An opinionated rock'n'roller rants & raves about music past & present
I have no details but this seems to be sad but true.
I've known Bob for years, from his days in the 80's NYC garage scene in the Ultra V, where he and I basically looked like rock'n'roll twins, through his modern day bluesy takes and acoustic music. We got to meet a time or two and have always kept in touch. Always a good guy making good music - very saddened to hear this. What a f'k'ing year this has been!
posted by rich @ 10:46 AM
Friday 12-30-22 - Franks'n'Deans at Mickie Finnz
Friday 12-30-22 - The Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 12-31-22 - Shanda and the Howlers at Mabel's BBQ
Saturday 12-31-22 - Franks'n'Deans at Mickie Finnz
Saturday 12-31-22 - The Hypnotiques and then Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 1-7-22 - Suburban Resistance, Lean 13, Gob Patrol, NC3 at Dive Bar
Saturday 1-7-23 - the New Waves at the Golden Tiki
Friday 1-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Double Down with Crimson Riot and Robert Stokes Band
Saturday 1-14-23 - Lost Vagrants with Suburban Resistance at the Usual Place
Thursday 1-19-23 - the Negative Nancys, Va Voom, Biff, Three Rounds at Red Dwarf
Saturday 1-23-23 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Huntridge Tavern
Monday 2-6-23 - The Psyatics with the Hickoids at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Saturday 2-11-23 - The Psyatics, The Devil's Duo and Suburban Resistance at the Huntridge Tavern
Sunday 2-12-23 - Lady Luck Lexy and the Riverside Boys with the Hideaway at the Golden Tiki
Friday 3-3-22 - High Rollers Scooter Rally at the Usual Place with 16 Again, The New Waves, The Inciters, Chelsea Curve, Green Fuzz and the Double Whammys
Saturday 3-4-22 - The Unwieldies and the Devil's Duo at Cemetery Pulp
Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar
posted by rich @ 11:47 AM
posted by rich @ 7:12 PM
Friday 12-23-22 - The Bitters with Santa Muerte and Stagnettis Cock at the Double Down
Saturday 12-24-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-26-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Friday 12-30-22 - Franks'n'Deans at Mickie Finnz
Friday 12-30-22 - The Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 12-31-22 - Shanda and the Howlers at Mabel's BBQ
Saturday 12-31-22 - Franks'n'Deans at Mickie Finnz
Saturday 12-31-22 - The Hypnotiques and then Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 1-7-22 - Suburban Resistance, Lean 13, Gob Patrol, NC3 at Dive Bar
Saturday 1-7-23 - the New Waves at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 1-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Double Down
Sunday 1-14-22 - Lost Vagrants with Suburban Resistance at the Usual Place
Saturday 1-23-23 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Huntridge Tavern
Monday 2-6-22 - The Psyatics with the Hickoids at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Saturday 2-11-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern
Friday 3-3-22 - High Rollers Scooter Rally at the Usual Place with 16 Again, The New Waves, The Inciters, Chelsea Curve, Green Fuzz and the Double Whammys
Saturday 3-4-22 - The Unwieldies at the Devil's Duo at Cemetery Pulp
Sunday 6-25-22 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar
posted by rich @ 11:59 AM
I only sporadically do these year end reviews, but it's been a weird one, and, as always, sometimes good, sometimes great, sometimes terrible, sometimes a trial....Anyway, here's a short one...
Obviously, the worst part of the year has been the insane number of deaths, from my beloved sister, Sharon, to far too many friends who passed far too young to stars, the constant barrage or sorrow takes its toll. It's been a tough one, no doubt...
Of course, there has been fun times, as well, starting with the debut of the Devil's Duo, the acoustic guitar/banjolele combo that Melanie has masterminded and I contribute to. Lots of fabulous shows, from our debut in January with the Unwieldies with Serious Sam and James the Fang to our final gig of the year in November with a rare reunion of the fantastic All-Togethers and even a house show with our old pal, Kepi and an amazing night with the legendary Panther Burns, as well as the incredible Peculiar Pretzelmen. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 12 months - all of the hip bands that we have gigged with and all of the terrific people who have come out to see us. We hope to have a lot more happening in 2023, including t-shirts designed by our pal, Jw Caldwell, artist to Vegas' punk rock scene.
The Psyatics have stayed busy as can be, as well, with tons of fun gigs and lots of new songs that are going to be recorded for the next album in January. Stay tuned for more on that!
Naturally, there has been an infinite amount of new (to me, anyway) music, books and even comics from artists new'n'old and from online services to the superb new store out in Henderson, Cemetery Pulp (who has also hosted a Devil's Duo gig and we hope to get back there in 2023).
I got to see my family a couple of times, Melanie's mom a couple of times, but it's been tough getting together with friends due to so many illnesses - ours and others - and life's general craziness. Is it too much to hope that things quiet down a bit in 2023 so that we can safely socialize once again? I'm afraid that it might be...
Anyway, stay hopeful, stay healthy, stay with us and hope to see everyone again soon.
posted by rich @ 1:53 PM
Yep, there's lots more to come with these terrific compilations of early blues recordings from the 1920's (and some from the 30's)!
This time out Victoria Spivey leads off with a song that I would have thought would have been pretty controversial at the time, the fairly graphic "Dope Head Blues" - a great number, though, with fine guitar backing. From there we get some of the same characters from the previous comps but with new tunes, of course, with the Memphis Jug Band continuing the drug theme in the Dixieland-like "Cocaine Habit Blues" (much more light-hearted than the previous tune), Charley Patton doing his "Gonna Move To Alabama", then Marshall Owens, Ida Cox doing the oft-covered "'Fore Day Creep", Blind Lemon Jefferson and his iconic "Black Snake Moan No. 2", more from the Beale Street Sheiks, Charlie Spand, Bumble Bee Slim, more fiddle-blues from the Mississippi Sheiks, jazzy blues from Ma Rainey, Blind Blake's holiday message in "Lonesome Christmas Blues", more from Marshall Owens, Chocolate Brown (cool git-playin' and sultry female vocals) and concluding with two stellar cuts from the incredible Son House.
Another amazing collection from Blues Images!
posted by rich @ 1:57 PM
Pretty certain that I found out about this tome from my pal Dan Epstein on Facebook (thanks Dan!) as he was catching up on local lore as he returned to New York. Of course, I've always been fascinated with the east coast scene in its various permutations and McLeod does his best to give the freaks' point of view of the hip times'n'happenings in the city via concentrating on certain individuals who were in the center of the creative maelstroms over the years.
The book opens with the Greenwich Village culture of the late 50's/early 60's - truly an epicenter of hipness for a couple of decades - particularly the gay and Off-Off-Broadway scenes and its incredible creativeness in theater, writing, music and performance in general. What is particularly striking is that despite the rampant homophobia - it was literally illegal for a man to dress like a woman in public and drag queens ruled this theater scene - and all of the political and cultural turmoil , there was a strong sense of hope and optimism for the future. Unfortunately, that hope isn't as prevalent these days, as it has been crushed all too many times by the evil in the world....
Of course, there was also a darker side, with the oppressive politics of the day combined with increasing drug use causing a number of locals to lose their lives early on. But, as scenes collided and overlapped, there was also plenty of positivity including the birth of numerous musical groups - specifically the book recounts the Holy Modal Rounders, the Fugs and the Velvet Underground as pure, authentic Lower East Side bands. But there is more of a concentration on the theatrical scene for the first portion of the book, although, as I've said, there is plenty of overlap.
The segue to the punk scene (besides Patti Smith doing Off-Off-Broadway theater) is based on the PBS TV show, An American Family, which, of course, I watched at the time, but don't remember much of it and certainly not some of the outrageous scenes and scenesters of NYC that appeared due to Lance Loud living in the Chelsea Hotel at the time. Of course, I was a completely naive, innocent, mid western high schooler when it came out and I wasn't aware of that world at the time. In any case, Lance comes out as the first openly gay person on television and he, of course, starts his own band, the Mumps, and appears with some of the biggest punk bands at the time.
Naturally, Patti and Blondie pretty much dominate the NYC punk portion due to their overlap with the theater and art scenes, but McLeod tries to give an overview of the times and its participants and the interactions between the various groups.
The reporting mostly ends with 70's punk rock and the subsequent depressing gentrification and rising costs in general that will keep any of these scenes from ever happening again in the city as the world continues to change and yet stagnant.
The music reporting here doesn't really offer too much new information, but the book's theme of overlapping scenes in the city is one that isn't addressed as often as maybe it should be, with the importance of women, gays and various outcasts in the creation of the arts in the city. Great concept and definitely some fine reporting.
posted by rich @ 12:50 PM
On this one we get Skip James' truly haunting "Devil Got My Woman", Charley Patton doing "Love My Stuff", the legendary Willie Brown and his fine guitar playing on his "M and O Blues", the Mississippi Sheiks fiddle-led "He Calls That Religion" (my band, the Swamp Gospel, did a version of this at one point), there's a bit of silliness from Blind Blake in "Champagne Charlie is my Name", Ida Cox continues to be sultry with her piano-driven "Lost Man Blues", I really dig King Solomon Hill's guitar playing on this series and here he shines on "The Gone Dead Train", there's more from Blind Lemon Jefferson, Ma Rainey (her unforgettable, Dixieland-ish "Black Bottom"), Papa Charlie Jackson (a whimsical "Skoodle Um Skoo"), Blind Roosevelt Graves (getting jazzy in "Guitar Boogie", that ironically, does not highlight the guitar), holiday "cheer" from Leroy Carr with his "Christmas in Jail", more from Mattie Delaney, Louis Lasky (fast'n'fancy guitar work here), and George Torey before the bookend finale of Skip James and his "Cypress Grove Blues".
What more can I say - well worth the purchase!
posted by rich @ 12:45 PM
The title of this series would evolve as it went along since different editions would have a different number of songs on them, depending on what Blues Images were able to find each year. Of course, they did their best to keep the song'n'sound quality as good as possible while filling out a solid collection of hard-to-find tunes.
Opening with a rare cut from Skip James (I don't remember ever hearing it, anyway), "Drunken Spree", James shows off his exceptional playing, and this is followed by excellent solo and group work from the likes of Son House, Ma Rainey, Papa Charlie Jackson, Ed Bell (terrific playing on "Mamlish Blues"), the Mississippi Sheiks with their original take on the now-classic "Sitting On Top Of The World" (although there were similar tunes previously), Charley Patton and his "Pony Blues", Jaydee Short doing a favorite, "Lonesome Swamp Rattlesnake", the always excellent Blind Blake (what a player! Funnily, this tune is taken from the previous "Sitting On Top of the World")), Ida Cox, the Beale Street Sheiks, Blind Lemon Jefferson doing the holiday-themed "Christmas Eve Blues", King Solomon Hill playing some superior guitar while doing an ode to "My Buddy, Blind Papa Lemon", Blind Joe Reynolds has "Ninety Nine Blues" and the proceedings come to a close with two fun cuts from the Memphis Jug Band - "You Gotta Have That Thing" and the classic "Bottle It Up and Go".
As I've said numerous times, I'm a huge fan of this style and love these collections and am super sorry to see them go. Collect them all!
posted by rich @ 11:24 AM
Since I found out that Blues Images were discontinuing their calendar/CD series with the 2023 edition and they were getting rid of all of their old stock, I picked up all of the CD's that they released before I started collecting them. They were sold out of Volume One but were good enough to burn me a copy since I was buying the rest of the series. Nice people! Support them!
As with all of the subsequent releases, this is a terrific collection of early acoustic blues, starting with Blind Blakes humorous "He's in the Jailhouse Now", followed by Ramblin' Thomas' wonderful slide work on "No Job Blues", Skip James playing piano on his "22-20 Blues", Blind Lemon Jefferson's evocative ode to flood waters, "Rising High Water Blues", the legendary Charlie Patton's "Down the Dirt Road Blues", great guitar work from Blind Willie McTell in "Death Cell Blues", Bumble Bee Slim's "Rough Rugged Road" is, appropriately I suppose, a bit scratchy, but is a wonderful rendition with great playing, the incredible Son House is amazing on "Dry Spell Blues", Blind Blake again impresses in "Bad Feeling Blues", The Beale Street Sheiks' "Beale Town Bound" obviously influenced a number of other songs - or vice versa! - then Blind Lemon Jefferson performs his classic "Black Snake Dream Blues", followed by Ma Rainey in her sultry, alcoholic "Dead Drunk Blues", Tommy Johnson actually semi-yodels in a mournful way in "I Want Someone To Love Me", there's more fine slide guitar work in Blind Joe Reynolds low-fi "Cold Woman Blue" and the set finishes off with King Solomon Hill and his great guitar playing in the somewhat haunting "Time Has Done Got Hard".
I absolutely love the excellent blues tunes from this era - they are so full of passion, the playing is generally superior and while the sound quality can sometimes be iffy due to the technology of the day, these performances are hard to beat! Grab these collections while you can from bluesimages.com!
posted by rich @ 10:17 AM
Thursday 12-15-22 - Scary Xmas at the Huntridge Tavern featuring the Negative Nancys, Diskount Vodka, Inframundo
Friday 12-16-22 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Dam Brewing
Friday 12-16-22 - Monster Zero at the Double Down
Saturday 12-17-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 12-17-22 - The Ravagers, Gob Patrol, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at Red Dwarf
Sunday 12-18-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch
Sunday 12-18-22 - Girl Haggard at the Pioneer Saloon
Monday 12-19-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-19-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Wednesday 12-21-22 - The Hypnotiques at Cornish Pasty
Friday 12-23-22 - The Bitters with Santa Muerte and Stagnettis Cock at the Double Down
Saturday 12-24-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-26-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Friday 12-30-22 - Franks'n'Deans at Mickie Finnz
Saturday 12-31-22 - Shanda and the Howlers at Mabel's BBQ
Saturday 12-31-22 - Franks'n'Deans at Mickie Finnz
Saturday 12-31-22 - The Hypnotiques and then Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 1-7-22 - Suburban Resistance, Lean 13, Gob Patrol, NC3 at Dive Bar
Saturday 1-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Double Down
Sunday 1-14-22 - Lost Vagrants with Suburban Resistance at the Usual Place
Saturday 1-23-23 - The Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Huntridge Tavern
Saturday 2-11-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern
Friday 3-3-22 - High Rollers Scooter Rally at the Usual Place with 16 Again, The New Waves, The Inciters, Chelsea Curve, Green Fuzz and the Double Whammys
posted by rich @ 12:04 PM
Once again, I am shocked - shocked, I tell ya! - that this album has escaped my blog, as well, as it is yet another favorite, but it could be because I have simply burned a CD of the vinyl and not everything appears on it, but still, a surprise that I haven't ranted'n'raved about this great record.
Once again, Harrison released a three album set (like his All Things Must Pass) but here there are a wide variety of musicians covering the different sides, as well as a true superstar line up of backing musicians including the likes of Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, Badfinger and many others, including beautiful and talented backing singers who were stars in their own rights.
Appropriately, Side One features Ravi Shankar and his group performing traditional Indian music, as Ravi is the one who initially asked George if he could do something to help the crisis in Bangladesh. The group and the performance is phenomenal and I'm sure that this helped to turn many young people onto the sounds of India.
George then puts on a "solo" performance (not exactly solo with multiple superstars on stage with him) of terrific versions of tunes from ATMP - "Wah Wah", "My Sweet Lord" (his smash hit at the time) and "Awaiting On You All", before passing the mic to Billy Preston for him fun, upbeat, gospel number "That's The Way God Planned It" - I always loved his church-like keyboard playing and exuberant vocals.
Ringo was also currently riding high in the charts with his solo smash, "It Don't Come Easy", that George co-wrote, produced and played on, and this version is pretty rockin', with great playing all around, despite the fact that Ringo completely flubs the lyrics in these days before teleprompters (and before all live albums were "fixed" before being released)! "Beware of Darkness", George's fantastic number also from ATMP is given an amazing reading as George duets with Leon Russell and the Beatles number, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is highlighted by Eric's epic lead work.
I probably became a fan of Leon Russell due to seeing him on the film version of this concert rockin' out in his gospel-tinged way, whoopiin'n'hollerin' and poundin' his piano in an incredible medley of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Youngblood" - what a performance! George does a terrific acoustic duet with Pete Ham from Badfinger on "Here Comes the Sun", then, while he had his acoustic on, George brought on Bob Dylan. The story that I heard was that, altho they were friends and Bob agreed to do it, they weren't sure if he was going to perform until he walked on stage. He was obviously a major draw for the concert, so I'm sure they were relieved that he appeared and he does a terrific job on "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall", then he is joined by at least George (and Leon on bass) on "It Takes a Lot to Laugh..." and "Blowin' in the Wind" and, as I recall, Ringo joins on tambourine - appropriately - for "Mr. Tambourine Man" (altho I also recall that Ringo would complain that Bob kept changing the time signature for the song!) and they all harmonize in a lovely take on "Just Like a Woman". The record ends with a strong reading of "Something" followed by George original for the occasion "Bangladesh" - maybe not his best number ever, but still a good one and a nice closer for the set.
This would have been an amazing concert to attend but the album and film are both fantastic souvenirs of this monumental event.
posted by rich @ 11:08 AM
Once again, I am surprised that I have not talked about this record as it is certainly my fave Harrison album and possibly my fave post-Beatles record by any of the gents - although there is, of course, strong competition for that "honor".
The original 3-LP set was compiled from many sessions with innumerable friends'n'stars including Dylan, Clapton, Billy Preston, Badfinger and many others - according to Wikipedia there are many other recordings that resulting from the sessions that are still not released, although there have been extended versions of this record that I have not yet heard.
Opening with an extremely mellow collaboration with Dylan, "I'd Have You Anytime" is a ballad with George's sweet, melodic guitar stylings and pure vocals. This moves into his biggest solo hit, "My Sweet Lord", that everyone knows and everyone is familiar with the controversy and lawsuit stemming from it - all very silly, indeed, especially considering the blatant steals that "songwriters" have used before and since this tune. In any case, it is a damn catchy homage to his Hare Krishna beliefs with nice call'n'answer vocals and memorable guitar hooks.
An ode to an effects pedal, or so I'd like to think, "Wah Wah", is again supremely catchy, riff-wise and melodically - truly, George's playing and songwriting are at their peaks here, and "Isn't It a Pity" begins with a simple, sparse, piano-chord progression that builds in dynamics while remaining reserved, yet powerful - tricky to do while keeping interest over 7 minutes. One of George's greatest moments, though, is the upbeat love song, "What Is Life", amazing licks, songwriting and production (Phil Spector) here - at least as good as anything he did with the former band! His version of Dylan's "If Not For You" has long been my preferred take on this great tune, he gives a pedal-steel waltz in "Behind That Locked Door", while "Let It Down" is a big production number with lots of dynamics, moving from an almost ballad to a strong, loud, horn-laden rocker and side two of the vinyl closed with the mid-tempo "Run of the Mill", not one of the more famous numbers, but still enduring.
Of course, another one of his best and best-known numbers is "Beware of Darkness" - amazing songwriting and playing on this one! He dedicates the harmonica-led "Apple Scruffs" to the youngsters working for their label, "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp" is simple'n'fun, "Awaiting on You All" ('chant in the name of the lord") is another well crafted, indelible number with a great riff and the title track is actually a bit of a lesser track - comparatively speaking - a slow, piano-led number with some atmospheric slide work.
"I Dig Love" kinda reminds me of something that Lennon might have done in his solo outings, while "Art of Dying" is a high energy, noisy, guitar pyrotechnic-fueled blast, "Version Two" of "Isn't It a Pity" is a more ambient mix of the song (I'm actually not sure if it's an altogether different take or not), and the closer for side four is "Hear Me Lord", a nice tune, but not nearly as memorable as much of the rest of the album.
The last LP of the set was dedicated to five different "Apple Jams", which are just what the title suggests - loose, somewhat meandering instrumental jams that don't really go anywhere or showcase anyone's talent. Of course, "It's Johnny's Birthday" is the ultra-goofy exception to the instrumental rule and "Plug Me In" does have a bit of spicy guitar work and strong drumming - but it still rambles a bit too much and even the Chuck Berry-themed -and silly-named - "Thanks For the Pepperoni" doesn't do much, although the mixes are pretty terrible for these jams - guess Spector didn't care for them, either.
Overall, if you forget the jams, this is a terrific album and any George or Beatles fan probably already has it, but if not, you should!
posted by rich @ 10:03 AM
Jim Stewart, Stax Records Co-Founder, Dead at 92
posted by rich @ 6:47 PM
Jet Black: 'Inspirational' drummer for the Stranglers dies aged 84
posted by rich @ 12:30 PM
Thursday 12-8-22 - TV Party Tonight at the Double Down showing Die Hard with live music from the Hard Pipe Hitters
Friday 12-9-22 - Dominik Muzio and Chemical Tribe at Vamp'd
Saturday 12-10-22 - Alive - tribute to Pearl Jam at Rockstar Bar
Saturday 12-10-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-12-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-12-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Thursday 12-15-22 - Scary Xmas at the Huntridge Tavern featuring the Negative Nancys, Diskount Vodka, Inframundo
Friday 12-16-22 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Dam Brewing
Saturday 12-17-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 12-17-22 - The Ravagers, Gob Patrol, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at Red Dwarf
Sunday 12-18-22 - Girl Haggard at the Pioneer Saloon
Monday 12-19-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-19-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Friday 12-23-22 - The Bitters with Santa Muerte and Stagnettis Cock at the Double Down
Monday 12-26-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Saturday 1-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Double Down
Saturday 2-11-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern
posted by rich @ 11:50 AM
After reading Kid Congo's excellent book, I pulled out some of my old Gun Club vinyl that I haven't listened to for ages (altho Kid does not appear on this) and remembered that this 12" EP was one of my fave releases after the first couple of albums. This is the only record from the band's line up of Jim Duckworth on guitar and Dee Pop on drums, here aided by Jimmie Joe Uliana on bass (regular bassist Patricia Morrison wasn't available for this spur of the moment recording session) and Texacala Jones adding some vocalizing.
The record opens with "The House on Highland Ave", an ode to an abode in Hollywood and its inhabitants in a repetitive chord riff and production reminiscent of some of the tunes off of Miami. Apparently, I was struck enough by "The Lie" to steal it for one of my songs for Thee Fourgiven (with changes, of course) - it's a chunky groover with an interesting progression and melody, although the chorus may repeat just a bit too often, but that's nit-picking. Although Jeffrey strains his voice past his small range, "The Light of the World" still has plenty of coolness, with neat, feedbacked guitar and plenty of catchiness. But it's the title cut, "Death Party", that really stands out, with Duckworth's guitar approaching Cramps-ian, noisy greatness - enough so that I initially thought it was Kid here, but Jim has his own expressive style, making it a shame that this is his only recording with this combo. Definitely the most powerful cut on the record, between Jim's fantastic guitar work and Pierce positively (drunkenly?) shrieking! For "Come Back Jim", the band brings back memories of their debut, with propulsive, train-kept-a-rollin' drumming, wanderin' bass lines and simple yet effective guitar chording.
It's a scandal and a crime that there's not more from this particular Gun Club congregation but dig this one - if you don't have it, get it - apparently there are plenty of copies out there at a reasonable price. If you dig their debut, you're sure to love this EP!
posted by rich @ 10:21 AM
I've been picking up these calendars every year for a decade or so because the imagery is amazing, they are fun'n'informative and they come with a fantastic CD of rare, early blues performances and each edition includes some previously unreleased material - I don't know how they manage to do that every year, but they have so far! Ironically, I just read the text in the calendar only to discover that this will be their last edition! I am very sorry to see this series go, as it has always been stellar - pick it up while you can!
As the title suggests, the music is primarily drawn from the 1920's but they fudge that a bit and include some terrific cuts from the 30's, as well. They combine some more well-known (comparatively) artists like Joshua White, Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Blake, Ida Cox, Ma Rainey, Charley Patton, Scrapper Blackwell and more with some less familiar (at least to me) names like Henry Thomas, who does the fantastic title cut, Funny Paper Smith, Brother Fullbosom (his cuts are sermons that he preached, not music, but I love them just as much!), Pete Franklin and others.
Playboy Fuller is especially powerful, with fantastic acoustic slide guitar work reminiscent of Muddy Waters, who he dedicates one of the tunes to. Three out of four of his cuts here were previously unreleased, which is fairly astounding, as they are terrific! Other unreleased tunes include Pete Franklin's "Mr. Charlie", Irene Scruggs and Little Brother Montgomery's two takes of "St. Louis Woman Blues" and Memphis Willie Borum's "Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Any More".
If you're an aficionado of such works then you will probably have some of these numbers already, but the comp is well put together, with high quality recordings (as much as can be from these old records, in any case) and the more rare items make it all worthwhile!
Always recommended!
posted by rich @ 4:27 PM
Friday 12-2-22 - Koffin Kats, No Que No, Horripilation, Dead at Midnight at Backstage Bar and Billiards
Friday 12-2-22 - Las Vegas Blues Society Jam at the original Sand Dollar hosted by Monk and the Po Boys
Friday 12-2-22 - the Rhyolite Sound at the Barbershop at the Cosmo
Saturday 12-3-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 12-3-22 - the Rocketz, Va Voom at Red Dwarf
Sunday 12-4-22 - Ryan Bingham with the Texas Gentlemen at the Dive Bar
Monday 12-5-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki
Wednesday 12-7-22 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast with Suburban Resistance at the Double Down
Thursday 12-8-22 - TV Party Tonight at the Double Down showing Die Hard with live music from the Hard Pipe Hitters
Friday 12-9-22 - Dominik Muzio and Chemical Tribe at Vamp'd
Saturday 12-10-22 - Alive - tribute to Pearl Jam at Rockstar Bar
Saturday 12-10-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-12-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-12-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Thursday 12-15-22 - Scary Xmas at the Huntridge Tavern featuring the Negative Nancys, Diskount Vodka, Inframundo
Friday 12-16-22 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Dam Brewing
Saturday 12-17-22 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki
Saturday 12-17-22 - The Ravagers, Gob Patrol, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at Red Dwarf
Sunday 12-18-22 - Girl Haggard at the Pioneer Saloon
Monday 12-19-22 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki
Monday 12-19-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Friday 12-23-22 - The Bitters with Santa Muerte and Stagnettis Cock at the Double Down
Monday 12-26-22 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Sand Dollar Downtown
Saturday 1-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Double Down
Saturday 2-11-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern
posted by rich @ 11:46 AM