AURAL SEX - WHO'S LISTENING TO WHAT

AURAL SEX: May 2nd ‘06

Copious apologies for such shoddy tardiness but needs must and the quill must scratch and the boards they must be trod.

Returned from USA at tail end of Jan, bags bursting with cds and I shall now attempt to point you in the direction of some of the most satisfying. A subjectively random selection.

Happy trails.

“Chickasaw County Child: The Artistry of BOBBY GENTRY” (Shout)

Mysterious and highly original singer / writer whose “Ode to Billie Joe” still gives me shivers: the nagging guitar figure and the worrying strings and the beautiful descriptions of the utterly mundane: “It was the 3^rd of June another sleepy, dusty Delta day…..” or “Papa said to Mama as he passed around the black-eyed peas, Billie Joe never had a lick o’ sense, pass the biscuits, please.” A good pal of Elvis in his Vegas years, she fell off the radar and noone’s heard from her since 1980. A sad loss. Lots of little-known gems herein.

TOM RUSSELL “Love & Fear” (Silvertone)

A burnoff from John Swenson as it was promo and possibly not yet released in UK. Usual standard of fine, mildly depressing songs ripped from his ravaged life.

“OUR NEW ORLEANS 2005: A Benefit Album” (Nonesuch)

Swiftly assembled album by Allen Toussaint, Dr John, Irma Thomas, Eddie Bo and Randy Newman to name but a few. A worthy purchase as proceeds are donated to those affected by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

DELBERT McCLINTON “Cost of Living” (New West)

Usual collection of classy R&B and Country and his writing gets better ‘n’ better. Not bad for the geezer who taught harmonica to John Lennon.

BILLY PRESTON / ANN PEEBLES / ALLEN TOUSSAINT et al

“I Believe To My Soul” (Rhino)

Simply recorded and heartfelt in performance, Joe Henry has produced a modern day gem here. First in a promised series, and while we’re on the subject……

“Best of BILLY PRESTON: The Millenium Collection” (A&M)

Forgot just how funky this man is: “Will It Go Round In Circles” / “Outa-Space” / “I Wrote A Simple Song.” All killers.

JANE BIRKIN “Arabesque” (Capitol)

Pleasant three quid surprise from Fopp, Camden.

Gorgeous backdrop of Algerian musicians, all weeping violins,  great piano work and she’s still a babe ! Recorded live and, whilst I have your ear…………

KHALED “Sahra” (Wrasse)

Been after this since I first heard ‘Lillah’ back in ’97. The king of Algerian ‘Rai’ this is a fine mix of styles and a plethora of producers contributed: Don Was, Philippe Eidel, Jean Jacques Goldman etc. It never sounds less than authentic thanks to Khaled’s aching voice hovering over the proceedings.

RAY BARRETTO / MONGO SANTAMARIA / BOBBY VALENTIN etc: “The NuYorican Funk Experience” (Nascente)

Pumping collection of mainly 70s Latin-based dance floor groovers tastefully compiled by Adrian Gibson.

JAMIE LIDELL “Multiply” (Warp)

Don’t be put off by the truly horrible sleeve because what lies within is damn fine piece of lo-fi 70s style funk. All distorted voice and tinny keyboards but it pays dividends if you stay with it. A somewhat short listen but every track works brilliantly in its own strange way.

AMADOU & MARIAM “Dimanche a Bamako” (Radio Bemba)

Blind Senegalese singing couple with the golden fingers of Manu Chao on the faders.

Very upbeat - Bubblegum World Music.

“The Definitive CHARLEY PATTON” (Catfish)

Three cd box of all titles recorded by eerily contemporary Mississippi bluesman. Digitally cleaned up shellac recordings enable you to hear those crackles just that bit clearer!

He has a massive fan in Mr. Zimmerman.

CANDI STATON "His Hands" (Honest Jon)

If, like me, you're a fan of late 60s Southern soul you must get this brand new recording that sounds like it could've been recorded anytime in the last forty years. Great arrangements and playing and all topped off by the aching vocals of Ms Staton.

MORPHINE "Like Swimming" (Ryko)

Dug out this wonderful little record from around 1997 the other day and it still sounds uniquely wonderful.

Three man lineup of singer/2 string slide bass, drums and baritone sax (!)

Mark Sandman, songwriter/bassist died of a heart attack several years back on stage at Italian rock festival. Might be time for Morphine revival. I'm spearheading this one, okay!?!! 

PRINCE “3121” (Universal)

Following on in the footsteps of his last (‘Musicology’) there are few surprises here but who cares when he sounds as good as this. ‘Te Amo Corazon’ and the closer ‘Get On The Boat’ featuring the blistering alto sax of Maceo Parker have become my new firm friends. Must get out more.

JIMMIE VAUGHAN "Strange Pleasure" (Epic)

One from 1994 I keep going back to for its sheer lack of pretention, simplicity and jumping R&B grooves.

Not one note played that is beyond requirements.

MOONDOG in Europe (Roof)

Obscure German import given to me by Stewart Lee a few years backand recently discovered by me in the sprawling chaos that is my cd collection.

Almost indefinable contemporary classical music with simple circular nagging motifs.

Mysterious but friendly and approachable.

GOTAN PROJECT "Lunatico" (Yo Basta 1)

Long-awaited followup to massive selling debut "La Revancha del Tango" and, to my mind, a more rewarding listening experience. The technology doesn't get in the way and some of the best tracks are with the basic acoustic lineup. Excellent.

WILLIAM SHATNER "Has Been" (Shout!)

A revelation! First time I heard this was in my mate Brandon's fuckoff motor weaving through the back streets of Greenville, Dallas both stewed in Bloody Marys. Jarvis Cocker's "Common People" (with Joe Jackson providing the melody) is a brilliant taster for the darkness that awaits: poems and songs that deal with death - and worse - wasted life in a brutally, sometimes hilarious, manner. One gut-wrenching ode deals with him finding his wife drowned, face down in their Hollywood pool.

Ben Folds produces and arranges superbly. This is not a kitsch 'one trick pony' but a searingly honest self portrait of someone who's been there, seen it and done it but wasn't suffiently impressed to buy the t-shirt. 

And finally…………..

LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE “Corridos” (Fonovisa)

An acquired taste, I’d imagine, and not one I’m sure I’ve acquired yet but the premise has fascinated me for a while: the ‘narcocorridos’ being songs about drug runners/barons and  violence in the barrios. Outlaw songs of drugs, guns and guerrillas all to a jolly upbeat traditional instrumental bed of guitars and bajo sextos.

Sooner next time, I trust. Thanks for checking in and if you have any suggestions for me to earwig do drop me a line.

Oh, and as an afterthought……………

JELLY ROLL MORTON “The Complete Library of Congress Recordings” (Rounder)

Eight cds in total and I’ve only got through a couple of hours of him so far but it’s utterly mesmerizing listening to a man who truly believes he invented Jazz (and maybe he DID) and soaking yourself in his warm vernacular with occasional piano interludes. Alan Lomax had the timely good sense (1938) to capture these Storyville tall stories and caught Jelly Roll, a little down-on-his-uppers, running the Jungle Inn bar in Washington DC three years before his death. His day was long gone but it’s thrilling to bask in his fruity recall and picture the scenes he paints so well. A beautiful piano-shaped boxed set containing a biography and discography but at $100 a serious financial commitment. Mine’s a burnoff. Shhhhh.

Sept 25^th 2005

 

Current top ten audio faves………….

 

MADELEINE PEYROUX: “Careless Love” (Rounder Int.)

 

My favourite and most-played sound of last 6 months. Her voice has quality of Billie Holiday but no slavish copy is she.

Beautiful musicianship and gloriously intimate production. Sublime.

 

CITY OF GOD – Soundtrack (WEA)

 

Languid Latin ballads lead into brutal funk instrumental grooves on the soundtrack of the most original movie of the last few years. All originals that reek of the 70s.

 

RY COODER: “Chavez Ravine” (Nonesuch)

 

Great variety of music styles largely performed by the singers who lived in the borough in East Los Angeles which was destroyed in the 50s to make way for Dodgers’ Stadium.

 

THE GLADIATORS: “Dreadlocks The Time Is Now” (Frontline)

 

Along with the Mighty Diamonds, one of the true greats in reggae harmony groups from the late 70s.

 

THE CONGOS: “Heart of The Congos” (Blood & Fire)

 

At last available on cd one of my most-loved classics from the same era as above with typically insane production from Lee Perry; all distortion, mooing cows and prehistoric drum machines – yeah!

 

ALICE RUSSELL: “Under The Munka Moon” (Tru Thoughts)

 

Amazing voice which surprises, firstly, by discovering she’s not black and, secondly, that she’s from BRIGHTON!

 

QUANTIC SOUL ORCHESTRA: “Pushin’ On” (Tru Thoughts)

 

From the same stable and Sussex seaside resort a funky, largely instrumental neo 70s package that’s right up my musical boulevard.

 

STEVIE WONDER: “So What The Fuss” (Motown)

 

Single from his upcoming new album is right-back-to-form classic stuff with Prince on guitar.

 

ALI FARKA TOURE & TOUMANI DIABATE: “In The Heart Of The Moon” (World Circuit)

 

Guitar and kora duo play restful, dreamy music which helped me survive Edinburgh Festival this year.

 

LYN COLLINS: “Mama Feelgood” (Universal)

 

Great companion to Vicki Anderson’s “Mother Popcorn” since they were both with James Brown during his golden 70s period.

 

Till next time. Au revoir.

 

 

 

 

March ’05.

Big apologies for massive tardiness in communicating current audio faves to the cyber world. Been approached by several people who actually CARE about my dubious musical tastes! Fact is I’m several hundred or so records down the line since last I compiled this but here’s a random

list of grab bag goodies. Well over a year late but here we go…..

 

TOM RUSSELL: “Hotwalker”  (Hightone)

 

Incredible record that’s part-song, part-poetry and a telling elegy to a ‘Gone America’ with readings from Charles Bukowski, Lenny Bruce and Dave Van Ronk and amazing reminiscences from helium-voiced ex-carny midget Little Jack Horton. Truly extraordinary.

 

VICKI ANDERSON: “Mother Popcorn” (Soul Brother Records)

 

First time collection of former James Brown backup singer’s 70s funk workouts with the odd ballad creeping in. JB’s stamp is all over it with ‘answer’ songs to the, then, contempory soul hits:

”I’m Too Tough For Mr Big Stuff,” “Super Good” and duets with hubby Bobby Byrd on Bobby Womack’s “You’re Welcome – Stop On By,”

An overlong wait for this but worth it.

 

JILL SCOTT: “Cross My Mind” from “Beautiful Human” (Hidden Beach)

 

Original and insightful take on warmly musing over an old relationship whilst still recognizing the bad shit. Whole cd has beautiful production but it never overwhelms the down-to-earth honesty of her words nor dulls the passion in her voice.

 

GOLDIELOOKINCHAIN: “Greatest Hits” (glc / Atlantic)

 

Hysterically funny ‘Rap’ album from bunch of Newport, Gwent retards railing on about Argos, chips, smoking soap, robots and parental sexual confusion. Fills me with a warm glow that the kids are getting to be as immature as me! “Your Mother’s Got A Penis” is a personal favourite.

Probably will (and should) be their final outing. Where could they go after this?!

 

MARC MOULIN: “Entertainment” (Blue Note / EMI)

 

Always feel a bit loath to admit my addiction to this sort of thing. Bit ‘wine bar’ and ‘loungey’ for some tastes but I love it. Nice soloing alongside machine-made grooves and atmospherics.

 

VARIOUS ARTISTS: “Sock It To ‘Em Soul” (Stax / Warner Bros)

 

Picked up this well-programmed compilation of 60s Soul from Fab Music in Crouch End for £7.99 even tho’ I own much of it on vinyl. More left field than the more predictable mix you expect to see. Also, If you like Ronnie & The Rex, you’ll recognize a good few tunes herein!

 

THE COUNTRY SOUL REVUE: “Testifying” (Wooden Nickel)

 

Great, imaginative packaging holds cd of classic singers (Tony Joe White / Dan Penn / Donnie Fritts etc) singing and writing in the way that only those steeped in their kind of music can. Very Southern and, on ‘Sapelo,’ Larry Jon Wilson alludes to that cluster of islands (St Simons etc) in Georgia of which I am so fond. Moody, mature music.

 

 

VARIOUS ARTISTS “Guilty Pleasures” (Sony)

 

The estimable Sean Rowley presents a collection of songs that you probably wish you didn’t remember but, by God, you will!

Dodgy nuggets from the 70s like Captain and Tennille’s ‘Love Will Keep Us Together,’ Pilot’s ‘January,’ Carol Bayer Sager’s ‘You’re Moving Out Today’ etc. Fantastic. We’re all post modern nowadays – except me (I’m ‘post-secondary-modern’) and each track takes you back to whatever you were doing back then. Sometimes this is the function of music: to mark the small joys and disappointments of the quotidian life. (Ooh, get HER!!!)

Worth the price of admission for The Alessi Brothers’ ‘Oh Lori’ alone.

“I’d like to ride my bicycle with you…on the handlebar….” What joy.

 

PADDY McALOON: “I Trawl The Megahertz” (Liberty)

 

I was a big fan of a lot of Prefab Sprout’s output in the mid 80s but this is a very different animal. Classical elements with jazz trumpet creeping in, the instrumental weaving behind a mysterious, compulsive prose recited by anonymous American female voice:

“I said ‘Your daddy loves you.’ I said ‘Your daddy loves you very much’; he just doesn’t want to live with us anymore.’”

“In the lobby of the Hotel Charlemagne they are hanging photographs of Rap artists and minor royalty. All cigarettes have been airbrushed from these pictures, making everyone a liar, and saving no-one from their folly.”

At times almost unbearably moving.

 

FRIED: “Fried” (London)

 

David Steele, former Fine Young Cannibal, embarked on a quest a few years back to find the ultimate black female voice and has probably succeeded with 23yr old Jonte Short from New Orleans. Calls to mind several classic voices, particularly the God-like Ann Peebles. Great modern soul that manages to sound like it could’ve been made anytime in the last four decades.

 

AMP FIDDLER: “Waltz Of A Ghetto Fly” (Genuine)

 

Probably my most-played, funkiest record of the year. Brilliant evocation of stoned-out late 60s Soul. Mid-period Stevie Wonder / Sly & The Family Stone all come to mind but Mr Fiddler retains his ‘voice’ throughout. Gorgeous.

 

BARRY ‘Scratchy’ MYERS: “Scratchy Sounds” (Trojan)

 

 

New collection of ska, dub, roots and reggae nuggets lovingly compiled and mastered by the man who toured with The Clash back in the day. Lots of it new to me but always great to hear Heptones ‘Book Of Rules,’ Niney’s ‘Blood and Fire’ and The Tennors ‘Ride Your Donkey’ again.

 

 

 

And now… a bunch of super cheapies from Fopp, Earlham St. W1:

 

GIDON KREMER “Hommage a Piazzolla” (Nonesuch)

Astor, himself, would be proud of him, I’m sure. Three quid.

 

BILL WITHERS Live at Carnegie Hall (Columbia)

“I Can’t Write Left-Handed” one of best Post Vietnam songs ever.

 

MEL TORME “Torme” (Verve)

Beautiful slimline package of my favourite Mel ballads. Three fucking quids, ferchrissakes!

 

GARE DU NORD “In Search of Excellounge” (Pias)

Punchy ambient stuff with a great Robert Johnson sample. 3 notes.

 

U ROY “With A Flick Of My Musical Wrist” (Trojan)

Jamaican Deejay music 1970 – 1973. A paltry trio of coins.

 

PLUS……a handful of recommendables…

 

MARK RONSON “Here Comes The Fuzz” (Elektra)

Great collection of Rap / Dance

Choice cuts:  “Bluegrass Stain’d” & “Bout To Get Ugly”

 

 

EDDIE HINTON “Hard Luck Guy” (Zane)

Blue-eyed Soulman who met a tragic end.

 

PIZZICATO FIVE “If I Were A Groupie” from “The Sound Of Music” (Matador)

 

Oldie-but-goodie from 1995 and the usual twisted mix from these Japanese crackpots.

 

 

 

 

That’s all for now, folks. I’ll make it sooner next time.

 

 

 

 

W/c 1…6…03

 

Sorry ‘bout delay but a pretended ‘life’ sometimes gets in the way of updating this thing. I know you are just DROOLING to find out what I’m buying and listening to, so here we go…

 

(1) “MOD FAVE RAVES Vol. 2” (Spectrum)

 

Twenty track collection of little heard hip classics for ‘Flamingo’ days incl. Shorty Long: ‘Function At The Junction’ / The Supremes: ‘Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart’ and ‘Head To Toe’ by Chris Clark. (HMV sale £3.99)

 

(2) “The Further Adventures of FUNK SOUL BROTHERS” (Metro)

 

Usual high standard get down shit but why are the funkiest tracks (‘Got To Getcha’ by Maceo & All The King’s Men the shortest tracks? Great stuff, tho’ and all for £3.99 (HMV again)

 

(3) “BARBIE GIRL” by Electric Chairs (Dan Simmons burnoff)

 

Dark and twisted take on a great song. Remember ‘Aqua?’

 

(4) “The Best of DEL AMITRI” (A&M)

 

They passed me by in the late 80s but bought this collection for three quid and it’s crammed with ‘zeitgeist’ goodies - ‘Kiss This Thing Goodbye’ and ‘Nothing Ever Happens’ being just two.

 

(5) “SWEET SOUL QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS: The IRMA THOMAS Collection” (Razor & Tie)

 

One of a bunch of great cds I brought back from the Crescent City with timeless greats like ‘Time Is On My Side,’ and ‘It’s A Man’s Woman’s World (Pt.1.’)

 

(6) “TRUE BLUE” by Sonny Landreth from “The Road We’re On” (Sugar Hill)

 

No departures from his usual monkey-wrench slide displays and who’s complaining?

 

(7) “LUZ DE MI VIDA” from “GOOD MORNING AZTLAN” by Los Lobos (Mammoth)

 

Nice track from latest collection by a combo that just keeps getting better and better.

 

 

(8) “JUMPING AT SHADOWS” from “ALONE WITH THE BLUES” by Peter Green & The Original Fleetwood Mac (Metro)

 

Dirt cheap compilation of the current and ancient but the old classics are best. This paranoid blues written by late great Duster Bennett gives clues to PG’s state of mind at the time. Heartbreaking vocal and scary guitar outbreaks. (Rec. live: Boston in ’70).

 

(9) “ROOM TO BREATHE” by Delbert McClinton (New West)

 

Another dependable collection from Austin’s finest. Solid and exciting blues / country.

 

(10) “BIG CHIEF – Part 2” by Professor Longhair from “FESS” (Rhino)

 

Great 2 x cd compilation of Roy Byrd’s eccentric piano stylings with the wayward horn charts turning this Earl King classic into something else.

 

More to come. Soon. 

w/c 20.1.03

 

(1)“PHRENOLOGY” by The Roots (MCA)

Much expectation for their first in nearly four years. Intelligent, sometimes scary music mixing urban rap, real instruments, insidious melody and atonal soundscapes. Takes a few listens then…….

 

(2) “LLAMA RHYMES” by The Chandler Travis Philharmonic (Sonic Trout)

A free burn-off from KS and eclectic – what a copout that word is! – rag bag of XTC, Salvation Army band, cool ballads and cameos from George Carlin and suchlike.

 

(3)”CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD” by Kylie Minogue (Parlophone)

This keeps coming back to haunt me in all it’s different mixes, bless her pert little buttocks.

 

(4)”THE BEST OF 2002” (‘Uncut’ freebie)

Fine compilation of diverse artistes: Flaming Lips, Tom Waits, Suicide and Solomon Burke etc. Probably the only way to hear this stuff with current radio restrictions.

 

(5)”POET”:  Tribute to Townes Van Zandt  (CatfishRecs.)

Guy Clark, Cowboy Junkies, John Prine, Delbert McClinton et al perform great songs in their own style.  “Marie” by Willie Nelson particularly affecting. Fiver in Berwick Street.

 

(6) “U DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH I HATE U” from ‘The Houston Kid’ by Rodney Crowell (Sugar Hill)

Particularly acid track but whole album is great evocation of troubled family life. Forgotten and sadly-overlooked album from 2001.

 

(7) “FAB 14: Harmonica Blues” (CRS)

Dutch import I bought in HMV sale for 3.99 with lotsa new licks I plan to steal brazenly.

 

(8) “8EME CIEL” by Phillipe Katerine. Lovely French burnoff from Gavin Hackett which is almost impossible to describe but suffice to say every track exists in its own little universe. Exquisite.

 

(9) “CUISINE” Same goes for this mysterious collection of North Africa meets oompah with the likes of the great Arthur H. French music is hip. Official.

 

(10) “CALL OF THE WILD” from “Out Of Nowhere” by Jimi Tenor (Warp Recs.)

One of the most interesting names around recorded this in 2000 with Polish orchestra and it weaves a dark and sometimes threatening spell.

 

Stay warm and keep kicking ‘gainst the pricks.

w/c 14.10.02

7. “HARD GRIND” by Little Axe. (ONU Sound Recs)  Skip McDonald and chums plough the plantation for new samples of ancient licks. More downbeat than last one but top stuff.

w/c 30.9.02

MY GENERATION - DeLuxe Edition - by The Who.(MCA)
The one that kicked it all off, then was promptly held back by producer Shel
Talmy for THIRTY SEVEN years! They had no right to be this good so young so
there.

THE DARK by Guy Clark (Sugar Hill Records) Yet another unadorned slice of
homey genius: "How dark is it / It's too dark for goblins / How dark is it /
It's so dark you can smell the moon / How dark is it / It's so dark the wind
gets lost / How dark is it / It's so dark the sky's on fire / How dark is it
/ It's so dark you can see Ft. Worth from here."

EVERYTHING IS BROKEN by Bob Dylan from "Oh Mercy" (CBS)
Missed this one first time round.

PRAGUE CONCERT by Bob Dylan. (Live Bootleg)
Kevin, who likes Mr. Zimm more than a bit, burned this off for me.
11th March '95 and he's in the grip of some unholy fever, under the
influence of powerful medicine and propped up on a stool sans guitar (but
sadly not sans harmonica.) Singing great 'til the drugs wear off but the
band hold him up brilliantly.

REAL GONE GUY by Nellie Lutcher (Stateside) Really nice piano-led swinging
blues from Lake Charles, Louisiana chanteuse. Thanks to Mr. Lamarr for this
gem.

IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR by Frank Sinatra from soundtrack to "The Sopranos"
(CBS) It's Frank's world - we just live in it (which is more than he does.)

OOP-POP-A-DA by Dizzie Gillespie.("The Beat: Be-Bop & Beyond" (BMG)  Divine
gibberish I had the pleasure of emulating with Gillespiana at 100 Club.

HOME IS WHERE THE HATRED IS by Esther Phillips - from "The Harlem Sessions"
(Sessions 2 x CD)
Excellent evocation of junkie life and its effects.

A MINHA MENINA by The Bees (We Love You)
Duo from the Isle of Wight's take on old Brazillian. song. My sound of the
summer 2002.

THE WHO SELL OUT. (Polydor)
Yet another reminder of pop finding its moment and scaring it to death.

That's all for now, folks.
 

Week commencing 10.6.02

 Tim Wilson, rightly, gave me the 'skunk-eye' over my laxity in keeping up
to date on informing the cyber world as to what is currently tickling the
Golden Ear. A lot of catching up to do so hear (sic) we go:

1. "Chicken In Black" by Johnny Cash.
 A glorious piece of possibly drug-informed insanity I've been after for
fucking
YEARS! Johnny's feeling rough so doctor tells him "yer body's outlived yer
 brain" and removes said grey matter and installs that of the Manhattan
Flash, lowlife bankrobber,
and after attempting to remove the jewellery from the audience at The Grand
Ole Opry and several bankjobs, he decides he prefers his old worn-out but
legal one and requests its return only to be told it's too late as it has
been
transplanted into a chicken who's doing JC's act in Vegas and all across
Europe.
"If'n you got $10 you oughta catch that Johnny Chicken show." Pure bliss
and thanks to Richard Paul Jones for the burn-off.

 2. "It Takes More" by Ms. Dynamite. (Polydor)
Good 'n' witty take on the goon covered in 'ice' and Rolexes, gangsta
rap and Class 'A' drugs and all the sexual braggadocio he spews out. Still
enough about Angus Deayton.

 3. "Original Pirate Material" by The Streets. (Locked On 679 / Warners)
Young - 20 years old - guy's bedroom venture with sometimes great words.
Occasionally funny and generally all-round scary.
What is it with you kids, eh? In my day you made do with milk bars, youth
clubs and
junior Aspirin. Crack was something on the pavement you didn't walk on or
it'd bring you bad
luck.

3."Live From Austin" by Delbert McClinton.
Still one of the best voices around and the man who taught John Lennon
enough harmonica to play "Love Me Do." Great steamy old-time R&B from Texas.
(Thanks to Ejock.)

 4."The Best Of Tim Hardin" (Polydor / 20th Century Masters)
 The man who wrote "If I Were A Carpenter" "Reason To Believe" "Hang On To A
Dream" and a few other essentials. Timeless, heartbreaking music.

 5. "The Score" (Free with Mojo Magazine)
Exceptional compilation of film-related material. Check out "Dark Days" by
D.J. Shadow and "Death Line" by Will Malone.

 6. "Reggae Greats" by  Linton Kwesi Johnson / Jacob Miller & Inner Circle /
Third World (Island)
Three-for-a-tenner at North Middx Hospital car bootsale. LKJ particularly
fine but whaddyawantalready?

 7. "All The Greatest Hits" by Zapp & Roger (Reprise)
Vocoder vocals and pared-to-the-bone funk. Do me.

8. "Harmless Sampler" (Harmless)
For three quid a seriously kinetic collection with Betty Davis' (Miles' ex-
missus) "Anti Love Song" worth it alone.

9. "Lewis Taylor" (Island) Lewis Taylor's eponymous first album from 1996
finally purchased and it still sounds great. Where's he gone?

10. "Alice" / "Blood Money" by Tom Waits
Dwarves playing musical saws, meeces on mellotrons and 'people dying like
fish' all topped off by Mr. Waits' sandpaper vocals and nary a guitar in
sight. Ain't life a beautiful thing?

That's my Top Ten of the moment. There's loads more but you'll have to wait,
ye little jive monkeys. xt
 

This Week's "Golden Playlist" or "Aural Sex"..23/3/02

"Denials, Delusions And Decisions" (MCA) - Jaguar Wright
"Mahogany Soul" - Angie Stone (J Recs/BMG
Two current soul sisters. Angie Stone's material is the more interesting.
Check out "Time Of The Month" (A period piece)

"Kitsch" - Barry Ryan (Polydor 45rpm)
1970 follow-up to "Eloise" 'Kitsch is a beautiful word, it's a beautiful
word, it's a beautiful lullaby.' OK, Barry

"Just Like I Treat You" - Howlin' Wolf (Pye R&B Series 45rpm)
This still excites and scares me equally

"Petit Fleur" - Sidney Bechet (RCA)
Been after this for years: original 1952 version of Chris Barber/Monty
Sunshine No.1

"Pan Am The Sound Of 70s" - Yoshinori Sunahara (Bungalow/Sony)
Dirty bass-end ambient funk

"Winter Moon" - Art Pepper with strings
He died shortly after he made this which he considered his best work.
Incredibly moving and sad. To be listened to whilst reading his
autobiography "Straight Life" the best book about music ever (according to
Stanley Booth.)

"The Legendary Almost Complete BBC Sessions" - Fabulous Poodles (Turns)
Available shortly, God willing

"The Very Best of The Meters" (Rhino)
Good mix of early and middle-period funky stuff.

"Best of The Lemon Pipers" (Camden/BMG)
'Where acid-rock meets bubblegum-pop and the tambourines are green'
The sleevenote says it all.

.4/2/2002......................
 "Bouncing Back(Bumpin' Me Against The Wall.") by Mystikal
 on "Tarantula" (Jive)
Fonky shit from the "JB" of Rap

"Gotan Project" by Gotan Project (Ya Basta!)
Ambient Tango trip-hop be-bop flip-flop plop-plop

"Dig" by Boz Scaggs (Virgin)
Programmed drum/bass. Old Boz with modern sheen. Mm.

 "Something Cool" by June Christy (Capitol Jazz)
Amazing singer with great collection of songs first rec. '55 then in stereo '60.

 "Sweet Tea" by Buddy Guy (Silvertone)
Brilliant, intense primal Blues rec. in Fat Possum studios, Miss.

 "I'm Insane" by T-Model Ford :
 from "Not The Same Old Blues Crap" (Fat Possum) See above

 "Guitar Beat" by The Raybeats - vinyl - (Don't Fall Off The Mountain)
Hank Marvin on dubious chemicals from 1980. The Twang's The Thang!

 "experience 826+" by Jill Scott (Hidden Beach)
Double CD Live and Studio. Bitch got 'dirty class.'

"Chambre Avec Vue" by Henri Salvador (Virgin)
Heard in bar in Ghent then purchased in Brussells station. 82yr old
Mauritian sings Bossa ballads. My heart deliquesces. Look it up.

"Frontier Psychiatrist" by The Avalanches
 from 'Since I Don't Have You' (Modular)
80 million samples lovingly assembled and this is funny and strangely moving.


If you have something you want everyone to hear, send your suggestions to:

music@ronniegolden.com