Happy Labor Day, and hello to all who joined us over the weekend! It’s great to have you here with us.
The playlist below is some of what I’ve been playing this week. There’ve been some killer releases lately, so if you’ve got one (or some), please share ‘em!
Now it’s your turn.
What caught your ear this week? Find anything good while crate digging? Is there an upcoming release or show you’re excited for?
Share your picks in the comments!
P.S. If you’re working today like I am, I hope you have a safe/easy shift!
Happy Monday! Of course you guys have labor day! I had completely forgotten. Hope work is not too tedious.
I've been spinning lots of Mariah, Luther, Sade. Smooth vocals, silky production, velvety sounds. I'm sure next week it'll be some growling electric blues to compensate. Story of my life.
We might've talked about it already, but I picked up a copy of Luther Vandross' "give me the Reason" not too long ago. Still playing it fairly often. Hope my neighbors like it! lol.
As a South Floridian for many years, and a lifelong sailor, Jimmy Buffett played a large background of craziness and ballads that synchronized with parts of my life. Then again, sometimes he made me feel sane for some of his true life antics, and me, well, I had more than my fare share over the years too, so I could laugh in the background recalling the stupid things I did.
If you never had a relationship with a boat, never made a fool of yourself, never got away with something that you didn’t others to know except the characters involved who were with you, or never fell in, nor out of love... then Jimmy Buffett wasn’t for you.
Listening to a live show from this past February, I never thought he would have been gone six months later. But then I started paying closer attention to his voice. It was a bit off.
He cleared it frequently. His storytelling was sounded challenged. I could here him expressing everything he was thinking when he wanted to tell a ripe tale. He was usually just a sly bit more of a cherry picker of the words that he chose.
Maybe it’s just me looking for the answers for the questions, that bother me so.
"If you never had a relationship with a boat, never made a fool of yourself, never got away with something that you didn’t others to know except the characters involved who were with you, or never fell in, nor out of love... then Jimmy Buffett wasn’t for you."
Oooo... the Furs! Sadly, they (and Squeeze) won’t be spinning thru my part of the world, but my colleague will be reporting back when he sees them in September. Now, onto important must listens: two divergent talents... Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds released ‘Council Skies’ in June - a tremendous sound ❤️ and silly me has literally discovered the even more tremendous Hiss Golden Messenger - wow! Take an earful of “Nu-Grape” and if anyone has seen them live, please let me know your thoughts. Gracias and carry on.
Was just listening to HGM today thanks to a commenter who brought them up as a band that needs more attention in the rock podcast scene. I haven't heard the new one yet though, so I'm looking forward to playing it! I saw the Furs probably 8 years ago at an arts festival and they were excellent. I've still yet to see Squeeze -- I need to remedy that one!
Finally received US release of SPOOL's '(image for) drawing on canvas', adding to the pile of quality shoegaze released this year, with more on the way (Slowdive, Drop Nineteens, etc - eek!)
King Tuff & Portugal. The Man's latest continue to receive heavy rotation and I leaped outside my... comfort zone to discover that Black Sherif is kinda growing on me?!
Thanks for the playlist. Bold segue from Echo to GD.
I knew it'd be a rough jump, but hopefully no one got whiplash. :)
Definitely a banner year for quality shoegaze! I cued up '(image for) drawing on canvas' before I started to type this, so not very far in, but what I'm hearing already is awesome.
Some years ago, I didn't pay attention when my students raved about The Weeknd, and I felt really stupid when I finally listened to him and realized what I'd been missing out on, so this semester I got a list of what my students are listening to, so my latest playlist has Jhene Aiko, Drake, SZA, Mitski, Lovejoy, Khalid, Taylor Swift, Angel Olsen, Alice in Chains, Frank Ocean, Karol G, Jose Jose, Pvris, Hayley Kiyoko, Kehlani, NF, Harry Styles, Erykah Badu, Christina Aguilera, and Miley Cyrus.
Love The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. And some Harry Styles too! Especially his first two albums (the third one, while universally acclaimed, didn’t quite stick with me).
Update: made my way through PJ Harvey’s ‘90s output and it slaps. Caught an Arctic Monkeys show at the last minute and been revisiting their discography as well.
The Paranoid Style are new to me and I like what I hear, some deeper listening required. This is a really solid list today, it ranks in the top of your playlists, thanks. A busy and eclectic mix this week for me.
Thank you for the kind words! Eclectic is good. The Paranoid Style can be an acquired taste, but if you liked this, I think you'll like their other work. "Absolute Cadevers" is my favorite. it's slower, but no less awesome.
With Bandcamp Friday just passed, I bought quite a bit of new and old music and id soul is your type of thing than this single is great by Lee Fields - here is the b-side:
Earworms can be annoying but I have earcheetahs this weekend. Started with Yardbirds “Heart Full Of Soul” zinged right over to Stones “Heart of Stone” to the Raveonettes “Heart of Stone” to Chris Knight, “Heart Of Stone”, and off to Headstones “Heart Of Darkness” and now they’re just chasing each other around. Good times.
"I Love The Sound Of Structured Class" may win the "Fascist Groove Thang" award for song title of the year. Cool song, although not sure I'll get used to her mannered vocal style. There was some great new releases this week, from new songs by Lael Neale and Pffu to the new album by Frankie And The Witch Fingers, Data Doom. I was also very focused on the August episode of my podcast - find it here to see what else I've been listening to! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jeremy-shatan/episodes/Monthly-Listening-August-2023-e28rjo6
So much good stuff coming out recently. I wrote about a couple of them in my most recent post -- new single from Steven Wilson and new album from Jungle -- but in addition to those, I've really been digging the latest from Adrian Younge's series (No. 18), this one a collaboration with Tony Allen. It may have been the last thing Allen recorded. Royal Blood has a new album that I am excited to hear. I've loved everything they've done so far.
The new release of "Last Day of Our Acquaintance" by Amanda Palmer with the Righteous Babes. Also listening to a lot of stuff by all artists involved. It's a mood.
I’m late to the game, but I just watched Bohemian Rhapsody this weekend. I was reminded what a beautiful song Love of My Life is. Freddie Mercury was a singular talent, as was Queen as a whole.
The tragedy of losing Jimmy Buffett, who I believe will go right down in American story telling with the likes of a modern day Mark Twain, overshadowed was a phenomenal early American recording of Bob Marley and the Wailers that I stumbled across buried deep within their merchandising website. It’s meant to be buried.
The website features new pressings of old albums on vinyl, that should be very appealing to most audiophiles who appreciate a wide variety of music. But to understand the basis of above Marley and the Wailers there needs to be a deeper dive into the Rastafarian culture and the era of the 1970s, before he a became a college campus name.
The liner notes of Bob Marley and the Wailers: Capital Sessions ‘73 fill in details I’ve never read over many years of following the band, since my youth around 1981.
What I will tell you about this CD is it is the cleanest, tightest, recording, bar none, of any of the 10,000 plus recordings in my collection. Even my Buddy Holly, nor Steel Pulse don’t measure up, nor do any of my magnificent classical recordings.
But finding this gem is going to take a bit of digging to find. I think it’s meant to be that way.
I’m glad I read the liner notes prior to popping it into my player. It’s a sheer joy to hear these guys becoming translators of Jamaican and Caribbean influence to the world, with their message of pain, love, and compassion. One love.
Bryan and I saw Pat Benatar play live last week and it reminded me that I love her song, We Belong, as sung by its writers, a duo called Lowen & Navarro. Been listening to that one on repeat a little.
Happy Monday! Of course you guys have labor day! I had completely forgotten. Hope work is not too tedious.
I've been spinning lots of Mariah, Luther, Sade. Smooth vocals, silky production, velvety sounds. I'm sure next week it'll be some growling electric blues to compensate. Story of my life.
We might've talked about it already, but I picked up a copy of Luther Vandross' "give me the Reason" not too long ago. Still playing it fairly often. Hope my neighbors like it! lol.
Nice! If they don’t, just pump up the volume 😁
Bobbie Gentry (Local Gentry) and Willie Nelson (Phases and Stages)
Have you ever heard Mercury Rev's take on The Delta Sweetie?
https://open.spotify.com/album/4nH3gRDD3nqTkBEZCDMGZh
I have not! Thank you!!!
New cratedigging finds, or did you already have these?
BTW, I hope you're feeling better (or at least aren't in too much pain)!
Much better, thanks!!!
This 75 Dollar Bill from 2020 just came out on Tidal so I’ve been listening a bunch. Going to need to get the vinyl, for sure:
https://75dollarbill.bandcamp.com/album/power-failures
As a South Floridian for many years, and a lifelong sailor, Jimmy Buffett played a large background of craziness and ballads that synchronized with parts of my life. Then again, sometimes he made me feel sane for some of his true life antics, and me, well, I had more than my fare share over the years too, so I could laugh in the background recalling the stupid things I did.
If you never had a relationship with a boat, never made a fool of yourself, never got away with something that you didn’t others to know except the characters involved who were with you, or never fell in, nor out of love... then Jimmy Buffett wasn’t for you.
Listening to a live show from this past February, I never thought he would have been gone six months later. But then I started paying closer attention to his voice. It was a bit off.
He cleared it frequently. His storytelling was sounded challenged. I could here him expressing everything he was thinking when he wanted to tell a ripe tale. He was usually just a sly bit more of a cherry picker of the words that he chose.
Maybe it’s just me looking for the answers for the questions, that bother me so.
"If you never had a relationship with a boat, never made a fool of yourself, never got away with something that you didn’t others to know except the characters involved who were with you, or never fell in, nor out of love... then Jimmy Buffett wasn’t for you."
100%.
I can't put it any better than that.
Oooo... the Furs! Sadly, they (and Squeeze) won’t be spinning thru my part of the world, but my colleague will be reporting back when he sees them in September. Now, onto important must listens: two divergent talents... Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds released ‘Council Skies’ in June - a tremendous sound ❤️ and silly me has literally discovered the even more tremendous Hiss Golden Messenger - wow! Take an earful of “Nu-Grape” and if anyone has seen them live, please let me know your thoughts. Gracias and carry on.
Was just listening to HGM today thanks to a commenter who brought them up as a band that needs more attention in the rock podcast scene. I haven't heard the new one yet though, so I'm looking forward to playing it! I saw the Furs probably 8 years ago at an arts festival and they were excellent. I've still yet to see Squeeze -- I need to remedy that one!
Finally received US release of SPOOL's '(image for) drawing on canvas', adding to the pile of quality shoegaze released this year, with more on the way (Slowdive, Drop Nineteens, etc - eek!)
King Tuff & Portugal. The Man's latest continue to receive heavy rotation and I leaped outside my... comfort zone to discover that Black Sherif is kinda growing on me?!
Thanks for the playlist. Bold segue from Echo to GD.
I knew it'd be a rough jump, but hopefully no one got whiplash. :)
Definitely a banner year for quality shoegaze! I cued up '(image for) drawing on canvas' before I started to type this, so not very far in, but what I'm hearing already is awesome.
A little EPMD, Circle Jerks, and Huey Lewis. You know, a normal Monday.
I would love to attend that triple-bill concert.
Only in my earholes!
See you there!
It's kinda rare these days that I get obsessed with one song that I wanna hear over and over. Not sure why, there are certain elements that hook me. This is one: https://open.spotify.com/track/77HkNczQroY8cRa7Zh6HVw?si=YXLBC-ofQXOH9SdGrZ5tcg
Sorry you gotta work, but I guess people gotta fly!
Thanks! I'm always surprised when people show up to fly on one of the "big" holidays.
Some years ago, I didn't pay attention when my students raved about The Weeknd, and I felt really stupid when I finally listened to him and realized what I'd been missing out on, so this semester I got a list of what my students are listening to, so my latest playlist has Jhene Aiko, Drake, SZA, Mitski, Lovejoy, Khalid, Taylor Swift, Angel Olsen, Alice in Chains, Frank Ocean, Karol G, Jose Jose, Pvris, Hayley Kiyoko, Kehlani, NF, Harry Styles, Erykah Badu, Christina Aguilera, and Miley Cyrus.
A lot of that is quite good.
Love The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. And some Harry Styles too! Especially his first two albums (the third one, while universally acclaimed, didn’t quite stick with me).
I need to broaden my horizon to these newer artists.
Update: made my way through PJ Harvey’s ‘90s output and it slaps. Caught an Arctic Monkeys show at the last minute and been revisiting their discography as well.
Recently rewatched PJ’s appearance on the Leno version of The Tonight Show. Incredible. Leno has zero idea of what to make of her or her performance.
The Stains RIP Robert Becerra
I just saw that! :(
The Paranoid Style are new to me and I like what I hear, some deeper listening required. This is a really solid list today, it ranks in the top of your playlists, thanks. A busy and eclectic mix this week for me.
Blue Note Essentials Vol. 1
Blue Note Essentials Vol. 2
Phil Keaggy - In The Quiet Hours
Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessie Colter, Tompall Glaser- Wanted! The Outlaws
The Verve - Urban Hymns
Pathos Trio - Polarity
Chagall Guevara - Chagall Guevara
Flash and the Pan - Lights In The Night
Flash and the Pan - Headlines
A Jigsaw - Like The Wolf
Flat & Scruggs - Greatest Hits
Red Foley - Let’s All Sing To Him: Hymns Of All Churches
Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids - There’s No Face Like Chrome
Old Dogs - Old Dogs
Paul Simon - Graceland
Thank you for the kind words! Eclectic is good. The Paranoid Style can be an acquired taste, but if you liked this, I think you'll like their other work. "Absolute Cadevers" is my favorite. it's slower, but no less awesome.
The new single by The Shop Window is pure Jangle Pop perfection - https://theshopwindow.bandcamp.com/track/its-a-high
With Bandcamp Friday just passed, I bought quite a bit of new and old music and id soul is your type of thing than this single is great by Lee Fields - here is the b-side:
https://leefields.bandcamp.com/track/you-can-count-on-me
and a newer band doing some lovely soul is Trambeat:
https://lrkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dont-hold-back-2
All 3 of these are fantastic. Thank you for getting 'em on my radar!
Earworms can be annoying but I have earcheetahs this weekend. Started with Yardbirds “Heart Full Of Soul” zinged right over to Stones “Heart of Stone” to the Raveonettes “Heart of Stone” to Chris Knight, “Heart Of Stone”, and off to Headstones “Heart Of Darkness” and now they’re just chasing each other around. Good times.
"I Love The Sound Of Structured Class" may win the "Fascist Groove Thang" award for song title of the year. Cool song, although not sure I'll get used to her mannered vocal style. There was some great new releases this week, from new songs by Lael Neale and Pffu to the new album by Frankie And The Witch Fingers, Data Doom. I was also very focused on the August episode of my podcast - find it here to see what else I've been listening to! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jeremy-shatan/episodes/Monthly-Listening-August-2023-e28rjo6
It's in my queue for later this afternoon!
So much good stuff coming out recently. I wrote about a couple of them in my most recent post -- new single from Steven Wilson and new album from Jungle -- but in addition to those, I've really been digging the latest from Adrian Younge's series (No. 18), this one a collaboration with Tony Allen. It may have been the last thing Allen recorded. Royal Blood has a new album that I am excited to hear. I've loved everything they've done so far.
I've been looking forward to hearing the Royal Blood record too. Huge +1 for Jungle.
The new release of "Last Day of Our Acquaintance" by Amanda Palmer with the Righteous Babes. Also listening to a lot of stuff by all artists involved. It's a mood.
(It's more of an interpretation than a cover and it is raw and amazing.)
Definitely a mood! It's a great cover/interpretation of the original.
I’m late to the game, but I just watched Bohemian Rhapsody this weekend. I was reminded what a beautiful song Love of My Life is. Freddie Mercury was a singular talent, as was Queen as a whole.
Yes Love of My Life is so good! As is that movie.
I loved that movie. The final LiveAid scene is just fantastic.
The tragedy of losing Jimmy Buffett, who I believe will go right down in American story telling with the likes of a modern day Mark Twain, overshadowed was a phenomenal early American recording of Bob Marley and the Wailers that I stumbled across buried deep within their merchandising website. It’s meant to be buried.
The website features new pressings of old albums on vinyl, that should be very appealing to most audiophiles who appreciate a wide variety of music. But to understand the basis of above Marley and the Wailers there needs to be a deeper dive into the Rastafarian culture and the era of the 1970s, before he a became a college campus name.
The liner notes of Bob Marley and the Wailers: Capital Sessions ‘73 fill in details I’ve never read over many years of following the band, since my youth around 1981.
What I will tell you about this CD is it is the cleanest, tightest, recording, bar none, of any of the 10,000 plus recordings in my collection. Even my Buddy Holly, nor Steel Pulse don’t measure up, nor do any of my magnificent classical recordings.
But finding this gem is going to take a bit of digging to find. I think it’s meant to be that way.
I’m glad I read the liner notes prior to popping it into my player. It’s a sheer joy to hear these guys becoming translators of Jamaican and Caribbean influence to the world, with their message of pain, love, and compassion. One love.
I loved Craig Ferguson on The Late Late Show, so was excited to see him jump onto the podcast bandwagon.
His podcast is called Joy, check it out here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1gD52euTghroa5ROD3JaeB?si=R-esj1DcRNy2LmpwifDk8w
Right on! I didn't know he was doing this.
Check out his episode with Josh Robert Thompson, the voice of Geoff the robot skeleton. Great one. Even the episode with Tony Hawk is a blast!
Been a tough work week, just catching up on my Substack reading now. Been on a bit of a soul jaunt over the last week, particularly the following:
https://mississippirecords.bandcamp.com/album/time-waits-for-no-one
https://daptonerecords.bandcamp.com/album/daptone-mood
https://jameshuntersix.bandcamp.com/album/with-love-the-james-hunter-six
I hope the rest of the week goes better for you!
Love seeing Ratboys on the playlist, as I can't get enough of the album.
Other than that, I'm into HELLMODE from Jeff Rosenstock and the latest EP from Elephants and Stars, Get Your Own Army.
HELLMODE is next on my "to play" list today.
Bryan and I saw Pat Benatar play live last week and it reminded me that I love her song, We Belong, as sung by its writers, a duo called Lowen & Navarro. Been listening to that one on repeat a little.