Recent CD Purchases

[Jack of All Parades]

March has been a nice month for new music. I have completely enjoyed the new effort by James Mercer of The Shins in collaboration with Danger Mouse, "Broken Bells". Songs like "The Open Road", "Your Head Is On Fire", "The Ghost Inside" and "Trap Doors" catch the winsome flavor of a Shins song and then tweak that sound with interesting electronic effects and tape loops. I didn't think it would work when I first read about this record but I have been continuously playing it since puchasing it about two weeks ago. My ears keep searching out the sounds as the songs play, listening for new combinations of sounds and electronic effects.

Also have been listening to the "Volume Two" from She and Him. Pleasant enough with great retro reverb sounds coming from M Ward's guitar. The songs tend to blend along and there is some repetition in melody from the previous record but as a whole package it is not unlistenable. Do not like Ms. Deschanel as an actress but she can carry a tune. The wriiting can be precious and coy but several songs like "Thieves" and "Don't Look Back" work[it begins with Ms Deschanel showing off her lyric chops- 'Orpheus melted the heart of Persephone' only the second classical reference I can recall since Sting got caught 'between the Scylla and Charybdis'] There is a great version of NRBQ's "Ridin' In My Car" that might be better than the original. The album is a pleasant listen.

[Jack of All Parades]

Yet again another one from March. This time John Hiatt's "The Open Road". Some of his more recent albums have left me slightly cold but this one is a nice return to form. I love that he has returned to a theme that he handles so well- that is being out on the road although this time "the open road where the hopeless come, to see if hope still runs" is not a very appealing place and you hear the desperation in Hiatt's voice as he sings the song. He is constantly 'haulin'' in many of the songs as he moves across the countryside. The other engaging activity in these songs is his relationship with his wife which is feisty and loving at the same time as evidenced in a song like 'My Baby" where he notes:

"She once trained a horse to do cartwheels
Put a coyote in a sleeper hold
Her heart's been pierced by love repeatedly
But her mind is magnetic and bold
All she ever got outta women's college
Was some kind of fifth degree
Seems she could'nt keep her skirts
Far enough down below her knee."

The language is playful, the band is lively and the record holds you from the first song to the last. This is my favorite album from him in the last ten years.

[pophead2k]

Black Francis - NonStopErotik
Bob Dylan - Infidels
Poco - Poco

[Jack of All Parades]

Picked up a copy of Ron Sexsmith's "Rarities" in a bargain bin for $1.98 the other day. Quite a record as it consists of the cut songs from albums along with odds and ends done for other artists or projects. But it contains real 'gems'. There are songs like "Almost Always", "You Were There", "Too Late" and "Tears Behind the Shades" that equal, and in some cases[ "Almost Always" and "Tears Behind the Shades"] that beat most of the songs that ultimately made it onto his first few records.

"Almost Always" has to now be one of my favorites of his and my second favorite song playing with the implications of the word 'almost'. It is a delicate lyric that is enhanced by a mecurial organ part played by the late, Al Kooper.

"Tears Behind the Shades" is just a flat out strong country song that no one seems to have had the sense to record. Not sentimental, it catches the heartache of a broken romance with just the right amount of clear sightedness behind the pain.

A surprise is the duet version of "Gold In Them Hills" with Chris Martin. The two find even more hope in the lyrics[i have always loved that line ' even though the bills are piling, maybe ladyluck ain't smiling', but we only need open our eyes' to see the gold in them hills.

A songwriter like this is rare and should be treasured.

[migdd]

Imaginary Television - Graham Parker
The Open Road - John Hiatt

[so lacklustre]

I have Imaginary Television and like it a lot

Also got I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling which is fabulous

[Jack of All Parades]

I, too, have "Imaginary Television" but have been wrestling with it, probably more with the current comment songs than with the more self reflective material. I really like the song "Broken Skin" with its conceit of exposure and the play on 'armour' and 'protection' from those things in this world that can make us 'black and blue'. I also like the playfulness of "Bring Me a Heart Again" where he reconstructs himself like a Wizard of Oz character. Also enjoy the contemplative "You're Not Where You Think You Are" and the a typical love song "1st Responder".

[migdd]

I like the same songs on IT as you mentioned, Chris, and I would add Snowgun to the mix of favorites. I like this album a lot but but less than GP's last studio album, Don't Tell Columbus, which was probably Parker's strongest album since 12 Haunted Episodes or at least Deepcut To Nowhere. The song you describe as a "typical love song" is actually written from the viewpoint of a father to his son. I know it is a catchy melody, but listen a little more closely to the lyric and the intent of the song is unmistakable.

[Jack of All Parades]

You are very much right about the song, Migdd-I was trying to catch that fact by calling it an 'a typical' love song but I guess I misspelled it or failed to punctuate it correctly. Agree with you that I am having trouble warming up to it as a whole work outside of the mentioned songs and would definitely agree that I, too, like "Don't Tell Columbus" much more with a slighter second given to "Your Country".

[ice nine]

Purchased six too many CDs at JazzFest

1. Theresa Andersson - Hummingbird, Go!
2. Neville Brothers - Mitakuye Oyasin Oyasin/All My Relations (signed by Charles and Cyril)
3. Neville Brothers - Fiyo On The Bayou
4. Lee Dorsey - Ride Your Pony
5. Kermit Ruffins - Livin' A Treme Life
6. John Boutte & Paul Sanchez - Stew Called New Orleans
7. Irma Thomas - Simply Grand (signed by Irma)
8. The Blues Masters Featuring Big Al Carson - Three Phat Cats And 1 Skinny Dogg

[Who Shot Sam?]

A few new ones...

Joe Pernice - Goodbye Killer

Heard a lot of these tunes at the Mercury Lounge back in January - this should be fantastic. If there were any justice in the world this guy would be selling discs like hotcakes.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - I Learned the Hard Way

Another awesome slice of soul from the funkiest band working today.

Also got Brad Mehldau's new album Highway Rider but have yet to give it a spin.

[BlueChair]

Haven't posted on this thread (or any thread) in a while, so I thought I'd share some of my recent acquisitions:

Exile On Main Street (Deluxe Edition) by The Rolling Stones. Couldn't decide between the CD or vinyl... ended up going with the CD due to the bonus tracks, even though I suspect I will only listen to them on occasion. Haven't put it on yet but look forward to hearing my favourite Stones album in higher-resolution.

Cahoots, Moondog Matinee and Islands by The Band. These were the three remaining Band albums (not including the ones by the reunited band) not already in my collection. Wasn't expecting much from any of them since you really don't hear about them, but there are some definite gems and I'm glad I now have them.

Harvest by Neil Young. Picked up the remaster that came out around the time of Archives. The sound is a drastic improvement over the CD that had been previously on the market.

I Learned The Hard Way by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. Fabulous as always... not as immediately hooked as I had been with their previous albums, but after a few spins I love it just as much.

[Jack of All Parades]

Blue Chair-have also purchased the remasterd "Exile On Main Street" and have been enjoying it all day at work and now at home. The new disc has a sharpness that greatly enhances the individual songs- and what songs they are. You forget what a magnificent record this is. It literally is their "Basement Tapes" as I have learned more about the time at Nellcotte from the recent biography of Gram Parsons Twenty Thousand Roads as they really used the basement in the villa to record. Nothing beats for me the opening riff of the record with the sliding fingers on the guitar strings and the exultant 'oh yea!' as the bass and drums kick in on "Rocks Off" as the band explores a variety of musical forms and just has fun playing in the various styles. You forget that this is the album with "Ventilator Blues", "Loving Cup", "Casino Boogie", "All Down the Line", "Shine a Light" and my favorite single of that era, "Tumbling Dice". It is a brave woodshedding and I have always loved the raggedness of the record.

The extra bonus songs are listenable and three, "Plundered My Soul", Following the River" and "Dancing in the Light", bear repeated listenings with the two former making you scratch your head in wonder as to how they could have kept them off the record and in the 'vault' all these years. My second favorite Stones record following "Let It Bleed". It makes it all the more interesting now when you look back and see the incredible run they had from the mid 60's thru 1980. It is a remarkable record[bad pun] of excellence and an impressive run of #1 records.

[Who Shot Sam?]

Picked up two of the recent Jimi Hendrix reissues at Target - Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland - both sound fab!

[Jack of All Parades]

Blue Chair and anyone else interested in the recently released re-master of "Exile on Main Street", there is a fun and insightful piece on the work by Ben Ratliff in today's Arts&Leisure section of the Sunday New York Times-maybe the most insightful writing on this album I have encountered. It is also capped by a beguiling and beatific photo of Keith and an alarmingly bi-sexual photo of Mick from the period. Just a great read!

[sheeptotheslaughter]

Just bought Exile on Main Street today with Abbey Road and Let It Be remasters

[ice nine]

If I knew before I bought it that it was a live album I may not have bought. T-Bone's assistance on this disc is part of the reason I did get it. Upon listening to it I'm glad I did.

[lostdog]

a mecurial organ part played by the late, Al Kooper.

There's nothing 'late' about Al Kooper, thankfully. He's still very much alive.

[Jack of All Parades]

You are right and thank you for pointing it out. Thankfully he remains very much alive. I had read recently how he was fighting illness, and I believe he is legally blind now, but failed to note his recovery. Would not wish any one an early demise. Thank you for the correction.

[Jack of All Parades]

I am really enjoying the new Crowded House album, "Intriguer". It is a strong band album and builds upon the good effort from 2007, "Time on Earth". Repeated listens have left me with a sense of strong harmonies, guitar and keyboard sounds, and powerful, inventive drumming. What Neil Finn has managed to do for my ears is recreate a band and improve upon it. Its varied sounds and rhythms keep your ears perked for new combinations of sounds. I am very impressed with the drumming of Matt Sherrod; it is muscular and inventive. The voice that Neil Finn has grown into is now quite effective, slightly raspy but with an honest fullness. I cannot get enough of it.

I like the sensitive "Falling Dove" with its sentiment of reconciliation and the 50's doowop of "Isolation" with the beguiling harmony vocal from Neil's wife. There is a sonic landscape that is intriguing in songs like "Amsterdam" and "Saturday Sun". There is a lovely samba influenced song "Either Side of the World". But the real surprise on the record is the beautiful ballad "Twice If You're Lucky", I think a song Lennon and McCartney would have been proud to have written. It is that good. You have a song of beautiful 'pure pop' which takes a hard look at taking stock of love the second time around and may even be a sly comment on the band's second life as a working outfit.

Along with Broken Bells, this album is my favorite new work so far this year.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Saturday Sun and Archer's Arrows sounded good at Hyde Park. They were perfect for a sunny open air event, loads of singalongs, e.g. with Fall At Your Feet and of course Don't Dream It's Over. Yes, very good drummer. I bought the 'Recurring Dream' Best of to get in the mood, but then a friend lent me 'Woodface', 'Together Alone' and 'Time on Earth'. I played a casette of 'Together Alone' to death when it came out, and it was lovely to hear it again. Pretty well every song a stonker (apart from plodder Skin Feeling), but so many good things like In Your Command. Might well et 'Intriguer'.

[Jack of All Parades]

Otis, it is an extremely good record and merits many listens. You would not be wasting your euros if you were to purchase it. Neil has himself a very impressive drummer and his voice has aged very well. "Archer's Arrows" is a song I forgot to mention- you are right to draw attention to it- there are some sly instrumental exchanges within that song. Publicly, a belated birthday greeting to you!

[verbal gymnastics]

The Beatles box set. Good old eBay. £60 for a still sealed copy.

Am now frantically working my way through it.

[ice nine]

'Dark End Of The Street', 'It Tears Me Up', 'I'm Your Puppet', etc,
Great stuff

[Jack of All Parades]

Have been having a great time with "Avi Buffalo"- their self titled first album- while on the mend. This is music of some consequence coming from 18 year olds out of Southern LA. It is fresh, aurally exciting[the harmonies and melodies linger long on my ears and I love the voice of this kid Avi Zahner-Isenberg and his songwriting talent. The kid is wise beyond his ears and seems to have ingested the whole jingle jangle song book and then regurgitated it in a uniquely new way.] He is someone I think I will be listening to for years to come. His guitar and keyboard playing is distinctive and beyond his young years. He writes of the typical concerns of the young, love, relationships, feeling insecure, etc but he always manages to give it a witty spin that goes beyond cliche. His musicianship and that of his band is superb. The song "What's In It For Me" is my new favorite song this summer. It makes me want life as I recover. This album is going in my favorites for the year.