The Medusa Fora

Gil scott heron - i am new here, Primal Scream - Screamadelica

Rainmakers - 25 On
Bob Walkenhorst is one of the best lyricists in the world. For some reason, the Rainmakers (or any other Bob venture) never hit very big here in the States, although Stephen King does reference their songs in a couple of books. They are quite the sensation in Norway, for some damn reason, despite being a midwest Missouri/Kansas band. Bob used to play live every weekend for a while in Kansas City (actually, he's back to doing it now), and I'd go see his show and usually see some couple outside through the window who looked like they were on their first date, and be moved by the music and ...ahh...just takes me back.

In fact, every week his shows get uploaded to the free Internet Archive site. Frequently these live shows are better than the recorded material. Here's his latest from 4/20. He's one of the best musicians you've never heard of. He can get a bit Missouri twangy, but listen to the damn lyrics.

Gavin Friday Catholic

A Diet For The Worms - Ism 1983 on vinyl (lead singer Jism)

Toy - David Bowie (unreleased, 2001)

The Devil's Guitar - Pete Holidai (The 625 Label)

Rojotango Erwin Schrott (Sony)

Schrott: "In opera the tenor falls in love with the soprano. Then the baritone kills the tenor, and the soprano falls ill and dies. At the end the baritone is alone. This is exactly what happens in tango - but in one and a half minutes. The whole drama is played out in miniature with endless passion and intensity."

Even before he has fully established his bass-baritone chops in the standard repertoire, opera's sexiest star is diversifying into what Sony clearly consider profitable commercial waters. On the other hand, you can never have enough Erwin Schrott records. Terrific album. It's the real thing too, not some ersatz mor version. Pablo Ziegler, pianist to Astor Piazzolla, is the MD.

The Dead Milkmen - The King In Yellow

While it isn't as funny an album as they have produced in the past, they do seem to still have the wit, and the sound appears to be growing up. However...well, I'll let one of my favorite lyricists, Bob Walkenhorst, do the talking about my initial feelings on this album, from the song Fool's Gold:

When we were young
We went dancing
To a band at the Rink
They were so far out
Of tune and time
They didn't even blink
They were the best in the world
As far as we were concerned
I heard them two years on
It was amazing what they'd learned
Twice as cool, twice as fast
Twice as loud, twice as long
They were at least twice as good
And about half as much fun

''Never Mind the Bossa Nova Here comes BLOCO VOMIT'' the first cd from Edinburgh based samba punk combo,originally released in 1998,its taken me ages to get hold of a copy.BV'S follow up cd ''Play this YER Bastard'' is just as brilliant,a friend sent me a burned copy a few years ago,great band,a pity they split up.

Dear John,a live tribute to John Hiatt,by Ilse Delange,recorded at the Paradiso Amsterdam in 1999,deleted for a few years now,i got hold of a copy at a cd/record fair to complete my Ilse collection.Great album!

Vintage Trouble - The Bomb Shelter Sessions.

Like most people who've recently bought this album, i was blown away when i saw them on Later With Jools. I went straight on the net afterwards to see what their other stuff was like. I liked it, but i was a bit unsure. I was probably expecting something much more after that incredible live performance, but i bought it anyway and it's grown on me quite a bit. The production is nice and raw, and the songs are really good, really catchy. The musicianship of this band is amazing, the vocals and bass especially. However, i get the feeling this band would be so much better live.

Let Them Talk Hugh Laurie (Brothers Warner)

Meh.

Pete Holidai: The Devil's Guitar

Arrived today, thanks.
Excellent stuff.

Pete Holidai - The Devil's Guitar

Ron Kavana & Friends - 40 Favorite Folk Songs

From the liner notes: "The Pogues was a wonderful period not just for the crazy tours and big budget recordings but espially for the pleasure of working with my old mate Shane, one of the greats of mordern folk songs."

There's also a cover song of "Old Main Drag" on that double album.