Happy Monday, and a special hello to everyone who found us over the weekend! It’s great to have you here. We kick every week off with a little bit of what I’ve had in heavy rotation.
Some of these come from reader recommendations; please keep those coming!
Now it’s your turn.
What song/record/band we should have on our radar? Maybe a recent release you’re excited about? Share it below!
You know, I found some really old Tammy Wynette at an antique mall in Charlotte yesterday--i threatened and I conquered! Also an old Sammi Smith LP and a live recording of Merle's Okie record. And Jeannie c. Reilly's Harper Valley PTA. So all that!!!
Didn’t realize Fantastic Negrito had a new album! Just read that it’s an acoustic reworking of last year’s White Jesus Black Problems. Super excited to hear that!
Yes, that’s right! I loved White Jesus Black Problems so I’m looking forward to the acoustic reworking. The brown transparent vinyl edition of White Jesus Black Problems is sublime, by the way, if you’re interested.
Very tempting. I see on the FN website a splatter vinyl version of WJBP too! The new one is a simple black vinyl. I do have a turntable and a record collection but usually only buy albums that come with download options as I listen near my stereo only 1/3 of the time at most....
I can’t comment on the splatter version but would be interesting to check it out. I have a feeling it’s rarer so get your hands on it if you can while still (relatively) cheap!
You see, I’m the opposite: I need to listen to a vinyl record every day (or most days), usually before I go to work/leave the house, as otherwise I feel my day hasn’t fully “started”. I make exceptions of course when on holiday or away :)
I saw him on that tour, and then rediscovered the album when I was going through a divorce in the mid 1990s. I think that it is his most fascinating and, in some ways, deepest piece of work.
My music week was quite whiplashian (should be a word). I had the song "Piece of Your Action" by Motley Crue as an earworm so had to play their entire first album. Then the piece I wrote about, "Forever Young," featurimg the Dylan, Rod Stewart and Alphaville versions had me down both Rod Stewart and Alphaville rabbit holes. And from the dollar bin of albums at a local record store I bought Neil Diamond's "Beautiful Noise" and the Los Admiradores' "Bongos Bongos Bongos" album from 1959!
Me, on a Monday morning with your 'List: "Hey, somebody misspelled 'The Babys'"! Then, I looked up "The Babies"......mystery solved: THIS CENTURY (and, Cassie Ramone? The lost Ramone?!) As much as I like to think I know--and know about--there's usually at least ONE (usually a dozen...I know...hard to do on a 'List of 10, but, sometimes I manage to be that stumped!) artist about whom I've heard absolutely nothing!
Then, it was..."ah, Prefab...yes!" Someone I know and love! Keep filling my head with new music, Kevin! It feels good!
And, that's why I said, "this century"! I'd-a been stunned if The Babies had existed, really, in ANY part of the 20th century....somewhere/somehow, I think I'd-a heard about them at some point. But, I surprise no one with my 21st-century cluelessness!
Speaking of The Babys🍼, far too little is said about them, and one of my Top Ten singers of all time, John Waite! An interesting thread, Kevin, might be favorite rock singers, or fave unknown/little-known/unsung singers!! We might discover some interesting finds! I'm happy to share my list (in the proper setting, of course)!
Some great stuff on that list! A nice antidote for what's shaping up to be an interesting day at work. The Matterhorn Substack is a new one for me; I'll have to read some of their other posts!
I find the debut, Your Favorite Record, is the strongest, but I haven't played the others in a long while (and didn't know about the album from 2018!). Super underrated.
I'm very much loving the single from Temples. I didn't love their previous one but this new one "Cicada" was played a good 5 times in a row once I heard it the first time. The way the strings mirror the melody of the hook on the song's outro is wonderful as is the melody of the hook itself. Also really love the pace of the song!
The Lee Field's tune is new. Lee has been around for a while in sings/performs in the classic, heyday soul style. The lyrics to his song are true to form, too. "Names" is interesting. It's the only song from that band that has really captured my ear-ttention. It's a mix of Bob Steeger, Nathaniel and the Night Sweats and the Dap-Kings.
I actually saw The Babies at Mercury Lounge in 2013 and they were pretty good. Unfortunately, the opening act was the far more obscure (and now defunct) Spires, who blew up the place, leaving a stunned - and visibly deflated - audience for the headliners. One of those shows that really made me wonder why Spires didn't make it big...
Kudos for including one of the two Springsteen songs I like (the other is I'm On Fire) and one of my favorite XTC songs!
We were just on the road for the weekend so to keep things simple, we kept my 8.5 hour 1974 playlist on shuffle - what a great year for funk, art rock, hard rock, disco, you name it! Gonna be tough to vote for my top 5 on Friday... https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6B4ZfR1ALSetmQkX3SAV7p?si=b00275cfcceb47ce
I've had a week of jumping around musically. Dance Kobina by Joe Chambers in playing as I write this. I listened to Radio Transient by Chris Church 9 times. A Good Dream by Tungz got one go round and will get another tomorrow. Playlist #182 is solid, I liked hearing Buck Owens again. Till next week, happy listening peoples.
Agree 100%. It's been interesting following her career to this point, and I'm very happy to see/hear the results.
You know, I found some really old Tammy Wynette at an antique mall in Charlotte yesterday--i threatened and I conquered! Also an old Sammi Smith LP and a live recording of Merle's Okie record. And Jeannie c. Reilly's Harper Valley PTA. So all that!!!
I love it! You have some of the best luck crate digging. Always fun to hear what you've come home with.
This morning I was listening to “Blaze Away” by Morcheeba. Superb album from one my favourite bands of all time.
In terms of new releases, I need to get up to speed with Fantastic Negrito’s latest effort, “Grandfather Courage”. How about you?
Didn’t realize Fantastic Negrito had a new album! Just read that it’s an acoustic reworking of last year’s White Jesus Black Problems. Super excited to hear that!
Yes, that’s right! I loved White Jesus Black Problems so I’m looking forward to the acoustic reworking. The brown transparent vinyl edition of White Jesus Black Problems is sublime, by the way, if you’re interested.
Very tempting. I see on the FN website a splatter vinyl version of WJBP too! The new one is a simple black vinyl. I do have a turntable and a record collection but usually only buy albums that come with download options as I listen near my stereo only 1/3 of the time at most....
I can’t comment on the splatter version but would be interesting to check it out. I have a feeling it’s rarer so get your hands on it if you can while still (relatively) cheap!
You see, I’m the opposite: I need to listen to a vinyl record every day (or most days), usually before I go to work/leave the house, as otherwise I feel my day hasn’t fully “started”. I make exceptions of course when on holiday or away :)
I spent a good part of last week down a Bruce Springsteen rabbit hole- specifically "Tunnel of Love."
You got lost in the tunnel-sized elephant hole of Bruce. Probably right after you got lost in the supermarket.
Nicely referenced!
I saw him on that tour, and then rediscovered the album when I was going through a divorce in the mid 1990s. I think that it is his most fascinating and, in some ways, deepest piece of work.
I would agree with that; at this point, it's my favorite album of his.
Someone help me...I can't stop listening to Miley cyrus!
Yikes! Intervention..........stat!🤯
Here she is covering The Cocteau Twins' "Heaven Or Las Vegas." It'll help.
https://youtu.be/O2he5Q2Tsn4
lol...I can't sit here and defend that. I would blame the PA but yeah, she sounds a little rough.
I'll be your codependent enabler! Sometimes I listen to Slide Away on repeat all day. *ducks*
I admit it...I can't get enough of Flowers...and I love Party in the USA. Miley can start any party!
My music week was quite whiplashian (should be a word). I had the song "Piece of Your Action" by Motley Crue as an earworm so had to play their entire first album. Then the piece I wrote about, "Forever Young," featurimg the Dylan, Rod Stewart and Alphaville versions had me down both Rod Stewart and Alphaville rabbit holes. And from the dollar bin of albums at a local record store I bought Neil Diamond's "Beautiful Noise" and the Los Admiradores' "Bongos Bongos Bongos" album from 1959!
https://earworm.substack.com/p/forever-young-bob-dylan-rod-stewart
I second the motion to make "whiplashian" a word. Dare I say both our projects are built for those with whiplashian tastes in music.
Me, on a Monday morning with your 'List: "Hey, somebody misspelled 'The Babys'"! Then, I looked up "The Babies"......mystery solved: THIS CENTURY (and, Cassie Ramone? The lost Ramone?!) As much as I like to think I know--and know about--there's usually at least ONE (usually a dozen...I know...hard to do on a 'List of 10, but, sometimes I manage to be that stumped!) artist about whom I've heard absolutely nothing!
Then, it was..."ah, Prefab...yes!" Someone I know and love! Keep filling my head with new music, Kevin! It feels good!
RE: The Babies-- You're not alone here. At first glance, I thought the same thing.
And, that's why I said, "this century"! I'd-a been stunned if The Babies had existed, really, in ANY part of the 20th century....somewhere/somehow, I think I'd-a heard about them at some point. But, I surprise no one with my 21st-century cluelessness!
Speaking of The Babys🍼, far too little is said about them, and one of my Top Ten singers of all time, John Waite! An interesting thread, Kevin, might be favorite rock singers, or fave unknown/little-known/unsung singers!! We might discover some interesting finds! I'm happy to share my list (in the proper setting, of course)!
I have a whole backstory on John Waite/The Babys from earlier in my career and one of the dive bars near Chicago's Midway airport.
Your idea sounds like fun (and much more interesting). Let's figure something out!
Feeling a bit jazzy lately. From a fellow Substacker: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6fMQ5lsGFZu0Aqep2CRMY8?si=82659c3797d24b64
Some great stuff on that list! A nice antidote for what's shaping up to be an interesting day at work. The Matterhorn Substack is a new one for me; I'll have to read some of their other posts!
Linus of Hollywood - Something Good - pure power pop pleasure!
I haven't thought about them in years! They aren't still around are they?
You know I'm a sucker for anything power pop! I just started playing it, but so far so good.
I find the debut, Your Favorite Record, is the strongest, but I haven't played the others in a long while (and didn't know about the album from 2018!). Super underrated.
Only got to play it once yesterday, but I really enjoyed it.
I'm very much loving the single from Temples. I didn't love their previous one but this new one "Cicada" was played a good 5 times in a row once I heard it the first time. The way the strings mirror the melody of the hook on the song's outro is wonderful as is the melody of the hook itself. Also really love the pace of the song!
Loved this one!
Today's album: "Clear Moon" by Mount Eerie. It's a killer.
That's new one for me; on the list to check out later today!
Trucker’s Jukebox comp, Guy Clark, Kathleen Edwards & Earthquake Relief for Turkey & Syria on Canary Records
Three from me:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/two-jobs/1651925180?i=1651925184
https://music.apple.com/us/album/names/1649406417?i=1649406420
https://music.apple.com/us/album/never-been-to-spain-live-at-greensboro-coliseum-greensboro/1637535661?i=1637538641
You've caught my interest with these! the first 2 are new to me, and I think the only other live Elvis album I've heard is "Aloha From Hawaii."
The Lee Field's tune is new. Lee has been around for a while in sings/performs in the classic, heyday soul style. The lyrics to his song are true to form, too. "Names" is interesting. It's the only song from that band that has really captured my ear-ttention. It's a mix of Bob Steeger, Nathaniel and the Night Sweats and the Dap-Kings.
My fave live Elvis album is "Elvis in Person" - for "Suspicious Minds" alone. https://open.spotify.com/album/6QYwwvoQU4xMDrf6OflYsS?si=2dxpgRgwQNKClXoDTkqmfA You like that one @Jeremy?
See my comment below. Most of the Elvis in Person album was compiled from that show.
I just pulled it up. Thanks.
Check out the 1969 box set. Disk 9, in particular. Probably my favorite live Elvis show. Will give you a completely different view.
OK. On it. Thanks.
Elvis' take on Never Been To Spain is so great in any recording (I have a few, LOL).
My fave live Elvis album is "Elvis in Person" - for "Suspicious Minds" alone. https://open.spotify.com/album/6QYwwvoQU4xMDrf6OflYsS?si=2dxpgRgwQNKClXoDTkqmfA You like that one?
For sure! A really great distillation of that first Vegas run. I wrote about it here, in relation to the Live 1969 box: https://rockandrollglobe.com/rock/elvis-presley-in-vegas-at-50/
Nice. I will read that. Thx
So do I... It's great.
I actually saw The Babies at Mercury Lounge in 2013 and they were pretty good. Unfortunately, the opening act was the far more obscure (and now defunct) Spires, who blew up the place, leaving a stunned - and visibly deflated - audience for the headliners. One of those shows that really made me wonder why Spires didn't make it big...
Kudos for including one of the two Springsteen songs I like (the other is I'm On Fire) and one of my favorite XTC songs!
We were just on the road for the weekend so to keep things simple, we kept my 8.5 hour 1974 playlist on shuffle - what a great year for funk, art rock, hard rock, disco, you name it! Gonna be tough to vote for my top 5 on Friday... https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6B4ZfR1ALSetmQkX3SAV7p?si=b00275cfcceb47ce
I'm glad you liked that XTC track. I was hoping it would grab someone's attention.
I'm listening to your '74 playlist as I type this. You had me at Bobby Womack. And I love that your "shortlist" is 100+ tracks and 8.5 hours. lol.
I've had a week of jumping around musically. Dance Kobina by Joe Chambers in playing as I write this. I listened to Radio Transient by Chris Church 9 times. A Good Dream by Tungz got one go round and will get another tomorrow. Playlist #182 is solid, I liked hearing Buck Owens again. Till next week, happy listening peoples.