Robyn Hitchcock – “Heartful of Leaves ” (I Often Dream of Trains)
I’ve spent a bit of time with the massive I Wanna Go Backwards box set, and not that I needed any reaffirmation, but his best record ever created remains I Often Dream of Trains, and this song in particular is devastatingly keening and sorrowful. Excellent choice double-tracking acoustic and electric guitars, played as only Robyn can. Though I’ve seen him play the almost equally stellar and similarly thematic “Autumn Is Your Last Chance,” I would love to hear this played live.
Six Organs of Admittance – Shelter from the Ash (Drag City)
This record really should have landed in my top whatever records of 2007, but I never really got around to listening to it until just before Ben played Boston in January. It’s as good as anything he’s recorded to date, which is saying quite a mouthful from someone who’s been on the Chasny bandwagon ever since I got a copy of the first LP on his Pavilion label.
Bob Theil – So Far (Guersson)
Excellent, long-lost folk-rock masterpiece. I’d had the MP3s of this on my PC sourced from who knows where, probably some blog specializing in unearthing dust-covered records, but as I spent some time listening to it I knew I needed a real copy, and Guersson was the savior (beware of the dodgy Radioactive and Fallout labels, which are out-and-out pirate operations who just press CDs mastered from existing vinyl copies, and no monies ever get to the original artists. Google “BOBB TRIMBLE” and “Radioactive” for some interesting reading). Anyway, this is great mix of mainly acoustic-based strummings and songwriter patterns, with vocals eerily reminiscent of AL STEWART.
Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya – Live at the Museum of Fine Art (Boston MA) – Wednesday, April 9
Though I’m not a big Indian music fan (more due to ignorance than any other factor), I’ve clearly spent a fair bit of time and money listening to people who are (JOHN FAHEY, PETER WALKER, JACK ROSE, etc). Jointly sponsored by Learn Quest (http://www.learnquest.org/), this was a brilliant night of ragas performed by a master in the form, joined by his equally talented brother on tablas and sister on vocals and harmonium.
Residual Echoes – California (Holy Mountain)
Another winner from Holy Mountain. Goo-covered psych is just one shard from the splintered mirror of this collective, and there’s a redolent smell of classic ‘90s indie rock moves permeating the works as well.
BIG DIPPER – Supercluster (Merge)
I bought a copy (on sale, $12.88 is the deal of the century!) and it’s just as good as I’d imagined. It actually sounds a bit better than the original Homestead pressings, a bit clearer and I’m able to pick out Bill and Gary’s guitar lines easier. The comp tracks I’ve mostly heard before, but the third disc of the aborted post-_Slam_ record is essential, even if you’ve got all the other stuff. Top 10 reissue of 2008 easy. Can’t wait for the live show in about three weeks.
The Valerie Project – Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (Drag City)
My current blog’s entry covers the details of the live performance, which is very similar to the CD/LP (w/o the visuals, of course).
Drive-by Truckers – Decoration Day (New West)
Saw these Southern gents a few weeks ago and picked up the two-LP vinyl reissue of their 2003 classic. Great songs on here, not just the Skynyrd butt-kickin’ rock they get tarred as. “My Sweet Annette” and ”(Something’s Gotta) Give Pretty Soon” should underline that point.
Dumptruck – D is for Dumptruck (Incas)
Now that BIG DIPPER has gotten the deluxe treatment, maybe my other favorite Boston band of the early ‘90s will follow suit. They got a bit dreamier and countrified on later efforts, but their debut is a sure-footed indie rocker, with the emphasis on rock.
BIG DIPPER – “Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill” (Epic)
The second song on the B side (can CD singles have B sides?) of the “Love Barge” single, a good-natured sing-a-long to the HUSKER DU classic. Unfortunately, the recent Supercluster comp/retrospective doesn’t include all the assorted comp tracks and B sides, so you have to do a bit more digging if you want to hear “Rockin’ in the Free World,” “Jet,” or “She Loves You.”
