“You’ll never pass beyond the gate if you don’t hear my warning”: Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (2006)

Americana is contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw. While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also…

“Put the cow horns back on the Cadillac”: John Hiatt – Bring the Family (1987)

John Hiatt is someone I got into a bit at the start of the millennium.  Truth be told, I drifted away from his stuff; very rarely listening to much at all these days.  The exception is Bring The Family.  I like this one an awfy lot.  So much, in fact, that I have two copies. …

“Does it worry you to be alone?”: The Flaming Lips – With A Little Help From My Fwends (2014)

I love The Flaming Lips.  I really do.  Folks may not know that about me… but they likely will, cause I tend to chat about how they are, quite literally, one of the finest bands on the planet.  I don’t care who disagrees, cause I know I’m right.  Sure, they’ve had some missteps along the…

“Shooting ’em up, drinking ’em up, taking them pills. Fooling around all my life”: Harry Nilsson – Pussy Cats (1974)

I’ve been doing this blogging thing for a while now and I can’t believe I haven’t written about a Harry Nilsson album in all that time.  So, I figured I’d rectify that.  I thought I’d avoid writing about Schmillsson for now and instead share my thoughts on Pussy Cats.  Like a lot of Harry’s post-Schmillsson…

“When your love of life is an empty beach, don’t cry”: Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression (2016)

“Wild animals they do Never wonder why Just do what they goddamn do” In some respects that’s The Stooges.  They never attached themselves to the goings on of the time, did they?  Which I guess is what makes them timeless.  Or at least it’s one of the reasons.  Iggy Pop could be considered, by some,…

“Brother rabbit, of course you’d better kiss that foot goodbye”: Frank Sinatra – Swing Easy! / Songs for Young Lovers (Capitol, 1956)

While I think most folks gravitate towards Frank Sinatra at some point – more than a singer, he is an icon, right dapper, and an incredibly interesting and complex chap – my interest in him grew from a double cassette that my old man had (he may still have it, actually).  Those hits of Sinatra…

“Too late to talk about it”: Spirit – The Thirteenth Dream (1984)

Although their original line-up was together for just 3 years, Spirit are one of my favourite bands.  Now, while some chap named Jimmy Page might disagree, he was a big fan of their first album and it is said that his walls were plastered with posters of Spirit and Randy California.  In fact, he liked…

“We’re on the same circle, just a different timeline”: Giant Giant Sand – Tucson (2012)

I’m a fan of Howe Gelb and Giant Sand. And OP8. And The Band of Blacky Ranchette. And Arizona Amp and Alternator. See, there’s a certain aesthetic to his music that appeals a great deal to me.  I’ve been hooked ever since I first heard Giant Sand’s Chore of Enchantment and the solo album Confluence…

Justin Townes Earle

He was a man-out-of-time. He wrote songs that I wanted to hear. He looked and sounded like an old soul. A troubadour who had been around as long as the greats.  He possessed the talents of those who shared his name. His songs are filled with self reflection and social commentary.  His catalogue is littered…

“All hope seems gone so, soldier, march on to die”: Ennio Morricone – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (1966)

Westerns were a big thing in my home when I was growing up.  Westerns and war movies.  My old man being particularly fond of them.  I was drawn to the westerns, though.  The scenery.  The plains.  Saloons.  Sheriffs.  Colts and the occasional noose. One movie, stuck with me right from the moment I saw it. …