Another week, another pile of intrigue. Some of these names came to me because I truly love (and own!) their back catalog. Other factors include musical nostalgia and attraction to plain old silly band names and cover art. Excepting those folks who haven't liked any new music since their junior year in college (...and I sort of feel sorry for ya), there's a pretty wide range of stuff out there: from bluesy folk to exotica to punk remembrances to extreme metal.
Let the collecting begin!
Maria Muldaur - Naughty, Bawdy & Blue (Stony Plain Music)/Folk
Muldaur's sultry and gorgeous voice wrapped around tunes originally associated artists such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Victoria Spivey, and Alberta Hunter. I can't wait to hear this one since Muldaur did such a fantastic job on Heart of Mine: Love Songs of Bob Dylan.
Pink Martini- Hey Eugene! (Wrasse)/Exotica/Jazz/IHaveNoFreakingIdea
This band fits into almost no category. "Exotica" almost gets it right because of the big tent implied there. All I know is that their globetrotting bag of styles (by way of Portland, Oregon) is a load of fun. If the music and stellar vocals of China Forbes wasn't enough, two guest spots by jazz legend Jimmie Scott should close the deal.
Various Artists - CBGB Forever (Wicked Cool)/Rock
A tribute to the legendary punk club put out by Steve Van Zandt's new label. The club didn't survive, but the spirit lives on. This compilation contains a few rare studio tracks (U2, Green Day, and Foo Fighters) as well as some garagey noise from modern bands and a good slices of old garage and snotty punk from The Chesterfield Kings and The Dead Boys.
Wilco- Sky Blue Sky (Nonesuch)/Rock
When I buy a new Wilco record, it takes one, two, three...sometimes ten listens to "get" it. That's a good thing.
George Thorogood- Taking Care of Business (Rec)/Rock
I'm not all that hot on artists compilations/best-ofs, but a new Thorogood record hasn't made its way into the collection for years and man, does this look like a good place to start. One disc Ride Til I Die (from 2003) and another the 30th anniversary recording, it's a big chunk of George. You can bet that I'll be turning this up very, very loud.
Article comments
1 - Josh
I have wanted to check out the Muldaur album of Dylan covers and am curious about this new one, as well.
I'm buying the shit out of Wilco. That's the big title for me.
2 - Josh
I bought the shit out of the Wilco record, and I am already a better person because of it.
3 - Mary K. Williams
I never heard of Wilco. I am not a better person : (
4 - Pico
If you like Total Fucking Destruction, you'll love Pure Fucking Space. What other band band breaks out into a polka after four minutes of dissonant, odd noises and call the whole thing "Ghosts Of The Luftwaffe"?
Wilco has been on my "to listen to" list ever since I heard that Nels Cline plays in that band.
5 - El Bicho
Sounds like a light week for music.
6 - Mark Saleski
thanks Pico...it's now on the list!
7 - Tom Johnson
El Bicho, please tell me you're kidding. Mark and I have two nearly completely different lists of brand new music coming out today (I believe Wilco is our only crossover point.) This is an incredible week for music lovers!