ADDED: MAVIS STAPLES "WE'LL NEVER TURN BACK"

After hearing some of the songs on this album here, I had to rush out and buy it. Mavis Staples, Ry Cooder and players reinterpret classic freedom and civil rights songs. What a voice, what powerful songs and what a crime that they still need to be sung.

“Like many in the civil rights movement, The Staples Singers drew on the spirituality and strength of the church to help gain social justice and to try to achieve equal rights. With this record, I hope to get across the same feeling, the same spirit and the same message as we did then - and to hopefully continue to make positive changes. Things are better but we’re not where we need to be and we’ll never turn back.”- Mavis Staples

Record label ANTI has more info on their site here including Rolling Stone article, promo video and an mp3 of "On My Way".

DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI
Mavis Staples
"We'll Never Turn Back" [buy]

LIVE: DANIEL JOHNSTON @ THE COMEDY STORE 21 MAY 2007

What a great evening. Saw Daniel Johnston a few years ago at Matt & Phred's in Manchester but still wasn't sure what to expect of the evening - especially given the 'comic' setting. First up were the Former Bullies, then Jeffrey Lewis and Adem.

The latter two played together plus a few songs each on their own. Very relaxed, unrehearsed but totally natural vibe. Adem claimed he would ruin the mood by playing some miserable songs but didn't. Even if he had everyone was won back by Jeffrey finishing their slot with a great version of "Williamsburg William Oldham Horror" (video here).

After another short break Daniel came on to play three songs on the guitar and three at the keyboard including "Walking the Cow". He then said he'd be back with 'the band'. This turned out to be Jeffrey Lewis and Adem - and things just took off. Not all the songs worked ("Mountain Top" played solely on handbells for instance) but most were perfect settings to Daniel's songs and his singing.

Daniel did appear to have aged a lot since I saw him last - and had some very bad shakes in both hands - but appeared to be relaxed and enjoying performing. Finally Former Bullies (three quarters of them) returned for an 'electric' set including "Fish" and "Rock This Town". Whole evening was topped of with an acapella rendition of "Devil Town".

Read the review on the sponsor/presenter's website here. But they ruined the ticket stub by simply printing "[sponsor] presents..." which didn't leave any space for headline act let alone support.

SORRY ENTERTAINER
Daniel Johnston
Yip/Jump Music [buy]

MOUNTAIN TOP
Daniel Johnston
Fear Yourself [buy]

THIS IS ENGLAND

Saw Shane Meadow's THIS IS ENGLAND last night. Great film only slightly marred by woman at the end who loudly proclaimed to boyfriend "That was rubbish. I told you it would be crap. Two hours of crap. What a waste of time". Obviously she is far too used to CGI fantasy and when a harsh bit of reality is put in front of her she can't cope.

From an affectionate portrayal of growing up in the 80s, being it a gang etc. the film quickly progresses to a stark portrayal of hate and racism. Not a feel-good movie for sure but well worth watching. Some great ska and mod sounds too. Forgotten how good Toots and the Maytals' version of Louie Louie is. And normally a cover version of any Smiths song sends me reaching for a sick bag but Clayhill do a good job on "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" over the end credits too.

LOUIE LOUIE
Toots and the Maytals

This is England Soundtrack [buy]

DIG!

Finally, finally got round to seeing Ondi Timoner's film DIG! documenting the turbulent comradeship/rivalry between The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols.

Hugely recommended if you haven't seen it. True fly-on-the-wall documentary filmed over several years by a close friend(!) of both bands, it charts not only the Dandy's rise and the narcissism of band leader Courtney Taylor but the parallel struggles of BJM and their self-destructive leader Anton Newcombe. Veering from moments of sheer 'Spinal Tap' lunacy ("he broke my sitar!" or the BJM playing for ten hours to an audience of ten people in Cleveland) to heartbreaking pathos - as BJM try to tread a line between credibility and success on a diet of booze and drugs, with fist fights between band members never far away.

As the film suggests it will be interesting to see in ten years time which band is remembered - the 'cartoon' Dandys or the "Velvet Underground of the 90s" 'keeping-it-real' BJM.

This was my first introduction to the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Quickly acquired these two tracks from their 2CD retrospective and keen to hear and buy more.


THE BALLAD OF JIM JONES

NOT IF YOU WERE THE LAST DANDY ON EARTH
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Tepid Peppermint Wonderland - A Retrospective [buy]

DIG! [buy]
2005 DVD release