Bloodshot Bill releases Trick & Treat Vol. 2 on vinyl

Bloodshot Bill will be selling copies of his Trick & Treat Vol. 2 EP at his upcoming shows. Check out "Horror Movies on TV"

Ann Magnuson shares spooky video for "Ghost Cat"

Ann Magnuson is backed by West Virginia's Carpenter Ants on "Ghost Cat" – watch the Adam Dugas video below. 

Here's the scoop...

In her new single "Ghost Cat" (out now via Pink Fleece Music), multimedia shapeshifter Ann Magnuson conjures up some of the ghostly creatures that haunt her native West Virginia.

Returning once again to her Appalachian roots and backed up by members of the WV band The Carpenter Ants and The Mountain Stage house band (the long-running NPR show based in Ann’s hometown of Charleston, WV,) the track features WV-born harmonica legend Charlie McCoy who, like Magnuson, is a member of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. 

GHOST CAT is a spooky, upbeat song about searching for the supernatural among the hills and hollers of Appalachia. Engineered and mixed by renowned engineer, producer and musician Don Dixon, the song combines deep American folk traditions with surreal psychedelia reminiscent of Magnuson’s indie-cult band Bongwater.

GHOST CAT is the musical centerpiece of the artistic oeuvre Magnuson calls “SurRURALism” that takes the listener into a trippy sonic dreamworld you can clog dance to! 

Check out the video for Ghost Cat below featuring animation by Jason Cacioppo and original artwork by Ann Magnuson. 

Spend Halloween with Camille Sauvage's creepy Fantasmagories

French sound library ace Camille Sauvage's timeless chiller Fantasmagories from 1974 should enhance the creepy mood tonight.  

Happy Birthday Robert Pollard!

Celebrating Robert Pollard's birthday with a new GBV tune, songs from a show in 2019 along with some vintage footage.  

You can pre-order GBV's soon-to-be-released 39th album Nowhere To Go But Up – their 3rd for 2023! – right here. 

Happy Halloween from Blackout Benny!

Check out Blackout Benny's creepy cool 'n' countrified selection of 25 haunted hillbilly classics from beyond the grave. 

Here's the scoop...

Tie One On Tonight episode #11 - Blackout Benny's Halloween Special brings you 25 spooked out, kooked out, haunter hoot'd out country music tunes from 1950 - 1974. Ghost trucks, trains and highways to witches, strange boxes, Devil doings, martians, witch doctors, murder and more! This episodes "NEWER" band is the recently PNW relocated Bear Flag Trio. Originally from Sacramento, CA. these 2 fellas and 1 gal nail down a solid tune about the lonely highway 395. Crack a cold one, turn it up and give in to the darkest slabs of country vinyl 45s I've found yet featuring goulish gems courtesy of Jack Rivers, Ted West, Bill Carlisle, Jimmy Wolford, Carson Robison And The Pleasant Valley Boys and more. The legendary Olaf Jens created the suitably chilling artwork. 

Check out Blackout Benny's Halloween Special on Mixcloud right here. 

Dave Howard launches Dark And For Boating album @ Sellers & Newel Books, Saturday

Dave Howard performs the hits of the Dave Howard Singers on Saturday (sold out) followed by a listening party on Nov. 10th!

Nirvana vs. Shocking Blue

Since it's Shocking Blue guitarist Rob Van Leeuwen's birthday, here are two very different versions of his song "Love Buzz"

Happy Birthday percussion ace King Errisson!

Celebrating the birthday of King Errisson who got his break in Thunderball and played on Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache." 

LINKS 

Mr Bongo An exclusive interview with Incredible Bongo Band's King Errisson

DJ Shadow releases new album, Action Adventure

Writes DJ Shadow...

My new full-length album, ‘Action Adventure,’ is released today. There are 14 tracks, encompassing my most recent musical thoughts and ideas. The album has no guests, no collaborations, and no features. As such, it represents a wholly personal artistic statement, albeit one indebted to countless sources of inspiration: the samples I use, the artists I respect, the genres I admire, and those close to me, past and present, who have encouraged me and supported my journey. If there are to be more albums in the future, I’ll be grateful. But if this is to be the last…because indeed, one never knows…it would be a fitting end to a charmed life in music. I hope it finds a place within your own sonic tapestry. 

– DJ Shadow, Oct 27, 2023

Listen here: https://djshadow.lnk.to/actionadventure. 

DJ Shadow plays The Concert Hall in Toronto on February 3. Tickets on sale November 3 at 10 am right here.

Tommy James chats with Miriam Linna on Kicksville Radio, Saturday

Check out what Tommy James has to say about Bobby Fuller, The Rivieras, Mad Mike and Morris Levy today at 6 pm. 

Here's the scoop...

Celebrating Ohio-hatched TOMMY JACKSON (nom de roque Tommy James) with a quick gab at Kicksville today at 6PM, right after a Crashing The Party Classic. We blab about Bobby Fuller, the Rivieras, Dion DiMucci , Bob Mack, Mad Mike, and Morris Levy! Catch us with Crashing starting at 4 and stay thru Tommy at 6. And insanely great undercelebrated sounds 24/7 and 365 alla the time! Yes, this is a pic from years ago, Central Park TJ blast! Hear here: http://www.kicksvilleusa.com and schedule is here: https://kicksvilleusa.com/today-at-kicksville.

Buffy Sainte-Marie's indigenous ancestry questioned by CBC's Fifth Estate

The Fifth Estate investigation found alarming inconsistencies in Buffy Sainte-Marie's origin story – and turned up a birth record. 

Watch Andy Bey perform "Celestial Blues" at Birdland

Since it's Andy Bey's birthday, here's a performance of "Celestial Blues" and "Someone To Watch Over Me" at Birdland.

One For The Weekend: Luther Dickinson w/ Allison Russell & Yola

Listen to Luther Dickinson's update of Mississippi John Hurt's "Beulah Land" off Magic Music For Family Folk out now.  

Austin songwriter/guitarist Gurf Morlix chats with Otis Gibbs

Gurf shares a few stories about Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Bob Dylan and John Prine. Get Gurf's latest album below.  

Get a copy of Gurf's latest album I Challenge The Beast directly from his site right here: http://www.gurfmorlix.com. 

Moe Berg joins Chris Murphy, Steven Page & Craig Northey to play your 70s AM radio faves

The Trans-Canada Highwaymen just released their K-Tel-inspired debut Explosive Hits Vol. 1 – check out a few corkers below. 

Get a copy of the Trans-Canada Highwaymen debut album right here. Their Toronto show at The Horseshoe Dec. 13th is sold out. 

Subotnick doc spotlights work of electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnik

Film subject Morton Subotnick and director Robert Fantinatto will be at Saturday's screening of Subotnick at Hot Docs Cinema.

Here's the scoop...

Through a series of candid interviews and illuminating conversations with key figures from his past and present, Subotnick explores the life of electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick.

At 90 years of age, he has become a cult figure for a whole new generation that have come to recognize him as 'The Father of Techno.’ Featuring live performances captured in surround sound and augmented with innovative liquid-light psychedelic effects, Subotnick is a multimedia experience that highlights and celebrates one of the world’s most influential living composers.

Film subject Mort Subotnick and director Robert Fantinatto will participate in a post-screening Q&A. Moderated by musician, composer and TMU's RTA School of Media teacher, Heidi Chan.

Subotnick screens at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on Saturday (October 28) at 6:30 pm. 

Tickets: $15 (Members from $10) and available right here.

Grey DeLisle shares new Jolie Holland-produced single

Check out Grey DeLisle's latest "I Don't Wanna Want You" along with her previous "Who Bought The Boots Beside Your Bed"

Happy Birthday Rev. Claude Jeter of the Swan Silvertones!

Remembering influential gospel great Rev. Claude Jeter (left) on his birthday with some rare Swan Silvertones footage and more.

Jessi Colter returns with Margo Price-produced Edge Of Forever album

Check out a few songs from Jessi Colter's new album Edge Of Forever – featuring Margo Price on three songs – out Friday.

A day in the life on the road with Jessi Colter, Shooter Jennings and Waylon Jennings. 

Happy Birthday Jimmy Heath!

Remembering saxophonist Jimmy Heath with The Gap Sealer and his thoughts on Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie & John Coltrane. 

R.I.P. Richard Roundtree, 1942-2023

Sadly, Richard Roundtree – best known for his role as John Shaft – has passed away at 81. He'll be greatly missed. 

Remembering Rowland S. Howard with "Shivers"

Remembering Rowland S. Howard on his birthday with his version of "Shivers" and one by his Boys Next Door mate Nick Cave.

Happy 85th Birthday Odean Pope!

Celebrating the birthday of saxophonist Odean Pope with a short documentary and a 2022 performance at the RUBA Club.

Yorkshire artists salute Michael Chapman on I Thought I Told You

Tompkins Square just released a fab 8-song salute to the late Michael Chapman. Hear Katie Spencer's version of "You Say" below. 

Here's the scoop from Tompkins Square...

Hunslet-born singer/songwriter Michael Chapman (1941-2021) released his debut album Rainmaker in 1969 on Harvest. He went on to release over fifty albums and influence many with his evocative songwriting and guitar prowess. From heady jams to expressive ballads to experimental noise, Chapman’s work continues to inspire. 

Tompkins Square recruited Henry Parker to curate a collection of covers by working musicians from Chapman’s home turf in Northern England. With stunning artwork by local artist Bunty Marshall mapping the important places in Michael’s life, and package design by D. Norsen, this 12th volume of Tompkins Square’s Imaginational Anthem series is the ultimate tribute to a very dearly missed artist. 

Get a copy of the Michael Chapman tribute album "I Thought I Told You via Bandcamp (while the platform exists) right here.  Check out Katie Spencer's version of "You Say" followed by Michael Chapman's original recording after the track listing below. 

Imaginational Anthem vol. XII : I Thought I Told You - A Yorkshire Tribute to Michael Chapman

1. Henry Parker - In the Valley 04:58

2. Dean McPhee - Caddo Lake 06:04

3. Katie Spencer - You Say 04:09

4. Bobby Lee - Heat Index 05:16

5. Holly Blackshaw - March Rain 05:03

6. Andrew DR Abbott - (Some) Trains 06:00

7. Hawthorn - Kodak Ghosts 04:52

8. Chris Brain - Among the Trees 03:00

Happy Birthday Dale Crover!

Cheers to Dale Crover on his 56th birthday. Here he is bashing away with The Melvins in Toronto a few years back. 

B-Side Wins Again: Lenny McDaniel & The New Era

Check out Lenny McDaniel's floor filler "Something Out of Nothing" cut for Joe Banashak's Seven B label in New Orleans. 

Happy Birthday Wesley Stace!

Cheers to Wes on his birthday! Here's his swingin' World Café performance on WXPN in Philadelphia from 11/12/21. 

The Secret Series #8: Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead

The Secret Series represents a complete reappraisal of Wesley Stace’s entire musical career, featuring all new solo acoustic recordings and a beautifully designed book to accompany each release, gathering the lyrics for the first time in a uniform edition. 12 albums, 12 books, 155 songs in all, stripped down to their essence with an intimacy that comes only from a solo recording by the songwriter. The books and recordings will be revealed and released over the next two to three years.  

There will be 250 copies of each book. Each numbered and signed lyric book features a new personal introduction that puts each album in context and a contemporary interview that illuminates the original release. With the MUNDANE option, you merely get a beautiful Digital Download of the brand new solo acoustic recording of Who Was Changed & Who Was Dead. Get it right here. 

Jazzman returns to uncovering rarities with Spiritual Jazz 14: Private

Rather than continue recirculating already reissued familiar classics, Jazzman focuses on private press gems for Spiritual Jazz 14   

Here's the scoop...

“Private Press: A custom-made record that is produced and released by the artists themselves, or their close associates. Not to be confused with indie labels who are in the business of releasing other people's music.” 

While the string of legendary independent labels, from Blue Note and Prestige to Steeplechase and Impulse! loom large in our Spiritual Jazz catalogue, our latest instalment concerns the brave and innovative souls who acted ‘privately’, recording and releasing their music without the aid or involvement of a bona fide record company. 

Making a custom, private press record on your own, without the backing, status and business acumen of an established record company to help out is no mean feat, but it never really was difficult - it’s just a matter of spending money. And there has never been a shortage of studios & pressing plants willing to take your money! Easy done if you have funding in place of course, but the tricky bit, which remains to this day, is what to do exactly with a pallet load of vinyl that’s just been delivered to your door? 

You will find a variety of tracks from a selection of privately pressed jazz records released in the US between 1964 and 1987. One of the most interesting things I’ve found while researching this album is the variety of reasons behind coming up with a self-released record. No two stories are the same; some were done purely out of altruism to further the musical direction of students, others were trying to make it big. But one solid truth remains that binds together each and every selection here – the artists didn’t just make their music for the fun of it, they believed in their art so much that they took whatever steps they had available to them at the time to get their music heard. 

Spiritual Jazz 14: Private Press 2LP set with hand-printed sleeve, 180g vinyl, extensive liner notes & pics. Get a copy via Bandcamp – while the platform still exists – right here. 

Percussion boss Carmello Garcia, trumpeter Cullen Knight and keyboardist Radam Schawartz are featured on Spiritual Jazz 14

Spiritual Jazz 14: Private

1. Erni Clark - By the Grace of God, I Am 3:15

2. Elysian Spring - Lotus 8:04

3. Radam Schwartz - Middle Eastern Fantasy 6:01

4. Mary Lou Williams - Communion Song: The World 1:25

5. Carmelo Garcia - Ethiopia 4:25

6. Black Is - Themes & Variations 3:31

7. Cullen Knight - A'Keem (Brother) 5:29

8. Don Menza - Spanish Boots 9:04

9. Belair - Morning Rainwalk 6:29

10. Andrew McPherson - Delilah 7:17

11. Almanac - Symbiosis 5:29

12. Owen Marshall - Evolove (previously unreleased full length version) 5:40

13. Bobby Jackson - Desiree Song 4:22

14. Compass - Pharoahs Thing 7:25

Happy Birthday Lux Interior of The Cramps!

Remembering Lux Interior on his birthday with an interview at home with Poison Ivy and a few stellar Cramps performances. 

That time Richard Hawley stopped by Snooper's Paradise in Brighton

When trying to assess the suitability of a promising junk shop acoustic,  Richard likes to try it out with Velvet Underground tune.  

Richard Hawley's 2LP collection Now Then is out now on coloured vinyl. Get it right here. Check the tracks.  

Now Then: The Very Best of Richard Hawley

Side A

1. ‘Open Up Your Door’

2. ‘Midnight Train’

3. ‘Tonight The Streets Are Ours’

4. ‘Coles Corner’

5. ‘Ballad Of A Thin Man’

6. ‘Baby, You’re My Light’

Side B

1. ‘Not The Only Road’

2. ‘My Little Treasures’

3. ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge’

4. ‘Heart of Oak’

5. ‘The Ocean’

Side C

1. ‘Seek It’

2. ‘Off My Mind’

3. ‘Coming Home’

4. ‘I Still Want You’

5. ‘Just Like The Rain’

6. ‘Run For Me’

Side D

1. ‘Alone’

2. ‘For Your Lover Give Some Time’

3. ‘Serious’

4. ‘Don’t Stare At The Sun’

5. ‘There’s A Storm A’Comin’

Jay Douglas at the Old Mill's Jazz Lounge, Friday

Check out the soulful Jay Douglas at the Old Mill's Jazz Lounge tonight. Doors open at 6 pm and showtime is at 8 pm.  

Happy Birthday Snoop Dogg!

In honour of Snoop Dogg's October 20th birthday, Jimmy Kimmel proclaimed 10-20 as "DoggFather's Day" – have a look. 

R.I.P. Dwight Twilley, 1951-2023

Sadly, power pop pioneer Dwight Twilley has passed away at the age of 72. He'll be greatly missed.  

One For The Weekend: Underworld

At the 1968  "Go Away" single session, Toronto's Underworld – with Jed MacKay & Rick McKim of It's All Meat – cut 2 more tunes just reissued by Busy Bee. 

R.I.P. hip hop producer and DJ Mark "The 45 King" James, 1961-2023

Sadly, Flavor Unit hip hop producer and deep digging DJ Mark The 45 King has passed away at age 62. He'll be greatly missed.

Happy Birthday Gloria Jones!

Celebrating the birthday of singer/songwriter and producer Gloria Jones with a few of her recordings and an interview.