Friday, September 29, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 9/26/06 - 9/29/06

Adds -

WARE, DAVID S. QUARTET: BalladWare CD (Thiristy Ear) - Unlike many contemporary beards, I can dig ballads within the Jazz idiom, at least when they’re well done by the right group of musicians. As the title suggests, ballads are what you get on this latest (and, sadly rumored, last - although I haven’t heard a reason stated as to why that would be the case, and he’s only 55!?!) release from the great David S. Ware Quartet. Ware is absolutely fantastic on this date, delivering intense, soulful, very lyrical solos throughout. Shipp (the best pianist in Jazz at the moment) provides an almost endlessly creative foundation for Ware’s sonic explorations. Brown is understated, but always tastefully “right there” with the brush stroke or sizzling cymbal that adds just the right touch. Parker (another member of this quartet that would be in the starting line-up of my personal current All-Star Jazz Band) is also fairly understated, as well, on this date, but helps hold things together and move them along quite nicely. Excellent!


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

KUEPPER, ED: Electrical Storm LP (Hot) - Scored a nearly perfect original copy of the solo debut from ‘85 from this former Saints leader. Nice mixture of somewhat melancoly acoustic numbers, sparse pop(ish) tracks, and tense rockers. Along with his recordings for the Saints and the Aints’, “Ascension” LP, this is his best material.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 116/62%

Did Not Add 72/38%

Oh, and as always - FUCK GRAWER AND KFJC!!!!!

Monday, September 25, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 9/23/06 - 9/25/06

Adds -

PHANTOM FAMILY HALO: The Legend Of Black Six LP (Rollerrinkrampagerecordings) - Some sounds escaped from this Louisville, KY, basement collective and the result is their full-length debut, The Legend Of Black Six. Musically, they’re all over the map, from darker acoustic numbers, to somewhat campy, glam influenced tracks to lengthy percussion and synth driven kosmische inspired pieces and a even couple of heavy rock groovers.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 114/61%

Did Not Add 72/39%

Oh, and as always - FUCK GRAWER AND KFJC!!!!!

KSFO - Do They Ever Tell The Truth In Any Of Their Station Promos?

Ads running for their broadcasts of the Raiders claim that the Raiders are the “winningest” team in Pro Football.

Well, lets see as of the beginning of the 2006 season here were the stats:

Most Regular Season Wins - Chicago Bears 657

Most Post Season Wins - Dallas Cowboys 32

Most Combined Wins - Chicago Bears 671

Highest Winning Percentage Regular Season - Miami Dolphins .599

Highest Winning Percentage Post Season - Baltimore Ravens .714

Highest Winning Percentage Overall - Miami Dolphins .594

With their 0-2 start, the Raiders could not have improved their standing in any category.

That would seem to cover every conceivable “winningest” title, so - how are the Raiders the “winningest” team in Pro Football? Answer - They’re not! KSFO is just telling more lies!

Friday, September 22, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 9/19/06 - 9/22/06

Adds -

GRAILS: Interpretations Of Three Psychedelic Rock Songs From Around The World CD-EP (Latitudes) - Grails kick off the limited Latitudes series with a trio of excellent and fairly faithful covers of classic psych from The Byrds (Space Odyssey), Gong (The Master Builder), and The Flower Travellin’ Band (Satori). Like I said about the, “In Demons In”, 10” a few days ago, it’s not gonna change your life, but it is pretty neat to hear/have.

NOTARO, MARCONI: No Sub Reino Dos Metazoarios LP (Time-Lag) - Reissue of the 1973 lone solo release from Brasilian Poet/scenester, Marconi Notaro, who was associated with the whole Satwa collective. The material here, not surprisingly, is mostly pretty tasty acid folk (though there’s one stoned pysch rocker, too!) similar to Satwa, whose members, Lula Cortez and Ze Ramalho, make major contributions to this release. A nice public service to make this available.

SMITH, STEVEN R.: The Anchorite LP (Important) - Steven R. Smith has long been a personal favorite and, again, on this limited vinyl release, he plays a stunning variety of instruments to create a stellar assortment of dark, late night tones, deep feedback drones, and murky acid folk.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 113/61%

Did Not Add 72/39%

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

A Little Perspective On The Price Of Gasoline In The US

All the blowhards on right wing radio are whining about how Bush gets unfairly blamed for the price of gasoline when it goes up/is high, but is not getting any credit (except, if anything, for possibly making attempts to help the Republicans hold Congress) now, when gasoline prices are falling. Well, let me explain to all the brainless, right wing blowhards why nobody is really getting all excited about gasoline being down to a nationwide average of $2.50/gallon.

While I, like all Americans I would assume, am glad that the price of gasoline has fallen $0.50 in the past few months, a mere 2.5 years ago the nationwide average for a gallon of regular grade gas was a little over $1.70/gallon. That means gasoline is still up $0.80/gallon or 47%(!) in the last two years. That’s an annual increase of 18.8% per year! Excuse me, what else has gone up 18.8% per year for the last 2.5 years?!? Not many other consumer goods that people have to buy on a regular basis, not the stock market, and certainly not your wages, that’s for sure! That’s why Americans aren’t rushing to sing the praises of Ol’ G. W. for our “cheap gas”.

Furthermore, this is exactly the kind of psychology regarding gasoline pricing that the oil companies want to foster - after gasoline prices were up to over $3.00/gallon, naturally people will be relieved when gas goes down to 2.50/gallon and will think, “Gee, gas is cheap now.”, and be grateful to be paying 47% more than they were a mere 2.5 years ago. Yeah, well, fuck that. It only takes a little statistical analysis to cut through the bullshit and, sorry, but I don’t feel “lucky” to be paying “only” 47% more for gasoline than I was 2.5 years ago.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Rosie - Tellin' It Like It Is!

I want to preface this by stating that I’ve never watched anything that Rosie O’Donnell has ever done, so I’m not a fan. That being stated, I completely agree with her assertion that, "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam...”, and I’ll take this from a different tack than most people on either side of the political debate over her comments.

Forget the , “We’re killing as many innocent people over there as they killed here!”, argument. Although that is undoubtedly true, it just gets to be a “pissing match”. Instead, think about all the other negative effects of fundamentalist Christianity. Just a couple of the many potential examples:

How many lives will be lost and/or diminished by the anti-science agenda of fundamentalist Christianity? Directly - attempting to impede scientific studies (like on stem cell research, for example) means new cures and therapies that could benefit millions are not found (or, at least, are not developed as quickly). Indirectly, and over time, this anti-science attitude potentially undermines the development of future scientists and critical thinkers and, thereby, our abilities to make the scientific discoveries and technological innovations needed for continued advancement as a species into the future. Again, exactly how many lives will be lost and/or diminished as a result of these regressive attitudes agressively pursued by fundamentalist Christians? It’s hard to estimate that number, but nobody can dispute that it is potentially a lot people! Do their lives count/matter?!? Apparently not, at least to fundamentalist Christians.

Fundamentalist Christians have a world view that states, in essence, that humans are God’s chosen creatures, on top of the food chain, and, as a result, it is our "God given right" to do whatever we will with the earth and all its resources. So, hey, strip mine, pollute, use everything up, whatever you want. Nevermind the potential disasterous long-term consequences for humanity. After all, we’re God’s chosen people. God put this bounty before us to use as we see fit with our "God given intelligence”. And furthermore, hey, if we’re wrong, since God will provide, God will just bail his chosen people out, right? So, full steam ahead for the righteous world of commerce by God’s (arrogant) chosen people. Potential disasterous long-term consequences for humanity be damned!

By the way, I do note the irony in having a belief that God has impowered us to manipulate the outside, physical world in any fashion we deem fit, yet, with respect to our own bodies, God, apparently, does not trust nor want his chosen people to intervene at all in “nature’s way”!?!

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Yep, fundamentalist Christianity will lead us down the highway to hell, if we don’t fight back and expose their ignorant, regressive attitudes (and their negative effects!) and outright lies!

Monday, September 18, 2006

Right Wing Media Lies!

Bay Area right wing talkers KSFO obviously know how to emulate well our deceitful President and his Administration. Here’s two quick examples:

1 - They run promos stating that they’re, “...not the mainstream media, yet.”. Uh, excuse me, but KSFO is owned and operated by Disney and that’s about as mainstream as it gets! Another example that the alleged liberal mainstream (and other!) media is a myth!

2 - They run a variety of promos that claim they’re, “...the Bay Area’s talk leader.”. Huh?!? When in the last 25 years has any station other than KGO been number one? Even the regrettable Mr. Number One everywhere else, Lush Limpballs, doesn’t out pull middle of the roader Ronn Owens on KGO in the morning!

Yep, right wingers who lie - I’m sooooooo shocked!!!!!

Music I Liked And Didn't - 9/17/06 - 9/18/06

Adds -

LEDA SPYROS: Electrikos Aposperitis LP (Anazitisi) - Reissue of the 1972 debut from this Greek duo (Leda Halkiadaki and Spyros Vlassopoulos) who blend traditional Greek folk, with American folk and pop, and even add a hint Latin flavor on a couple of tracks. The A-Side is more mainstream oriented and is relatively unsuccessful, but the B-Side saves this release with an excellent dose of classic acid folk.


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

BLIND BLAKE: Ragtime Guitar’s Foremost Fingerpicker 2XLP (Yazoo) - While I was certainly aware of Blake through a few tracks I have from him on various collections of old blues 78’s, this double LP retrospective of his work was a revelation. 28 tracks, culled from the best of his recordings for Paramount between 1926 and 1932, that feature his complex and intricate fingerpicking style which created a distinctive guitar sound that is reminiscent in sound and style to a ragtime piano. Excellent!


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 110/60%

Did Not Add 72/40%

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 9/13/06 - 9/16/06

Adds -

JAMAL, KHAN: Drumdance to the Motherland CD (Eremite) - This is an archival release of recordings from ‘72. Very percussion oriented, with two other percussionists in addition to Jamal’s vibes. Some pretty trippy reverbed/delayed electric guitar work, especially on, “Inner Peace”. Not “high art” jazz, but more in the “feel the universal love sounds” jamming vein, but for the majority of this release, I’m feelin’ the love.

THTX: The Lost City (Cosmo-Revolution Technologies)- Third blast from this dependable metro-Detroit contemporary spacerock outfit. Similar to their previous outings, although they’ve augmented their sound by weaving in some jazzy horns on a couple of tracks. Excellent!

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

V/A: In Demons In 10” (Rocket Recordings) - Pretty cool collection featuring three contemporary psych bands (Plastic Crimewave Sound, Lillydamwhite, and The Heads) doing ripping covers of classic nuggets by three leaders of 70’s UK psychedelic “free festival” scene (The Edgar Broughton Band, Pink Fairies, And Hawkwind, respectively). It’s not gonna change your life, but it is pretty neat.

V/A: Strata-2-East 2XLP (Universal Sound) - Fairly respectable collection of tracks from the Strata East label’s cataloge. Obviously, no free jazz blurts here, just mellow jazz goovers, as would be the focus of Soul Jazz/Universal Sound, but still enough interesting influences and elements are present to make this worthwhile.

Did Not Add -

ESPVALL, HELENA: Nimis & Ark CD (Fire Museum) - One might have thought that this solo debut from Espers member, Espvall, might have been some kind of acid folk oriented release. Unfortunately, it’s filled with mostly dark, fairly atmospheric, experimental material, which may find a place in the hearts and ears of others, but not this listener.

LIFE FORCE TRIO: Living Room LP (Plug Research) - Despite being filed under “Jazz” by the know nothings at Amoeba, this release actually contains some pretty lightweight electronica as informed by jazz and hip hop. The A-Side’s tracks are really weak instrumentally and serve as a bed for some really lame vocals. The B-Side’s tracks are better, instrumentals, but it’s too little, too late to save this release by that time.


Running Count For The Year

Adds 108/60%

Did Not Add 72/40%

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Music I Liked And Didn't - 8/31/06 - 9/12/06

Adds -

BRAINBOMBS: I Need Speed / End Up Dead 7” (Big Brothel) - I rarely buy 7”s anymore and, furthermore, I’ll admit that I had stopped keeping up on the Brainbombs, but this 7” is a pretty solid return to their grimy, riff heavy early form. My pick: End Up Dead.

GRAILS: The Burden Of Hope LP (Robotic Empire) - I ‘ve been sooooo into the incredible Black Tar Prophecies series, that I decided to catch up on their debut full length. Although similar, this release is more straightforward and less dark and heavy (and, therefore, less pleasing) than BTP. Still worth hearing/having.

3/3: Sanbun No San LP (Shadoks)- This excellent lo-fi proto-punk LP (as my friend Karl said/described it so well, “Is it blue jeans or spiked collar punk?”) from this pre-Friction unit is clearly one of the “roots” of the modern Japanese underground sounds (Gaseneta, High Rise, and so on) that people in my set are so into. While I’m thrilled to have this and on vinyl, as well, it’s too bad that it has been released by Shadoks, instead of a label like PSF, because many of the people who would normally be interested in such things might not ever be aware of its existence on a label viewed as being primarily a reissuer (and often of dubious quality, to boot! pun intended) of “Hippie” music and whose items sell for between $40-$50. Well, despite the high price, I’d advocate that you get on it now or lose out forever.

YO LA TENGO: I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass 2XLP (Matador) - While I’ll readily admit to enjoying some of Yo La Tengo’s work and even to owning a few of their albums, overall, my impression of them has been that they’re an
over-rated bunch of fairly talented musical dilettantes. Their latest release doesn’t do much to change my opinion in the sense that they tackle a lot of styles, again, in an almost collecting merit badges for cogniscente cool fashion, but I have to admit that I enjoyed more of the material here than I didn’t and so it makes the grade. My favorites included the long, jam tracks (Pass The Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind; The Room Got Heavy; Daphnia; and The Story Of Yo La Tengo) as well as some well-crafted songs like, Song For Mahalia and The Race Is On Again.

V/A: Ghana Soundz, Volume 2 2xLP (Soundway) - Added the first volume a couple weeks back and I finally got around to checking out Volume 2. Just like Volume 1, this is Afro-Beat, Funk and Fusion from 1970's Ghana. If you’re into Fela, King Sunny, the Ethiopiques series, and so on, then you’re probably going to want/enjoy this collection of true rare (i.e., tracks that are not from the small circle of the genre’s known suspects) nuggets.

More from my recent numerous Amoeba used vinyl scores:

LOUNGE LIZARDS: No Pain For Cakes LP (Island) - This release was recorded by the Mach III version of the Lounge Lizards. I personally feel this is the strongest version, with performers such as Roy Nathanson (saxophone), Curtis Fowlkes (trombone), and the great, Marc Ribot (guitar), joining the Lurie brothers. Solid Avant Jazz! I‘m anxiously awaiting the “Voice Of Chunk” reissue (due out soon!) by this same version of the Lounge Lizards.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 104/60%

Did Not Add 70/40%