Happy 2023 and welcome to those of you who joined us over the holidays! It’s great to have you here. Below is a little bit of what I’ve been spinning over the last week or so.
More importantly, what’ve you been listening to? Got something we should all be checking out? Maybe a new favorite you found over the break? Share it below!
In high school (early 90s), I had an art teacher that would play Prine every day. I mean literally every class. He told us one day we'd appreciate that he did. In my case, it took about 20 years, but he was right.
Love it! I discovered John Prine (and Dylan and Leonard Cohen) in the mid 90's via my dad's old record collection. They've stayed in my top 10 ever since.
Also love the title track of that album, "Jesus, the Missing Years."
"He went to France. He went to Spain. He found love. He found pain."
To avoid getting sucked into mindless tv watching, we’ve been playing a lot of Phil Keaggy guitar instrumentals + whatever the Spotify algorithm gives us in that vein. It’s been nice.
Funny, Keaggy’s been in my mind as I recently discovered a progressive folk band called McKendree Spring, who were on Decca, the same label as Glass Harp. I found their debut album (1969) used at Rough Trade and took a chance. Different than Glass Harp for sure, but with enough of a vibe that a “Decca prog-folk” sensibility seems on the verge of revealing itself. Also, Rolling Stone seemed little impressed with either Glass Harp or McKendree Spring, which joins them in another way. In any case, tell me more about these Keaggy instrumentals!
It's a 1991 album called "Beyond Nature." We listened to it while driving through the Redwood National Park in 2014 and again in 2021 when driving from the 101 through beautiful mountain switchbacks to the 1 along the California coast. *chef's kiss*
Besides McKendree Spring (see my response to Jen Zug above), I’ve been mostly listening to contemporary classical stuff while working on that particular “Best Of” list. Published today - dig in if you’re interested! http://anearful.blogspot.com/2023/01/best-of-2022-classical.html
I’m also participating in a Twitter poll to vote on my five favorite albums from 1983. Haven’t really delved deep yet, but I did listen to The Look by Shalamar, which has some great cuts, and the second Cocteau Twins album, which is nice enough, but not quite there yet.
I did indeed find something new over break! I FINALLY watched Summer of Soul and about halfway through while taking notes of the songs in my phone I realized there's likely an official soundtrack on Spotify...there is! I pretty much liked all the new stuff I heard but the opening song "Uptown" by The Chamber Brothers set the tone perfectly for me. The live version from that doc is faster and longer and the bass line is just awesome. Excellent drum solo too!
There’s a lot going on musically especially if you listen through good headphones. It’s definitely a mood and you’re right, it totally matches the weather today!
Definitely underrated! Or maybe just overshadowed by a couple of his other records?
Don’t stop there! They have about a dozen great albums!
Just 12? :)
If you had to pick, which one would you point them to next?
I would go in order through the first 3 - so Chairs Missing, then 154. Happy to recommend more after that!
Yes! I was going to say make a small "jump" and maybe skip to Ideal Copy, but this is the better idea.
I could talk about Wire all day. Lol.
Believe me, I was THISclose to going on and on...
Lol.
Right on! Always a good day for Wire. I could talk about this record (and band) for days. What was your favorite track, and why was it Ex-Lion Tamer?
That pair is hard to beat!
John Prine's "the Missing Years". Wonderful folk-rock. I like the track "Great Rain".
Did I ever tell you the story of my HS teacher that "made" us listen to John Prine everyday?
Do dish!
In high school (early 90s), I had an art teacher that would play Prine every day. I mean literally every class. He told us one day we'd appreciate that he did. In my case, it took about 20 years, but he was right.
Love it! I discovered John Prine (and Dylan and Leonard Cohen) in the mid 90's via my dad's old record collection. They've stayed in my top 10 ever since.
Also love the title track of that album, "Jesus, the Missing Years."
"He went to France. He went to Spain. He found love. He found pain."
Two I enjoyed recently are "Take Us Back" by Alela Diane and "When You're Falling" by Afro Celt Sound System.
Both of those are new artists for me. I'll be cueing them up shortly!
Got Sonny Rollins' "Colossus" on the turntable today. A genuine classic.
There we go! Smooooth.
To avoid getting sucked into mindless tv watching, we’ve been playing a lot of Phil Keaggy guitar instrumentals + whatever the Spotify algorithm gives us in that vein. It’s been nice.
Funny, Keaggy’s been in my mind as I recently discovered a progressive folk band called McKendree Spring, who were on Decca, the same label as Glass Harp. I found their debut album (1969) used at Rough Trade and took a chance. Different than Glass Harp for sure, but with enough of a vibe that a “Decca prog-folk” sensibility seems on the verge of revealing itself. Also, Rolling Stone seemed little impressed with either Glass Harp or McKendree Spring, which joins them in another way. In any case, tell me more about these Keaggy instrumentals!
It's a 1991 album called "Beyond Nature." We listened to it while driving through the Redwood National Park in 2014 and again in 2021 when driving from the 101 through beautiful mountain switchbacks to the 1 along the California coast. *chef's kiss*
Side note: For anyone reading these comments, this road trip is a "must" at least once.
Ooh, what an experience. I try to think of that as I listen - lovely so far!
It really is! I miss that part of the world something fierce.
Lucky you! I found myself fully sucked in to some seriously bad TV over the last few days.
Besides McKendree Spring (see my response to Jen Zug above), I’ve been mostly listening to contemporary classical stuff while working on that particular “Best Of” list. Published today - dig in if you’re interested! http://anearful.blogspot.com/2023/01/best-of-2022-classical.html
I’m also participating in a Twitter poll to vote on my five favorite albums from 1983. Haven’t really delved deep yet, but I did listen to The Look by Shalamar, which has some great cuts, and the second Cocteau Twins album, which is nice enough, but not quite there yet.
Right on! This looks like fun.
If you're listening to Head Over Heels, the next one is "Treasure," and it's fantastic!
Exactly - and Treasure is much more "there'!
I did indeed find something new over break! I FINALLY watched Summer of Soul and about halfway through while taking notes of the songs in my phone I realized there's likely an official soundtrack on Spotify...there is! I pretty much liked all the new stuff I heard but the opening song "Uptown" by The Chamber Brothers set the tone perfectly for me. The live version from that doc is faster and longer and the bass line is just awesome. Excellent drum solo too!
Man, I've been meaning to watch this for so long now! I've gotta get on it.
Artist: Ethel Cain
Album: Preacher’s Daughter
Song: A House in Nebraska
Hearing this for the first time as I type this. A little ominous. I like it. Perfect for the weather here today.
There’s a lot going on musically especially if you listen through good headphones. It’s definitely a mood and you’re right, it totally matches the weather today!
Bob Welch-era Fleetwood Mac's "Hypnotized":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDzXbdxeeHI
Nice! I went on a bit of a "Bare Trees" bender not too long ago.
"All Things To All Men" by The Cinematic Orchestra. What a lovely track.
Another new one for me! I'll cue it up later this morning.
Woohoo! I wanna know how you like this one 😀
In 2022 I had a blast making curated playlists for my wife. She typically walks into the room and says, "What are you listening to?"
So now she knows.
One of my finds from last year: "Here's The Thing" by Sports Team.
Loved this! And now I'm trying to figure out who they remind me of.
"Here With Me", d4vd