Beware of Mr. Baker

Yes, he was a train wreck.  But he was a hellacious drummer and a real part of rock history.  See the trailer here:

Valerie June: Pushin' Against A Stone

She describes it as "organic moonshine roots music".  Whatever sort of blend of blues, gospel, country soul, bluegrass, folk and more it may be, I can't get enough at the moment.  Ranging from quaint to soothing to riveting only begins to describe the unique quality of June's sound.  Fine backing music on the album, too.    I first came upon June when she was featured on Me'Shell Ndegeocello's superb 2012 Nina Simone tribute album, and was mesmerized.

My only quibble is that, like 90% of modern fare -- excepting most jazz and classical -- the album is regrettably engineered to compress its dynamic range, coming up at an average of only DR7 on my meter.

Can't stop now:




Not yet, either:



Bring it on:



A little collaboration:


Some conversation:



Enough of this. Gotta get back to hearing the album right with the headphones and my main amp ...

20 Feet From Stardom

Put this one on your watch list or Netflix queue or however you keep track: 20 Feet From Stardom. This documentary about the essential but usually unheralded role of the backup singer has to be a must, if Terry Gross' Fresh Air interview show of June 12 is any indication. Gross interviews Merry Clayton who sang "rape, murder" on the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter, and also interviews producer Morgan Neville. Hear the whole thing here: http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/188384737/20-feet-from-the-spotlight-theres-singing-worthy-of-one.

Downloadable Norma

Bellini: Norma | Vincenzo Bellini par Cecilia Bartoli

Ray Manzarek Remembers, Remembered

Ray Manzarek died earlier this week.  As a founding member of the Doors, certainly one of the most memorable bands from that rock era, Manzarek was all about blues.  Here, alongside blues guitarist Roy Rogers, with whom he often partnered, Manzarek reminisces:



 Want more?



And even more from this pair:

Norma and Cecelia

Hate to get swept up in advertising, but here are the trailers for Cecelia Bartoli's forthcoming recording of Bellini's Norma.


Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

The Breeders and Last Splash

Remember The Breeders? This indie rock band, spun off from the fabled Pixies, has recently reunited for at least a concert or two. Here you can experience their acclaimed 1993 album, Last Splash, including the memorable "Cannonball":

Read full review of Last Splash (Original Edition) - THE BREEDERS on Boomkat.com ©