Busier week for listening this week. Starting off with hearing Nina Simone's wonderful 'Emergency Ward' album after seeing Alex from Fightmilk mention it on FB. Amazing cover of George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord'. Wonderfully rev'd up and powerful
I heard New Order's 'Regret' on my weekly trip to the supermarket, what an excellent song.
I used to have a bootleg cassette of an Afghan Whigs show in Belgium from 1993 where they covered this pretty much right after it came out, was great. Would love to hear that again.
Then Orlando's 'Just For A Second' has been stuck in my head most of the week. A wonderful pop tune.
Once again got Melody Club's 'My Soft Return' stuck in my head too and gave the full 'Music Machine' album a spin. Some very good stuff on there. Great synthpop
And someone on my IG posted Nino Ferrer's 'Le Sud', a French classic which I'm glad I now know
And of course the Taylor Swift album came out Friday. mirrorball being my favourite. Quite dig the pop of betty too
Monday, 27 July 2020
Sunday, 19 July 2020
Week In Music July 13-19th
Been a busy week, haven't had much time for new music. I've been mainly still digging into Hedvig Mollestad's catalogue. Excellent stuff. Killer rock grooves with an improvisational jazz feel. Reminiscent of 70's John McLaughlin. I had the pleasure of interviewing her for this week's Etcetera ETC With Young Southpaw episode.
Digging the new Go! Team song
And I heard this for the first time. Billy Corgan's early side project, Starchildren. Their one original song that was released. Love the guitar sound
Digging the new Go! Team song
And I heard this for the first time. Billy Corgan's early side project, Starchildren. Their one original song that was released. Love the guitar sound
Monday, 13 July 2020
Week In Music July 6 - 12th
Morricone. What can I say? A tremendous loss.
Wrote the most beautiful song I know, one of my favourites of all-time. Mina's 'Se Telefonando'. And he wrote it for a television show! So great he could just rattle stuff off like this for whatever. I love how the tune has no real tonal center, and of course the emotion behind it - what words cannot express - is why there is music in the first place.
And another gorgeous slice of pop is his 'Deep Down' from the Danger: Diabolik soundtrack. Sung by Christy, who I wish did more.
I discovered both of these one rainy night in 2005 when, having recently returned to my hometown in the States from my beloved London, I put on the Canto Morricone Vol. 1 - The 60's compilation that had just arrived in the post. I was driving back from picking up some takeout for my family from one of our favourite Italian restaurants when Mina came on track 3 and I was completely floored. I can still remember where I was as I realized just how amazing what was coming through my speakers was. The stoplight turning green, the hill to the golf course on my right, the factory to my left, the rain lightly drumming down on the windscreen.
My big discovery this week is Hedvig Mollestad. Liam from the Pynchon In Public podcast sent me that link and I started listening. And just kept going. Had her on for hours that first day. And have started buying the albums. One at a time in order to savour. She's a phenomenal guitarist and her work combines jazz, rock, and groove in a rather excellent way. I've been digging these:
Loved the Eurovision movie and have been getting 'Jaja Ding Dong' stuck in my head a lot. I feel a certain affinity for the man who kept calling out for it.
Relistening to The In-Kraut Vol. 1 compilation, which has Marianne Mendt's fantastic 'Wie A Glock'n', I was also way into 'Molotow Cocktail Party'. This tune is wild. And packs the phrase 'cocktail party' in to the limits of how many times you can say it in a two-and-a-half minute pop song.
Had a great conversation with David Ryder Prangley about his new solo album for my Etcetera ETC With Young Southpaw podcast. We talked a lot about KISS and Van Halen of course, which had me revisit Paul's 1978 solo album. Some really good songs on there! Hadn't heard it in decades. Love the glam pop/rock of 'It's Alright' and 'Wouldn't You Like To Know Me'. Reminds me of the early glammy Mötley Crüe stuff that I wish they'd done more of.
Wrote the most beautiful song I know, one of my favourites of all-time. Mina's 'Se Telefonando'. And he wrote it for a television show! So great he could just rattle stuff off like this for whatever. I love how the tune has no real tonal center, and of course the emotion behind it - what words cannot express - is why there is music in the first place.
And another gorgeous slice of pop is his 'Deep Down' from the Danger: Diabolik soundtrack. Sung by Christy, who I wish did more.
I discovered both of these one rainy night in 2005 when, having recently returned to my hometown in the States from my beloved London, I put on the Canto Morricone Vol. 1 - The 60's compilation that had just arrived in the post. I was driving back from picking up some takeout for my family from one of our favourite Italian restaurants when Mina came on track 3 and I was completely floored. I can still remember where I was as I realized just how amazing what was coming through my speakers was. The stoplight turning green, the hill to the golf course on my right, the factory to my left, the rain lightly drumming down on the windscreen.
My big discovery this week is Hedvig Mollestad. Liam from the Pynchon In Public podcast sent me that link and I started listening. And just kept going. Had her on for hours that first day. And have started buying the albums. One at a time in order to savour. She's a phenomenal guitarist and her work combines jazz, rock, and groove in a rather excellent way. I've been digging these:
Loved the Eurovision movie and have been getting 'Jaja Ding Dong' stuck in my head a lot. I feel a certain affinity for the man who kept calling out for it.
Relistening to The In-Kraut Vol. 1 compilation, which has Marianne Mendt's fantastic 'Wie A Glock'n', I was also way into 'Molotow Cocktail Party'. This tune is wild. And packs the phrase 'cocktail party' in to the limits of how many times you can say it in a two-and-a-half minute pop song.
Had a great conversation with David Ryder Prangley about his new solo album for my Etcetera ETC With Young Southpaw podcast. We talked a lot about KISS and Van Halen of course, which had me revisit Paul's 1978 solo album. Some really good songs on there! Hadn't heard it in decades. Love the glam pop/rock of 'It's Alright' and 'Wouldn't You Like To Know Me'. Reminds me of the early glammy Mötley Crüe stuff that I wish they'd done more of.
Monday, 6 July 2020
Week In Music June 29 - July 5 2020
It's been a busy week, I've been working hard BaZi consulting. There was time however to hear some new and be captivated by some old sounds.
First up was the new Even As We Speak single, 'Unknown'. Mary's voice is lovely on this and it's such a dreamy pop song, redolent of summer evenings.
Next I finally had the chance to listen to the full album of Joanne Gabriel's Floating In Light. Wonderful soundscapes. I came across her music via one of Graham Duff's Mixtape shows.
I interviewed The Speedways for the Etcetera ETC With Young Southpaw podcast. Great tunes on the new record. Lead-off track, 'This Ain't A Radio Sound', is probably my favourite. Though 'Daydreaming' was stuck in my head for days after our chat.
Someone posted this short 1970 documentary about Alice Coltrane. She was such a gigantic, powerful soul.
Which put this in my head. One of the most beautiful pieces of music I know. Exquisite.
My two favourite discoveries of this year, which have buoyed up my spirit immeasurably during lockdown, have been Letterkenny and Judee Sill. On revisiting, I discovered the two came together when the show used this cover of 'Jesus Was A Cross Maker' by Frida Hyvönen
And as I was talking to Mauro & Matt of The Speedways about Hanoi Rocks, a band we all deeply love, I've been listening to them a lot too. They told me they'd cover '11th Street Kidz' and 'Until I Get You' on acoustic guitars in their hotel room after gigs. I have loved '11th Street Kidz' since I first heard it Christmas Day 1989 when I got all four reissue albums under the tree. Such a killer tune. So catchy with the right combination of joy and sadness, evoking youthful dreams and expectations and how they had such meaning despite only being fleeting.
This is the 'All Those Wasted Years' version despite it showing the 'Two Steps From The Move' album cover
And 'Don't You Ever Leave Me' is the greatest rock ballad still lingering in obscurity
First up was the new Even As We Speak single, 'Unknown'. Mary's voice is lovely on this and it's such a dreamy pop song, redolent of summer evenings.
Next I finally had the chance to listen to the full album of Joanne Gabriel's Floating In Light. Wonderful soundscapes. I came across her music via one of Graham Duff's Mixtape shows.
I interviewed The Speedways for the Etcetera ETC With Young Southpaw podcast. Great tunes on the new record. Lead-off track, 'This Ain't A Radio Sound', is probably my favourite. Though 'Daydreaming' was stuck in my head for days after our chat.
Someone posted this short 1970 documentary about Alice Coltrane. She was such a gigantic, powerful soul.
Which put this in my head. One of the most beautiful pieces of music I know. Exquisite.
My two favourite discoveries of this year, which have buoyed up my spirit immeasurably during lockdown, have been Letterkenny and Judee Sill. On revisiting, I discovered the two came together when the show used this cover of 'Jesus Was A Cross Maker' by Frida Hyvönen
And as I was talking to Mauro & Matt of The Speedways about Hanoi Rocks, a band we all deeply love, I've been listening to them a lot too. They told me they'd cover '11th Street Kidz' and 'Until I Get You' on acoustic guitars in their hotel room after gigs. I have loved '11th Street Kidz' since I first heard it Christmas Day 1989 when I got all four reissue albums under the tree. Such a killer tune. So catchy with the right combination of joy and sadness, evoking youthful dreams and expectations and how they had such meaning despite only being fleeting.
This is the 'All Those Wasted Years' version despite it showing the 'Two Steps From The Move' album cover
And 'Don't You Ever Leave Me' is the greatest rock ballad still lingering in obscurity
Sunday, 28 June 2020
Week In Music June 21-28 2020
There have been a couple really good days this week, and the first one had The Pogues' Sunny Side Of The Street stuck in my head. Always dug this tune and its major key pentatonic melody, like a sped up Mary Chain guitar part
This week was kinda all about the work of Jordan Benik. He put up a new tune by his new project, Too Much, and I love it. Been singing it constantly.
Which also put 'Mothering' by last old band, Sweaters, in my head a lot. Real smooth
Had a big Close Lobsters kick recently, Let's Make Some Plans is such a tune
Listened to their latest album, Post Neo Anti: Arte Povera in the Forest of Symbols. Great tunes on there, need to explore more.
This week was kinda all about the work of Jordan Benik. He put up a new tune by his new project, Too Much, and I love it. Been singing it constantly.
Which also put 'Mothering' by last old band, Sweaters, in my head a lot. Real smooth
Had a big Close Lobsters kick recently, Let's Make Some Plans is such a tune
Listened to their latest album, Post Neo Anti: Arte Povera in the Forest of Symbols. Great tunes on there, need to explore more.
Sunday, 21 June 2020
Week In Music: June 14-21 2020
I keep hearing so much great stuff, thought I'd revive this blog to share it. A weekly post of all the great artists and tunes I've discovered or revisited during the week
First up is Judee Sill. Wow! Her songs are so lovely. John Andrew Fredrick of The Black Watch posted 'The Kiss' the other night and I was hooked. Sent me down a rabbithole and I've now heard all her recordings and can recommend the entire catalogue. Boston bassist extraordinaire Eric Donohue hipped me to her BBC Recordings which are just her solo and they are wonderful.
I heard 'The Kiss' first and then shortly after, perhaps her most popular song, 'Jesus Was A Cross Maker' which I've probably listened to five times a day since.
John Andrew Fredrick has been posting some great stuff on his FB page lately. His own band, The Black Watch, is definitely worth checking out, and there's 19 albums to dive into. New one, Brilliant Failures, is really good, and I interviewed JAF in my guise as Young Southpaw for it earlier this spring. A really fun, interesting conversation. Here's my favourite The Black Watch song, 'Terrific', a shimmering indiepop gem:
But as I was saying, JAF has posted some great stuff lately, including Prince's 'Starfish And Coffee' which has been stuck in my head a lot and I'm greatly thankful for that. What a tune!
As is 'Baltimore', which I've been listening to a ton lately with everything going on:
It was jazz great Eric Dolphy's birthday yesterday. His bass clarinet version of 'God Bless The Child' is one of the my favourite pieces of music:
Balcony Festival 6 happened yesterday, an 'online music festival in aid of The Mental Health Foundation'. My favourite band David Devant & His Spirit Wife headlined and Lily from Fightmilk played four acoustic songs, including 'Over', I song I truly love. That was great. And every time I hear their new single it gets stuck in my head and I'm glad of it:
I've started rewatching all of Letterkenny again. What a fantastic show. It's hilarious and they really take the time to get the writing and the soundtrack right. Discovered White Reaper that way, and 'Last Fourth Of July' is my favourite song I've heard this year, it's in my head constantly. Like a perfect cross between later My Chemical Romance, The Ramones, & The Misfits.
And another great discovery is The Foots, three piece Australian band from the 90's, on Lost And Lonesome Records. Two Foots reissues now on Bandcamp and some really good tunes on them, including my fave 'Fickle':
Lost And Lonesome is Mark Monnone from The Lucksmith's long-standing record label. Back in February when I set out to drive from Connecticut to Los Angeles that first day in the car I listened to the entire Lucksmiths discography. It was great, they had so many excellent songs. I was really glad, and also sad, to be at their last London gig back in 2009. On that same drive I started listening to Dory Previn again, and I've kept thinking this year it would be a good idea to document the songs that are with me at certain times, hence reupping this blog, especially with Judee Sill reminding me of Dory Previn. Whose 'Going Home' soundtracked so much of the rest of that cross-country car ride:
First up is Judee Sill. Wow! Her songs are so lovely. John Andrew Fredrick of The Black Watch posted 'The Kiss' the other night and I was hooked. Sent me down a rabbithole and I've now heard all her recordings and can recommend the entire catalogue. Boston bassist extraordinaire Eric Donohue hipped me to her BBC Recordings which are just her solo and they are wonderful.
I heard 'The Kiss' first and then shortly after, perhaps her most popular song, 'Jesus Was A Cross Maker' which I've probably listened to five times a day since.
John Andrew Fredrick has been posting some great stuff on his FB page lately. His own band, The Black Watch, is definitely worth checking out, and there's 19 albums to dive into. New one, Brilliant Failures, is really good, and I interviewed JAF in my guise as Young Southpaw for it earlier this spring. A really fun, interesting conversation. Here's my favourite The Black Watch song, 'Terrific', a shimmering indiepop gem:
But as I was saying, JAF has posted some great stuff lately, including Prince's 'Starfish And Coffee' which has been stuck in my head a lot and I'm greatly thankful for that. What a tune!
As is 'Baltimore', which I've been listening to a ton lately with everything going on:
It was jazz great Eric Dolphy's birthday yesterday. His bass clarinet version of 'God Bless The Child' is one of the my favourite pieces of music:
Balcony Festival 6 happened yesterday, an 'online music festival in aid of The Mental Health Foundation'. My favourite band David Devant & His Spirit Wife headlined and Lily from Fightmilk played four acoustic songs, including 'Over', I song I truly love. That was great. And every time I hear their new single it gets stuck in my head and I'm glad of it:
I've started rewatching all of Letterkenny again. What a fantastic show. It's hilarious and they really take the time to get the writing and the soundtrack right. Discovered White Reaper that way, and 'Last Fourth Of July' is my favourite song I've heard this year, it's in my head constantly. Like a perfect cross between later My Chemical Romance, The Ramones, & The Misfits.
And another great discovery is The Foots, three piece Australian band from the 90's, on Lost And Lonesome Records. Two Foots reissues now on Bandcamp and some really good tunes on them, including my fave 'Fickle':
Lost And Lonesome is Mark Monnone from The Lucksmith's long-standing record label. Back in February when I set out to drive from Connecticut to Los Angeles that first day in the car I listened to the entire Lucksmiths discography. It was great, they had so many excellent songs. I was really glad, and also sad, to be at their last London gig back in 2009. On that same drive I started listening to Dory Previn again, and I've kept thinking this year it would be a good idea to document the songs that are with me at certain times, hence reupping this blog, especially with Judee Sill reminding me of Dory Previn. Whose 'Going Home' soundtracked so much of the rest of that cross-country car ride:
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Moving Over...
Sadly, although there are so many songs I'd still love to write about, I don't have much time for this blog anymore.
But you can find my writing on music, comics, books, film, vegan/healthy eating as well as all my musical projects at:
augstone.com
But you can find my writing on music, comics, books, film, vegan/healthy eating as well as all my musical projects at:
augstone.com
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