Tuesday, March 27, 2007

ADDED TO THE ARCHIVE: EMPIRE BUILDERS


Spent some time looking for this after hearing some samples on the mighty Shoeshine label website. On first couple of listens worth the search.

Some great 'country-or-is-it-alt-country' tunes including political songs such as 'Rebel Flag in Germany', 'New-Fashioned Imperialist' and 'American Question' below. Great thing about being an outsider/independent/non-major label artist like Jason Ringenberg is you can be this outspoken and not risk any Dixie Chicks-style backlash. Two tracks to sample:

Jason Ringenberg
Empire Builders 2004 [buy]

Thursday, March 22, 2007

AU REVOIR JULEE


Intrigued by the David Lynch recommendation, been listening to the new Au Revoir Simone album . All very pleasant and peaceful but don't think it is destined for a permanent place in the archive.

But the similarity between their music, particularly the opening track, and Julee Cruise's songs from Floating in the Night and for Twin Peaks is striking. And Mr Lynch's recommendation makes sense. The important question this brings to mind is: where is the new Julee Cruise record?

THE LUCKY ONE
Au Revoir Simone
The Bird of Music [buy]

Julee Cruise
Floating In The Night [buy]

Thursday, March 15, 2007

FOLLYCAST #5: LONDON SONGS


The Big Smoke is the subject of the fifth Follycast: London Songs.

Having spent nearly ten years in London, I have plenty of fond memories of the capital. But it's definitely a love-it-or-hate-it experience. And as of last year it is now the most expensive city in the world (according to this report).

So 30 odd minutes celebrating or condemning London Town.

Follycast #5: London Songs

Tracklisting:
Lord Kitchener - London Is The Place For Me
(The Real) Tuesday Weld - Bathtime in Clerkenwell
Noonday Underground - London
The Smiths - London
Animals That Swim - London Bridge
Calexico - The Guns Of Brixton
Prozak for Lovers - London Calling
Sparklehorse - London
The Crabapples - London Belongs To Me (Part 2)
The Clash - London's Burning
The Pogues - London You're A Lady
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset

And here is William Blake's poem from 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' as arranged by Sparklehorse:

I wander through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow,
And mark in every face I meet,
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every man,
In every infant's cry of fear,
In every voice, in every ban,
The mind-forged manacles I hear:

How the chimney-sweeper's cry
Every blackening church appals,
And the hapless soldier's sigh
Runs in down palace-walls.

But most, through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot's curse
Blasts the new-born infant's tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage-hearse

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

THIS TIME YESTERDAY....

Photo: Nathan Seabrook

...James Yorkston was getting ready to play Night and Day in Manchester. Sadly missed him this time. Shouldn't really be archiving all the times I have NOT seen someone but any excuse to post some great music.

THIS TIME TOMORROW
James Yorkston & The Athletes
Just Beyond The River [buy]

STEADY AS SHE GOES
James Yorkston
The Year of The Leopard [buy]