Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Music 2008 - My Personal Year In Review, Part 3


Top Ten Jazz Releases 2008


( Listed Alphabetically, Not By Ranking)


BAR KOKHBA: Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume 10 CD (Tzadik)

BERNSTEIN, STEVEN: Diaspora Suite CD (Tzadik)

BROWN, ROB (ENSEMBLE): Crown Trunk Root Funk CD (AUM Fidelity)

BY ANY MEANS: Live At Crescendo DCD (Ayler)

GONZALEZ, DENNIS (& FARUK Z. BEY W/NORTHWOODS IMPROVISERS SEPTET): Hymn For Tomasz Stanko LP (Qbico)

MAHANTHAPPA, RUDRESH (Pictured Above): Kinsmen CD (Pi Recordings)

MAHANTHAPPA, RUDRESH (Indo-Pak Coalition): Apti CD (Innova)

PARKER, WILLIAM (QUARTET): Petit Oiseau DLP (Shortwave)

RUDOLPH, ADAM (MOVING PICTURES): Dream Garden CD (Justin Time)

VANDERMARK 5 (Pictured Below) : Beat Reader DCD (Atavistic)


Monday, December 29, 2008

Music 2008 - My Personal Year In Review, Part 2


Top Five Live Shows 2008


( Listed Alphabetically, Not By Ranking)


Steven Bernstein (Pictured Above) - 1/27/08 - At the Bottom Of The Hill in San Francisco, CA

Alan & Richard Bishop, “The Brothers Unconnected” Tour, with Neung Phak - 5/21/08 - At Slim’s in San Francisco, CA

Entrance (Pictured Below), with Rodriguez, Sleepy Sun, and Matt Baldwin - 11/23/08 - At the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, CA


Jandek - 1/12/08 - At the Swedish-American Hall in San Francisco, CA

William Parker Quartet (Pictured Below) - 5/20/08 - At Yoshi’s in San Francisco, CA

Friday, December 26, 2008

Music 2008 - My Personal Year In Review, Part 1


Yawn. After not posting in sooooooo long, it's hard for me to imagine that it matters, that anybody even cares about my little blog nor the opinions expressed within, but, what the hell...

Here's the list of new releases I purchased in 2008, which will provide the basis for my various top ten lists. Of note is the sad total of items up for consideration - only 87. In the days of a better economy and greater personal bandwidth, that number was routinely 200+! I know, I know, others should have it so rough. And I agree, but still...

Anyway, here's the list:

AHMED, ILYAS: The Vertigo Of Dawn LP (Time-Lag)

BAR KOKHBA: Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume 10 CD (Tzadik)

BERNSTEIN, STEVEN: Diaspora Suite CD (Tzadik)

BIRD SHOW: S/T CD (Kranky)

BIRDS OF MAYA: Vol. 1 LP (Holy Mountain)

BISHOP, ALAN AND RICHARD: The Brothers Unconnected - A Tribute To Charles Goucher & Sun City Girls CD (Abduction) - Tour Only CD

BLACK ANGELS: Directions To See A Ghost TLP (Light In The Attic)

BORIS: Smile CD (Diwphalanx)

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE: My Bloody Underground DLP (A Records)

BROWN, ROB (ENSEMBLE): Crown Trunk Root Funk CD (AUM Fidelity)

BURKETT, JOSHUA: Where’s My Hat? LP (Time-Lag)

BY ANY MEANS: Live At Crescendo DCD (Ayler)

CLOUDLAND CANYON: Lie In Light CD (Kranky)

CLOUDLAND CANYON/LICHENS: Exterminating Angel LP (Holy Mountain)

CLUTCHY HOPKINS: Walking Backwards LP (Ubiquity)

DAY, GRAHAM AND THE GAOLERS: Triple Distilled LP (Damaged Goods)

DEAD MEADOW: Old Growth DLP (Matador)

DER BLUTHARSCH: The Philosopher’s Stone LP + One-Sided 7-S (WKN)

ENDLESS BOOGIE: Focus Level DLP (No Quarter)

ERSEN: S/T CD (Finders Keepers)

ETERNAL TAPESTRIES: Mystic Induction LP (Not Not Fun)

EX REVERIE: The Door Into Summer CD (Language Of Stone)

FENNESZ: Black Sea LP (Touch)

FERN KNIGHT: S/T CD (VHF)

FRUCHTER, YOSHIE: Pitom CD (Tzadik)

GONZALEZ, DENNIS (& FARUK Z. BEY W/NORTHWOODS IMPROVISERS SEPTET): Hymn For Tomasz Stanko LP (Qbico)

GRAILS: Doomsdayer’s Holiday LP (Temporary Residence)

HEAVY HANDS: Smoke Signals LP (Language Of Stone)

HOSPITALS: Hairdryer Peace LP (Self-Released)

INDIAN JEWELRY: Free Gold! CD (We Are Free)

KAWAGUCHI, MASAMI (NEW ROCK SYNDICATE): Cat vs. Frog LP (Palindrone Recordings)

KRYSMOPOMPAS: Heute Schlafen - Morgen Aufwachen DLP (S-S Records)

LEE, SHAWN (& CLUTCHY HOPKINS): Clutch Of The Tiger 2 x 12-EP (Ubiquity)

LIGHTS: S/T CD (Language Of Stone)

LOS LLAMARADA: Take The Sky LP (S-S Records)

LUMERIANS: S/T 12” EP (Subterranean Elephants Recording Company)

MAGIC LANTERN: S/T LP (Woodsist)

MAGIC LANTERN: High Beams LP (Not Not Fun)

MAHANTHAPPA, RUDRESH: Kinsmen CD (Pi Recordings)

MAHANTHAPPA, RUDRESH (Indo-Pak Coalition): Apti CD (Innova)

MY EDUCATION: Bad Vibrations CD (Strange Attractors Audio House)

NASH, BEN: The Seventh Goodbye LP (Blackest Rainbow)

NOTHING PEOPLE: Anonymous LP (S-S Records)

NUDITY: The Nightfeeders 12” Single (Discourage Records)

ONRA: Chinoiseries CD (Bo Bun Records)

ORCHESTRE POLY-RYTHMO DE COTONOU: The Vodoun Effect 1972-1975 - Funk And Sato From Benin’s Obscure Labels CD (Analog Africa)

ORCHESTRE REGIONAL DE KAYES: S/T LP (Mississippi)

PARKER, WILLIAM (QUARTET): Petit Oiseau DLP (Shortwave)

PLASTIC CRIMEWAVE SOUND: S/T LP (Eclipse)

PIERCED ARROWS: Straight To The Heart LP (Tombstone)

PONTIAK: Sun On Sun LP (Thrill Jockey)

PRISONSHAKE: Dirty Moons DLP (Scat)

RACOO-OO-OON: S/T DLP (Not Not Fun)

RUDOLPH, ADAM (MOVING PICTURES): Dream Garden CD (Justin Time)

RUSALNAIA: S/T CD (Camera Obscura)

S. T. MIKAEL: In Harmony LP (Subliminal Sounds)

SECRET CHIEFS 3: Xaphan: Book of Angels Volume 9 CD (Tzadik)

SHALABI, SAM: Eid CD (Alien8 Recordings)

SILVER SUMMIT: S/T LP (Language Of Stone)

SLEEPY SUN: Embrace CD (Sol Diamond)

SONICKETTLE: En CD (Sonic Records)

SPECTRUM MEETS CAPTAIN MEMPHIS: Indian Giver CD (Birdman)

SPEER, D. CHARLES (& THE HELIX): After Hours LP (Sound@One)

SUARASAMA: Fajar Di Atas Awan DLP (Drag City)

SUN CITY GIRLS: Live At The Sit & Spin, Seattle, May 17, 2002 LP (Abduction)

THUNDERBOLT PAGODA: S/T LP (Mutant Music)

TUCKER, ALEXANDER: Portal LP (All Tomorrow's Parties)

ULAAN KHOL: I CD (Soft Abuse)

ULAAN KHOL: II CD (Soft Abuse)

UWAIFO, SIR VICTOR: Guitar-Boy Superstar 1970-76 DLP (Soundway)

VANDERMARK 5: Beat Reader DCD (Atavistic)

WHITE MAGIC: New Egypt CD Single (Latitudes)

ZEDEK, THALIA (BAND): Liars and Prayers LP (Thrill Jockey)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XIX: The Rain Horse CD (Tzadik)

ZORN, JOHN: The Dreamers CD (Tzadik)  

V/A: A Kind Of Awe And Reverence And Wonder CD (Twisted Nerve)

V/A: African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds
From Benin & Togo 70s DLP (Analog Africa)

V/A: Asian Flashback: Underground Music From Asia CD (PSF)

V/A: Brazilika CD (Far Out Recordings)

V/A: Love, Peace & Poetry - Chilean Psychedelic Music LP (QDK Media)

V/A: Nigeria Rock Special: Psychedelic, Afro-Rock & Fuzz Funk In 1970s Nigeria DLP (Soundway)

V/A: Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6 Part 1 DLP (Soundway)

V/A: Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues
1970-6 Part 2 DLP (Soundway)

V/A: 1970’s Algerian Proto-Rai Underground LP (Sublime Frequencies)

V/A: Radio Myanmar (Burma) CD (Sublime Frequencies)

V/A: Shadow Music Of Thailand LP (Sublime Frequencies)

V/A: We Are All Circling The Stars DCD (Cosmos Recordings)


Labels Of Note:

Tzadik = 6

Language of Stone = 4

Soundway = 4

Not Not Fun = 3

S-S Records = 3

Sublime Frequencies = 3

Abduction = 2

Analog Africa = 2

Holy Mountain = 2

Kranky = 2

Soft Abuse = 2

Thrill Jockey = 2

Time-Lag = 2

Ubiquity = 2

I purchased only 1 title from 46 labels

Monday, June 16, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 6/7/08 - 6/16/08


Adds -

ENDLESS BOOGIE: Focus Level 2LP (No Quarter) - Endless Boogie is a band with an appropriate and self-descriptive name, if ever there was one. But this ain't your father's boogie, that of the ballrooms and dance halls of the late 60's and early 70's, this is a modern interpretation, with the simple, repetitive progressions of boogie, sure, but in a much more hi-gain, loose, punk rock vein.


SILVER SUMMIT: S/T CD (Language Of Stone) - To the list of amazing acid folk/psych projects emanating from the orbit of Greg Weeks and his Hexham Head Studios (Espers, Ex Reverie, Fern Knight, Mountain Home, etc.), you can add the name - Silver Summit. On their self-titled debut, the duo of Sondra Sun-Odeon and David Shawn Bosler, supported by a stellar cast (Greg Weeks, Gillian Chadwick, Margie Wienk, and so on), delivers 10 tracks of stunning crystalline acid folk and excellent psych stylings.


Hopefully, there will be a variety of opportunities for people in Northern California to see them in early September, during their upcoming West Coast tour!


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 46/94%

Did Not Add 3/6%

Friday, June 06, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 6/6/08


Adds -

SUN CITY GIRLS: Live At The Sit & Spin, Seattle, May 17, 2002 LP (Abduction) - This LP (issued in a limited edition of 1000 copies) was sold only during the recent “Brothers Unconnected” tour, which featured Alan and Richard Bishop paying tribute to their long-running project, the Sun City Girls, and their fallen partner in sound, Charles Goucher. As the title states, this LP documents the Sun City Girls live experience as captured at The Sit & Spin club, in Seattle, WA, on May 17, 2002.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 44/94%

Did Not Add 3/6%

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 6/5/08 - A Portland Explosion!


Adds - 2

NUDITY: The Nightfeeders 12” Single (Discourage Records) - Pretty cool 12" single from this new Portland, OR kraut/spacerock jam band. Two versions of a side-long piece called, "The Nightfeeders", with the B-Side version being a remix by Tim Green.


PIERCED ARROWS: Straight To The Heart LP (Tombstone) - The debut full-length from Fred and Toody's post-Dead Moon trio, Pierced Arrows. No big surprize that it contains 12 tracks of classic, raw, garage punk rave-ups! SF Bay Area locals can look forward to seeing them live soon at the Bottom of The Hill on Thursday, July 17.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 43/93%

Did Not Add 3/7%

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

THIS IS OUR MOMENT!!!!!


The best chance we've had in our lifetime to make a real change in our country and our county's profile in the world. Obama represents the kind of forward thinking that America needs to thrive in the "Post American" world of the 21st Century. THIS IS OUR MOMENT!!!!! LETS NOT BLOW IT PROGRESSIVES OF AMERICA!!!!!


DAMN STRAIGHT!!!!!

Music I Liked And Didn't - 5/19/08 - 6/4/08


Adds - 5

BISHOP, ALAN AND RICHARD: The Brothers Unconnected - A Tribute To Charles Goucher & Sun City Girls CD (Abduction) - Tour Only CD. Excellent document of an excellent show/tour that paid tribute to a legendary group and their fallen comrade in sound, Charles Goucher.


FERN KNIGHT: S/T CD (VHF) - More killer acid folk and psych sounds from this mainstay of the vibrant contemporary Philly scene!


INDIAN JEWELRY: Free Gold! CD (We Are Free) - The latest from Indian Jewelry is a triumph, with an awesome mix of sounds, ranging from psychosludge to lo-fi, punkish, indie-rock, and even an neo-acid folk/pop leaning track or two.


SPECTRUM MEETS CAPTAIN MEMPHIS: Indian Giver CD (Birdman) - Certainly one of the more interesting, more Spacemen 3 sounding, and best releases from Sonic in quite a while. The tracks featuring legendary producer, Jim Dickinson (Big Star, Alex Chilton, The Replacements, Mudhoney, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and so on), on vocals are also interesting, especially "The Lonesome Death of Johnny Ace".


ZEDEK, THALIA (BAND): Liars and Prayers LP (Thrill Jockey) - More touching, world worn ballads and rockers from this overlooked and underappreciated underground veteran and personal favorite.


Did Not Add - 1

NALLE: The Siren's Wave CD (Locust)


Running Count For The Year

Adds 41/93%

Did Not Add 3/7%

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 5/4/08 - 5/18/08



Adds - 3

NOTHING PEOPLE: Anonymous LP (S-S) - Sorry, I couldn't find any cover art for this excellent new LP yet. No surprize, I guess, as I was privileged to be the first paying customer to have a copy, getting it directly from a band member after he picked them up! An amazing dose of punk/kraut/psych grooves!

V/A: Nigeria Rock Special: Psychedelic, Afro-Rock & Fuzz Funk In 1970s Nigeria 2LP (Soundway)

V/A: Radio Myanmar (Burma) CD (Sublime Frequencies) - Another fascinating release from Sub Freq. An ironicly timely sonic portrait, too, of a land about which little is known, but is currently the focus of much attention in the aftermath of the devastating cyclone that recently hit the country. The political messages were especially interesting/chilling.


Did Not Add - 1

GRAILS: Take Refuge In Clean Living CD (Important) - Grails have been one of my favs over the past few years, but their latest really left me cold. A big disappointment. These black tar prophets shouldn't have taken refuge in clean living, as their art has surely suffered for it!


Running Count For The Year

Adds 36/95%

Did Not Add 2/5%

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 4/28/08 - 5/3/08



Yeah, I'm still not really doing many proper reviews, due to all the work I'm putting into producing a special program on the Vandermark 5 for KFJC's annual "Month Of Mayhem", but, I am still enjoying and keeping up on new releases and here's what I've liked and not liked, since my last post.

Adds - 2

CLOUDLAND CANYON: Lie In Light CD (Kranky)

V/A: African Scream Contest: Raw & Psychedelic Afro Sounds
From Benin & Togo 70s CD (Analog Africa)


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 33/97%

Did Not Add 1/3%


Also, for those of you in Northern California... there's another very cool show being put on by the fine "Folk Yeah!" gang at the Henry Miller library in beautiful Big Sur!!!!! Lots of great acid folk and psych sounds from the likes of Ex-Reverie, Fern Knight, Entrance, and more!!!!! Check out http://www.henrymiller.org/, for more info and tix


And remember...


DAMN STRAIGHT!!!!!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 4/18/08 - 4/27/08



Yeah, I'm still not really doing many proper reviews, due to all the work I'm putting into producing a special program on the Vandermark 5 for KFJC's annual "Month Of Mayhem", but, I am still enjoying and keeping up on new releases and here's what I've liked and not liked, since my last post.

Adds - 2

LIGHTS: S/T CD (Language Of Stone)

SECRET CHIEFS 3: Xaphan: Book of Angels Volume 9 CD (Tzadik)


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 31/97%

Did Not Add 1/3%


And remember...


DAMN STRAIGHT!!!!!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Announcing A Five Hour Special On The Vandermark 5 On KFJC 89.7 FM!!!!!

Ken Vandermark in full flight on baritone!

I'm proud to announce that a friend and I are producing a special program on the Vandermark 5 as part of KFJC's annual "Month Of Mayhem".

This special, "Applying The Principles Of The Jazz Dialectic: An Aural History of the Vandermark 5", will be aired on Tuesday May 13, from 10am to 3pm. Among the highlights of this special, will be an interview with Ken Vandermark and the presentation of some free CDs and LPs (!) from the Vandermark 5 catalog to a few lucky listeners!

Here's a brief description of the special:

Through his efforts as a performer, composer, leader, and organizer, 1999 MacArthur Fellows selection, Ken Vandermark, has been exploring and working to expand the possibilities of jazz/improvised music for over 20 years. To that end, the Vandermark 5 has been his flagship ensemble since 1997. During that time, varying line-ups of the Vandermark 5 have produced 14 releases, consistently delivering diverse sets of contemporary jazz, with material that strikes an almost perfect balance between composition and improvisation and which integrates a wide range of sonic elements from hard bop and blistering free jazz to slamming funk and searing out-rock. Join hosts Thurston Hunger and Daryl Licht as they present an overview of the history and recordings of this influential and legendary ensemble, which, now in their second decade, continues to evolve and create compelling contemporary jazz with an almost unparalleled passion and artistry.


Left to Right: Dave Rempis, Kent Kessler, and Fred Lonberg- Holm of the Vandermark 5

Readers are encouraged to click on the KFJC link on the right side of this page for more info about KFJC's "Month Of Mayhem" or other information regarding KFJC.


Tim Daisy of the Vandermark 5

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 3/17/08 - 4/17/08


Yeah, I'm still not really doing many proper reviews, due to all the work I'm putting into producing a special program on the Vandermark 5 for KFJC's annual "Month Of Mayhem", but, I am still enjoying and keeping up on new releases and here's what I've liked and not liked, since my last post. I've included the cover art from the most noteworthy of these releases.

Adds - 14

AHMED, ILYAS: The Vertigo Of Dawn LP (Time-Lag)

BAR KOKHBA: Lucifer: Book of Angels Volume 10 CD (Tzadik)

BIRDS OF MAYA: Vol. 1 LP (Holy Mountain)


BORIS: Smile CD (Diwphalanx)


BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE: My Bloody Underground CD (A Records)

BURKETT, JOSHUA: Where’s My Hat? LP (Time-Lag)

BY ANY MEANS: Live At Crescendo DCD (Ayler)


CLUTCHY HOPKINS: Walking Backwards LP (Ubiquity)

DER BLUTHARSCH: The Philosopher’s Stone LP+ One-Sided 7-S (WKN)

ERSEN: S/T CD (Finders Keepers)

KAWAGUCHI, MASAMI (NEW ROCK SYNDICATE): Cat vs. Frog LP (Palindrone Recordings)

ORCHESTRE REGIONAL DE KAYES: S/T LP (Mississippi)


ZORN, JOHN: The Dreamers CD (Tzadik)

V/A: Shadow Music Of Thailand LP (Sublime Frequencies)


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 29/97%

Did Not Add 1/3%

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 3/13/08 - 3/16/08



OK, here's another review of an item that I was "commissioned" to write for one of the many websites to which I occasionally contribute.

Since this item was already included in a list I previously published, it will not change any of the running totals for the year that I post at the bottom of each entry.


Adds -

BROWN, ROB (ENSEMBLE): Crown Trunk Root Funk CD (AUM Fidelity) - Despite being a respected presence in the contemporary jazz scene for many years now, alto saxophonist, Rob Brown, remains somewhat overlooked and under appreciated, in my humble opinion. During his 20+ year career, he has produced very few recordings as a leader, a fact which I find unfortunate, as I’ve always enjoyed his unique tone and distinctive style. His 1989 release on Silkheart, “Breath Rhyme” is still a personal favorite. Brown originally formed this current quartet (which includes the legendary, William Parker, on bass, Gerald Clever, on drums, and the well-known, but often lightweight, Craig Taborn, on piano and electronics) for a performance at the 2006 edition of NYC’s great Vision Festival.

Supported by this ensemble, Brown explores new sonic territory on “Crown Trunk Root Funk”, incorporating elements of funk and experimental electronics into his music. Brown slowly immerses listeners into his expanded vocabulary, opening the disc with the solid “Rocking Horse”, a funky, slightly fusion-inflected free bopper that doesn’t stray too far from his earlier work. By the set’s third track, however, Brown is deep into uncharted waters. In “Sonic Ecosystem” Taborn and Cleaver lay down a minimal (but slowly building) foundation of experimental electronics and sporadic percussive accents over which, eventually, Brown, with an almost mournful alto, and Parker, with bowed bass, play a plaintive theme in unison. In sharp contrast, the next track “Ghost Dog” is the album’s most accessible piece, a slick, nearly regrettable, pop-leaning, funky strutter. The group returns to familiar ground with “Exuberance”, an excellent blast of classic Brown free bop stylings. The CD closes with the beautiful “World's Spinning”, in which Cleaver, Parker and Taborn create a dark, impressionistic backdrop for Brown’s soulful, lyrical lines. While his experiments on “Crown Trunk Root Funk” are not uniformly successful, it still contains plenty of great contemporary jazz and Brown is to be commended for attempting to explore new sonic horizons.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 15/94%

Did Not Add 1/6%

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 3/10/08 - 3/12/08



OK, I'm back in the game, after being asked by one of the many websites to which I occasionally contribute, to provide a review for this release .

This will not change any of the running totals for the year that I post at the bottom of each entry, as this release was already included in a list I previously published.


Adds -

VANDERMARK 5: Beat Reader CD (Atavistic) - “Beat Reader” is the tenth studio recording from esteemed performer/composer/leader Ken Vandermark’s flagship ensemble, the Vandermark 5. As always, Vandermark and crew deliver a diverse set of contemporary jazz over the eight tracks of this set, with material that strikes an almost perfect balance between composition and improvisation and which integrates a wide range of sonic elements from hard bop and blistering free jazz to slamming funk and searing out-rock. The ongoing evolution of the group is clearly displayed on “Beat Reader”, with the quintet’s newest member, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm (pictured above), being featured more prominently than any other performer, except Vandermark. From the beginning of the excellent opening piece “Friction” to the conclusion of the scorching final track “Desireless”, Lonberg-Holm makes his mark, with contributions ranging from subtle, chamber music stylings to driving, angular riffing and raucous, electrified skronk, the latter of which providing the group with its most acidic, rock-tinged edge since former trombonist/guitarist Jeb Bishop retired his electric guitar after 2000’s “Burn The Incline”. Personal favorites included “Further From The Truth”, a subduded, yet tasty, little piece that almost sounds as if it could have been taken from Zorn’s Masada songbook, the funky free bop of “Speedplay”, and the aforementioned “Desireless”. Although they are now in their second decade, as “Beat Reader” clearly demonstrates, the Vandermark 5 are not resting on their laurels, rather, they continue to evolve and create compelling contemporary jazz with an almost unparalleled passion and artistry.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 15/94%

Did Not Add 1/6%


And remember...


Damn Straight!

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 1/6/08 - 3/9/08





Yeah, I'm still alive, but, barely. It's been a hectic and bad few weeks. Maybe I'll feel like writing about cool music again sometime, but not yet. Sorry.

Anyway, as badly as life has turned on me, I am still (trying) to enjoy and keep up on new releases and here's what I've liked and not liked, since my last post...

Adds - 14

BERNSTEIN, STEVEN: Diaspora Suite CD (Tzadik)

BROWN, ROB (ENSEMBLE): Crown Trunk Root Funk CD (AUM Fidelity)

DEAD MEADOW: Old Growth DLP (Matador)

EX REVERIE: The Door Into Summer CD (Language Of Stone)

LUMERIANS: S/T 12” EP (Subterranean Elephants Recording Company)

RUDOLPH, ADAM (MOVING PICTURES): Dream Garden CD (Justin Time)

RUSALNAIA: S/T CD (Camera Obscura)

SHALABI, SAM: Eid CD (Alien8 Recordings)

SPEER, D. CHARLES (& THE HELIX): After Hours LP (Sound@One)

ULAAN KHOL: I CD (Soft Abuse)

VANDERMARK 5: Beat Reader DCD (Atavistic)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XIX: The Rain Horse CD (Tzadik)

V/A: Asian Flashback: Underground Music From Asia CD (PSF)

V/A: Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife,Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6 2CD (Soundway)


Did Not Add - 1

SUISHOU NO FUNE - Prayer for Chibi DCD (Holy Mountain)


Running Count For The Year

Adds 15/94%

Did Not Add 1/6%

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 1/1/08 - 1/5/08



Another year and the hits keep on comin'...

Adds -

V/A: A Kind Of Awe And Reverence And Wonder CD (Twisted Nerve) - “A Kind Of Awe And Reverence And Wonder” is another in the seemingly endless (and let’s hope so!) stream of collections issued by the Twisted Nerve/Finders Keepers/B-Music empire. Unlike most of its predecessors, for example, “Bearded Ladies, Volume One” (femme folk and psychedelia) and “Welsh Rare Beat” (archival recordings from the diverse Welsh music scene of the 1960’s and ‘70’s), this collection doesn’t seem to have any unifying theme. It simply contains 12 tracks of contemporary folk, pop, and psych from around the globe, mostly from emerging artists. Highlights included Welsh group 9Bach’s beautiful dose of crystalline acid folk “Pontypridd”, the flowing, lysergic pop gush of “Chlorine Fields” from Chicago’s Speck Mountain, and the incredible psych raga “Waiting By The Window” from England’s Booger Red (pictured above). Not a mindblower, overall, just a nice set of enjoyable tracks that also provide a useful and welcome introduction to some promising new artists that deserve further investigation.

In fact, I have already contacted Speck Mountain and 9Bach regarding their debut full-length and EP releases, respectively, so, stay tuned to Sonictroubadour for more info about these artists and their music in the near future!


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 1/100%

Did Not Add 0/0%

Friday, January 04, 2008

The Big Losers On Thursday Night? Hillary, Mitt, And Rush!!!!!


For your entertainment and enlightenment I reproduce a copy of an actual email message that I sent to Rush Limbaugh. Needless to say, I expected and received no response. For the record, I was correct in my prediction that he would focus much more on the negative aspects of Hillary's poor showing, than on the fact that his efforts to affect the outcome on the Republican side failed, his desires to that end are in disarray, and, generally, he was just flat out wrong, wrong, wrong!

Enjoy!

From: borb@earthlink.net
To: ElRushbo@eibnet.com
Subject: The Man Who Runs America? Huckabee Slaps Down Little Rushie!!!!!
Date: Jan 4, 2008 3:48 AM

Dear Lush Limpballs, you drug addled, limp dick,

Let me preface this by stating that I'm not a Huckabee supporter. That all being stated, I was thrilled with his success in Iowa because it illustrates what a completely full of shit, out of touch with reality, egomanic you are! Despite the best efforts of you, a man who claims to be (more like lies about!) being right like 98%+ of the time and who claims to "run America", to discredit and defeat Huckabee, he won! Slap down for you little Rushie, ya draft dodging pussy posing as a patroit! Don't expect you to acknowledge all this on your show, of course, but hey, knowing it's the truth is good enough for me! I suppose all you'll be doing is exhulting in Hillary's defeat. Good, go for it, as that won't hurt me any - I don't want her to be President, anyway! I'll admit that I liked Bill, but I'm sick of all the Clintons and Bushes. 20 years of them (practically half my life!) is enough! It is time for change in America! That's what last night demonstrated, Americans want a change and they voted for who they perceived to be the strongest outsider candidates (though, obviously, not the most outsider candidates, just to be clear). You were blindsided by this because you're a rich celb and, as a result, are isolated from the "real man in the street", despite your posturing to the contrary. Yep, little Rushie, next to Hillary and Mitt, you were the big loser on Thursday night! Ha Ha! Ha Ha!

Steve


DAMN STRAIGHT!!!!!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

2007 - My Personal Music Year In Review - Part Two


Top Ten New Modern Music Releases Of 2007

(Listed Alphabetically, Not By Ranking)

AKRON/FAMILY: Love Is Simple DLP (Young God)

ANGELS OF LIGHT: We Are Him DLP (Young God)

ENTRANCE: Prayer Of Death LP (Tee Pee)

GRAILS: Burning Off Impurities CD (Temporary Residence Limited)

JACKIE-O MOTHERFUCKER: Valley Of Fire LP (Textile)

MV + EE With The Golden Road: Gettin' Gone DLP (Ecstatic Peace)

PINK REASON: Throw It Away + 2 7” EP (Savage Quality Recordings)

RACOO-OO-OON: Behold Secret Kingdom CD (Release The Bats)

VALERIE PROJECT: S/T DLP (Drag City)

WOODEN SHJIPS: S/T LP (Holy Mountain)


ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Greg Weeks

Between performing in numerous projects, highlighted by the great Valerie Project and Espers, running the very cool Hexham Head studios, and establishing the cool, new imprint, Language Of Stone, Weeks is clearly one of the leading lights in the international underground music scene.