|
Basement Discs Recommend...
| MOSE
ALLISON - 'The Way of the World' |
 |
Produced
by the inimitable JOE HENRY, this marks Mose's
return to the recording studio after a 12 yr. absence.
As is usual, Joe has brought out the very best in his
"subject", with Mose playing & writing with
a new looseness, a playfulness & verve that belies
his years, with a canny blend of easy swing & lyrical
incision.
A welcome return from this iconic artist! |
| SHARON
JONES - 'I Learned the Hard Way' |
| As with
her previous 3 albums, this record drips with a warmth
& spontaneity rarely found since the golden days of
Muscle Shoals & Stax. Sharon's raw power, rhythmic
swagger, soulfulness & melodic command set her right
up there with the best. |
 |
| DRIVE
BY TRUCKERS - 'The Big To-Do' |
 |
Newly
signed to ATO Records, the Truckers deliver their
10th album in their 13 yr. career. According to leader,
Patterson Hood, this new one is "very melodic &
more rockin' than anything they've done since Disc 2 of
Southern Rock Opera". |
| JASON
ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT - 'Self Titled' |
 |
Killer
new album from the former DRIVE BY TRUCKERS singer/songwriter/guitarist.
Touring Australia for the first time in April supporting
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE along with playing headline
shows around the Country & BYRON BLUESFEST.
Jason's album is a mix of rock, country & soul...great
stuff! Oz release feat. 4 bonus tracks. |
| LIVE
AT KNEBWORTH - V/A (2CD) |
| Held
in the grounds of Knebworth House on 30/6/1990 this concert
was staged to raise funds for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy
& the Brit School for Perf. Arts & was subsequently
hailed as "the best British rock concert of all time".
The amazing line-up includ. CLAPTON, PINK FLOYD, PAUL
McCARTNEY, GENESIS & PHIL COLLINS, ROBERT PLANT, DIRE
STRAITS, etc.etc. & all artists performed for
free in order to support the charity. |
 |
| This
20th anniv. re-issue will continue to raise funds so that
this charity can continue their invaluable work. |
| VARIOUS
ARTISTS - 'We Are Only Riders - The Jeffrey Lee Pierce
Sessions Project' |
|
A
collection of songs that were left unrecorded by the late
singer/songwriter of US punk-blues-psychobilly band The
Gun Club, rediscovered and reworked by a cast of artists
that were all influenced by his music. Nick Cave, Debbie
Harry and Mark Lanegan among others bring together their
unique styles to pay a moving and moody tribute to a real
original. |
| GOD |
 |
Finally,
a CD release of just about everything recorded by Melbourne's
"Legendary 80's Smutty Teen Rockers". Their
two albums "Rock Is Hell" and "For Lovers
Only" are included here, as well as their last ever
live performance, a blistering set from the Central Club
in 1989. An essential piece of Aussie underground rock,
and proof that there was much more to this band than the
anthemic single "My Pal". |
| EDDY
CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING - 'Rush To Relax' |
 |
With
their third album, the rising stars of Melbourne's garage
scene continue along their less-is-more line to bring
us "Rush To Relax", recorded in one session
at a local rehearsal studio. Eddy Current Suppression
Ring's strength lies in their knack of sounding their
most exciting and vital when there's not too much thought
(or rehearsal) put into things. 2-chord bliss! |
| MISTA
SAVONA - 'Warn The Nation' |
 |
Melbourne's
Mista Savona returns with a dazzling new dancehall and
reggae release. Warn The Nation is a collaboration
between Australian musicians and Jamaican vocalists including
Capleton, Sizzla, Horace Andy, Prince Alla and the final
recording of The Godfather of Rocksteady, Alton Ellis.
This is a must have for any reggae/dancehall fan. |
| MICAH
P. HINSON - 'All Dressed Up And Smelling Of Strangers' |
 |
Texan
troubadour Michah P. Hinson surfaces with an all new double
album consisting entirely of covers. Disc One features
"quieter, calmer songs" from the likes of Bob
Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Frank Sinatra. Disc Two is "louder
and fuller" with tunes from Patsy Cline, Elvis and
Buddy Holly among others. This is gritty country-noir
delivered with a distinct Texan purr. |
| CHAD'S
TREE - 'Crossing Off The Miles' |
 |
For
the first time on CD, the collected recordings (and a
wealth of demos and live tracks) of Chad's Tree, the band
that introduced two of Australia's finest singers and
songwriters, Mark and Rob Snarski. Crossing Off The
Miles comes with a fantastic 32 page booklet filled
with rare photographs and reminisces from the voices that
went on to lead The Jackson Code and The Blackeyed Susans.
Fans of The Triffids, The Bad Seeds, Tom Waits and Tindersticks
should make room in their hearts for this long awaited
collection. |
 |
CRAZY
HEART - Orig. Soundtrack - V/A
The film stars JEFF BRIDGES (who also performs
5 of the s/track's songs) as a broken-down, hard-living
country music singer & MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL as
a journalist & saviour... the soundtrack is produced
by the
incredible T BONE BURNETT (amongst his many credits,
he produced the fab soundtracks for |
| O
BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? and WALK THE LINE)
& includes orig. material co-written & performed
with Ryan Bingham, Buddy Miller, Stephen Bruton &
Bob Neuwirth, along with a superb selection of tracks
by artists such as Lucinda, Townes, George Jones, Kitty
Wells, Buck Owens & The Louvin Bros...etc. Initial
release will include deluxe packaging & 6 extra tracks.
|
|
WOMADELAIDE
2010
Sounds of the Planet - V/A
The official compil. for this incredible Festival now
celebrating it's 18th year (Frid 5-Mon 8th March at
Botanic Park in Adelaide). Providing
a snapshot of the amazing diversity this Festival embraces,
the 14 artists feat. on this comp. take listeners through
a bold cross-section of genres,
|
 |
cultures,
nationalities & generations. If you've not been to
WOMADELAIDE...give this a listen & book your air-fares
& tickets NOW!!
It's an experience that will truly enrich your life...we
promise!!
**And yes, we have weekend tickets on sale again this
year. |
 |
BELA
FLECK, ZAKIE HUSSAIN & EDGAR MEYER - The Melody of
Rhythm
A unique
collaboration between banjo virtuoso BELA FLECK, legendary
composer & double bass master EDGAR MEYER, and arguably
the world's
greatest tabla player, ZAKIR HUSSAIN. Bela is to the banjo
what Ry is to guitar, in terms of the incredible interest
in collaboration with |
| musicians
from other cultural & genre backgrounds...with great
results! This is a riveting & unique album that mixes
elements of traditional Indian, classical & American
roots music into a very special "blend" indeed! |
|
THE UNTHANKS
'Here's
the Tender Coming'
Geordie
folk "inventors" Rachel Unthank & The
Winterset are back (now simply 'THE UNTHANKS') with
a revised line-up & brand new album. Forging links
between folk worlds old, new & other, their ability
to communicate what is essentially folk music steeped
in traditional style to contempory audiences, is in
no short part due
|
 |
| to
Rachel & Becky Unthank's incredible vocal harmonies
& supremely charming, funny & self-effacing stage
presence. Exquisite stuff! |
| JOHN
HIATT - 'The Open Road' |
 |
A
rockin', rollicking collection of songs inspired by the
ongoing experiences of "life on the road"...coming
from one of America's best
contemporary songwriters you can expect the usual high
standard of observation & story telling performed
with high energy & vigour - joined
by his regular touring band (Kenny Blevins on drums, Patrick
O'Hearn on bass & Doug Lancio on guitars)...it's another
"classic" in the making! |
| VAN
WALKER - 'Greetings From Penguin Tasmania' |
 |
We
loved his last offering "The Last Record Store",
and before the paint's had a chance to dry, Van is BACK
with a new bunch of songs. Recorded over 4 days (and,
according to Van, 8 flagons) in Tassie, this is a terrific
recording, where studio tricks and careful songwriting
never get in the way of spontanaeity and fun. |
| Van's
sense of humour and unique view of the world are at the
fore here. Get in quick, he's threatening to release another
album this year. |
| LOVE
- 'Love Lost' |
 |
Shelved
for nearly 40 years, these "lost" recordings
from the legendary psychedelic LA band Love are a revelation.
While the band splintered in the late 60's, frontman Arthur
Lee was still writing amazing songs. These songs jump
between solo acoustic numbers and fully-blown hard psychedelic
rock, with an obvious influence from Arthur Lee's recently
departed friend, Jimi Hendrix. Beautifully remastered
with great liner notes. |
| MIDLAKE
- 'The Courage Of Others' |
 |
With
their third full length album, Midlake have veered away
from the 70's-styled Americana that has been their signature
sound in the past, and headed more toward the direction
of British folk. for the most part the electric guitar
takes a backseat to acoustic guitar, flute, and shimmering
harmonies. The wistful lyrics and dreamy soundscapes will
appeal to fans of Fleet Foxes, Grandaddy or Grizzly Bear. |
| TINDERSTICKS
- 'Falling Down A Mountain' |
Melding
such diverse elements as spaghetti Western themes, symphonic
soul, lounge jazz and classic Gothic country, Tindersticks'
eighth album ranks with their very best work. With the
welcome return of early collaborator Terry Edwards on
trumpet, flugelhorn and saxophone; Falling Down A Mountain
is a collection with great appeal to appreciators of Lee
Hazelwood, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave.
|
 |
| The
jewel in the crown is arguably "Peanuts", a
duet featuring Canadian chanteuse Mary Margaret O'Hara. |
| JOHNNY
CASH - 'American VI: Ain't No Grave' |
The
sixth and final release in Rick Rubin's American Recording
series of Johnny Cash albums, Ain't No Grave features
inimitable interpretations of songs by the likes of Sheryl
Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Paxton Jack Rhodes and Bob
Nolan, as well as Cash's last recording of one of his
own compositions. A musical monument to one of the towering
artists of the Twentieth Century.
|
 |
| ERYKAH
BADU - 'New Amerykah, Part II: Return Of The Ankh' |
| More
dark funk from one of the world's most adventurous artists.
With production contributions from J Dilla and Madlib
amongst others, Return Of The Ankh is the sound of street
funk talkin' loud and saying somethin'. Now, how about
an Australian tour? |
 |
Download/View
Best of 2009 (pdf 108kb) |
