RETURN FROM THE END OF THE ROAD

Home safely after three glorious days at the exceptional End of the Road Festival on the Wiltshire/North Devon borders. More images and music to follow all this week.

FREE PATCH!

Buy The Go Team's Proof of Youth in Piccadilly Records today and you get - not only the limited edition extra CD of b-sides and remixes version - but a free patch to sew on your bag!

FAKE ID

The Go Team!

Proof of Youth [buy]

THINGS ARE WHAT YOU MAKE OF THEM

Vacationing on a barrier island off the Eastern Shore in the USA at least three hours' drive from a city, I suspected my record shopping would be limited to say the least. Most shops looked like this:But what did I then find? Psychotronic run by Michael (ex-drummer in Mirrors I found out afterwards) selling movie posters and memoribilia plus lots and lots of vinyl. Read about Michael here.

One of the things I picked up was a pristine copy of the first Long Ryders LP 'Native Sons' from 1984. For four dollars. I only discovered the Long Ryders long after their demise after hearing the mighty 'Looking for Lewis and Clark' on a compilation - and hastily started adding it to compilations I made. Great band, great haircuts.

Here's the last track on the album I HAD A DREAM which somehow manages to mix hope and despair with great guitar playing.

I HAD A DREAM
The Long Ryders
Native Sons [buy]

You can read the oral history of the band from Perfect Sound Forever here.

I'll be posting more on purchases from Psychotronic over the next couple of weeks. One other thing I had waiting for me in the States was a CD copy of the first Bishop Allen CD (digital is all very well but I want the 'real' thing as well). So it went straight into the hire car CD player and became the soundtrack to driving the freeways and interstates of the Eastern Shore. As the song says...

THINGS ARE WHAT YOU MAKE OF THEM

Bishop Allen

Charm School [buy]

BACK FROM TRAVELS

Well finally back from several weeks in the USA. In the middle of nowhere with no internet access, no TV or papers and miles from any record stores. Or so I thought. Found a couple of odd (in all senses of the word) stores to spent some time and some dollars in - and over the next week or so I'll post some stuff from what I acquired.

And sad to hear about Lee Hazelwood and Tony Wilson dying - both not unexpected given news about their health but both losses. Missed the opportunity to post any musical tributes but at some point I'll dig out some of Lee's music including some vinyl rarities.

ALBUMS OF THE YEAR?

New album from The Broken Family Band out this week(last year's BALLS was my album of 2006 - see hear) and the second Bishop Allen album out at the end of the month (which is shaping up to be my album of 2007 already). Have only given HELLO LOVE one play so too early to tell but am playing THE BROKEN STRING to death.

LEAPS

The Broken Family Band

Hello Love [buy]

THE MONITOR

RAIN

Bishop Allen

The Broken String [buy]

GOODBYE TO BIG PINK MUSIC

Photos (c) Roger Liptrot www.folkimages.com

Today the independent record shop Big Pink Music closes in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Lots of trouble for high street record shops as reported here and here but I would have hoped that the specialist, independent and 'niche' retailer such as Big Pink could weather such storms. They provided a diverse selection of Americana, folk, blues and jazz plus reggae, world and general rock i.e. most of the stuff difficult to find on the high street with great personal knowledge and always reliable recommendations. Sad day. Visit today if you can.

61 Thomas St, Manchester, M4 1NA - 0161 833 0003 or find them here

From my last purchase there:

SOLD

Joe Henry

Tiny Voices [buy]

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

HAPPY TIMES

At times like this with so much death and destruction in the world you really need some happy music. Well halfway there....

HAPPY SONG

The Aliens

Astronomy for Dogs [buy]

PRETTY PEOPLE

Low

Drums and Guns [buy]

EASTER MONDAY RELEASES

Long forgotten what religious significance today has - but side-stepping that question, lots of new releases out today including Bill Callaghan and Bright Eyes

DAY
Bill Callaghan
Woke on a Whaleheart [buy]

MAKE A PLAN TO LOVE ME
Bright Eyes
Cassadaga [buy]

A MONTH OF SUNDAYS - John Bramwell Solo

Photo: Karen McBride

From IAK email list:

I Am Kloot's singer/songwriter John Bramwell will be performing solo for 'A Month of Sundays' in Manchester starting on the 15th April with gigs:

Sun 15 April - The Ladybarn (map) 0161 2493712
Sun 22 April - Big Hands (map) 0161 2727779
Sun 29 April - The Ladybarn (map) 0161 2493712
Sun 6 May - Big Hands (map) 0161 2727779
(Tickets £10 available from the venues and from the Temple of Convenience bar- each venue open from 12 noon, support on at 1.20pm, John on stage at 2pm).

And then the John Bramwell solo gigs continue on:
Fri 11 May - Town & Country, Magherafelt, N. Ireland
Sat 12 May - The Dungloe Bar, Derry, N. Ireland
Sun 13 May - The Empire, Belfast, N. Ireland
Fri 18 May - The Knights , Middlesborough
Thu 23 August- Barracuda Club, Newquay

FEAR OF FALLING

Natural History [buy]

PROOF

I Am Kloot [buy]

MISTY'S BIG ADVENTURE @ JABEZ CLEGG 3 APRIL 2007

The Black Hole

Misty's Big Adventure

How Did You Get Inside My Mind?

Fighting For My Life

I Can't Bring The Time Back

Evil

Circles, Squares and I Blame The Parents

Everything's Odd

A Serious Thing

The Kids Are Radioactive

Crumpled Guy?

We Do Do We? We Do!

Elevator Escalator Stairs

Two Brains

She Fills The Spaces

A Dog Like You

Homemade War

Hometaping's Music

I'm Waiting For You

I Have Sat By Your Window Since 1964

Sharp Guys Were Ties

Fashion Parade

The Long Conveyor Belt

---- encores ----

Never Stops Never Rests Never Sleeps

Smothered in Love

Cool With a Capital 'C'

The Tapeworm of Love

The Wising Up Song

Hey Man

ADDED TO THE ARCHIVE: EMPIRE BUILDERS

Spent some time looking for this after hearing some samples on the mighty Shoeshine label website. On first couple of listens worth the search.

Some great 'country-or-is-it-alt-country' tunes including political songs such as 'Rebel Flag in Germany', 'New-Fashioned Imperialist' and 'American Question' below. Great thing about being an outsider/independent/non-major label artist like Jason Ringenberg is you can be this outspoken and not risk any Dixie Chicks-style backlash. Two tracks to sample:

AMERICAN QUESTION

LINK WRAY

Jason Ringenberg

Empire Builders 2004 [buy]

AU REVOIR JULEE

Intrigued by the David Lynch recommendation, been listening to the new Au Revoir Simone album . All very pleasant and peaceful but don't think it is destined for a permanent place in the archive.

But the similarity between their music, particularly the opening track, and Julee Cruise's songs from Floating in the Night and for Twin Peaks is striking. And Mr Lynch's recommendation makes sense. The important question this brings to mind is: where is the new Julee Cruise record?

THE LUCKY ONE

Au Revoir Simone

The Bird of Music [buy]

FALLING

Julee Cruise

Floating In The Night [buy]

FOLLYCAST #5: LONDON SONGS

The Big Smoke is the subject of the fifth Follycast: London Songs.

Having spent nearly ten years in London, I have plenty of fond memories of the capital. But it's definitely a love-it-or-hate-it experience. And as of last year it is now the most expensive city in the world (according to this report).

So 30 odd minutes celebrating or condemning London Town.

Follycast #5: London Songs

Tracklisting:
Lord Kitchener - London Is The Place For Me
(The Real) Tuesday Weld - Bathtime in Clerkenwell
Noonday Underground - London
The Smiths - London
Animals That Swim - London Bridge
Calexico - The Guns Of Brixton
Prozak for Lovers - London Calling
Sparklehorse - London
The Crabapples - London Belongs To Me (Part 2)
The Clash - London's Burning
The Pogues - London You're A Lady
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset

And here is William Blake's poem from 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' as arranged by Sparklehorse:

I wander through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow,
And mark in every face I meet,
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every man,
In every infant's cry of fear,
In every voice, in every ban,
The mind-forged manacles I hear:

How the chimney-sweeper's cry
Every blackening church appals,
And the hapless soldier's sigh
Runs in down palace-walls.

But most, through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot's curse
Blasts the new-born infant's tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage-hearse

THIS TIME YESTERDAY....

Photo: Nathan Seabrook

...James Yorkston was getting ready to play Night and Day in Manchester. Sadly missed him this time. Shouldn't really be archiving all the times I have NOT seen someone but any excuse to post some great music.

THIS TIME TOMORROW

James Yorkston & The Athletes

Just Beyond The River [buy]

STEADY AS SHE GOES

James Yorkston

The Year of The Leopard [buy]

BRAKES @ MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3

Well did the set get to go over sixty minutes? Jury's still out on that one. Here's the set-list:


All Nite Disco Party
Hi How Are You
Margaherita
Hold Me In The River
If I Should Die Tonight
Pick Up The Phone
I Can't Stand To Stand Beside You
Cheney x 2
The Beatific Visions
We Saw Jerry's Daughter
Heard About Your Band
On Your Side
Cease & Desist
Porcupine or Pineapple?
What's In It For Me?
Spring Chicken
NY Pie
The Most Fun
Ring A Ding Ding
Comma Comma Comma Full Stop
- encores -
No Return
Jackson
Huevos Rancheros

Fun as ever but felt it lacked a bit of (audience?) spark and a bit of volume. Highlight was 'What's In It For Me' which I thought was stand-out track of the night - felt all four were really getting into it, loads of energy behind it. Another highlight was the cover of Camper Van Beethoven's 'We Saw Jenny's Daughter'. Can't really go wrong with this if you stay faithful to it and they did. Matt the merchandise guy joined the band for 'The Most Fun'. They claimed 'No Return' was first time ever live? And Alex the drummer wore a Proclaimers T-shirt.

But more importantly, we came home with The Pineapple thrown by Tom the guitarist into the audience!

Need MUCH more practise with the new camera-phone.

HOLD ME IN THE RIVER
Brakes
The Beatific Visions [buy]


WE SAW JENNY'S DAUGHTER
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven [buy]


Second time I've seen Absentee now. And it doesn't get better. They aim for cool-and-laid-back, playing indie-country-rock but just strike me as bland and unoriginal. Bobby Cook on the other hand showed huge promise. Only caught the last two songs but distinctly Postcard Records c.1980 in sound (jangle) and look (floppy fringed singer and checked shirts all round). Nothing on sale at merchandise stall - but must find out more. Any info gratefully received.

MALCOLM MIDDLETON IN-STORE

Malcolm Middleton played Fopp in Manchester this lunchtime. Appeared a bit uncomfortable at whole idea of 'promotional in-store tour' but played a great 25 minute acoustic set.

We're Going to Die
A Brighter Beat
Fuck It, I Love New
Total Belief
Loneliness Shines
Stay Close Sit Tight
The Devil & The Angel

'Loneliness Shines' was a request (skipping over the request for 'Cold Winter'). 'Total Belief' is a new song "which will probably be on the next album". It was jaw-droppingly brilliant and should be rush released as a single now I say.

Malcolm (again uncomfortably) signed some stuff.


And I got a freebie balloon to take home too.


Tour dates here. Malcolm and band play Manchester's Life Cafe on 22 March. Tickets here.

ADDED TO THE ARCHIVE: SPANKY WILSON

You know how it is. For a work meeting, you pop out for coffee. And then someone suggests a record shop that happens to serve coffee. You concentrate very hard during the meeting but can't help wondering what that song is they are playing. After the meeting you ask - purely out of curiosity of course - who it was. Next the person behind the counter is showing you the cover. And before you know it you are shelling out on a new CD - all as part of work.

The shop was Vox Pop Music; the coffee was by Love Saves The Day; the artist was Spanky Wilson & the Quantic Soul Orchestra

DON'T JOKE WITH A HUNGRY MAN PT.2
Spanky Wilson & The Quantic Soul Orchestra
I'm Thankful 2006 [buy]
Tru Thoughts Recordings

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A GIN SLING

Due to a horrendous scheduling error, I am not attending the Half Man Half Biscuit gig at Manchester Academy tonight; instead it is "cocktail night".

Sorry Nigel & Co - will see you soon. Am there is spirit, whilst involved with sluicing my innards with spirits. Salut!

TEQUILA!

The Champs

Rhythm Riot [buy]

BOB WILSON ANCHORMAN

Half Man Half Biscuit

Editor's Recommendation [buy] or [buy]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY?

Photo by Supercapacity

Rather hastily assembled (just like those last-minute presents and cards?) is the fourth Follycast: Love Comes in Spurts.

34 minutes of 'love' songs - but with reduced sugary-sweetness and a little more bile and pessimism. Oh and some explicit language.

Features Wanda Jackson, Bongwater, The Blenders, Richard Hell, The Bastard Fairies, Shocking Blue and The Associates amongst others. Tracklisting in comments.

Follycast #4: Love Comes in Spurts

And if you want more have a listen to Mr Fab's 2005 Happy VD Mix here

FOUR LADS FROM LIVERPOOL WHO SHOOK THE WORLD

Well who shook Manchester Academy 3 anyway. Exceptionally good gig from Clinic tonight. Only about a hour in length but to the point and with lots of bite.

Some unfamiliar (to me) songs ("Fortune Teller" was a highlight), some classics and lots of material from Visitations. Only disappointment was no "Distortions".

But how do they create that extraordinary sound with only four of them? Other than one extra guitar at times, mellodeon and some harmonica they stuck with same four instruments all night.



The One That Got Away:

DISTORTIONS

from Internal Wrangler [buy]

TUSK

Live in Toronto 5 November 2004

from Visitations [buy]

THE DECEMBERISTS @ MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2

Tonight's gig was their third time in Manchester; my first time seeing them. And it was great.

I expected them to be bookish and serious but quite the opposite. Colin Meloy was clearly the front person without being egotistical, clearly enjoyed 'performing' but was never hammy; the band were accomplished but not dull; and although they never 'rocked out' they played with energy and genuine passion. One of those gigs were you feel you know a band better for having seem them live.

Set List:
Crane Wife 3
The Island
Billy Liar
We Both Go Down Together
Engine Driver
Yankee Bayonet
Shankill Butchers
Odalisque
O Valencia
Sixteen Military Wives
Sons & Daughters
- encores -
Eli The Barrow Boy
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
The Culling of The Fold

ELI THE BARROW BOY
The Decemberists
Picaresque
[buy] [website]

Hmmm....must get a better camera-phone.