My last trip to the den of black circles did indeed result in the purchase of some tasty selections. I've just been much too busy to 'process' them (which involves several hours of uninterrupted time, some new rice paper sleeves and a record cleaning machine that wishes it was a Shop Vac.)

So here's the haul presented in more or less random order. It's maybe not as eclectic as some, but does have some jazz, country, skronk and just plain weird music.

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs

I've only seen Waits in a live setting once. He started the show standing atop a box, hunched way over so as to reach down to the microphone. The top of the box had been covered with powder, so as Waits slammed his foot down with the beat a large cloud grew around him. As he completed the first chorus of "Jockey Full of Bourbon" he reached into his pocket and flipped a handful of glitter into the air. It was surreal. It was exhilarating...just like this record.

Emmylou Harris - Blue Kentucky Girl,Elite Hotel,Evangeline

Emmylou has had some great bands. This trio of records has a shifting lineup that includes the likes of James Burton, Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Payne, Linda Ronstadt, Tanya Tucker and Tony Rice. Ah, and then there's the material: Harris originals, Crowell, Gram Parsons, Robbie Robertson, Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Doc Pomus, Willie Nelson. This stuff blows today's "hat country" right off the map.

Gary Burton & Steve Swallow - Hotel Hello

Gary Burton has make a pile of great solo and duet records. This gem from 1974 (check out the photos on the back cover) showcases a very young Burton and Swallow playing mostly Swallow and Carla Bley compositions.

Ornette Coleman - Twins

If you've ever been interested in Ornette's Free Jazz, but thought that it might be "too much", then this album might be worth a listen. The first track, "First Take", is literally a shorter version (17 minutes) of the Coleman classic. The double quartet lineup is impressive: Don Cherry, Scott LaFaro, Billy Higgins, Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell.

Lester Bowie - All The Magic!

The late horn man from the Art Ensemble of Chicago presents some large ensemble weirdness on record #1 and some solo weirdness on record #2. There is some blasphemous noise on the solo record. It's good for what ails ya.

The Black Earth Percussion Group

I live for this stuff. Four guys bangin', rattlin' and abusing various percussion instruments including: claves, maracas, meditation bells, brake drums,gongs, wood blocks, cymbals, buckets of water, sand paper block, flower pots, fluted cake pan and prepared piano. The one mystery is that the record label, Opus One, was based out of Greenville, Maine...not exactly a hotbed of cultural activity back in the mid-70's.

Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica

If forced to make up a desert island list, this one would be one it. There are so many nooks & crannies of musical weirdness on it that it'll take you years reach full comprehension. Maybe by then the professor will have figured out how to make spark plugs out of sea shells.

(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)