James Blood Ulmer - Bad Blood in the City: The Piety Street Sessions (Hyena)/Jazz
Ulmer continues in his new tradition of deeply felt, raw blues. Though it's a collection of songs about hurricane Katrina and associated issues, I'm really interested in his take on Bessie Smith's "Backwater Blues." Oh, and some wicked guitar.
Michel Petrucciani - Piano Solo: The Complete Concert in Germany (Dreyfus)/Jazz
I don't own any Petrucciani recordings. Why? Apparently, stupidity. I mean, the man was a phenomenal talent. The situation (lack of Petrucciani, not the stupidity) will be addressed with this expanded edition of the 1997 concert recording.
The Bad Plus - PROG (Heads Up)/Jazz
I love this band. Sure, sometimes the covers seem too jokey (Rush's "Tom Sawyer"), but they have a ton of ideas and the chops to pull it off. Oh, this is the second release this month to feature Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" (the other was by Patti Smith). What's up with that?
Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Hot Little Mama (Music Avenue)/Blues
I came to the song "Hot Little Mama" via Roomful of Blues and somehow have never heard the original.
Poodle Lynn - Country's All I'll Ever Be (Deep South Prod)/Country
This is the country music you never hear on "country" radio. No big hat pretense, just the real thing. That and a cover of The Who's "Squeeze Box."
Dale Watson - The Little Darlin' Sessions (Koch)/Country
Now of course, I don't know when I pick this disc up that Watson is protesting its release. Apparently, the songs were not finished to his liking but the label doesn't care. After discovering this fact, I'll go back to the store and buy From The Cradle To The Grave, which has been on TheList™ for a while. By the way, Watson is also the real deal. No suburban faux-country here. Not one bit.
Grand Buffet - The Haunted Fucking Gazebo (Fighting)/Rap
I'm probably not buying this one, but dang...just love that title. On second thought, after looking at some bio material, I might pick this up just because of their indie rap, selling-CDs-by-hand nature.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Thanks for the name drop, but where do they still have "record bins"?
2 - Mark Saleski
in more civilized areas of the country. ;-)
3 - Connie Phillips
Just what I needed, Mark, for you to help me spend what little money I have. Seriously, this a great idea and I look forward to your take on what's coming out every week!
4 - Josh
If this is your shopping list for the week, I want your day job. Some seriously great stuff there, though, no question about it.
A great addition to the Music Section, Sir Saleski. Great work.
5 - Mat Brewster
No doubt, what do you rob a bank every Monday to afford your Tuesday purchases?
Very cool feature. My list is sure to expand by leaps and bounds.
6 - Tom Johnson
Awesome, Mark. Glad to see this - a new release feature for like minds, that's for sure.
Anyone interested in hearing the Bad Plus' "Tom Sawyer" can grab an mp3 at Stereogum. Pretty great - far, far better than Alex Skolnick's take on it. Be sure and follow the links to the other preview track, "Physical Cities." Sounds like a good album!
7 - Mary K. Williams
What a good round up! Something for those with discerning tastes, yet a shoutout to standard Billboard fare as well.
Must be nice to have that disposable income though. : )~
8 - Pico
I've been a fan of Petrucciani's for almost twenty years, now (even though, unfortunately, he's been dead for about half of that time). I even like the crossover stuff. But you just can't go wrong with him on solo piano.
After you get this one, go pick up Power of Three, another live set but with Wayne Shorter and Jim Hall. Playground is actually a pretty good contemporary jazz record.
Nice to know there will now be two columns to look forward to from you every week :&)
9 - Mark Saleski
thanks for the kind words pico. hmmmm...i may have to jump right to the set with Jim Hall. oh, maybe i'll get both. ;-)
10 - DukeDeMondo
A joy to read this, Sir Saleski. and Volta is astounding. it's not QUITE as astounding as Vespetine or Homogenic i don't think, and certainly not as astounding as Medulla, but astounding nonetheless. i found all the talk about how it was a return to the "commercial" sound of Post and Debut to be quite alarming, not only becuase very little on either of those records is really "comemrcial", and also, Volta is about as commercial a peice of work as a slither of nut-roasted semen is an acceptable gift for a bishop.
11 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Tom,
That is the absolute balls... I can appreciate the jazz aspect to that Rush cover because they aren't afraid to lay it the F*ck down when it comes to the chorus. Yes, I am too a fan of Mr. Skolnick's but I was never huge into his trio. Anyways, thanks for the tip on The Bad Plus, Mr. Saleski and thanks for the link Mr. Johnson.
Right up my alley...