X sez "Goodbye Year, Goodbye"

"Goodbye Year, Goodbye" is off X's Alphabetland album released in April. Check out the animated clip below.  

One For The Weekend: Del Shannon

For those who've had enough with 2020, here's a ripper from Del Shannon co-written by Dennis Coffey. 

Greg Belson collects Divine Funk for Cultures Of Soul

The Divine Funk boxset of five gospel funk singles selected by Greg Belson has already sold out.  

Here's the scoop...

As a precursor for Greg Belson's Divine Funk compilation, Cultures Of Soul recently announced the release of a limited run of Divine Funk 7" boxes with five super rare and heavy hitting Gospel Funk 45s selected from the crates of gospel aficionado Greg Belson. Unfortunately, the 100 copy edition sold out on pre-order soon after it was announced. While you're waiting for the Divine Funk 12" LP version, have a listen right here and check out the tracklisting following the Christian Harmonizers' "Troubles Of The World" and the Gospel Travelers' "Jesus Is Watching You" below. 

Greg Belson's Divine Funk

1-A. The Christian Harmonizers – Troubles of the World 

1-B. Gospel Travelers - Jesus Is Watching You 

2-A. Wearyland Singers – If You See Me Doing Wrong 

2-B. Chariettes Gospel Singers – Nobody But Jesus

3-A. Preacherman Isidore Womack – I’ve Got Power In My Mind 

3-B. Allen Gauff, Jr. And His Combo - I Don't Want To Be Alone 

4-A. Birmingham Traveleers – Call Me, Answer

4-B. Gospel Ambassadors – This Little Light of Mine 

5-A. Pearl Farano and the High Lights of Joy – Who’s the Boss 

5-B. Zella Jackson - Days Are Just Like People 

Happy Birthday Stan Tracey!

Remembering legendary British jazz pianist and bandleader Stan Tracey on his birthday with a couple of stellar performances. 

Midweek Mixdown: Agogo Records 2020

Here's an excellent overview of 2020's releases including a gem from Mulatu & BJE put out by Germany's Agogo Records.

Agogo's 2020 7-track label sampler is currently available for free download right here. 

Agogo 2020

1. Hoodna Orchestra - Sof Layla (Ba Hoodna) 04:09

2. Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience - Ambassa Lemdi 05:51

3. Wanubalé - Nadra 05:23

4. Coladera - Mantafro (Jazzanova Remix) 05:05

5. Natalie Greffel - Toquei 05:06

6. Coladera - A Luz De Yayá 04:03

7. King Most - Jazzy As Fug 03:34

90s Nostalgia: The Flat Duo Jets

Watch Dex and Crow blast away at Maxwells in Hoboken for a relentless 78 minutes back in 1996.

R.I.P. George Reinecke of Busted Flush

Sadly, guitarist George Reinecke of Busted Flush and the Panther Burns has passed away. He'll be missed.    Photo: Rick McGinnis

You can see more photos of George Reinecke during his days in Toronto with Busted Flush taken by Rick McGinnis on Rick's excellent photo blog Some Old Pictures I Took right here. 

Happy Birthday Ed Thigpen!

Remembering jazz drummer Ed Thigpen on his birthday with "Action Re-action" & "Danish Drive"

Whaddya mean you don't know Freddy Kebano

Don't be put off by the flowery handle, Freddy's "Fleurs du Mayombé" with Inter Bantu du Congo is a straight up whumper!

Happy Birthday Bill Crow!

Celebrating the 93rd birthday of legendary jazz bassist and author Bill Crow with a two-part interview. 

Listen to Butch Hancock on the Paul Leslie Hour & TwangTwang

Singer/songwriter Butch Hancock of The Flatlanders calls in from his Terlingua homestead for an update. 

Hear Peter Blackstock & pals share their skewed views of Butch Hancock on the TwangTwang podcast here and there.  

One For The Weekend: Redd Kross

"Crazy World" by Redd Kross seems like the right song for the moment. Here's a live version from Portland's Doug Fir Lounge. 

Before They Were Famous: Arcade Fire

Here's Win Butler and crew peforming "I'm Sleeping In A Submarine" in a dimly lit Montreal space back in 2002. 

Merry Christmas from Nathaniel Mayer!

Here's Nathaniel Mayer's Fortune Records classic "Mr. Santa Claus (Bring Me My Baby)" from 1962.

Rocket 455 sez "Santa Ain't Coming This Christmas"

Here's an overlooked yuletide classic from Jeff Meier and his Rocket 455 pals from Detroit. 

Cozy up with the White Stripes' Animated Yule Log video

Stay home for Christmas with the White Stripes' 90-minute animated yule log clip.  

Watch animated clip 'Twas The Coup Before Christmas

Stephen Colbert's Late Show elves Matt Lappin & Tim Luecke have created a clever new holiday cartoon classic. Check it out.  

Happy Birthday Dave Bartholomew

Remembering the great New Orleans bandleader/producer Dave Bartholomew with a couple of classic swingers. 

Merry Christmas from Norway's Radka Toneff

Here's late great Norwegian jazz singer/pianist performing her yuletide classic "Julesang" aka "Christmas Song" back in 1971. 

 

VOLK kicks out the jams for "Welcome To Cashville"

Watch Nashville duo VOLK rip it up on "Welcome To Cashville" off their Cashville album for Romanus due March 13. 

Check out VOLK's bandcamp page for "Welcome To Cashville" and other releases right here.

Guitarist Josh Kimbrough picks on the holidays

Here's the scoop...

Josh Kimbrough is a guitarist and composer from Chapel Hill, NC. His 2020 Tompkins Square debut, Slither, Soar & Disappear, has been called “Utterly Moving” by Record Crates United, and “A Triumph” by Folk Radio UK. It’s also received glowing reviews from MOJO and UNCUT. 

With Yule Chime, Kimbrough offers five Christmas guitar soli in time for the holiday season. Two original compositions bookend three traditional tunes. “Sledding Down Spring Valley Hill” kicks the album off in a tuning borrowed from Michael Hedges’ “Admiral Rickover's Dream”. Spring Valley Hill was a favorite sledding spot from Kimbrough’s youth. “The hill was steep--if you made it to the bottom without tipping over, you could jump the curb and glide down into an open field.” 

The three traditional songs that follow are ones that Kimbrough’s dad would play on piano for the family when he was growing up. “Once in Royal David’s City” is a cross-continental duet with Johan Eriksson (Sweden) playing dobro and pedal steel. “Poor Little Jesus” is a minor-key affair. This tune is a spiritual that dates back to the 1800s. It’s published in the Episcopal Hymnal, which is where Kimbrough’s dad learned it. The album closes with “Out Getting Firewood”, an evocation of Christmases spent in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia--where Kimbrough’s in-laws live. They heat their house exclusively with a wood stove in the winter time. This calls for routine trips to the wood pile. These songs were recorded over three days at Jeff Crawford’s Arbor Ridge Studios--just three miles from Kimbrough’s house in Chatham County, NC. 

Spending time in the studio is a special privilege in 2020 – these five recordings represent a joyful release of pent-up energy. There’s room on the sled, there’s a log on the fire – catch the hopeful spirit and ring in your holiday season with Yule Chime. 

Grab a copy of Josh's Yule Chime album here. Listen to "Out Getting Firewood" below. Check out a special Christmas playlist put together by Tompkins Square for Spotify right over there.

Watch Neil Young perform "Comes A Time" solo in Omemee

Neil just shared a performance clip shot at Coronation Hall in Omemee back in 2017 you can watch right here.

Here's the scoop from Neil...

Coronation Hall in Omemee Ontario is a wonderful old theater. It holds many memories of my family, all together there in that little town. My dad played Coronation Hall once in a local show as my mother, my brother and I sat in the audience.

In 2017, when NYA was just beginning, I played ‘Hometown’ on the same stage with dhlovelife, my sweetheart, now my wife, directing. I was uncharacteristically nervous that night in 2017 playing Coronation Hall by myself for the first time and streaming to the world. ‘Hometown’ is now an NYA tradition, showing every year, right here throughout the holidays. It begins today Dec 22 at 7 AM PST.

I know this time of year is going to be hard for a lot us as we long to be with our loved ones.

Our hearts go out to all of you. We send much love and a Coronation Hall quarantine ‘Comes A Time’.

be well 

peace 

Neil and Daryl

Happy Birthday Jean-Michel Basquiat

Remembering NYC artist Jean-Michel Basquiat on what would've been his 60th birthday. Gone far too soon. 

Deep Dark United rock out for a tough home audience

Seeing Deep Dark United tear through "Down With Peacock Rock" didn't seem to impress the couch-bound crowd in 2001.  

Five CD box of unissued Robbie Basho guitar magic released by Tompkins Square

While researching his Robbie Basho doc, filmmaker Liam Barker discovered a treasure trove of unheard recordings.

Here's the scoop...

Robbie Basho (1940-1986) is widely regarded as one of the progenitors of what's commonly known today as American Primitive guitar. Growing up in Maryland alongside neo-traditional guitar explorers John Fahey and Max Ochs, Basho's path would take a decidedly different turn, bringing Hindi, Indian, Japanese and Native American musical traditions into his work. His albums for Takoma and Vanguard have left an indelible trail of influence across generations of musicians, from William Ackerman and Pete Townshend to Ben Chasny and William Tyler.

Liam Barker first became aware of Basho having purchased Tompkins Square's reissue of Venus in Cancer, released in 2006. This led him on an incredible fact-finding expedition, unraveling the many layers of mystery surrounding Basho's life and death, all deftly compiled and depicted in his documentary film, Voice of the Eagle : The Enigma of Robbie Basho.

During the research process, Barker came across a large cache of unheard Basho tapes recorded throughout his career, ranging roughly from 1965-1985. By arrangement with Basho's Estate and the original custodians of the tapes, Tompkins Square has released Song of the Avatars: The Lost Master Tapes, a 5CD set of previously unreleased material. The set includes notes by Barker, Henry Kaiser, Steffen Basho-Junghans, Ronnie Dawson, Glenn Jones and Richard Osborn, as well as many unseen photographs. The box set package featuring gold foil inlay, poster and extensive booklet, was designed by Barbara Bersche, known for her work on the 2009 Grammy-nominated Alan Lomax in Haiti box, as well as the new Dust-To-Digital Harry Smith B-Sides box. 

Get a copy of Robbie Basho's Song Of The Avatars 5 CD box right here. Listen to "Gypsy Rosary" below.

Whaddya mean you don't know Gökçen Kaynatan

Experimental Turkish composer/producer Gökçen Kaynatan pioneered a new sound of electronic Anatolian rock. 

Get a copy of Finders Keepers retrospective of Gökçen Kaynatan's recordings right here. 

Pearl Bailey wants a "Five Pound Box Of Money" for Christmas

Pearl Bailey performed her holiday classic "Five Pound Box of Money" on the Dinah Shore show which you can see below. 

Watch an animated clip for Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas"

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Donny Hathaway's yuletide classic, Lonnie Milsap created a new animated video. 

Keb Darge showcases his new Atomic Rhythm compilation

Keb Darge's swank new Atomic Rhythm 2LP collection is out now via Stag-O-Lee. Listen to his Sixties Rebellion show below. 

 

Keb Darge is joined by Tony Hooper for a two-hour set of garage, psych & rockabilly right here. 

 

Various Artists - Atomic Rhythm (Stag-O-Lee)

Side A

01. Fender IV - Everybody Up

02. The Sonics - Marlene

03. James Mask - Hootchie Coochie Gal

04. John Worthan - The Cats Were Jumpin'

05. Vince Maloy - Hubba Hubba Ding Ding

06. Don Wade - Gone, Gone, Gone

07. Billy Wayne - I Love My Baby

08. Wally Willette and his Globe Rockers - Pink Elephants

Side B

01. Darrell Rhodes And The Falcons - Four O'Clock Baby

02. Arlie Miller And The Bullets - Lou Ann

03. Cruisers - Betty Ann

04. Joe D. Johnson - Rattlesnake Daddy

05. Bobby McDowell - Lonely

06. Jerry Arnold And The Rhythm Captains - Can't Do Without You

07. Gene Terry - The Woman I Love

08. Glen Glenn - Blue Jeans And A Boys' Shirt

Side C

01. Red Moore - Crawdad Song

02. Maylon Humphries And His Tri-Seniors - Worried 'Bout You Baby

03. Van Brothers - Servant Of Love

04. Sonny Fisher - Sneaky Pete

05. Benny Cliff Trio - Shake Um Up Rock

06. Gene Norman - Snaggle Tooth Ann

07. Tommy Nelson - Hobo Bop

08. Lloyd McCollough - Gonna Love My Baby

Side D

01. Don Ellis And Royal Dukes - Blue Fire

02. Sonny Wallace - Black Cadillac

03. Floyd Mack - I Like To Go

04. Rod Morris - Alabama Jailhouse

05. Carl Trantham And The Rhythm Allstars - Where There's A Will

06. Jim Oertling - Back Forty

07. Hodges Brothers - I'm Gonna Rock Some Too

08. Lonesome Drifter - Eager Boy

Montreal's Mothland toasts 3 years with post-punk cassette comp

The 15-track Sounds From Mothland, Vol. 1 collection feat. Red Mass, High Dials, Spaceface, Yoo Doo Right and more.

Here's the scoop...

To celebrate its 3 year anniversary, Montreal's Mothland artist agency and record label announces the Sounds From Mothland Vol. 1 mixtape, merging wonderful sounds and frightening sonic experiments!

The 15 track compilation features: Gladys Lazer, Paul Jacobs, Birds Of Paradise, Yoo Doo Right (Ft. Jasmine Trails), Jessica93, Atsuko Chiba, Black Legary, The High Dials, Spaceface, Le Prince Harry, Red Mass, VICTIME, Crabe, UUBBUURRUU et Sunwatchers.

The limited edition cassette (100 copies) features signature design from Paul Jacobs and a mystery “arts and crafts” insert from Elie Chap, all of which will be screen printed at Rouli Roulant in Montreal. Get a copy right here. Check out a few tracks following the track listing below. 

Merry Christmas 1975 from Teenage Head!

Back in 1975, Teenage Head played a Christmas dance at Hamilton Collegiate Institute. Check the pics! 

Here's the scoop from Steve Mahon...

Going back 45 years to the year 1975 for our big "second" gig in the Hammer and fortunately someone had a camera this time.  Nick's playing Frankie's beautiful Silver Sparkle Ludwig kit, which he would soon trade in for some Traynor P.A. equipment, now that he was our lead singer. Gord's playing his Gibson SG, with a couple of spares on hand as well as a Wah Wah pedal which he would never use.  We got the scarves on the mike stand from Aerosmith and the toy guns from the Dolls. I believe we saved Raw Power as our last song, which is a little tough to dance to, but we didn't care, we we're living the dream.

Bill Kirchen's Honky Tonk Holiday Show livestream, Friday

You can view Bill Kirchen's Honky Tonk Holiday show tonight starting at 8 pm Eastern.

R.I.P. Stanley Cowell, 1941-2020

Sadly, pianist and Strata-East co-founder Stanley Cowell passed away yesterday from hypovolemic shock. He'll be greatly missed.

 

One For The Weekend: Fred w/ Cold Diamond & Mink

Here's the scoop...

The ever-mysterious Fred broke out on the contemporary soul scene with the crossover soul gem "Love Can Last Forever" in 2016. After a four year hiatus between releases, it's time for his sophomore single "Sweet Thing," and it's immediately apparent that like a fine wine, Fred's voice has improved with the passage of time. Since his premier release kicked off the Timmion sub-label Stylart, the label's busy in-house production team Cold Diamond & Mink have put deep soul gems on the dancefloor at a steady clip and this new track shows that they're still very much in-sync with Fred. 

"Sweet Thing" is a sophisticated mover with a shimmering electric piano, tastefully arranged horns and strings to boot. When paired with Fred's impassioned delivery beautifully accompanied by on-point backing vocals set to a simmering mid-tempo groove, it all really comes together. 

We are nowhere nearer to cracking the enigma of Fred's personality, but he does seem less complicated than on his first release. "Sweet Thing" is exactly what it sounds like, a soothing piece of soulful sunshine. Something to enjoy in good company. Get a 7" copy via Bandcamp right here. Have a listen to "Sweet Thing" and the instrumental flip "My Baby's Outta Sight" below. 

Happy Birthday Mick Collins!

Celebrating Mick Collins birthday with his performance of "Kick Out The Jams" with The MC5's Wayne Kramer.

Martin Phillipps shares new Chills song "You're Immortal"

A global pandemic isn't going to stop Martin Phillipps from knocking out neatly arranged pop gems with The Chills.      Photo: Scott Muir

Here's the scoop...

Tunesmith extraordinaire Martin Phillipps returns with a brand-new Chills track ‘You’re Immortal’. An uplifting and provocative encounter told in the grand baroque pop manner of Love’s ‘Forever Changes’ with a gorgeous Chills-approved melody line that harks back to the band’s greatest hits. It’s an anthem for the times, a quest for hope set amid the misinformation of the day and the tip of a fast-melting iceberg, no less.

 

“These are unprecedented times but, as usual, the young feel invulnerable and the elders are concerned," says Phillipps. "The old people (like me) want to feel more involved but they also know that their time of influence has largely passed.

So we learn from the young and admire them as they make their own mistakes yet still, hopefully, shape extraordinary history we could not have imagined.” 

Grab a copy of "You're Immortal" by The Chills from your platform of choice right here. Have a listen below. 

Guadelupe Plata with Walter Daniels vs. Frankie Lee Sims

Harp honker deluxe Walter Daniels joined Guadelupe Plata for a rip through the Frankie Lee Sims classic "Married Woman"

Whaddya mean you don't know Ron Everett

Here's a private-press gem from Ron Everett called The Glitter Of The City released back in 1977. Check out "Tipsy Lady" 

Midweek Mixdown: Matt Weingarden aka MatzoBall Jones

Check out Matt Weingarden's low-key "I Just Wanna Be Left Alone" mix right here followed by an uptempo party set below.

Perfect for your Hannukah celebrations, listen to Matt's swingin' Let My People Go-Go selection.