)

FAY GROUP, BILL: Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow LP (Drag City)

FLOATING DI MOREL: Real People Psych LP (Marshy Power)

FOSTER, JOSEPHINE: A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing CD (Locust)

FREQUENCY: S/T CD (Thrill Jockey)

GHQ: Heavy Elements CD (Three Lobed)

GROWING: Color Wheel CD (Trouble Man Unlimited)

GYSIN, BRION: One Night @ the 1001 2CD (Sub Rosa)

HOWLIN RAIN: Howlin Rain CD (Birdman)

HU VIBRATIONAL: Universal Mother DLP (Soul Jazz)

HYLOZOISTS: La Fin Du Monde CD (Boompa)

IRONS & SWAAN MILLER, ASA: S/T LP (Records)

LADYHAWK: S/T LP (Jagjaguwar)

LANE, ADAM FULL THROTTLE ORCHESTRA: New Magical Kingdom (Clean Feed)

LARSEN: SeieS CD (Important)

LAS MALAS AMISTADES: Jardin Interior CD (Psych-O-Path Records)

LATERNA: S/T LP (Obuh)

LEAKH: Et Cetera CD (Prophecy Productions)

LIFE FORCE TRIO, THE: Living Room LP (Plug Research)

LIARS: Drum's Not Dead LP (Mute)

LOS JAIVAS: El Volantin LP (Shadoks)

LOVE TIMES NOWHERE: Into The Fire 12”- EP (Redgummy Records)

MASSACRE: Killing Time CD (Fred Records)

MCMILLEN, SHAWN DAVID : Catfish LP (Emperor Jones)

MONO: You Are There CD (Temporary Residence Records)

MONO: Memorie Dal Futuro 10” Single (Vinyl Films)

MUDDY WORLD: Finery of the Storm CD (Tzadik)

MULDROW, GEORGIA ANNE: Worthnothings CD (Stones Throw)

NO NECK BLUES BAND AND EMBRYO: EmbryoNNCK CD (Staubgold)

OF THE WAND AND THE MOON: Midnight Will CD-EP (Heidrunar Myrkrunar)

O.M.F.O. (Our Man From Odessa): We Are The Shepherds CD (Essay Recordings)

OSTARA: Kingdom Gone CD (Eis Und Licht)

Painting Petals on the Planet Ghost: S/T LP (Time-Lag)

PAJO: 1968 CD (Drag City)

PARKER, EVAN: Time Lapse (Tzadik)

PARLANE, ROSY: Jessamine CD (Touch)

PEARLS AND BRASS: The Indian Tower LP (Drag City)

PEDRO: Pedro DCD (Mush)

POREST: Tourrorists! CD (Abduction)

PTARMIGAN: Ptarmigan CD (Lion)

RED KRAYOLA, THE: Introduction LP (Drag City)

ROOMMATE: Songs the Animals Taught Us CD (Plug Research)

SAWYER, PHIL: Childhood's End LP (Guerssen)

7 YEAR RABBIT CYCLE: Wind Machines LP (Free Porcupine Society)

SEX MOB: Dime Grind Palace (Ropeadope)

SHEARWATER: Palo Santo CD (Misra)

SUPER NUMERI: The Welcome Table DLP (Ninja Tune)

SWAGGER JACK: The Feral Blood of Swagger Jack CD (Last Visible Dog)

TOWN AND COUNTRY: Up Above CD (Thrill Jockey)

TUCKER, MARK: Batstew LP (Destijl)

VALLEY OF ASHES: Cavehill Hunters' Attrition 3LP (Black Velvet Fuckere)

VERLAINE, TOM: Around CD (Thrill Jockey)

VETIVER: To Find Me Gone 2xLP (Dicristina Stair Builders)

VON, RONNIE: A Misteriosa Luta do Reino de Parassempre Contra... LP (Renovacao Records)

WITCH: S/T CD (Tee Pee)

WIZARDZZ: Hidden City of Taurmond CD (Load)

WOODEN WAND AND THE VANISHING VOICE: The Flood CD (Troubleman)

ZAKARYA: 413 A CD (Tzadik)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks VIII CD (Tzadik)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks IX CD (Tzadik)

VA: And To The Disciples That Remain CD (Amish)

VA: Radio Thailand: Transmissions from the Tropical Kingdom CD (Sublime Frequencies)

V/A: So Much Fire To Roast Human Flesh CD (Bastet)

VA: Tibetan and Bhutanese Instrumental and Folk Music CD (Sublime Frequencies)

VA: Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies From the Canyon CD (Numero Group)

Monday, December 25, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/24/06 - 12/25/06



Possibly the last new music reviews of '06 from me...


Adds -

OAKLEY HALL: Gypsum Strings LP (Brah) - Oakley Hall is a Brooklyn-based project which is led by ex-Oneida member, Pat Sullivan. “Gypsum Strings”, is their third full-length release. The material contained in this album, covers a lot of ground. There’s a couple of pretty straight, organic country tracks with just vocals, acoustic guitar, and violin or banjo. There’s a couple more tracks that go for more of a country rock sound, which sometimes borders on having that big, corporate, 70’s country rock sound (think Pure Prairie League or the Eagles, yikes?!?) and are, as a result, less satisfying. On the majority of the tracks (and the album’s best material, as well) they crank up the Fenders, adding both crunchy rhythm guitars and tasteful electric leads to the sweet harmonies and acoustic strings to create a solid, updated take on that classic 60’s roots-fueled west coast psych sound. Not an unqualified winner throughout, but, overall, a fairly interesting and successful blend of old, familiar elements and modern sounds.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 165/68%

Did Not Add 79/32%


By the way, please feel free to post comments to this blog, if you’d like. I don’t believe in censorship (with the exception of commercial spam; those comments will be deleted!), so your comments will be posted, regardless of whether you agree with me or not.

XMAS - It'll All Be Over In Less Than 19 Hours - HOORAY!!!!!

Hey, at least I can appreciate the lights...

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/22/06 - 12/23/06


Adds -

V/A: Folk Is Not A Four Letter Word 2 CD (Delay 68) - Just to set the record straight at the outset, the title of this collection is a bit of a misnomer in that much of the material it contains (just like the first volume in this series) is not folk in the strictest sense, but rather psych-influenced pop. That being stated, it is not a problem, as this set contains another solid dose of late-60’s/early-70’s obscurities from around the globe. Highlights include: “Paint A Lady” by Susan Christie, "Son Of God" by Parchment, “Waters Of Babylon” by 11.59, and "Grey Today" by Woody Simmons. This, like all collections of this kind, wimps out excessively on a few tracks and it also certainly isn’t quite as strong as the first volume in this series, but, overall, this is still worth the attention of anybody who, like me, is interested in rare groove psych-pop and folk.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 164/67%

Did Not Add 79/33%

Friday, December 22, 2006

Ken "Spiderman" Hamilton Lives On In Our Hearts


Sorry - No New Music Discussed Today.

Six years ago today, the staff of KFJC and I, personally, lost one of the brightest spirits we have ever been privileged to know - Ken "Spiderman" Hamilton. I'm not going to waste a lot of time and space recounting the details of his life. If you were fortunate enough to be part of his wide ranging circle of friends and associates, then you already know the score. If you weren't, well, I'm sure a little googling will reveal enough info to make you lament that you never experienced the warmth of his spark of life. In addition, I couldn't begin to write any kind of tribute that would be nearly as suave as the one my friend Jason Biggs composed for a tribute that we at KFJC had published in the "Metro", a San Jose, CA weekly entertainment rag, so I've reproduced that here. Just click on the image above and you'll be able to see it and read it in full size.

As for me, all I can say is that it was an honor and a privilege to share just a little bit of his life, to be touched by his warm spirit and beautiful creative energy. Even if it was for only all too brief a time, I'll never forget it nor Ken.

Thanks.

R.I.P.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/19/06 - 12/21/06



Adds -

WAITS, TOM: Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards 3CD (Anti) - This massive 3-disc, 56 song release is a sprawling musical journey, which reflects almost every genre in the American musical tradition. Although Waits plays many instruments and is beautifully supported by an all-star cast (including Marc Ribot, Greg Cohen, and Karla Kihlstedt, among others!), at the center of this set is Waits’ incredible voice, as he delivers his trademark tales with growls, whispers, croons, scats, and screams.

This set is divided into three CDs, each of which is designed to broadly represent a particular style of music from Waits’ wide ranging sonic palette. So, “Brawlers”, as the title suggests, is packed with full throated juke joint stompers and blues tracks. “Bawlers”, by contrast, is the quietest (and, by far my least favorite) disc of the set , containing lonesome ballads, Celtic waltzes, and country tinged laments. The final (and best) disc in this set is, “Bastards”, in which Waits’ relates fantastic tales of the dark side over musical tracks informed by influences as diverse as experimental music, film noir, hip-hop, and so on. With a set this all encompassing, some lapses are inevitable, but, overall, the quality level is pretty high (especially on discs 1 and 3), making this ambitious release a solid achievement.

One last note: It may just be the time of year (as he died on December 22, 2000), but this album really made me think about my friend and former KFJC Music Director, Ken “Spiderman” Hamilton, as he would have really loved its brash, genre-busting style!


More archival additions from my recent numerous Amoeba used vinyl scores:

WAITS, TOM: Real Gone 2LP (Anti) - Waits’ new set impressed and interested me enough to motivate me check out some of his other recent releases. Musically, “Real Gone” covers similar territory as, “Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards”, but is actually an even stronger release as it’s more focused, in general, and, specifically, contains a higher ratio of stompers (like the “Brawlers” disc) and more experimental pieces (like the “Bastards” disc) to tear soaked ballads (like the “Bawlers” disc). Yeah, Tom Waits is “real gone” and, on this outing, that’s real good.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 163/67%

Did Not Add 79/33%

Joanna Newsom At The Great American Music Hall - 12/20/06


I must say that while I was relatively impressed with Joanna Newsom’s new double LP, “Ys”, I have been staying pretty well above all the hype that’s been growing/surrounding her. That all being stated, however, she (and her fabulous backing band!) was amazing at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco last night. I’m not going to get into any kind of full-on concert review, but I will make these two quick observations:

1 - Joanna, herself, was a phenomenal performer to see. Here’s this slight woman mastering this huge instrument, while at the same time singing these incredibly convoluted and lengthy dadaesque lyrics. She looked like it was an incredible effort while she was doing it, but it must not have been as grueling as it appeared, since at the end of each song her face would just glow, instead of her nearly keeling over to catch her breath (ala Harry Pussy’s Adris Hoyos!).

2 - The band, though only 6 in total, did a fabulous job of recreating the LP’s vast sonic landscape. In particular, Dan Cantrell, was amazing on Jew’s Harp, saw (!), and accordion, the latter of which was almost literally able to replicate the swells of the LP’s 32 piece orchestra! Honestly, this was, overall, even better live than on record (if that’s to be believed as being possible - and it is!), with the greater immediacy of the live performance more than compensating for any slight deficiencies inherent in the trade off of dropping from an orchestra to a sextet. Truly one of the best live performances I’ve seen in a long time!

Monday, December 18, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/18/06


Adds -

No Adds Of New Releases This Time Around


More archival additions from my recent numerous Amoeba used vinyl scores:

ALLERSEELEN: Heimliche Welt 2XLP (Ahnstern) - Allerseelen is a project led by Austrian writer and musician, Gerhard Kadmon. They have been active since the late-80’s, with many releases on labels such as Ahnstern and the group’s own, Aorta label. This double LP compiles material from their live performances in 1989 and was originally released on cassette. The material is pretty evenly divided between dark ritual soundscapes (which are excellent) and tracks of a more industrial nature (which had limited appeal to me). A cool, though unessential, artifact.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 161/67%

Did Not Add 79/33%

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/16/06 - 12/17/06



Adds -

RIVULETS: You Are My Home CD (Important) - This is the third full-length release from Nathan Amundson’s project, Rivulets. 11 tracks of mostly minimal, dark pop, built upon Amundson’s poignant lyrics/vocals and acoustic guitar and fortified tastefully by the efforts of guests such as Jessica Bailiff (electric guitar and mellotron!) and Fred Lonberg-Holm (strings), among others. A few tracks (most notably, the great, “Happy Ending”) are punctuated by crisp distorto-guitar riffs that gives them an almost sweeping pop granduer reminiscent of the work of his associate, Alan Sparhawk, who recorded and released the first two Rivulets’ albums. Overall, this is Amundson’s best release to date.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 160/67%

Did Not Add 79/33%

Friday, December 15, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/14/06 - 12/15/06


Adds -

DANIELL, DAVID: Coastal CD (Xeric) - A new release of experimental sounds from San Agustin guitarist, David Daniell. The first two tracks combine a variety of elements (thick, distorto-drones, cymbals and other scattered percussion, field recordings, and so on) into pleasing soundscapes. The third (and best) track, “Sunfish”, displays the influence of his association with artists such as Rhys Chatham and Jonathan Kane, mixing repetitive guitar figures and bells to create a trance inducing effect. The final track is a synthesis of the first two styles, combining the noisewash with passages of both acoustic and electric guitar. Especially fitting for these cold, wet, dark nights.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 159/67%

Did Not Add 79/33%

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/12/06 - 12/13/06


Adds -

COHRAN, PHILIP (AND THE ARTISTIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE): The Malcolm X Memorial (A Tribute in Music) CD (Katalyst Entertainment) - Well, I finally got my hands on a copy of this reissue that I mentioned a few days ago. As the title states, this is a musical tribute, in four parts, to Malcolm X. It was recorded live in 1968 at the Afro-Arts Theater and was released in the early 70s on Cohran's Zulu Record imprint. Conceptually, this is very well done, with the music in each part representing a period of his life. So, the album starts out in a very old school 30’s blues/jazz vein (think Cab Calloway and so on) with, "Malcolm Little". "Detroit Red", is next and the sounds are updated a couple of decades with soulful post-bop. "Malcolm X", features a more modern, flowing, righteous groove, as well as some chanting, representing well both the sound of jazz and the rising black consciousness of the early to mid-60’s. Finally, Malcolm X’s epiphany inspiring pilgrimage to Mecca is represented by "El Hajj Malik El Shabazz", which features an excellent middle eastern influenced solo by Charles Handy on Chinese Musette. While not as transcendently great as the reissue from a few years back, this is still an interesting snapshot that captures the American underground Jazz scene in a transitional time that is quite worthy of attention.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 158/67%

Did Not Add 79/33%

Monday, December 11, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/11/06 - The “Bah Humbug!” Edition


I truly loathe the last 6 weeks of the year. Wasting a bunch of time and money on people and things that you, generally, don’t like/don’t want to do. And to top it off, having to do so while being inundated with hideous xmas music and all the pro-christian propaganda. Yeah, why don’t you ask all the old altar boys and indigenous peoples (what few you can find remaining!) and so on, about all the great, life effacing aspects of christianity!

All I can say is that I'm sure glad when we reach January 1st each year and I can get back to my normal routine!


Adds -

None - Bah Humbug!


Did Not Add -

MONO: Memorie Dal Futuro 10” Single (Vinyl Films) - Back in 2001 Mono made a promising debut as a dynamic post-rock/psychedelic band with their, “Under the Pipal Tree”, CD on Tzadik. Since then, their music has continued to get slower, quieter, and more “symphonic” and less “rock” with each release until they’ve reached the point today that they’re just plodding, boring, and not very rocking. And who gives a shit that this limited 10” single is on the actor Cameron Crowe’s new label?!? Is that supposed to mean something to me? What a sad career trajectory!

O.M.F.O. (Our Man From Odessa): We Are The Shepherds CD (Essay Recordings) - This CD, on the other hand, I really tried, but ultimately failed, to like. It was an interesting concept to fuse a variety of styles of “world music” (klezmer, rootical dub, and so on) with electronica. And some of the attempts worked pretty well, too, especially the dub style and middle eastern influenced tracks. Unfortunately, those, admittedly very cool tracks, were in the distinct minority, as the “kleztronica” really didn’t work for me and, in general, this material was way to dance oriented, at least for me. Sorry, Borat!


Running Count For The Year

Adds 157/67%

Did Not Add 79/33%

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/10/06



Adds -

DALTON, KAREN: In My Own Time CD (Light In The Attic) - This is a reissue of legendary country/folk/blues performer Karen Dalton’s second (and last) LP, originally released in 1971 on the Just Sunshine label. Recorded over a six month period in 1970/71 at Bearsville studios and backed by a crew of well-known studio musicians, this is definitely a mixed bag. Of course, Dalton’s incredible, world-weary vocals are featured on each of these tracks. Some of the tracks with the full band, such as the covers of Dino Valenti’s, “Something On Your Mind”, and George Jones', "Take Me", are quite well done, but others are just too damn slick (especially the questionable covers of such well-known “hits” as, “How Sweet It Is” and “When A Man Loves A Woman”!?!). The best tracks, such as, "Katie Cruel", and, “Same Old Man”, however, simply feature Dalton on either guitar or banjo, with just the minimal, tasteful support of instruments such as violin or organ. Like I said, a mixed bag, for sure, but the good material is sooooooo good that it makes this release an essential piece of authentic “American roots” music to own.


More archival additions from my recent numerous Amoeba used vinyl scores:

DOG FACED HERMANS: Those Deep Buds LP (Alternative Tentacles) - I filled the last remining gap in my DFH vinyl collection (another embarrassing and unexplicable oversight!), when I recently scored a sealed, original vinyl copy of this album from these great art punk counterculturalists.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 157/67%

Did Not Add 77/33%

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/8/06 - 12/9/06



Adds -

TUCKER, ALEXANDER: Furrowed Brow LP (All Tomorrow’s Parties) - This is the third solo release from musician and cool visual artist, as well, Alexander Tucker. The A-Side is simply stunning, containing some tracks that are pretty straightforward, rich and resonant acid-folk and others that mix in electric leads and electro-drones to mesmerizing effect. The B-Side is dominated by somewhat less successful material of a more experimental nature (although there is one more fine acid-folk track), that combines various loops, drones, and even (on the final track) thick, powerful, distorto-bass. A big improvement upon his, “Old Fog”, release from 2005 and a solid, if a bit uneven at times, entry into the very crowded solo outsider acid-folk/psych field.


Did Not Add -

IRONS & SWAAN MILLER, ASA: S/T LP (Records) - I’m a big fan of Iron’s efforts with the band, Feathers, and I’m also aware of, though less impressed with, his efforts in J. Mascis’ new project, Witch. On this LP he teams up with sweet female vocalist (who was previously unknown to me) Swaan Miller to contribute his offering to the burgeoning field of modern folk releases. Recorded in 2003 as he was travelling around the country, the material on this release is very quiet and straightforward folk. Pleasant and competant enough, to be sure, but, I prefer my modern folk sounds to be fortified with little lysergic touches and, as a result, this LP failed to make the grade.

Running Count For The Year

Adds 155/67%

Did Not Add 77/33%

Friday, December 08, 2006

Upcoming - Philip Cohran and the Artistic Heritage Ensemble




I was pleased to learn that another record by Philip Cohran and the Artistic Heritage Ensemble, The Malcolm X Memorial (A Tribute in Music), has been reissued on CD by a new label called Katalyst Entertainment. The album, which is very rare, was recorded live in 1968 at the Afro-Arts Theater and was released in the early 70s on Cohran's Zulu Record imprint. I haven’t bought it nor heard it yet, but if it is as good as the self-titled reissue (often erroneously referred to as, “On The Beach”) from a few years ago, then it will be a cause for celebration.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 12/5/06 - 12/7/06



Adds -

SONGS OF GREEN PHEASANT: S/T CD (Fat Cat) - Among the many aspects of this time of year that I do not like is the fact that there are very few new releases to feed my voracious need for new sounds. It does give me the chance, however, to catch up on a few releases that I had previously heard about and made a note to myself to investigate further someday. Such is the case with the 2005 debut release from Songs Of Green Pheasant, the solo project of the UK’s Duncan Sumpner. These ten rural home-recordings range from lo-fi dreamy pop with sweet vocal harmonies to dark acid folk, even bordering on neofolk on the great final track, “From Here to Somewhere Else”. I’m certainly glad that I finally got around to checking out Songs Of Green Pheasant, as this compares favorably to the work of all but the very best artists currently producing a wide variety of “modern folk” forms.


Did Not Add -

None

Running Count For The Year

Adds 154/67%

Did Not Add 76/33%

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Desperate Man Blues



A person can only devote themselves to so many things in life and so, as a general rule, I do not keep up on nor collect films, even those about music related subjects. That all being stated, I must say that I highly recommend the DVD, “Desperate Man Blues”, a document about world renown record collector, Joe Bussard. For the past 50 years or so, Bussard has made it his life's work to collect and preserve blues, country, and jazz 78s, mostly from the 1920's and 1930's. Bussard was so obsessed with finding these forgotten gems of American cultural history, that he literally scoured the attics and basements of homes along the backroads of the Southeastern United States to amass what is generally considered to be the finest collection of blues, country, and jazz 78s in the world.

Bussard’s mania hasn’t been limited to merely collecting 78’s, as he has also helped keep these pre-World War II sounds alive via his long-running weekly radio show and promoted the efforts of a new generation (well, “new” at that time!) of like-minded keepers of the flame through releases on his own Fonotone record label. In fact, my only criticism of this documentary is that it doesn’t cover any of the amazing Fonotone story. In brief, Fonotone existed from 1956 to 1969 and was the last record label to issue recordings on 78s. Many excellent (and, for the most part, otherwise unknown) musician’s recorded for Fonotone, including John Fahey, whose first recordings were released under the pseudonym of Blind Thomas. A fascinating look at a man who has achieved the goal most people can only dream about - being able to meet the exigencies of life while fully immersing yourself in the pursuit of your passion!

Monday, December 04, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/30/06 - 12/4/06



Adds -

PSYCHIC PARAMOUNT: Gamelan Into The Mink Supernatural CD (No Quarter) - I’m just now catching up on The Psychic Paramount, a trio which features former members of the great Laddio Bolocko, Drew St. Ivany and Ben Armstrong. Sonically, the material on this release from 2005 (especially the first three tracks) features a lot of same elements as Laddio Bolocko, highlighted by propulsive rhythms and noisy guitar attacks. Unlike Laddio Bolocko, however, there’s less control, less precision in their attack, as tracks end and change abruptly and have, in general, a more chaotic feel and in-the-red production values. In addition, the album’s final two tracks give a tip of the hat to the modern composers of NYC’s Lower East Side scene and take a much more experimental approach. On “X-Visitations”, building layers of electro-drone eventually give way to waves of beautiful, disortion-laden guitar and “Gamelan” closes this set with an ever-building series of loops. A solid and often exhilirating, if imperfect, debut.


Did Not Add -

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX: Shark & Storms / Blizzard Of Horned Cats / My Enemies I Fear Not, But Protect Me From My Friends 10” EP (Invada) - Crippled Black Phoenix is a new project that’s already receiving significant hype due to the presence of Mogwai’s Dominic Aitchison on bass and their record deal with the Portishead associated, Invada label. The A-Side delivers a fairly standard take on that layered, building, evocative post-rock sound that, quite frankly, has been done better by other bands before. The B-Side tends towards a more gothic, neo-folk sound, but pales in comparison to the work of true practitioners in that (sub)genre, such as Forseti, Sonne Hagal, and so on. While both of these tracks are pleasant enough, I guess, the fact is that neither made a strong enough impression on me to feel that they’d ever merit future play if I were to stick this in my already bulging stax o’ wax and, as a result, I did not add this to my library.


Running Count For The Year

Adds 153/67%

Did Not Add 76/33%

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/29/06



Adds -

CLINE, NELS: New Monastery: A View Into The Music Of Andrew Hill CD (Cryptogramophone) - Guitarist extraorindaire, Cline, has assembled a sextet of talented musicians to explore the music of pianist/composer/leader, Andrew Hill. Cline is excellent throughout, delivering tasteful pointillistic leads and subuded jazz chording, in addition to his trademark fiery freedom chases and experimental effects. Cline and crew cover a wide range of styles on this release. There’s one funky slammer (“Yokada Yokada/The Rumproller”); two excellent pieces (“Dedication” and “Reconciliation/New Monastery”) which, in alternating segments, highlight the talents of the group’s members both as soloists and as a unit with tight and sweet ensemble passages; and the album closes with the tour de force, “Complusion”. A couple of tracks are more minimal, tend to meander a bit and, as a result, are less satisfying, but overall, this a worthy, if at times uneven, release.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 152/67%

Did Not Add 75/33%

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/28/06



Adds -

NEWSOM, JOANNA: Ys 2XLP (Drag City) - I greeted this new release from Joanna Newsom with both anticipation and trepidation. Anticipation, because I knew that giving Newsom’s music the full orchestra treatment offered great potential for fabulous sonic results. Trepidation, because I feared it was equally possible that such radical intervention might somehow smother the charm of Newsom’s very unique and personal approach to folk and pop. In addition, this release arrived with so much advance positive hype (the main reason I decided to wait two weeks to get around to listening to it!) and came in an incredibly deluxe package (beautiful gatefold sleeve, with inserted booklet of lyrics) and I tend to be suspicious of such things, as I often think that both are designed to help generate more interest in a release than the music it contains really merits. Well, I’m pleased to report that my concerns were unfounded and this project’s promise was fulfilled. The marriage of Newsom’s otherworldly vocals (delivering her trademark lyrics that seem to draw equally from “traditional” folk themes and dada-esque images) and intricate harp work with the swell of strings and other well placed orchestral accents is quite successful. Newsom has achieved her goal to combine experimental elements and beautiful melodies with this gorgeous sounding record. Excellent!


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 151/67%

Did Not Add 75/33%

Monday, November 27, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/23/06 - 11/27/06




Adds -

CYANN AND BEN: Sweet Beliefs CD (Ever Records) - The third full-length release from France’s Cyann And Ben comes to us, via import only, on the emerging German imprint, Ever Records. While they’ve remained fairly faithful to their unique blend of pop, psych, and krautrock that was so successful on their previous two releases, the material on, “Sweet Beliefs”, focuses more on their quieter, more subdued side and, in general, the compositions here just do not seem to be quite as strong. As a result, this is clearly their weakest release to date, in my humble opinion. That all being stated, there are still several solid tracks that make this quite worthy of owning, but I do hope that this release only indicates a temporary lapse, rather than the beginning of a new and unfortunate career trajectory.


More archival additions from my recent numerous Amoeba used vinyl scores:

DOG FACED HERMANS: Hum Of Life LP (Konkurrel) - I corrected an embarrassing and unexplicable oversight in my collection when I recently scored an original vinyl copy of this classic LP from these great art punk counterculturalists.

WHITE MAGIC: Through The Sun Door 12” EP (Drag City) - I was so impressed with the recent Dat Rosa Mel Apibus album that I decided I should probably catch up on this earlier release from White Magic, too. The six tracks on this 12” EP are very similar to the material on the double LP (i.e., unique, contemporary acid folk and pop), except on this recording Billotte is supported by a smaller cast of guests and, as a result, the songs are a little more straightforward, a little less fully developed sounding. Overall, still quite an engaging release.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 150/67%

Did Not Add 75/33%

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/20/06 - 11/22/06


Adds -

MUNDY, MARC: S/T CD (Companion Records) - Way over-hyped reissue of this 1971 release from Marc Mundy (the stage name for Turkish performer, Marc Emin), that has, incorrectly, in my humble opinion, been favorably compared to other recent Turkish (re)discoveries like Ersen and Selda and even to already known Turkish legends such as Baris Manco and Mogollar. To be truthful, the majority of the material on this release is sappy pop, including some of the truly most vomit-inducing lyrics/vocals of all time. It is only saved (and even then, just barely!) by a few tracks which add enough Eastern influences and psychedelic touches to satisfy. Probably for vintage Turkish completists (like me) only. In the words of the great PE: “Don’t Believe The Hype!”.


Did Not Add -

PARLANE, ROSY: Jessamine CD (Touch) - Despite all the cool instruments listed in the notes and the presence of many well-known guests, the three tracks on this latest solo release from former Thela member, Parlane, are a decidedly average and relatively uninteresting series of lengthy experimental drones. To be fair, the last track works up a pretty satisfying and frothy lather, but who has 30 minutes to waste before getting to the final 20 minutes of the worthy material? Maybe someone does, but not me.


Running Count For The Year

Adds 147/66%

Did Not Add 75/34%

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/19/06



ISIS: In The Absence Of Truth CD (Ipecac) - Isis takes the next logical step in its ongoing sonic evolution. While they’re still pretty heavy sounding, the passages with thick, heavy riffage and throaty vocals are less present, serving more as a contrasting punctuation to the quieter passages which are composed of icy synth drones, angular guitar work and precise rhythms. Sometimes the transitions between these segments can be somewhat abrupt (almost bordering, in a sense, on being “proggy”), but overall, Isis successfully strikes a nice balance on this release. I’m not so certain that, if they continue to hone the more precise, sterile aspects of their sound, I’ll continue to greet their future releases with such favor, but the “math core” of, “In The Absence Of Truth”, is quite satisfying, especially after giving it repeated listens to really absorb it and let it sink in.

SAN UL LIM: 3 CD (World Psychedelia) - Reissue of the third San Ul Lim release, originally released in 1979 on the Korean label SRB. Another great dose of their over the top garage/pop-psych (but with a distinctive Asian flavor!) stylings. There’s a cool webpage (http://progressive.homestead.com/sanulrim.html), if you’d like to learn more details about San Ul Lim.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 146/66%

Did Not Add 74/34%

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/18/06



Adds -

CARR, MILLER: S/T LP (Isota) - Based on the sounds contained within this, his debut release, Miller Carr must be one unique and intriguing dude. Aided by a creative cast of co-conspirators, the nine tracks on this release are a virtual sonic stew of influences. Elements of ‘60’s psych and blue-eyed soul, blues, country, and even lounge/film noir and reggae (!) are all used in various combinations and intensities to create the unique and personal songs on this album. As is invariably the case with such loner/outsider documents, this release can be a bit uneven at times, but the hits significantly outnumber the misses and, as a result, this is a pretty satisfying trip.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 144/66%

Did Not Add 74/34%

Friday, November 17, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/15/06 - 11/17/06




Adds -

WOMEN AND CHILDREN: Paralyzed Dance, Tonight CD (Narnack) - This is the third release from acoustic duo, Women And Children. A wide range of acoustic-based styles are represented on this album. Some tracks contain fairly simple and straightforward folk. Other tracks add electric guitars and other little lysergic touches to produce some engaging acid folk sounds. Finally, there are a few tracks that use up beat, bouncy piano stylings and sweet harmonies to create some fairly tasty pop. Overall, a solid and enjoyable release that’s deserving of attention, even within the currently crowded folk/psych/pop field.

As coincidence would have it, they’re playing in the SF Bay Area this weekend, if you live here and are interested:

Friday Nov. 17 at the Hemlock Tavern in SF

and

Saturday Nov. 18, 2006 in Big Sur at the Fernwood Lodge as part of the, “Folk Yeah Festival”.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 143/66%

Did Not Add 74/34%

Let Me Get This Straight



Right wingers always insist that Americans need to be more personally responsible and stop looking to the Government to solve their problems. Individuals and the private sector, they claim, will provide the best solutions to any number of societal problems. Furthermore, they assert, Democrats consistently, and wrongly, support the concept that the Government can and should take an active role in helping citizens in need.

For the sake of discussion, I won’t debate these general points (although even casual scrutiny reveals a number of obvious fallacies in such assertions), rather, I’ll stipulate that they are true.

Please explain to me then, the Right’s attitude with respect to our ongoing occupation of Iraq. The supporters of our ongoing occupation of Iraq now seem to be claiming that the end game, our goal, is to get to the point where a stabile, pro-US government is in place in Iraq. Once that happens (cynics, such as myself, might say if and when it ever happens, but I digress...), we will have finished the job and our troops can come home. Mission accomplished. Really, this time. They say we can’t withdraw now, because the Iraqi Government can’t yet stand on its own. Furthermore, they can’t even estimate when they may be able to do so. All they can say is that this is their current plan and that their intent is for us to stay in Iraq to support the Iraqi Government indefinitely, at the cost of many American lives and billions of your dollars, until they can stand on their own.

So, let me get this straight. Right wingers insist that people who are US citizens and, in most cases, tax payers, should stand on their own two feet and stop looking to our Government for help, yet they’re more than willing to have our Government expend billions of dollars and thousands of lives indefinitely into the future to support and rebuild Iraq?!?

This is not only a completely hypocritical position, but it is also insulting and flat out wrong to treat non-citizens, who don’t pay taxes nor contribute to the growth/benefit of this country in any way, better than tax paying US citizens!

No, we can’t rebuild your local schools or roads, we’re building them in Iraq!

Now I’m sorry that the misguided policies of the Bush Administration have led to death, destruction, and chaos in Iraq, and I don’t deny that we do really owe it to them not to just fuck everything up and then leave them holding the bag. That all being stated, however, at some point (and that point needs to come sooner, rather than later!) we need to withdraw and the Iraqi’s will need to stand on their own two feet and make it (or not) on their own - just like the Righties, supposedly, want and insist their fellow Americans do. That is right thing to do, not only as a strategy to move forward in Iraq, but also to be consistent and fair to the American public!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/14/06




Adds -

WHITE MAGIC: Dat Rosa Mel Apibus 2XLP (Drag City) - This is the debut full-length from NYC-based duo, White Magic. The echos of the ‘60’s reverberate throughout this release’s 12 tracks of acid folk and pop. Mira Billotte’s unique vocal stylings remind me of any number of underground folk singer-songwriters from those long ago destroyed days. Her somewhat off-kilter piano playing, which dominates many of these tracks, is also reminiscent of the 60’s in both style and tone. One should not conclude, however, that this is some obvious, clumsy, and, as a result, relatively unsatisfying attempt to merely imitate the sounds of the ‘60’s. Rather, it’s more like Billotte has absorbed and integrated those sounds and now those influences have almost organically emerged in these songs to offer a nice blend of comfortable, familiar elements and a unique, modern sound. On many tracks (and these are the most developed/best tracks, too!) they are supported by a revolving cast of luminaries, including Samara Lubelski and the Dirty Three’s, Jim White. Gorgeous sounding and beautifully packaged, this album is excellent in every aspect!


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 142/66%

Did Not Add 74/34%

Gas Prices?!?


I don’t know if it’s the same all over, but here in the SF Bay Area gas prices started going up immediately after the Republicans got hammmered in last Tuesday’s elections and now, just a week later, are up 12 cents per gallon. Oil men in the Administration and the big oil companies lowering gas prices before the elections to help the politicians who are in their pocket? Oh, that’s crazy talk, you say. It’s just a coincidence.

And ironic, too, that Prop 87 (the oil tax that opponents warned would raise your gas prices at the pump if it passed!) failed, yet up go those gas prices, 5% in just one week! But, hey, it’s just a coincidence. There’s no collusion here. Stop being paranoid.

Yeah, right.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/13/06



Adds -

HIGGS, DANIEL (A. I. U.), INTERDIMENSIONAL SONG-SEAMSTRESS: Ancestral Songs LP (Holy Mountain) - Another installment from loner/outsider, Daniel Higgs. This one contains a couple of pretty straightforward acid folk tracks, with only acoustic guitar and vocals, a couple of lo-fi electro freakouts, and each side is anchored by a lengthy basement psych raga. The A-Side’s, “Thy Chosen Bride”, begins with some nice solo out-banjo (damn, second review in as many days with out-banjo, WTF?!?) before the LP’s most gripping lyrics/vocals begin around the middle of the track. The B-Side’s, “Are You Of The Body?” is an outstanding instrumental that combines drones with some tasty acoustic and electric guitar work.

NELSON, WILLIE: Songbird LP (Lost Highway) - A big, beautiful sounding recording from this true American icon. A nice blend of classic country, basic rock, and blues elements, combined with that rich voice delivering lyrics that speak to the human condition on many levels.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 141/65%

Did Not Add 74/35%

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 11/6/06 - 11/12/06


Adds -

HUNTSVILLE: For The Middle Class CD (Rune Grammofon) - This is the debut release from experimental Norwegian trio, Huntsville. The foundation for Huntsville’s sound (for the majority of this material) is the driving, relentless, repetitive almost to the point of being trance inducing percussion (on drum kit, a variety of “indiginous” instruments, like tablas, and electronics) of Ingar Zach. Over this foundation the other members layer, in varying combinations and intensities, experimental noise drones, hypnotic guitar figures, organ, and other interesting sonic accents. The album’s centerpiece is the 20+ minute, “Add A Key Of Humanity”, which features some of the most mind altering out-banjo I’ve heard since Joe Morris on the great, “Eloping With The Sun” CD from 2003. A unique, genre-busting sound, just the way the Sonictroubadour likes it!

Several new reviews (Isis, Daniel Higgs, and so on) to follow in the next day or so!


Did Not Add -

HU VIBRATIONAL: Universal Mother 2XLP (Soul Jazz) - As much as I respect Hamid Drake and enjoy music that includes African influences created on authentic African instruments, I really am not that into percussion only LPs, which, with the exception of a couple of tracks, is what this release contains.


Running Count For The Year

Adds 139/65%

Did Not Add 74/35%