Dave Laing’s 2009, or bits thereof. Some random selections because I’m not exactly ‘in touch’… and kinda forgetful…
The Imperial Dogs ‘Live! In Long Beach (October 30, 1974)’ DVD
Read my rave here and order it here. If you dig the Stooges, BOC and Radio Birdman, your life is not complete until you’ve heard ‘Midnite Dog’, ‘Just Kids’, ‘Rock’n'Roll Overdose’ and the original and best ‘This Ain’t The Summer Of Love’. RIP Bill Willett.
Eilen Jewell – Sea of Tears
Boston-based country singer/singwriter with hot band adds a strong dose of early ’60s Brit rock and R&B – great covers of Johnny Kidd & Them – to create music that is dark, stormy and fabulous. Touring in March – be there.
Dwight Twilley Band – ‘Live From Agora ’77′
An absolutely screaming live show recorded inbetween first and second albums that shows these guys could rock with the best of them. Hot enough to redefine the term ‘power pop’ actually. Dwight released this himself – get it from Not Lame.
Big Star – the boxset
Worth it for the great Flying Burittos cover on the live disc, which sheds some new light on a band that’s been one of my all time favourites since Stuart Coupe hipped me to them in a Young Modern story in RAM in ’79.
Willie Nile – ‘House Of A Thousand Guitars’
New York singer-songwriter with big heart stuck on his sleeve and in love with the poetry and rock’n'roll romance of ’60′s Dylan & Lou & ’70s Patti etc. I dig how he seems to exist in a world that only still exists in old b&w photos and I guess in his head. Kinda corny in same way as Elliot Murphy’s great early records were corny. I like corny. Title track is a great anthem.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ‘Live Anthology’ 4CD
Super great career spanning live set timed perfectly for my annual end of year Petty binge. Great covers of ‘I’m A Man’, ‘Oh Well’ and ‘It’s All Over Now’ show them to be garage rockers at heart. And hey, Scott Thurston’s been in the band for years now, so all you Stooges completists should get it.
Wooden Shjips – new album ‘Dos’
Maybe not as great as their first songwise, but no-one does droney loud rock stuff better than these guys. Kinda like early Spaceman 3 with better dynamics maybe? They’re here in March 2010, I think, and they’re a great live band.
Magic Christian – ‘Evolver’
I haven’t heard the UK release with extra tracks, and the original US release came out in ’08 I think, but whatever… Best tracks like ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’, ‘The Real Thing’ and ‘Turn Up The Heat’ and are almost up their with the best Groovies stuff, And the Beatles cover and Who covers are great…
Jenny Dee & The Denlinquents – Shake Some Action
Done ’60s’ Motown-style! It works a treat! Jenny is Jen D’Angora of Boston’s ever-rockin’ Downbeat 5. Check em here.
Stooges
The set of ’71 recordings on Easy Action. Sounds great turned up to deafening volumes in the car.
Beatles
The late stuff is all quite new to me, having been a fan of everything pre-”Revolver” since I was a kid, and having being pre-disposed to not dig anything I thought wasn’t rock’n'roll until I grew up (which must’ve been in the last couple of years, I guess). But I’ve finally discovered “Abbey Road” and “Let It Be”, and the remasters are of course great.
Smithereens ‘Play Tommy’
He he. Trimmed of flab, it’s a better listen than the Who’s original, and I’m a sucker for Wm.Stout cover art. Also Dennis Diken with Bell Sound ‘Late Music’ – a fabulous tribute to the glories of 60′s AM Pop from the Smithereens drummer no less. And while I’m here I may as well say I dug Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoff’s ‘Under The Covers Vol.2′ plenty too, even the Carly Simon cover.
Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers – Raven records comp
I could argue abiout the track selection – and I did – but it’s 95% there, and evidence of Roy’s immense catalogue of greatness. Most of ‘Out of After Dark’ is there – and that’s definitely one of my all time faves – but it’s some of the later stuff, which I hadn’t paid enough attention to, that really surprises.
Johnny Casino & The Secrets – Live at 3PBS
Best thing the boy’s ever done. He nails the vocals like nobody’s business these days, and of course his guitar can’t be beat. If I had money and time, I’d bring out John Felice, Roy Loney, and Roy’s replacement in the Groovies Chris Wilson, and have Johnny & the boys back them on sets of Real Kids and Groovies tunes. And I’d be a very happy man.
Dave Rawlings Machine ‘A Friend Of A Friend’
For whatever reason, a disappointment initially, but plenty of great moments. Love the version of ‘To Be Young’, which Dave wrote with Ryan Adams, and which never struck me as much of a song till now.
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women ‘s/t’
Loved Alvin since Blasters days, and this is his rockin’est release in ages. Great to hear Christy McWilson’s wonderful ‘Weight of the World’ again too.
‘A Man Of Somebody’s Dreams: A tribute ot the Songs of Chris Gaffney’
Dave Alvin produced this comp in tribute to his fallen friend Gaffney, one of the greatest white country soul singers ever, and a much underrated songwriter. . Great tracks from the likes of Jim Lauderdale, Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe, Los Lobos, Boz Scaggs (!!!) and a reprise of a great recording of Gaffney’s greatest song, ‘The Gardens’, by the Texas Tornados, featuring the late and great Freddy Fender and Doug Sahm. Speaking of, the Sir Doug tribute ‘Keep Your Soul’, featuring a lot of the same artists, is fantastic too.
Tom Russell ‘Blood & Candle Smoke’
Another of Dave Alvin’s old buddies, Tom released his greatest record ever this year. Recorded with Calexico backing him, the feel is Western, but with Tom it’s the word’s that count – he is about the greatest lyricist you’ll ever hear.
Ry Cooder & Nick Lowe live at the Palais late November
I like Nick much more than I like Ry, and there wasn’t enough Nick, but the whole thing was cool – stripped back 3-piece blues stuff with an easy feel like Jimmy Reed or something. But no ‘Cruel To Kind’ was kinda rough.
Moby Grape
Been a sucker for ‘Fall On You’ since I tracked it down after hearing the Groovies do it on a bootleg that came out in the early ’80s, and even more of a sucker for ‘Omaha’, since I realised that it was the same great song as the one that I thought was called ‘Listen My Friends’ that Grooveyard did on a mixed tape of live goodies that Steve Lorkin sent me in ’83 or so. I thought that song was one of the best things I’d ever heard and of course the original is even better. 2009 was the year I finally gave the rest of Moby Grape’s debut album a fair go, and it’s all aces. Actually, it’s in my handful over favorite albums ever now I’d suggest.
Hitmen
Live, they’re better than any band of their vintage has any right to be these days. The Niagara record burns, but for me the highlights are the new original ‘Another Lost Weekend’ and the long-awaited first official release of Masuak’s great ‘Death By the Gun’. ‘Tora Tora DTK’ has come up a treat on cd too, and worth if if for no other reason to have their version of ‘Suspicious Minds’. That a band schooled on the Stooges and BOC could do this song without a trace of irony – or would do it even – still amazes me, and the fact they could nail it so perfectly and soulfully , still kills me. Hell, I’m convinced Elvis would’ve loved singing it with these guys.
‘Clap Your Hands & Stamp Your Feet’
Awesome comp of great ’70s Dutch glam. Led to my discovery and immersion into the wonders of Bonnie St Claire & Unit Gloria. Check ‘em out:
‘Daptone Gold’ Great label sampler, highlighted for me by the great closer ‘Stranded In Your Love’, by Sharon Jones and Lee Fields.
Eli Reed & the Trueloves
Live, and ‘Ace of Spades’ CDEP. Live show at the Prince at the start of January was a scorcher, and confirmed how many great originals this guy has in a variety of classic 60′s soul styles. And his James Brown-style Motorhead cover, which could’ve been just a novelty, works a treat too.
Best rock’n'roll book – Stooges book by Robert Matheu, the new Bomp! book ‘Born In the Garage’…
Best ‘zine (single issue) - Brain Lapse
Best blog – Blog To Comm, The Hound Blog
Dave Laing’s 2009, or bits there off.
Some random selections because I’m not exactly ‘in touch’… and kinda forgetful…
The Imperial Dogs ‘Live! In Long Beach (October 30, 1974)’ DVD
Read my rave here _____ – and order it here http://www.theimperialdogs.com. . If you dig the Stooges, BOC and Radio Birdman, you’re life is not complete until you’ve heard ‘Midnite Dog’, ‘Just Kids’, ‘Rock’n'Roll Overdose’ and the original and best ‘This Ain’t The Summer Of Love’. RIP Bob Willett.
Eilen Jewell – Sea of Tears
Boston based country singer/singwriter with hot band adds a strong dose of early ’60s Brit rock and R&B – great covers of Johnny Kidd & Them – to create music that is darky, stormy and fabulous. Touring in March – be there.
Dwight Twilley Band – ‘Live From Agora ’77′ – An absolutely screaming live show recorded inbetween first and second albums that shows these guys could rock with the best of them. Hot enough to redefine the term ‘power pop’ actually. Dwight released this himself – get it from Not Lame
Big Star – the boxset, worth it for the great Flying Burittos cover on the live disc, which sheds some new light on a band that’s been one of my all time favourites since Stuart Coupe hipped me to them in a Young Modern story in RAM in ’79.
Willie Nile ‘House Of A Thousand Guitars’
New York singer-songwriter with big heart stuck on his sleeve and in love with the poetry and rock’n'roll romance of ’60′s Dylan & Lou & ’70s Patti etc. I dig how he seems to exist in a world that only still exists in old b&w photos and I guess in his head. Kinda corny in same way as Elliot Murphy’s great early records were corny. I like corny. Title track is a great anthem.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ‘Live Anthology’ 4CD
Super great career spanning live set timed perfectly for my annual end of year Petty binge. Great covers of ‘I’m A Man’, ‘Oh Well’ and ‘It’s All Over Now’ show them to be garage rockers at heart. And hey, Scott Thurston’s been in the band for years now, so all you Stooges completists should get it.
Wooden Shjips – new album ‘Dos’ maybe not as great as their first songwise, but no one does droney loud rock stuff better than these guys. Kinda like early Spaceman 3 with better dynamics maybe? They’re here in March I think, and they’re a great live band
Magic Christian – ‘Evolver’. I haven’t heard the UK release with extra tracks, and the original US release came out in ’08 I think, but whatever… Best tracks like ‘ Tomorrow Never comes’, ‘The Real Thing’ and ‘Turn Up The Heat’ and are almost up their with the best Groovies stuff, the Beatles cover and Who covers are great…
Jenny Dee & The Denlinquents – Shake Some Action. Done ’60s’ Motown-style! It works a treat! Jenny is Jen D’Angora of Boston’s ever-rockin’ Downbeat 5. Check em here – http://www.myspace.com/jennydeemusic
Stooges – the set of ’71 recordings on Easy Action. Sounds great turned up to deafening volumes in the car.
Beatles – the late stuff is all quite new to me, having been a fan of everything pre-Revolver since I was a kid, and having being pre-disposed to not dig anything I thought wasn’t rock’n'roll until I grew up (which must’ve been in the last couple of years I guess). But I’ve finally discovered Abbey Road and Let It Be, and the remasters are of course great.
Smithereens ‘Play Tommy’ – He he. Trimmed of flab, it’s a better listen than the Who’s original, and I’m a sucker for Wm.Stout cover art. Also Dennis Diken with Bell Sound ‘Late Music’ – a fabulous tribute to the glories of 60′s AM Pop from the Smithereens drummer no less. And while I’m here I may as well say I dug MAtthew Sweet * Susanna Hoof’s ‘Under The Covers Vol.2′ plenty too, even the Carley Simon cover.
Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers – Raven records comp
I could argue abiout the track selection – and I did – but it’s 95% there, and evidence of Roy’s immense catalogue of greatness. Most of ‘Out of After Dark’ is there – and that’s definitely one of my all time fave’s – but it’s some of the later stuff, which I hadn’t paid enough attention too, that really surprises.
Johnny Casino & The Secrets – Live at 3PBS
Best thing the boy’s ever done. He nails the vocals like nobody’s business these days, and , of course, his guitar can’t be beat. If I had money and time, I’d bring out John Felice, Roy Loney, and Roy’s replacement in the Groovies Chris Wilson, and have Johnny & the boys back them on sets of Real Kids and Groovies tunes. And I’d be a very happy man.
Dave Rawlings Machine ‘A Friend Of A Friend’
For whatever reason, a disappointment initially, but plenty of great moments. Love the version of ‘To Be Young’, which Dave wrote with Ryan Adams, and which never struck me as much of a song till now.
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women ‘s/t’
Loved Alvin since Blasters days, and this is his rockin’est release in ages. Great to hear Christy McWilson’s wonderful ‘Weight of the World’ again too.
‘A Man Of Somebody’s Dreams: A tribute ot the Songs of Chris Gaffney’
Dave Alvin produced this comp in tribute to his fallen friend Gaffney, one of the greatest white country soul singers ever, and a much underrated songwriter. . Great tracks from the likes of Jim Lauderdale, Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe, Los Lobos, Boz Scaggs (!!!) and a reprise of a great recording of Gaffney’s greatest song, ‘The Gardens’, by the Texas Tornados, featuring the late and great Freddy Fender and Doug Sahm. Speaking of, the Sir Doug tribute ‘Keep Your Soul’ , featuring a lot of the same artists, is fantastic too.
Tom Russell ‘Blood & Candle Smoke’
Another of Dave Alvin’s old buddies, Tom released his greatest record ever this year. Recorded with Calexico backing him, the feel is Western, but with Tom it’s the word’s that count – he is about the greatest lyricist you’ll ever hear.
Ry Cooder & Nick Lowe live at the Palais late November. I like Nick much more than I like Ry, and there wasn’t enough Nick, but the whole thing was cool – stripped back 3-piece blues stuff with an easy feel like Jimmy Reed or something. But no ‘Cruel To Kind’ was kinda rough.
Moby Grape – Been a sucker for ‘Fall On You’ since I tracked it down after hearing the Groovies do it on a bootleg that came out in the early ’80s, and even more of a sucker for ‘Omaha’, since I realised that it was the same great song as the one that I thought was called ‘Listen My Friends’ that Grooveyard did on a mixed tape of live goodies that Steve Lorkin sent me in ’83 or so. I thought that song was one of the best things I’d ever heard and of course the original is even better. 2009 was the year I finally gave the rest of Moby Grape’s debut album a fair go, and it’s all aces. Actually, it’s in my handful over favorite albums ever now I’d suggest.
The Hitmen – Live, they’re better than any band of their vintage has any right to be these days. The Niagara record burns, but for me the highlights are the new original ‘Another Lost Weekend’ and the long-awaited first official release of Masuak’s great ‘Death By the Gun’. ‘Tora Tora DTK’ has come up a treat on cd too, and worth if if for no other reason to have their version of ‘Suspicious Minds’. That a band schooled on the Stooges and BOC could do this song without a trace of irony – or would do it even – still amazes me, and the fact they could nail it so perfectly and soulfully , still kills me. Hell, I’m convinced Elvis would’ve loved singing it with these guys.
‘Clap Your Hands & Stamp Your Feet’ – awesome comp of great ’70s Dutch glam. Led to my discovery and immersion into the wonders of Bonnie St Claire & Unit Gloria. Check em out here -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keZPBJRG7Jc
‘Daptone Gold’ – great label sampler, highlighted for me by the great closer ‘Stranded In Your Love’, by Sharon Jones and Lee Fields.
Eli Reed & the Trueloves – live, and ‘Ace of Spades’ CDEP. Live show at the Prince at the start of January was a scorcher, and confirmed how many great originals this guy has in a variety of classic 60′s soul styles. And his James Brown-style Motorhead cover, which could’ve been just a novelty, works a treat too.
Best rock’n'roll book - Stooges book by Robert Mattheu, the new Bomp! book ‘Born In the Garage’…
Best ‘zine (single issue) – Brain Lapse
Best blog – Blog To Comm, The Hound Blog
Dave Laing’s 2009, or bits there off.
Some random selections because I’m not exactly ‘in touch’… and kinda forgetful…
The Imperial Dogs ‘Live! In Long Beach (October 30, 1974)’ DVD
Read my rave here _____ – and order it here http://www.theimperialdogs.com. . If you dig the Stooges, BOC and Radio Birdman, you’re life is not complete until you’ve heard ‘Midnite Dog’, ‘Just Kids’, ‘Rock’n'Roll Overdose’ and the original and best ‘This Ain’t The Summer Of Love’. RIP Bob Willett.
Eilen Jewell – Sea of Tears
Boston based country singer/singwriter with hot band adds a strong dose of early ’60s Brit rock and R&B – great covers of Johnny Kidd & Them – to create music that is darky, stormy and fabulous. Touring in March – be there.
Dwight Twilley Band – ‘Live From Agora ’77′ – An absolutely screaming live show recorded inbetween first and second albums that shows these guys could rock with the best of them. Hot enough to redefine the term ‘power pop’ actually. Dwight released this himself – get it from Not Lame
Big Star – the boxset, worth it for the great Flying Burittos cover on the live disc, which sheds some new light on a band that’s been one of my all time favourites since Stuart Coupe hipped me to them in a Young Modern story in RAM in ’79.
Willie Nile ‘House Of A Thousand Guitars’
New York singer-songwriter with big heart stuck on his sleeve and in love with the poetry and rock’n'roll romance of ’60′s Dylan & Lou & ’70s Patti etc. I dig how he seems to exist in a world that only still exists in old b&w photos and I guess in his head. Kinda corny in same way as Elliot Murphy’s great early records were corny. I like corny. Title track is a great anthem.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ‘Live Anthology’ 4CD
Super great career spanning live set timed perfectly for my annual end of year Petty binge. Great covers of ‘I’m A Man’, ‘Oh Well’ and ‘It’s All Over Now’ show them to be garage rockers at heart. And hey, Scott Thurston’s been in the band for years now, so all you Stooges completists should get it.
Wooden Shjips – new album ‘Dos’ maybe not as great as their first songwise, but no one does droney loud rock stuff better than these guys. Kinda like early Spaceman 3 with better dynamics maybe? They’re here in March I think, and they’re a great live band
Magic Christian – ‘Evolver’. I haven’t heard the UK release with extra tracks, and the original US release came out in ’08 I think, but whatever… Best tracks like ‘ Tomorrow Never comes’, ‘The Real Thing’ and ‘Turn Up The Heat’ and are almost up their with the best Groovies stuff, the Beatles cover and Who covers are great…
Jenny Dee & The Denlinquents – Shake Some Action. Done ’60s’ Motown-style! It works a treat! Jenny is Jen D’Angora of Boston’s ever-rockin’ Downbeat 5. Check em here – http://www.myspace.com/jennydeemusic
Stooges – the set of ’71 recordings on Easy Action. Sounds great turned up to deafening volumes in the car.
Beatles – the late stuff is all quite new to me, having been a fan of everything pre-Revolver since I was a kid, and having being pre-disposed to not dig anything I thought wasn’t rock’n'roll until I grew up (which must’ve been in the last couple of years I guess). But I’ve finally discovered Abbey Road and Let It Be, and the remasters are of course great.
Smithereens ‘Play Tommy’ – He he. Trimmed of flab, it’s a better listen than the Who’s original, and I’m a sucker for Wm.Stout cover art. Also Dennis Diken with Bell Sound ‘Late Music’ – a fabulous tribute to the glories of 60′s AM Pop from the Smithereens drummer no less. And while I’m here I may as well say I dug MAtthew Sweet * Susanna Hoof’s ‘Under The Covers Vol.2′ plenty too, even the Carley Simon cover.
Roy Loney & The Phantom Movers – Raven records comp
I could argue abiout the track selection – and I did – but it’s 95% there, and evidence of Roy’s immense catalogue of greatness. Most of ‘Out of After Dark’ is there – and that’s definitely one of my all time fave’s – but it’s some of the later stuff, which I hadn’t paid enough attention too, that really surprises.
Johnny Casino & The Secrets – Live at 3PBS
Best thing the boy’s ever done. He nails the vocals like nobody’s business these days, and , of course, his guitar can’t be beat. If I had money and time, I’d bring out John Felice, Roy Loney, and Roy’s replacement in the Groovies Chris Wilson, and have Johnny & the boys back them on sets of Real Kids and Groovies tunes. And I’d be a very happy man.
Dave Rawlings Machine ‘A Friend Of A Friend’
For whatever reason, a disappointment initially, but plenty of great moments. Love the version of ‘To Be Young’, which Dave wrote with Ryan Adams, and which never struck me as much of a song till now.
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women ‘s/t’
Loved Alvin since Blasters days, and this is his rockin’est release in ages. Great to hear Christy McWilson’s wonderful ‘Weight of the World’ again too.
‘A Man Of Somebody’s Dreams: A tribute ot the Songs of Chris Gaffney’
Dave Alvin produced this comp in tribute to his fallen friend Gaffney, one of the greatest white country soul singers ever, and a much underrated songwriter. . Great tracks from the likes of Jim Lauderdale, Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe, Los Lobos, Boz Scaggs (!!!) and a reprise of a great recording of Gaffney’s greatest song, ‘The Gardens’, by the Texas Tornados, featuring the late and great Freddy Fender and Doug Sahm. Speaking of, the Sir Doug tribute ‘Keep Your Soul’ , featuring a lot of the same artists, is fantastic too.
Tom Russell ‘Blood & Candle Smoke’
Another of Dave Alvin’s old buddies, Tom released his greatest record ever this year. Recorded with Calexico backing him, the feel is Western, but with Tom it’s the word’s that count – he is about the greatest lyricist you’ll ever hear.
Ry Cooder & Nick Lowe live at the Palais late November. I like Nick much more than I like Ry, and there wasn’t enough Nick, but the whole thing was cool – stripped back 3-piece blues stuff with an easy feel like Jimmy Reed or something. But no ‘Cruel To Kind’ was kinda rough.
Moby Grape – Been a sucker for ‘Fall On You’ since I tracked it down after hearing the Groovies do it on a bootleg that came out in the early ’80s, and even more of a sucker for ‘Omaha’, since I realised that it was the same great song as the one that I thought was called ‘Listen My Friends’ that Grooveyard did on a mixed tape of live goodies that Steve Lorkin sent me in ’83 or so. I thought that song was one of the best things I’d ever heard and of course the original is even better. 2009 was the year I finally gave the rest of Moby Grape’s debut album a fair go, and it’s all aces. Actually, it’s in my handful over favorite albums ever now I’d suggest.
The Hitmen – Live, they’re better than any band of their vintage has any right to be these days. The Niagara record burns, but for me the highlights are the new original ‘Another Lost Weekend’ and the long-awaited first official release of Masuak’s great ‘Death By the Gun’. ‘Tora Tora DTK’ has come up a treat on cd too, and worth if if for no other reason to have their version of ‘Suspicious Minds’. That a band schooled on the Stooges and BOC could do this song without a trace of irony – or would do it even – still amazes me, and the fact they could nail it so perfectly and soulfully , still kills me. Hell, I’m convinced Elvis would’ve loved singing it with these guys.
‘Clap Your Hands & Stamp Your Feet’ – awesome comp of great ’70s Dutch glam. Led to my discovery and immersion into the wonders of Bonnie St Claire & Unit Gloria. Check em out here -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keZPBJRG7Jc
‘Daptone Gold’ – great label sampler, highlighted for me by the great closer ‘Stranded In Your Love’, by Sharon Jones and Lee Fields.
Eli Reed & the Trueloves – live, and ‘Ace of Spades’ CDEP. Live show at the Prince at the start of January was a scorcher, and confirmed how many great originals this guy has in a variety of classic 60′s soul styles. And his James Brown-style Motorhead cover, which could’ve been just a novelty, works a treat too.
Best rock’n'roll book - Stooges book by Robert Mattheu, the new Bomp! book ‘Born In the Garage’…
Dave Laing responds meekly to being told he looks like an Oakridge Boy by wise-ass young country gun Justin Townes Earle
Best Rock’n'Roll Stuff of 2008
by Dave Laing (Dog Meat/Savage Beat Records, occassional Ugly Things and I-94 Bar contributor)
Black Diamond Heavies – live & ‘A Touch of Someone Else’s Class’ CD
Wild, primal and LOUD R&B, like Ray Charles if he was trying to impress The Stooges. Great cover of Nutbush City Limits, and some killer originals. A perfect party record and an animalistic live band. If we’re lucky they may have worked up their version of Bob Seger’s ‘Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man’ by the time they reach our shores in December. Don’t miss them!
Alejandro Escovedo - ‘Real Animal’ CD
Not his best bunch of tunes, but his hardest sounding record. Like his beloved Lou, Mott and Stones, this guy is as adept with the quiet stuff as the loud stuff, and he’s got the songs and depth of soul to match his heroes.
Pierced Arrows live & ‘Straight To The Heart’ CD
Dead Moon is dead, long live the Pierced Arrows! Fred Cole is the sound and spirit of rock’n'roll personified, and his guitar sound is still the smokin’est ever.
Felice Bros live & ‘Felice Brothers’ cd
At first glance too much like The Band, but these guys have a completely unique spirit, great humor and great tunes to boot.
Chris Wilson – ‘All the Action’
Groovies singer returns with only second solo record in 20 something years. Album is patchy song-wise, but this opener, sort of an update/answer song to ’Shake Some Action’, is an absolute ripper.
Roky Erickson & The Explosives live at Threadgill’s
Roky & co play of scorching full length set, in a beer garden type setting, out front of a legendary restaurant in Austin. Billy Gibbons appears on stage for last couple of tunes. How can you not love SXSW when it keeps throwing up things like this? For all the industry wankery, there is still a strong element that is all about the music,,,
Magic Christian live at SXSW
Awesome live shows around Austin during sxsw. Now where the fuck is that second album guys?
Buffalo Killers ‘Let I Ride’ /Hacienda ‘Loud Is The Night’
These two, together with the Black Diamond Heavies, make for a trio of killer albums released by Alive and produced by Dan of the Black Keys. Buffalo Killers sound like Cream playing Big Star, Hacienda are young Mexican guys from San Antonio with Beatles/Beach Boys fixation. Great songs and great sounds abound on both these albums.
Charlie Pickett &… ‘Barband Americanus’
Best single-artist reissue of the year. Killer rock’n'roll from Miami, for fans of the Dream Syndicate, Gun Club and Flamin’ Groovies.
‘Thank You Friends: The Ardent Records Story’
Best multi-artist resissue/comp of the year. Outlines the context in which Big Star developed beautifully. The rare and unreleased stuff from Big Star and contemporaries on disc 2 is awesome.
Justin Townes Earle live and ‘ The Good Life’ CD
Steve Earle’s son has one foot in the gritty singer -songwriter stuff of his dad and his namesake Townes Van Zandt, and one foot in old time country Hank Williams-style. A great singer and captivating performer – by the time you read this you’ve probably missed his first Australian tour.
Hitmen ‘Death by the Gun’
I missed their live shows this year, but this great version of Masuak’s old and unreleased Birdman gem, which will appear on cd in ’09, absolutely burns.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring ‘Primary Colours’
Still haven’t seen them live (no I don’t get out much anymore) but I’m finally convinced.
The Visitors reform
… and I fucking missed it!!
Johnny Casino & the Secrets ‘I Am Who I Am Not Who You Want Me To Be’ Great songs, great playing, and the boy has become a great singer. Soulful journeyman-type rock’n'roll that reminds me of Scott Kempner’s fab first solo album from the early 90′s.
Graeme Day & the Gaolers ‘Triple Distilled’ (Damaged Goods)
Prisoners mainman outdoes himself and how. Furious energy, great tunes, and ‘Glad I’m Not Young’ could well be my personal anthem of the year (and yours too!). HOLD THE PRESSES!
Apparently an advance release of the second Magic Christian album ‘Evolver’ is available for purchase here www.cahootsgraffix.com. My likely album of the year will be in hands in a week or so I’m hoping. Check Cyril Jordan’s killer new licks on the bands myspace site!!
