Danko Jones talks about amps and guitars

"It's a certain kinda setting of the each of the knobs and stuff like that..." says Danko Jones about his Orange Amp rig. 

B-Side Wins Again: The Storm Watchers

Listen to "The Pusher." the flipside of the new single from The Storm Watchers jazz quartet on Black Milk Music.

Happy Birthday Patti Smith and Paul Bowles!

Patti Smith interviewed Sheltering Sky author Paul Bowles in Tangier back in 1997.    Photo by Tim Richmond

"I was first introduced to Bowles in a serendipitous way. In the summer of 1967, shortly after I left home and went to New York City, I passed a large box of overturned books spilling out into the street. Several were scattered across the sidewalk, and a dated copy of Who’s Who in America lay open before my feet. I bent down to look, as a photograph caught my eye above an entry for Paul Frederic Bowles. I had never heard of him but I noticed we shared the same birthday, the thirtieth of December. Believing it to be a sign, I tore out the page and later searched out his books, the first being The Sheltering Sky. I read everything he wrote as well as his translations, introducing me to the work of Mohammed Mrabet and Isabelle Eberhardt.

"Three decades later, in 1997, I was asked by German Vogue to interview him in Tangier. I had mixed feelings about my assignment, for they mentioned he was ill. But I was assured that he had readily agreed and that I would not be disturbing him. Bowles lived in a three-room apartment on a quiet street in a straightforward fifties-modern building in a residential section. A high stack of well-traveled trunks and suitcases formed a column in the entranceway. There were books lining the walls and halls, books that I knew and books I wished to know. He sat propped up in bed, wearing a soft plaid robe, and appeared to brighten when I entered the room.

"I crouched down trying to find a graceful position in the awkward air. We spoke of his late wife, Jane, whose spirit seemed to be everywhere. I sat there twisting my braids, speaking about love. I wondered if he was really listening."

    'Are you writing?' I asked.
    'No, I am no longer writing.'
    'How do you feel now?' I asked.
    'Empty,' he answered.

"I left him to his thoughts and went upstairs to the patio on the roof."

Night Waltz: The Music of Paul Bowles

Si Mohammed Bel Hassan Soudani – Fulani Iresa 

One For The Weekend: Sonny Boy Williamson

Here's "Stop Right Now" by Sonny Boy with Willie Dixon, Odie Payne, Luther Tucker and Otis Spann from 1961.

Introducing: Chip Wickham

Listen to "The Detour" off Chip Wickham's album La Sombra which sounds like it was recorded in the late 60s.

In recent times Manchester has produced an impressive slew of jazz musicians, with the likes of Matthew Halsall and Nat Birchall both receiving widespread acclaim. A lesser known figure but no less important in the development of the Manchester scene is Chip Wickham, a flautist and saxophonist who soon releases a spiritually leaning and vintage sounding jazz record called La Sombra on Lovemonk Records.

Translated from Spanish as 'The Shade', Chip's debut album drops after a 25-year career touring, recording and experimenting across three decades of jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, Latin and electronica. La Sombra is a monumental record for Chip as it symbolizes the moment he stepped out into the light as a director of his creations with freedom to explore his roots, express and tell his version of jazz and pay testament to his heroes Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef and Harold McNair.

Now living in Doha after an intense and productive six years in Madrid, it was Manchester where Chip studied in the late '80s and became enmeshed in the chaotic and thrilling music scenes emanating from one of the world's most culturally prominent cities of the time. Recording and generally 'keeping things real' with Manchester's hip-hop collective Grand Central Records, Rae & Christian, Nightmares on Wax, Graham Massey (808 State), Chip was in a city that was undergoing a music revolution with the Haçienda as its temple. Yet it was the headlights of the M62 motorway and not the strobe lights that were lighting Chip's path during his student years ('88-'92). The lure of the jazz and funk clubs of Leeds, where The New Mastersounds were breaking out and building the blocks that would lead them to UK funk royalty status, proved too strong.

In the 1990s Chip continued to refine his craft in the rainy city and the gigs booked were growing in stature. It wasn't long before he was on the road with Roy Ayers and Badly Drawn Boy. Around that time Chip met up with trumpeter Matthew Halsall that was the beginning of a friendship that lasts to this day. Chip was a recording artist on Matthew Halsall's breakout album Sending My Love and continues to work with him, with live dates confirmed in spring 2017. This close connection with Halsall gave rise to other collaborations, such as with Nat Birchall and Go Go Penguin’s Rob Turner.

Three decades after his late night excursions to Leeds, Chip found himself recording with Eddie Roberts from The New Mastersounds in Madrid, as part of their new band, The Fire Eaters, which he'd formed soon after he moved to sunny Spain in 2007 – the same year he released the Fried Samba album under his moniker Malena, his electronic Latin band that became a hit at the turn of the century for Freestyle Records. During his time in Spain he connected with the local scene and brought together many of his musicians colleagues from the UK to Spain and it was for a local and well established label, Lovemonk, that he released two 45s blending raw funk and Latin. These new roads and musical leanings led to an invitation to play for the Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band. Based on a poll from Craig Charles’ BBC6 radio show, Chip was chosen to play alongside the cream of the UK funk & soul scene: James Taylor (JTQ), Snowboy, The Haggis Horns (Mark Ronson), John Turrell (Smooth & Turrell), and Mick Talbot (The Style Council).

La Sombra takes an altogether more rooted direction than Chip's recent collaborative work, with the jazz of the late '60s and early '70s a dominating influence to the recordings. Comprising of seven tracks recorded in Madrid with musicians assembled by Chip from Madrid's jazz scene (namely pianist Gabriel Casanova, bassist David Salvador and drummer/vibraphonist Antonio Pax), it combines contemplative explorations akin to Yusef Lateef's early work on tracks like 'La Sombra' and 'Pushed Too Far'.

There's a fiery cover of Camarón de la Isla’s classic ‘La Leyenda Del Tiempo’ and tracks like 'Sling Shot' and 'Red Planet' are locked in a groove harking back to Freddie Hubbard's Blue Note era and the mid-period peak of Nathan Davis. Listen to the Harold McNair-inspired track "The Detour" below followed by Chip's appearance with Manchester jazz scene don Matthew Halsall on Worldwide FM from 11/05/2017. Check out La Sombra and Chip Wickham's other releases on his Bandcamp page right here.

R.I.P. Curly Seckler of the Foggy Mountain Boys, 1919-2017

Mandolinist/guitarist Curly Seckler, a key player in Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys, has died at 98.

You can mailorder a copy of Penny Parsons' excellent biography Foggy Mountain Troubadour right here.

Midweek Mixdown: Radio Mukambo's Best Albums of 2017

Listen to tracks from Gato Preto, Orchestre Les Mangelepa, Instigator Afrobeat Orchestra and Quantic & Nidia Góngora.

The Remains live at the Boston Tea Party recording from 1969 resurfaces!

The Remains' 9-song Live 1969 album with Mike Stax liner notes is being issued by Sundazed  on January 12.

Recorded at the legendary Boston Tea Party in 1969, The Remains rip through an absolute killer of a set list, featuring road tested covers of “Hang On Sloopy,” “Johnny B. Goode,” and their crowd-pleasing original “Why Do I Cry.” Captured two and a half years after they broke up, the four original members of The Remains are in perfect form here for a one-night-only performance that was only rumored to exist – until now. From the recently discovered tapes, to pristine R.T.I. pressed vinyl! Also available on compact disc. Listen to clips and pre-order the album directly from Sundazed right here. Watch a couple of videos of the reunited Remains performing in 2010 below.

“There’s Nothing else in The Remains world as wild as this one.
"We were on fire…on the brink…” – Barry Tashian (The Remains)

Whaddya mean you don't know Doris Norton

Here's the Psychoraptus short film from 1982 and a re-edit of "Norton Computer For Peace" originally released in 1983. 

Listen to Daddy Long Legs' "Boogie Thru Tennessee"

Daddy Long Legs cut "Boogie Thru Tennessee" on Third Man's 1947 Voice-O-Graph in Nashville.

A Christmas wish from Bob Neuwirth and Peter Case

Here's "Everybody's Got A Job To Do" from Bob Neuwirth's Look Up album.

Wishing you a Cool Yule!

Here are a couple of beatnik seasonal swingers to dig while you're getting lit like a Christmas tree. 

A Christmas advisory from Loretta Lynn

FYI: Loretta won't be decorating your Christmas tree this year. 

Happy "Canadian Christmas" from The Fleshtones!

Yes, The Fleshtones are from Queens but Santa Zaremba will remind you bassist Ken Fox is a Toronto boy. 

Watch Darlene Love sing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" with Anna Kendrick & The Roots

Admittedly, it's scaled down from her annual Letterman performance but Darlene Love still puts the merry in "Christmas."

R.I.P. Leo "Bud" Welch, 1938-2017

Mississippi bluesman Leo "Bud" Welch – who only found fame after turning 80 – died at home in Bruce Tuesday.

Alex Pangman's Christmas Mix for holiday baking

Alex Pangman's Christmas Mix for holiday baking
1. Christmas Time – Louvin Brothers
2. Boogie Woogie Santa – my version! from the Christmas Gift album
3. Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney – Ella Fitzgerald
4. Don't Wait For the Night Before Christmas To Be Good – Dick Robertson
5. Christmas Island – Lars Edegran & Her Christmas Revelers with Big Al Carson
6. Christmas Is Where You Are - Jive Aces from their lovely Christmas EP, check it out!
7. I Yust Go Nuts At Chritmas - Yogi Yorgesson (one of my first 78s!)
8. Christmas Time Is Here – Vince Guaraldi (Charlie Brown!!!)
9. Winter Wonderland – my Alleycats play a second line NOLA instrumental lead by Kevin Clark (from our Christmas Gift CD)
10. The Christmas Song – Ella Fitzgerald
12. All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth - Spike Jones (Grampa used to imitate this kid!)
13. Christmas Night In Harlem – Louis Armstrong. Drew Jurecka introduced me to this song.
14. Santa Claus is Coming To Town – Oscar Peterson
15. Christmas Time in New Orleans – Lars Edegran & Her Christmas Revelers with Dwayne Burns
16. Silent Night – Dinah Washington

Happy Birthday Victoria Williams!

Celebrating Victoria's birthday with her stellar performance of Century Plant & Crazy Mary.

Merry Christmas from Marvin Gaye

Here's Marvin's "I Want To Come Home For Christmas" from 1972. 

Nick Flanagan's Home For The Holidays w/ André Ethier @ The Burdock, Friday

Fellow bird lover André Ethier will be playing songs from his new Under Grape Leaves album at Nick's holiday homecoming party tonight.

One For The Weekend: Rothadam

Rothadam's roots reggae classic "I Was Born To Be A Rebel" was reissued by Toronto's own Sheila Records.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Marking the shortest period of daylight with Spinal Tap, of course. 

Soulman Robert Finley saves Christmas

 Robert Finley's great new album Goin' Platinum is out now. Watch the clip for "Merry Christmas, I Love You" below.

R.I.P. soul singer/songwriter Darryl Carter

Darryl Carter (center with Otis Clay and Howard Grimes) wrote numerous songs for Bobby Womack, Wilson Pickett, Syl Johnson, O.V. Wright and others.

LINKS
Check out Red Kelly's blog The B Side for a discussion of Darryl Carter's discography

Watch Sweet Apple's video for "A Girl and a Gun"

"A Girl and a Gun" featuring Rachel Haden is off Sweet Apple's new album Sing The Night In Sorrow out now.

All The Mants want for Christmas is some human teeth

Victoria, BC's half man, half ant crew have their own take on the old Spike Jones yuletide classic.   

Alejandro Escovedo signs with Yep Roc, new studio album due in 2018

Yep Roc Records recently announced the signing of acclaimed Texas singer/songwriter Alejandro Escovedo whose most recent album, 2016's Burn Something Beautiful, was issued by Concord Music Group's Fantasy imprint. Currently working on material for his Yep Roc debut anticipated for 2018, Escovedo will headline the Think About the Link 12-city tour beginning January 13, in Austin, TX. A full list of concert dates follows the video clips below.

In partnership with Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Think About the Link tour will raise awareness of the Foundation’s educational campaign about the connection between certain viruses and cancer, www.thinkaboutthelink.org of which Escovedo is a spokesperson. As a hepatitis C survivor, Escovedo hopes to raise awareness about the link between hepatitis C and liver cancer. Each night he will perform his A Man Under the Influence album in its entirety with most of the original musicians featured on the album and a string section.

“I had a great time performing at Yep Roc Records 20th anniversary show,” says Escovedo, “connecting with friends old and new, I look forward to joining Yep Roc’s esteemed roster.”

“We are massive fans of Alejandro,” says Yep Roc’s Glenn Dicker. “I first met with him about Yep Roc in 2003 at a little festival outside of Chapel Hill called Shakori Hills. Through Alejandro directly and a handful of managers, we’ve managed to stay in touch over all of the ensuing years and, you know, I just can’t put you down!  We’re so proud to be finally working together.  Let’s have some fun!”

With 14 solo albums throughout his illustrious career, Alejandro Escovedo has a rich musical history and future. In a trailblazing career that began with The Nuns, San Francisco’s famed punk innovators in the mid ‘70s, to the Austin-based alt-country pioneers, Rank & File, to Texas bred darlings, True Believers, through countless all-star collaborations and tribute album appearances and a series of beloved solo albums beginning with 1992’s acclaimed Gravity, Escovedo has earned a surplus of distinctions, including No Depression magazine’s Artist of the Decade Award in 1998, and the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Performing in 2006.

Previously produced by John Cale, Tony Visconti, and most recently Peter Buck & Scott McCaughey who also played on the aforementioned Burn Something Beautiful album, Yep Roc will release his 15th album in 2018.

Watch Alejandro perform "Horizontal" and "Johnny Volume" with Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey on Austin City Limits. Scott is currently receiving medical treatment in San Francisco for a stroke suffered while on tour with Alejandro back in November. Scott's partner Mary Winzig has begun a GoFundMe campaign to help defray the costs of Scott's medical bills and extensive physical and speech therapy to which you can contribute right here.








ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO'S THINK ABOUT THE LINK TOUR
January 13 – Austin City Limits at Moody Theater – Austin, TX
January 16 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC
January 18-20 – City Winery – New York, NY
January 21 – City Winery – Boston, MA
January 23 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
January 25-27 – City Winery – Chicago, IL
January 28 – The Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL
January 30 – City Winery – Atlanta, GA
January 31 – City Winery – Nashville, TN
February 6 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO
February 8 – The Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX
February 9 – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX

Kensington Hillbillys "Belly Of The Beast" album release @ Dakota Tavern, Thursday; Hamilton's Doors Pub, Friday

Vinyl hounds should grab a copy of Belly Of The Beast quick – there were only 100 copies pressed!

Watch Alex Pangman perform "Sweethearts On Parade"

"Sweethearts On Parade" is off Alex Pangman's Hot Three! EP out now. Listen to Alex on CJSW-FM's below.

Alex joined Scott Morin on his Jazz 4 Yo Soul! program back on December 13 which you can check out right here. 

R.I.P. Richard Dobson, 1942-2017

Remembering Texas singer/songwriter Richard Dobson with a couple of Heartworn Highways performances. 

Merry Christmas from Run The Jewels!

El-P and Killer Mike of Run The Jewels added a dose of reality to Stephen Colbert's Jingle Jingle (Santa Party).  

R.I.P. Ralph Carney, 1956-2017

Longtime Tom Waits sideman Ralph Carney had the rare facility to play almost any instrument placed before him.

Celebrate 70 years of the Horseshoe Tavern with Jim Cuddy tonight!

There's a good chance you'll be hearing a few tunes from Jim's much anticipated Constellation album out January 26.

Jim Cuddy's Constellation tour
February
02/08 Saint John, NB - Imperial Theatre
02/09 Halifax, NS - Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
02/10 Glace Bay, NS - Savoy Theatre
02/11 Fredericton, NB - The Playhouse
02/12 Moncton, NB - Casino New Brunswick
02/14 Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
02/16 London, ON - London Music Hall
02/17 Oshawa, ON - Regent Theatre
02/18 Hamilton, ON - FirstOntario Concert Hall
02/22 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
02/23 Victoria, BC - McPherson Playhouse
02/24 Vernon, BC - Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre
02/26 Chilliwack, BC - Chilliwack Cultural Centre
02/27 Trail, BC - The Bailey Theatre
02/28 Edmonton, AB - Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

March
03/01 Calgary, AB - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
03/02 Banff, AB - Eric Harvie Theatre
03/04 Medicine Hat, AB - Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
03/05 Prince Albert, SK - EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts
03/07 Saskatoon, SK - TCU Place
03/08 Winkler, MB - Centennial Concert Hall
03/09 Winnipeg, MB - Burton Cummings Theatre
03/11 Regina, SK - Conexus Arts Centre
03/16 Kitchener, ON - Centre in the Square*
03/19 Peterborough, ON - Showplace Performance Centre*
03/27 Belleville, ON - The Empire Theatre
03/28 Kingston, ON - The Grand Theatre
03/29 Barrie, ON - The Georgian Theatre

April
04/05 Ottawa, ON - National Arts Centre
04/06 Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
04/07 Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre

Preview Robert Finley's new album Goin' Platinum! produced by Dan Auerbach

63 year-old Louisiana soulman Robert Finley's new album Goin' Platinum! (Easy Eye Sound) can be streamed here.

R.I.P. Michael Prophet, 1957-2017

Remembering reggae great Michael Prophet with a classic performance.

The Layrite Boys vs. Red Foley

Watch Toronto's Layrite Boys take on Red Foley (with Thumbs Carlisle) in the battle of Jimmy Work's "Tennessee Border."

Mary Margaret O'Hara sings Live at Le Guess Who?

It's always an event when a new Mary Margaret O'Hara recording appears. Listen to her performance below. 

Watch Starcrawler's video for "I Love L.A." directed by Autumn de Wilde

Starcrawler's debut album produced by Ryan Adams is out Jan 19. They hit The Garrison in Toronto Feb 19.

One For The Weekend: Link Wray

The previously unreleased "Son Of Rumble" b/w "Whole Lotta Talking" single is available for pre-order from Easy Eye Sound. 

Miriam Linna vs. The Diamond Rings

Here's Miriam doing "Which End Is Up?" – a 1968 gem by The Diamond Rings. Catch Miriam in Brooklyn Dec 22.

Before They Were Famous: Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison made his recording debut in 1955 with the Wink Westerners covering The Clovers' Hey Miss Fanny. 

Introducing: Nduduzo Makhathini & The Cure Collective

South African pianist/composer Nduduzo Makhathini's latest album Ikhambi is out now. 

RIP Mike Leech of the Memphis Boys

Sadly, bassist/arranger Mike Leech of the American Sound Studios house band passed away today after a long illness.