Posts tagged "obscura"


Posted by whitneymcn March 17, 2009
Posted to obscura 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
55 plays so far

Death - Freakin’ Out

Since Death was written up in the NY Times this may now (happily) be a stretch for an “obscura” post, but it’s great music and a great story: three brothers formed the band Death in the post-MC5 Detroit of the mid-1970s, almost-but-not-quite got a record contract, and then split up and went on to other things. Their total output was a lone self-released 7” single.

Thirty years later: one of their kids heard that single (which had become a cult collector’s item as very early punk), his dad dug out some of Death’s old demo tapes [packrats FTW!], the kid mentioned the demo tapes online which got the attention of a record collector with connections to Drag City…and then, 30 years after they broke up, Death’s album was released.

In an alternate universe these guys could and should have been sharing bills with the Stooges and the Voidoids. Listen.

Posted by pootytang March 10, 2009
Posted to obscura 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
34 plays so far

3 Simmons - You Are my Dream (School Time)

This isn’t a particularly timely track, but as I hear it for the first time I feel a strong complusion to spread the joy.  This is just a feel great track, and I’ll place a bet that it makes you smile.  I just looped and I’m loving it even more the 2nd time.

From Numero Group’s “Home Schooled”:

Home Schooled, the 16th record in Numero’s library of the lost, looks at the unknown side of the early 70s kid soul revolution. Beyond the Osmonds, the Five Stairsteps, and the Brighter Side of Darkness lay hundreds of aspiring children (or parents) bent on becoming the next Michael. Numero has selected seventeen of our favorites. A detailed and photo stuffed booklet breaks down the history of the phenomena, while the disc straddles the line between historical artifact and wild mix tape.

Posted by whitneymcn October 28, 2008
Posted to most memorable  obscura 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
34 plays so far

Gavin Bryars - Incipit Vita Nova (David James, countertenor)

Another Portland story, circa 1995:

For the last three years we lived in Portland, my wife and I lived in the top floor of this [image above] former church; the six foot arched window you see was in our living room. One Halloween the whole building decided to have a party.

It was a good party, ranging from quiet discussions to the Israeli guy who threw a pumpkin out of our window because his friend insisted that “you haven’t experienced the USA until you’ve thrown a pumpkin out of a second-floor window.” [Note: the argument seemed persuasive at the time.]

It came to a close in the morning hours of November first, with a dozen or so people sitting around, drinking coffee and watching the sunrise through that big arched window. Some wise soul put in this Gavin Bryars CD and fixed that moment in my memory.

Posted by newspeedwayboogie October 16, 2008
Posted to obscura 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
61 plays so far

Boutaiba S’ghir - Dayha Oulabes (I’ll Marry Her Whether They Like It or Not)

Insane, frantic, awesome 1970s Rai Music from Algeria from the equally insane Sublime Frequencies label.

Posted by pootytang October 10, 2008
Posted to obscura  on second thought 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
28 plays so far

The Psychic Paramount - Echoh Air

Admittedly this is just a huge guitar solo with lots of distortion and a killer rhythm section, but it rocks.  hard.  relentlessly.  beautifully.

The first time I listened to this album I thought the simplicity of the concept was a flaw.  I have come to think the opposite.  Who can’t use some heavily distorted rocking guitar solos every now and again?

Posted by pootytang September 26, 2008
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
51 plays so far

Michael Hurley - Sweedeedee

Perhaps you have heard the Cat Power version of this song.  She nails it, without a doubt, and it was through Cat Power (who also covers Hurley’s ‘Werewolf song’ and ‘troubled waters’) that I discovered Michael Hurley.

As far as which version is better, I tend to go back and forth.  Recently I have favored this one.  Both versions remove me from wherever I am (subway, work, bus, earth) and take me to a somber Greenwich Village apartment where two down on their luck lovers are doing their best to get by.

If you enjoy this track, I would check out his most recent release, The Ancestral Swamp, on Devendra Banhart’s Gnomonsong label.

Posted by pootytang September 19, 2008
Posted to obscura  obsession 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
39 plays so far

Howe Gelb - Wayfaring Stranger

More Howe

This time for covers friday - Here we find Mr. Gelb performing a solo rendition of the spritiual wayfaring stranger.  Maybe doing a traditional tune isn’t a cover per se, but there is a surprise in the middle that I think adds to it’s cover cred.

You may ask, how does he switch from guitar to piano so quickly??  Well, frankly I don’t know.  I’m sure there’s a youtube video that makes it clear, and if I find one later tonight I’ll post it, but rest assured - Howe is playing both the guitar and the piano on this track.

Enjoy!

(meant to post this to my personal tumblr - ooops)

Posted by pootytang September 9, 2008
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
60 plays so far

Robert Wyatt - Heaps of Sheeps

(from 1997’s Shleep)

I have wanted to post this song since this blog started, and so here it is.  I think it sets a records for fitting the most themes simultaneously :)

1. The first song (openers) on Robert Wyatt’s Shleep.

2. While having a bouncy Bo Diddly like beat, it recalls a night of insomnia when perhaps the most innocent behavior (counting sheep) takes a nightmarish turn. (sheep’s clothing)

3. It has the word sheep in it’s title, making it a theme pun.

4. It was the first Wyatt song I heard, while browsing other music spending the gift vertificate my brother got me for my birthday (Thanks Matt!), and I was instantly hooked (most memorable).

5. Much to my dismay, Robert Wyatt isn’t exactly popular. (obscura)

Enjoy!

Posted by newspeedwayboogie August 22, 2008
Posted to obscura 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
15 plays so far

The Chaparall Electric Sound Inc - Hallucination

Random German psych band from the 60s, excellent artifact from the time, electrified guitars and bass ensure only one decade could produce music like this.

Posted by newspeedwayboogie August 13, 2008
Posted to obscura 
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
40 plays so far

The Silos, I’m Over You

For a period in the early 90s The Silos were the greatest band in the world.  A bar band that played all over NYC, alt-country before there was that genre.  We saw them play dozens of times, this song remains one of my favorites, great closing jam, and of course:

Today I’m gonna be
Driving down highway 441
With the windows down
Beer in one hand, the radio blasting
My old needs I won’t recognize
‘Cause I’m over you

Page 1 of 3