Thursday, October 28, 2010

Dear Heartbroken in Glasgow


It's hard to imagine that any Gen Xer who loved Lloyd Cole and the Commotions back in the 80s wouldn't also love Camera Obscura - even if they hadn't recorded their endearing homage Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken (which was the highlight, at least for me, of their live show this past summer). Long live lush indie pop!!


Come Back Margaret Camera Obscura
Sweetness Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
Shine Like A New Pin Camera Obscura
Jennifer She Said Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
These Days Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Pen And Notebook Camera Obscura
Cut Me Down Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Tougher Than The Rest Camera Obscura
Everybody's Complaining Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
Keep It Clean Camera Obscura
Teenager Camera Obscura
Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken? Lloyd Cole & The Commotions


Rich Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
My Maudlin Career Camera Obscura
French Navy Camera Obscura
Sean Penn Blues Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Let's Get Out of This Country Camera Obscura
Jesus Said Lloyd Cole & the Commotions
The Last Song Camera Obscura
Rattlesnakes Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
Perfect Skin Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
Marathon Not A Sprint Camera Obscura
Mystery Train (Live) Lloyd Cole
Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken Camera Obscura

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Inimitable and Incandescent Iris DeMent


I don't really know how to describe Iris DeMent's voice, and I can't quite explain why her singing "sticks to my ribs" like it does, but damn, when she sings, her voice just insinuates its way into you. If you need any proof, here's an 18 song collection - there's one track from each of her formal releases (Infamous Angel, My Life, Way I Should Be, and Lifeline) plus live tracks, soundtrack and tribute contributions, duets, etc.


(We're Not) The Jet Set
There's A Whole Lot Of Heaven
Big City
I'm Still In Love With You
I Don't Want To Get Adjusted
I Miss A Lot Of Trains
The Way I Should
Hobo Bill's Last Ride
God May Forgive You
Banks of Marble
Wildwood Flower
Trust Each Other
Whispering Pines
You've Done Nothing Wrong
The Train Carrying Jimmie Rodgers Home
Mexican Home
Acres of Corn
Mama's Opry

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Atlantic Sisters of Soul


In some ways it's understandable that Aretha Franklin overshadowed other female soul singers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. On the other hand,.... damn, there were a lot of great female soul singers from that time period who didn't get the recognition they should have. In that spirit, here's Atlantic Sisters of Soul, a really good out of print compilation from the fine folks at Rhino. (And if you find yourself wanting more female soul, the Atlantic Unearthed: Soul Sisters comp Rhino put out in 2006 is also pretty good, though a tad inconsistent.)


Dear Lover Mary Wells
I Don't Know Baby Washington
A Woman Will Do Wrong Dee Dee Sharp
Why (Am I Treated So Bad) The Sweet Inspirations
(Until Then) I'll Suffer Barbara Lynn
Sister Pitiful Judy Clay
Shake A Hand Toby Lark
Mojo Hannah Tammi Lynn
Wish Someone Would Care Mary Lou
Can I Be Your Main Thing Margie Alexander
Wonderful, Marvelous Jackie Moore With The Dixie Flyers
What A Man Laura Lee
Can I Hold You To It Lorraine Johnson
She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking) Dee Dee Warwick
Who Are You Gonna Love Rozetta Johnson
Unsatisfied Woman Jean Battle
Set Me Free Esther Phillips With The Dixie Flyers
Full Time Woman Irma Thomas
Your Turn To Cry Bettye LaVette
Don't Try To Take The Fifth The Pointer Sisters
Victim Of A Foolish Heart Bettye Swann
I Do Believe That I'm Losing You Ones'y Mack
Sweet Surrender Margie Joseph

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Chrissy and Emmy - Not Your Average It Girls


For those of you above the age of 40, it's probably not that hard to remember when Chrissie Hynde and Emmylou Harris were the "it girls" of rock and country, respectively. So here's a little tribute to them (including my all-time favorite Emmylou song - her version of Butch Hancock's Bluebird).


Brass in Pocket Pretenders
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend Emmylou Harris
I Still Miss Someone Emmylou Harris
I Go To Sleep The Pretenders
Rough and Rocky Emmylou Harris
Kid Pretenders
Back On The Chain Gang The Pretenders
Making Believe Emmylou Harris
When Will I See You? The Pretenders
Red Dirt Girl Emmylou Harris
Birds Of Paradise The Pretenders
Satan's Jewel Crown Emmylou Harris
When He Calls Emmylou Harris
She The Pretenders & Emmylou Harris
Thanks to You Emmylou Harris
The Losing The Pretenders
If You Were a Bluebird Emmylou Harris