Happy Birthday Peter Case!

Raising a glass to the amazing Peter Case with a few recent performances and an engaging Tales From The Tavern show from 2020.

Peter Case shares video for a dying democracy "Somebody Told The Truth"

Watch "Somebody Told The Truth" off Peter Case's forthcoming album My Life To Live - Live At McCabe's out April 24.

If you can't find Peter Case's new album My Life To Live at a record shop near you, get it digitally via Apple Music here. 

Peter Case previews new My Life To Live album with "Somebody Told The Truth"

Peter Case will be going on tour with his new album My Life To Live although no Toronto date has been scheduled as yet. 

Peter Case shares demos & outtakes comp "Lost Songs & Outside Favorites!"

Peter Case just snuck out a few albums worth of rare material via Bandcamp. Check out Lost Songs & Outside Favorites!

Writes Peter Case...

"These "Lost Songs" were demos and out-takes for the HWY 62 album that was released in 2015, mostly recorded by Sheldon Gomberg at the Carriage House Studio in LA, or demos from far flung locations. The cover art is from my "Prophecy System" cards I drew when I was stuck in a motel on the east coast for a few days between dates. In fact, this whole period of my career could have been called The Motel Chronicles!" – Peter Case

View the full track listing for "Lost Songs & Outside Favorites" and read the song-by-song commentary by Peter below. Listen to a preview and get a digital download via Bandcamp right here. Check out Peter's other recent releases, "Thank you, St. Jude" – a stripped-down re-recording of some of his classics – right here along with Travellin' Light, a song-publisher compilation of tunes from various points in his career dating back to the Plimsouls days (originally created to generate interest in song licensing for film/television use but has since become a fan fave) available here.

Peter Case – Lost Songs & Outside Favorites!

1. Magic In Reverse 03:36

2. Bumble Bee 03:22

3. Hidin' Out 04:24

4. Can't Stop Shakin' [demo] 04:07

5. Santa Cruz Crime Wave [demo] 05:08

6. Wig--The Rock 'n' Roll Man 04:48

7. All Dressed Up (For Trial) [solo] 03:32

8. Waiting On A Plane (Day 1) 04:29

9. The Plane That Never Flies 03:10

10. If I Go Crazy (Day 1) 05:37

11. O The Morning [demo] 01:13

12. Blind Lemon 08:13

13. Magic In Reverse (Day 1) 03:52

14. All Dressed Up (For Trial) [Alt Mix] 03:32

15. 15 New Mexico [Solo] 03:09

About the songs...

"Magic In Reverse" is with DJ Bonebrake, drums and David Carpenter, bass.

"Bumble Bee" is a version of the Memphis Minnie song, from some motel room out on the road, the best version of it I ever did on tape.

"Hiding Out" is full band out-take, with DJ on drums, David on bass, Ben Harper on guitar, and Jebin Bruni on keyboards. With Cindy Wasserman and Eva De Roovere on backing vocals

"Can't Stop Shakin'" is an original blues, also from a remote/highway side motel room, God knows where...

"Santa Cruz Crime Wave"--my version of a true crime tale set to music with a California radio influence…, Danny Frankel on drums, me on Casio keyboard.

"All Dressed Up For Trial" is a solo version of the song.

"Waiting On A Plane" is take one and day one of the album sessions, with DJ and David.

"The Plane That Never Flies" is spoken word. A demo for a potential spot on the album..we ran out of room for this and "Brotherman Rock n Roll"...I love these pieces, glad I'm getting them out now. The third spoken word on that tape is the "stream of unconsciousness" tribute to Blind Lemon Jefferson, one of the greatest of all musical heroes.

"If I Go Crazy," first take with DJ Bonebrake and David C.

"O The Morning": I love this demo...this piece surfaced on The Midnight Broadcast LP a few years later.

"New Mexico" is a solo piece, showing how it was composed on the 12-string, from the studio.

Peter Case shares two new releases for Bandcamp Friday

Singer/songwriter Peter Case is releasing two new recordings including some spoken word material and a few demos. 

Writes Peter Case...

Two new releases on Bandcamp Friday! "Bomblight Prayer Vigil," a spoken/word/ country-blues songcycle (check it out here), and “I Didn’t Build This World, But I Sure Can Tear It Down,” 15 tracks of demos and unreleased songs (have a look here). 

"Most of these tracks for I Didn't Build This World, But I Sure Can Tear It Down" were recorded as demos in the early to mid 2000s at Stan Ridgway’s legendary but short lived Lumberyard Studio, on Pico Blvd in LA. But in any event, the songs point toward "WIG!" and the Grammy-nominated "Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John" album. As usual I’m obsessed here with country blues, singing a cover of Honey Boy Edwards, and Stacker Lee, the way my mentor Michael Wilhelm showed it to me back in 1974. Let me add that “First Light” was recorded live at McCabe’s in 2004."When the Catfish is in Bloom" was recorded mid-2000’s by Kevin Jarvis for a John Fahey tribute album. And extra mention and super THANKS to Greg Smith aka Blind Pig Press for the artwork!"

Adds artist Greg Smith "Hey folks—the six-colour linoblock that i did way back in 2017 depicting Peter Case is now the cover for one of a pair of new releases out today! The print is entitled ‘Peter Case Sees a Broken and Troubled America and Tries to Heal it with Song.’ I’m not sure anyone can heal America, but after seeing him in March, i know he’s trying! I added the type for the cover (the font is my own and taken from the picket signs when we were last on strike not long after the print was finished).

Watch Peter perform "Beyond The Blues" with Sid Griffin and "Entella Hotel" solo, a Tea With Tosh segment from way back in 1987 and some memories of busking with Allen Ginsberg outside of City Lights bookstore in San Francisco just because. 

Remembering Merle Haggard on his birthday

Remembering singer/songwriter and country music great Merle Haggard on his birthday with a documentary and some road stories.

Peter Case & Sid Griffin hit the road together in March!

Peter Case and pal Sid Griffin are going out on tour together in March. No Toronto date but they're playing Buffalo on March 9th.

Here's the scoop...

Get ready for an unforgettable night of folk music as Peter Case and Sid Griffin hit the road for their "Sings Like Hell" tour! This tour showcases two legends of Americana and roots music bringing their rich histories and unparalleled artistry to the stage. 

With Peter Case’s Grammy-nominated songwriting and groundbreaking work in bands like The Plimsouls and The Nerves, and Sid Griffin’s trailblazing Americana legacy with The Long Ryders, audiences will be treated to an evening of raw, soulful performances steeped in tradition and innovation. From Case’s emotionally resonant piano melodies to Griffin’s bluegrass mandolin and clawhammer banjo stylings, this tour is a celebration of the enduring power of folk music. 

Don’t miss this rare chance to see two master storytellers share the stage! Here's a list of tour dates: https://www.sidgriffin.com/tour-dates/ So far there are no Canadian shows planned so Toronto-area fans of Peter & Sid might consider a road trip to Buffalo for the show at The 9th Ward in Buffalo. 

R.I.P. singer/songwriter Jack Lee of The Nerves, 1952-2023

Sadly, Jack Lee – who penned "Hangin' On The Telephone" – has passed away at 71. We're remembering Jack with a few stellar early recordings. 

Stars come out to celebrate Lenny Kaye's influential Nuggets compilation

"Weird Al" Yankovic & Susanna Hoffs, Peter Zaremba, The MC5's Wayne Kramer, Peter Case & others appeared – have a look. 

Peter Case chats with Otis Gibbs about Bob Dylan

After a gig in Columbus, Ohio, Peter Case met up with Otis Gibbs and shared a few stories about meeting Bob Dylan and more.

Peter Case shares video for "Have You Ever Been In Trouble"

Peter Case's new piano-based album Dr. Moan is out March 31 – get it here. Check out "Have You Ever Been In Trouble"

Peter Case swaps guitar for piano on new album, Doctor Moan

Peter Case went full-on Yancy for his new Doctor Moan album due out March 31. Check out "Downtown Nowhere's Blues"

Here's the scoop...

SAN FRANCISCO, California – “I try to take things I love and use them in a new way,” said triple Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Peter Case of his 16th solo album Doctor Moan. Case brings his considerable songwriting ability to an 11-song collection, largely performed on piano, including his first solo recorded instrumental. Released by Sunset Blvd Records on March 31, Case’s piano-based songs are emotionally, sonically and stylistically rich.

“I grew up on 1950s and ‘60s rock & roll, jazz, classical and folk,” says Case. “I learned how to play blues as a kid, street singing in San Francisco and then was part of the punk rock movement. It’s all still in there; it’s my musical DNA.”

In addition to Case on piano, harmonica, mellotron and guitar, the record features Jonny Flaugher (Pokey LaFarge, Dan Bern) on electric and acoustic bass, and Chris Joyner (Tom Morello, Ben Harper) on B-3 organ.

As a lifelong touring artist, Case, like so many others during the pandemic, found himself with a wide open schedule. The piano in his living room beckoned him to play it until the songs began to reveal themselves.  “It was great to be able to write and complete an album without interruption,” he explained. “I didn’t have to jump up in the middle of things and go off on the road. I can’t remember another example of when I’ve been able to just complete a whole record like that.”  The album was recorded and mixed by Ryan McCaffrey (Go By Ocean) at The Sun Machine in Novato, California. The studio’s centerpiece for Case was its restored 1905 Steinway piano.

The cinematic and evocative opener, “Have You Ever Been in Trouble” featuring Case, Flaugher and Joyner, sets the tone for the album. “Downtown Nowhere’s Blues” is a lyrical snapshot driven by the percussive left-hand piano heard throughout Doctor Moan: The album summons the auras of Jimmy Yancey and Mose Allison without sounding like either. 

“That Gang of Mine” comes backed with lurking organ, while “Ancient Sunrise” paints sepia-toned pictures of a life unbound. The album’s sole guitar-based track, “Wandering Days,” is one of Case’s signature abstract narratives, while “Eyes of Love,” echoes the soul and spirit of gospel music.

“My recent albums are designed to take you on a musical journey,” said Case. His 2021 album, The Midnight Broadcast, was inspired by a late night car ride, “Looking at the headlights while this incredible radio show played in the dark.” 

Case grew up in Hamburg, New York in a house filled with music: Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles and, later, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. He wrote his first song at age eleven and by 16 he left home to begin his voyage of musical discovery, an odyssey chronicled in the 2022 documentary feature film, A Million Miles Away. 

As a founding member of the early punk-era trio The Nerves, Case toured the nation in 1977 sharing bills with the Ramones, Mink DeVille, Pere Ubu, and Devo. The Nerves' seven-inch single “Hanging on the Telephone” was famously covered by Blondie.  In 1979, Case formed the Plimsouls, a record-breaking live act in California, recording albums for Planet/Elektra and Geffen. Their single, “A Million Miles Away” – benefitting from an appearance in the 1983 film Valley Girl – entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #88 in late July 1983 (peaking a week later at #62) and remains a garage rock standard, performed by bands around the world. The Nerves' and Plimsouls' timeless teenage rock ‘n’ roll continues to appeal to fans of each new generation.

As he disbanded the Plimsouls, Case rediscovered his musical roots on his self-titled solo debut, produced by T Bone Burnett. The New York Times declared Peter Case the best album of 1986. It earned a five-star Rolling Stone review and a Grammy nomination. As one of the first songwriters of his generation to turn from rock music toward an acoustic sound, Case also helped usher in what became known as Americana music.

Case has released acclaimed albums, like The Man With The Blue Postmodern Fragmented Neo- Traditionalist Guitar, featuring Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner and David Hidalgo; his definitive folk blues collection Peter Case Sings Like Hell; the recently reissued and Grammy-nominated Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John (featuring Richard Thompson) and HWY 62 (with Ben Harper). American Songwriter called HWY 62 “An absolute joy from start to finish. A beautifully conceived, executed and lovingly crafted chain of songs from Peter Case, a guy who has been crafting great songs for decades now…”

Since moving back to San Francisco, Case began attending the St. John Coltrane African Orthodox Church, dedicated to the music of Coltrane and racial, social, and economic justice. 

“The hours spent playing there with the ensemble greatly increased my strength as a piano player,” he said. These times are more difficult than ever. I make music for the purpose of providing warmth and companionship in a difficult world.”

Check out "Downtown Nowhere's Blues" from the forthcoming Doctor Moan album followed by Peter demonstrating his Fender Rhodes chops on Chuck Berry's "Nadine" with his old Hamburg pals Mark Winsick (guitar) & Jim Whitford (bass) along with Rob Lynch on drums at Robby Takac's GCR Audio in Buffalo. 

Peter Case's album Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John finally on vinyl

Celebrate the 15th anniversary of Peter Case's Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John by picking up the vinyl LP from Yep Roc right here.

Peter Case's Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John getting vinyl release!

It took 15 years but Yep Roc has finally decided to issue Peter Case's Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John album on vinyl. 

"This is one of the best records that I’ve made, and I’m proud of the fact it was nominated for a Grammy. Richard Thompson and I start the album off with a rollicking guitar and vocal duet on Every Twenty-Four Hours, and the song Ain’t Gonna Worry No More continues to be one of the most popular songs in my live sets. I’m so happy this one is coming out on vinyl." – Peter Case

Here's the scoop...

Singer-songwriter Peter Case challenges listeners to be more attuned to the world through his politically-fueled lyricism and intricate finger-style acoustic guitar in Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John. The record showcases his abilities as a solo artist and folk singer-songwriter beyond his power-pop and rock n’ roll songwriting and performance during his time in The Plimsouls and The Nerves.

This Grammy-nominated album includes a collection of original songs from Case and a cover of the traditional blues tune “Get Away Blues.” The album features guest musicians Richard Thompson, Duane Jarvis, Carlos Guitarlos, and Norm Hamlet.

For the album’s 15th anniversary, Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John is now being released on vinyl for the first time. Pre-order a copy right here. Listen to "Get Away Blues," "That Soul Twist" and a Folk Alley performance of "Ain't Gonna Worry No More" from 2012 below. 

Happy Birthday Peter Case!

Celebrating Peter's birthday with "Early Roman Kings" off his latest album The Midnight Broadcast from Bandaloop Music. 

Here's the scoop...

You're alone, or maybe with one other person, at night, on a long  journey in a car, far away from the nearest town, driving in the  darkness. Your eyes are on the headlights and the road, as the dashboard  faintly glows,  and the radio is on but only receiving static. A radio station begins  to tune in. A broadcast is coming in and out of focus, of a DJ who's  announcing records, a rock n' roll DJ with a voice from Finnegans Wake. The music starts, but what is it? A very strange  and wild song is playing, strange, but familiar too.  One song after  another, all different, but all of a piece, like a transmission from the  other end of world. Songs of cowboys, lovers, fighters, and shipwrecked  sailors, hope, laughter and despair, ancient  blues, gutbucket jazz, and singing machines, songs that sound like one  microphone is listening in on a roomful of maniacs. Or on someone in the  loneliest blue motel in the West.  It's the Midnight Broadcast.  Hypnotized, obsessed, radiant, you want to pull  over and listen, but that might cause an accident. 

Get Peter Case's great new album, The Midnight Broadcast from Bandaloop Music right here. Listen to "Early Roman Kings" below. 

Watch a trailer and interviews for the Peter Case doc A Million Miles Away

Here's a short clip from the new Fred Parnes doc about singer/songwriter Peter Case, and two interviews with the filmmaker. 

Michael Weston King releasing new album The Struggle

Michael Weston King is joined by Steve Nieve & Jeb Loy Nichols on his new album, The Struggle, out April 1st via Cherry Red. 

Here's the scoop...

A musical departure for Michael Weston King from his My Darling Clementine day job of the past decade, The Struggle is a pure singer/songwriter album, rooted in the late ‘60s / early ‘70s and inspired by artists and writers such as Mickey Newbury, Jesse Winchester, John Prine, Bobby Charles, Jim Ford and early Van Morrison.

Michael Weston King is one of Britain’s most prolific troubadours within the world of Americana/country, both as a solo artist and with country duo My Darling Clementine. Back in the day, he was the leader of Alt country band The Good Sons; his songs have been covered by the likes of American folk icons Carolyn Hester and Townes Van Zandt.

Recorded Spring 2021 in a remote studio in mid Wales, this self-produced recording of new original compositions (including two co-writes with old friends Peter Case and much missed friend and collaborator Jackie Leven) was very much a collaboration with wunderkind engineer/musician Clovis Phillips. Mixing took place at Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield with Michael’s long-time collaborator/ producer Colin Elliot (Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker).

Guests on this new album include Steve Nieve (keyboardist, Elvis Costello & The Attractions), Jeb Loy Nichols and British jazz trombonist Barnaby Dickinson, along with Michael’s wife and musical partner Lou Dalgleish, and their woodwind-playing daughter Mabel Dalgleish-King.

Michael will be touring the UK, Europe and the US with My Darling Clementine from February 2022. Each show will encompass a short solo set, during which Michael will perform songs solely from ‘The Struggle’. He will also be playing a few selected solo shows in 2022 accompanied by Clovis Phillips, his collaborator on the new album.

You can pre-order Michael Weston King's forthcoming album The Struggle via Cherry Red Records right here. Check out Michael Weston King's song "The Final Reel" recorded for the Jackie Leven tribute album The Wanderer. 

Stars come out for salute to NRBQ's Joey Spampinato

Party For Joey, a Sweet Relief tribute album celebrating the work of NRBQ's Joey Spampinato, is out now via True North.

Here's the scoop from True North...

True North Records has just released Party For Joey: A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato, which features a lengthy list of friends and fans of the NRBQ founding member/bassist saluting him with 14 versions of their own previously unreleased versions of Spampinato-penned songs.

A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato is an inspired album recorded by an astounding group of musicians including Los Lobos, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Case, Ben Harper, The Minus 5, Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale, Chris Spedding, Robbie Fulks, Deer Tick, She & Him, Steve Forbert and Al Anderson who are all generously donating their proceeds from these recordings to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund to support Joey with his current health issues. The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability or age-related problems.

Joey Spampinato, a singer, songwriter and bassist, was co-founder of the legendary NRBQ, a rock quartet whose genre-defying music continues to inspire generations of music fans and fellow musicians. Many of those musicians answered the call from Joey’s wife Kami Lyle and producer Sheldon Gomberg when they contacted them about recording one of Joey’s songs for an album to help raise funds for Joey when it was revealed he was battling cancer.

Check out the contributions from Peter Case, Ben Harper (with Keith Richards, Charlie Musselwhite, Don Heffington & Benmont Tench), Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale, The Minus 5 and Al Anderson following the complete track listing below. 

Party For Joey: A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato 

Al Anderson – “You Can't Hide” - Original Release: 1980 on Tiddlywinks 

Los Lobos – “Every Boy, Every Girl” - Original Release: 1987 on God Bless Us All

Deer Tick – “That I Get Back Home” - Original Release: 1980 on Tiddlywinks

Ben Harper with Keith Richards, Charlie Musselwhite, Benmont Tench, Don Was & Don Heffington – “Like a Locomotive” - Original Release: 1989 on Wild Weekend

Peter Case – “Don't Knock At My Door” - Original Release: 1972 on Scraps

She & Him – “How Can I Make You Love Me” - Original Release: 1983 on Grooves in Orbit

The Minus 5 – “Don't She Look Good” - Original Release: 1979 on Kick Me Hard

Steve Forbert – “Beverly” - Original Release: 1986 on Uncommon Denominators

Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale – “How Will I Know” - Original Release: 2013 on Smiles

Bonnie Raitt & NRBQ – “Green Lights” - Original Release: 1978 on At Yankee Stadium

Robbie Fulks – “Chores” - Original Release: 1979 on Kick Me Hard

Penn And Teller – “Plenty of Somethin’” - Original Release: 1997 on You’re Nice People You Are

The Nils & Chris Spedding – “That's Alright” Original Release: 1977 on All Hopped Up

Kami Lyle with Joey – “First Crush”

Peter Case covers Lead Belly's "When I Was A Cowboy"

Peter Case's update of "When I Was A Cowboy" has the Tex-Mex feel of a Sir Douglas Quintet rocker fueled by Augie Meyers. 

Watch Peter Case live in Santa Ynez, California

Here's singer/songwriter Peter Case performing a pre-lockdown concert at Tales From The Tavern in February.