Got to catch up with my listening posts. Here’s what I’ve been purchasing and listening to the past few months.
JULY
America, Here & Now—Yes, I know. I won’t tell you who sent this to me (but he lives on the “Edge of the Continent,” uses Pando all the time, and is a well-known social studies educator whose initials are “PMM”), but I didn’t buy it! (Although I must admit I have more than a few of their LPs from the 1970s.) Actually, their covers of My Morning Jacket (“Golden”) and Nada Surf (“Always Love”) are very good. Produced by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger and Smashing Pumpkin’s James Iha.
Culture, Two Sevens Clash: 30th Anniversary Edition
John DoeA Year in the Wilderness—New from form X frontman
John Doe, Forever Hasn’t Happened Yet—A classic from a few years ago.
Gogol Bordello, Super Taranta—Crazy, fun, “Gypsy punk”
Buddy Guy, Live at the Checkerboard Lounge
—The Legendary Buddy Guy, live and lo-fi in 1979
Nick Lowe, At My Age—Old guy makes rock music his way.
The Pierces, Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge—Weird, thanks Perry.
Chris Smither, Leave the Light On—Underrated folk/bluesman gets political with “Diplomacy”
AUGUST
Crowded House, Time on Earth, new album from reunited “Downunder Beatles”
Guided By Voices, Alien Lanes—Classic GBV
Mexican Institute of Sound, Méjico Máxico—Cool electronica from south of the border
New Pornographers, Challengers—Local kids make great indie power pop.
Kenny Wayne Shepard, 10 Days Out-Blues from the Backroads—Some solid blues collaborations with KWS blues-rock guitar playing a central role.
M. Ward, Duet for Guitars 2—Reissue of debut album from old-timey yet modern guitarist from Pacific Northwest.
SEPTEMBER
Animal Collective, Strawberry Jam, The buzz band from Baltimore.
Corey Harris, Zion Crossroads—MacArthur “Genius grant” bluesman does a reggae turn
Thurston Moore, Trees Outside the Academy—Sublime solo project from Sonic Youth frontman.
Dwight Twilley Band, Sincerely/Twilley Don’t Mind—Two-for-one reissues of 70s/80s Tulsa power pop…”I’m On Fire”!
Prince, Planet Earth—Some solid funk/rock from The Diminutive One.
Billy Joe Shaver, Storyteller: Live at the Bluebird—Outlaw country legend.
Neil Young, Live at Massey Hall —Required purchase for all residents of Canada.
OCTOBER
Mem Shannon, Live: A Night at Tipitina’s—Funky New Orleans bluesman doin’ his thang at home.
Woody Guthrie, The Livewire: Woody Guthrie in Performance 1949—The only known—and just recently found—live performance recording of Guthrie.
Mexican Institute of Sound, Pinata “One-man programming band Camilo Lara stuffs the disc with quirky samples and buoyant choruses that are decidedly Mexican but could reflect life from any corner of the globe.”
Bruce Springsteen, Magic—Well, I can’t help myself. Not magical, but a solid, enjoyable record by a guy who’s not let himself become a oldies act.
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As always, an eclectic list, Wayne. I admit I’m an “out of the closet” America fan. I know that I may never recover from this public admission
Here are a few more for your consideration:
Anaushka Shankar “Breathing Under Water” a very compelling CD. Ravi Shankar’s legacy lives on. Daughter Nora Jones is featured.
Joni Mitchell “Shine” Joni returns with a solid CD of tunes, some very political and anti-Bush. If you like Joni, you’ll love this one.
Patti Scialfa “Play It As It Lays” Bruce’s wife delivers her finest album to date.
Robben Ford “Truth” Ford’s work has always been uneven, but on this excellent album, there is not a weak song. Ford’s guitar work is worth the price of the CD.
pmm