• Acoustic

    Jeff Tweedy’s “Jesus Wept”

    Crikey, it’s been almost 14 years since I last wrote here about the great and underrated Jeff Tweedy. As time chugs along, the presence of Jeff’s music – both solo and with Wilco – are like an ever present, familiar, warm blanket. And since NPR posted this short & sweet set back in early 2018, I’ve kept coming back time and again to this 3 minute masterpiece mid-set.

    It’s “Jesus Wept,” a poignant, beautiful acoustic ballad he wrote for Mavis Staples’ 2013 album One True Vine (which Jeff produced). The subject is loss, and it hits in such a unique and powerful way. Tweedy’s wordsmithing has always left me in awe, and this tune is no exception.

    My throat quits when I try to say / How I long for the day / How I wish there was a way / I could see you again

    or the chorus:

    Side streets I have worn
    Through late summer storms
    I should have told you
    I could live without you
    But I don’t want to

    Bless that man, and how lucky we are to have him around singing his songs.

    So, this is from NPR Music’s 10th Anniversary Concert, which took place December 2nd, 2017 (seems like ancient history after all that’s happened since). The venue is the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. (where I saw one show – Mike Watt’s fireHose in 1991! but I digress).

    The video below picks up at 7:56 – the start of “Jesus Wept.” By all means, watch it. I’ve wanted to share this for a long time. C’est magnifique.

  • Irish

    Raul Malo’s Beautiful Playlist + Declan O’Rourke

    I’ve been following Mavericks front man and Golden Voice Extraordinaire Raul Malo on Spotify for some time now. He has some hidden treasures there in his many playlists – for me, two playlists in particular have me coming back for more and more: Groovy Sounds and Beautiful. I encourage you to click those links and check them out. Scores of great music, familiar and (so many) unfamiliar – spanning the genres, from latin to classical to country to pop and onward…

    Listen to this one from the “Beautiful” playlist. I hadn’t heard this tune from Irish singer/songwriter Declan O’Rourke before. On April 9, 2022, it reached my ears (thanks Last.fm). Instant connection – a soaring, gorgeous vocal performance from Mr. O’Rourke.

    Take a listen.

    Update: On November 18th, the Mavs came through Scottsdale, and I got a chance to meet the man himself, and to tell him how much I dig not only his music, but his Spotify playlists! I don’t care how old I get, I’ll never stop being a music nerd.

  • Rock n' Folk

    New from Bruce Cockburn: ‘O Sun O Moon’

    In 53 years of writing and recording, there’s been an undercurrent of spirituality in the music of Canadian Bruce Cockburn. He’s always had a knack for painting a picture of his Christian faith in a way that doesn’t hit you over the head, using the beauty and mystery of the natural world to illustrate the wonder of it all (just listen to my all-time favorite album of his, Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws, and you’ll know what I mean).

    His innate kindness and empathy for his fellow humans has always drawn me to him. Bruce Cockburn is one of the good ones (and criminally underappreciated in these United States, but I’ll digress).

    With O Sun O Moon, due out May 12th on True North records, Bruce’s spiritual side steps out of the shadows and, well, “Into the Now.”

    Bruce Cockburn will turn 78 this month, and after a tough collective few years for all of us, Bruce brings out themes of faith, mortality, love, conflict and climate in this beautiful collection of songs.

    Recorded at on/off band member, album producer & pal Colin Linden’s backyard studio in Nashville, the album features some quality guests – from Buddy Miller and Sarah Jarosz to Shawn Colvin and Allison Russell (have you heard Nightflyer?).

    From the get go, Bruce faces that ticking clock and his faith head on with “I’m On A Roll”:

    Pressure building left and right / Timer ticking, just out of sight / I’m taking shelter in the light

    Time takes its toll / But in my soul / I’m on a roll 

    The powerful “Orders” addresses the oft overlooked yet plain and simple mantra of “Love thy neighbor”:

    The sweet, the vile, the small, the tall The one who rises to the call / The list is long — as I recall / Our orders said to love them all 

    Not an easy concept to adhere to, is it? But nonetheless, as Bruce illustrates so well throughout the record, it’s the foundation of his faith.

    With the backing of Shawn Colvin’s beautiful voice, the sweet, laid back front-porch feel of “Push Comes to Shove” continues the message: “push comes to shove / It’s all about love.”

    In July 2021, Bruce vacationed in Maui with Dr. Jeff Garner, the lead pastor of the San Francisco Lighthouse church, which Bruce attends. In addition to helping lead a Sunday service, Bruce spent some quality time writing tunes. The first song he wrote is my personal favorite, “Into the Now,” which has been a staple of his solo acoustic show ever since (I was lucky enough to see him play it in Scottsdale last year). It’s a Cockburn special: timely, poignant lyrics, a chorus that varies each of the first three times before tying all together exquisitely at the end; strung together words like: “Light as the feet of birds hunting on sod / Love trickles down like honey from God”; Sarah Jarosz on harmonies and mandolin. I mean, come on (!), it gets no better.

    Photos by Daniel Keebler.

    Another Maui-written song, “Colin Went Down To The Water” was released to streaming services a few weeks back. Featuring background vocals by Allison Russell (seriously, have you heard Nightflyer?), Buddy Miller and Colin Linden, the spiritual call and response of the song instantly connected with me (listen below).

    The third Maui song is “King of the Bolero,” where Bruce channels a raspy, bluesy vocal to tell the story of a nightclub guitarist who’s “Got a double chin all the way round his neck / And a pot belly in the back.” Not a flattering image, and it makes me wonder who inspired this (internet sleuthing tells me the nightclub in the the Maui Grand Wailea Hotel is the Botero lounge. The Colombian artist Botero is mentioned in the song. Did Bruce write this while taking in some entertainment at the Botero? Hmm…).

    Bruce’s resonator guitar, Gary Craig’s glockenspiel, Viktor Strauss’s bowed bass and Jenny Scheinman’s gorgeous violin usher in the sublime “Us All” (also available on the streaming services). It’s a hypnotic, mournful plea to “let kindness reign for Us All.”

    The welcome sound of Bruce’s dulcimer rings in “To Keep the World We Know,” a sobering take on climate change, sung with indigenous Canadian artist Susan Aglukark (who sings in a native Inuit language called Inuktitut). An important message; and rhythmically reminiscent of Bruce’s great 1977 tune “Arrows of Light.

    The closing songs of O Sun O Moon bring it all back to the theme of faith & mortality in their own unique ways. The penultimate tune is the prayerful “O Sun By Day O Moon By Night,” featuring spoken word verses building to a joyous chorus prayer with gospel-soaked background vocals:

    O sun by day o moon by night / Light my way so I get this right / And if that sun and moon don’t shine/ Heaven guide these feet of mine / To Glory

    The album finale, “When You Arrive,” culminates in a singalong chorus featuring the full cast of previously mentioned characters. With a sauntering, New Orleans style rhythm, the repeated chorus brings to my mind an image of Bruce and the gang second-lining lazily down a French Quarter street, shuffling contently off into the distance – firm in their faith – and ready for whatever may be waiting around corner.

  • Roots Rock

    Galen & Paul (that’s Simonon) – Lonely Town

    I’m always curious to find out how former Clash members are spending their time. In the aughts, Mick Jones collaborated with Tony James on the delightfully quirky Carbon/Silicon (moreC/S please!). Paul Simonon released a couple of albums with the Damon Albarn led The Good The Bad & The Queen . And they both contributed to the Gorillaz ‘Plastic Seat Beach’ record. But overall, the twenty-teens and twenties have been relatively quiet.

    Galen Ayers and Paul Simonon
    Photo by @tommyophoto

    So, a neat surprise a few weeks back when I was scrolling through Instagram and came across this sweet little tune, “Lonely Town.” The short version of the story is that Paul Simonon (bassman for the Clash, and the bass-smashing cover boy of London Calling) was staying on and off in Mallorca during lockdown – resting, painting, writing some tunes – when a mutual friend pointed Paul toward Gale Ayers back in the UK (daughter of Soft Machine’s Kevin Ayers). They knew each other from years past, and hit it off creatively.

    Galen moved in with Paul for writing and recording (separate rooms!), and before you know it, they have a major label debut as Galen & Paul with Can We Do Tomorrow Another Day?

    The album releases on May 19th, but a couple of singles are already out: “Room at the Top” and the aforementioned “Lonely Town.” It’s a catchy, laid back, simple little number that I’m enjoying. Check it out!

    Galen & Paul’s Official Site

  • Country

    God Speed

    view from the top of Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff, AZ

    The sky was crystal blue north of Flagstaff a couple months back, and three feet of fresh snow covered the San Francisco Peaks like a white blanket. I had spent 90 minutes in traffic driving the 15 miles from Flagstaff to Snowbowl ski resort. I strapped on the skis and and spent the late morning and early afternoon on some fun, looong cruiser runs. Until last year, I hadn’t put on a pair of skis since Bill Clinton was prez. So no need for moguls or black diamonds for me, not anymore. I’m happy gliding down that smooth hill with long slalom turns, wind against my smiling face…

    It was a good day. At mid afternoon I was wrapping it up, clopping along in my ski boots, equipment gathered up, making my way to the rental shop to return everything. A song was drifting through the air, from the Hart Prairie Lodge sound system. It was a song that I hadn’t heard before, but I paused and listened.

    Well, I wanna send a post card
    From the edge of a place I’ve never been

    It stopped me in my big heavy boots. The singer’s voice was raw, matter of fact, with a hint of desperation. Someone who was done with the bullshit. Plaintive but determined.

    Well, I wanna see the road melt
    Into the mountains away as I drive
    And make it out of this damn town alive
    And not let the dreams I shoulder die

    Yeah, it’s 2023, so I grabbed my phone and tapped the Shazam app. I needed to know.

    I’m movin’ at God speed
    Only God and my mama know what I need
    And I feel the hardwood floors on my knees
    As I beg you just to take it easy on me

    Zach Bryan. “God Speed.”

    I’d listened to his latest critically acclaimed album American Heartbreak not too far back, but I wasn’t familiar with this beauty of a song. “God Speed,” from his 2019 self-release debut album, DeAnn. Zach just turned 27 years old for crying out loud! I can’t wait to see what he’s got in store for us.

    “God Speed” blows me away with each listen. And as long as I’m around listening to it, I’ll think of that mountain snow, that blue northern Arizona sky, and a shuffle along the wood floors of the lodge as it hit my ears for the first time.

    Zach Bryan’s Official Site

  • Indie,  Rock

    As All Get Out – New from MLV

    Ickmusic favorite Matthew Logan Vasquez (aka the front man of the great Delta Spirit) is back with another great batch of songs on his brand new album, As All Get Out (Bandcamp), released this past Friday. This is Matt’s 5th full length solo album since 2015. Pretty prolific considering there’s also been an EP and two Delta Spirit albums released in that same time frame. It must be nice to let the songs spill out of you like that. I’m still struggling with writing my first full song, and yes, I’ve read Jeff Tweedy’s ‘How To Write One Song!’

    This new album came to my attention via Matt’s Instagram, where he posted a video of himself along his his two band mates playing a great version of the album opener “Untouchable.” I was ‘reeled’ in!

    With Friday’s release, I dove in. The second song in, the lead single “Over It,” has that driving Delta Spirit / Vasquez signature beat, and has me coming back for many repeat listens. The video is fun. I’m guessing that’s Matt’s son front and center.

    And if you want an emotional, poignant ballad (see the DS tune “Vivian” too), then listen to “Recognize,” which is written from the point of view of someone just diagnosed with a memory-killing disease like Alzheimer’s. “Would it offend you if I left here tonight / while I’m still someone I recognize?” Crushingly beautiful.

  • Live

    Recap: Leif Vollebekk comes to Phoenix

    Leif Vollebekk performing in Phoenix

    Since discovering Leif Vollebekk’s music a few years back, I’ve looked forward to the day I’d see him live. Last night, St. Patrick’s Day 2022, was the night. Leif is back on a big tour, and thankfully he was booked into a cool small Phoenix club called Valley Bar – a speakeasy style venue that’s accessible from a downtown back alley off Central Avenue, down a flight of stairs. Really cool vibe. 

    Leif hails from Montreal, Canada, and his whole essence as a musician is infectious. He pours his heart & soul into his performances. You see him lost in the music, closing his eyes, waving his head – the same kind of soul-shaking moments at the piano and keys you’d see from Ray Charles.  And that voice man.. soulful, smooth with that ever so slight raspy-ness. Just gorgeous to watch and hear live. 

    The night was spontaneous, straying from the set list for moments like Prince’s early 80’s B-side “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore” (maybe in response to a fan in the front row who was wearing a Prince shirt, as Leif pointed out). 

    As the pandemic decides to subside a bit for now, it’s intimate live moments like this I’m so glad to have back – a chance to stand 20 feet from a great musician, watching it happen in the moment. 

    Leif’s song “Transatlantic Flight” is one that resonates most with me.  I captured it all here.. enjoy.

  • Pop

    11 Past the Hour

    cover of Imelda May 11 past the hour album

    Another spellbinding few minutes of music, this time courtesy of Irish singer Imelda May. Silky smooth, effortless and beautiful, the tune has a dreamlike, gliding quality that hits me in just the right place.

    Imelda hit my radar about 10 years back when I saw her on Later with Jools Holland (singing “Johnny Got a Boom Boom”). At that time she was married to British rockabilly guitarist Darrell Higham, who played a bit with Jeff Beck. She definitely had that retro, throwback vibe at the time. Which leads me also to this question – have you heard Jeff Beck’s version of “Lilac Wine,” featuring Imelda? Oof.. take the time to listen to it as well.

    But I digress. Click Play, close your eyes, and enjoy the beautiful voice of Imelda May (with the sweeping, impressive production of “Budapest” producer Cam Blackwood).

  • Indie

    when black midi comes to town

    Always a treat to come across multi-talented new bands. black midi are young UK guys in their late teens / early 20’s who sound years ahead of their time. I bought this record after hearing “John L.” once and simply looking at this awesome album cover. Lots to discover here. Lots going on.

    “John L” is the first song on this cool KEXP At Home performance.

  • Country

    Jaime Wyatt’s Misery & Gin

    If you haven’t checked out Amoeba Records’ long running “What’s in my Bag?” series on YouTube, I recommend it. It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole watching different musicians point out their favorite records and films. The Shooter Jennings episode hipped me to Jamie Wyatt’s debut album ‘Felony Blues,’ which Shooter produced. I love it, especially her version of Merle Haggard’s “Misery & Gin” (written by Snuff Garrett and John Durrill) that closes the album. Jaime’s vocal performance, especially in those first two verses, just floors me.

    It’s perfection.

    https://www.jaimewyatt.com/