While at home, I picked up a few things. First – my issues of Songlines magazine. Two were waiting for me, which meant two discs of new, world music. There were even two of the Duplex Planet’s spoken words CDs for me to upload, including the new “Cherry Picking Apple Blossom Time” (thanks David). I also found another Supperclub compilation in the Amsterdam airport. These two-disc sets of ‘club’ music rank right up there with the Café del Mar collections as excellent chill-out soundtracks.

Then – some new things:

Miles Davis – “Round Midnight” This is a two disc set that I managed to miss before. It was hiding in the stacks. I beg forgiveness.
Bat For Lashes – “Two Suns” That is the pseudonym for British songwriter/musician Natasha Khan. I have seen the name around a lot, but never heard or read anything about her, so I jumped on the new album. Not bad. At the moment she is the indie-Diva de Jour and she hits that mark pretty well. On the record, you can hear the influences of Kate Bush (Glass), Tori Amos (Peace Of Mind), PJ Harvey (Sirens Song), Imogen Heap (Pearl’s Dream) and even Cat Power (Good Love). The most fun was a Brechtian number near the end of the record that’s sports backing vocals by *gasp* Scott Walker! Mind you – Bat For Lashes is worth hearing. But if she ever finds her own voice, then we might be in for something special.
Ian Hunter – “Shrunken Heads” Always had a soft spot for British pub rockers like Mr. Hunter. His 1980 album “Welcome To The Club” is one of the best live albums ever put on vinyl. This record came out in 2007 when he was 68(!!!) and it is easily one of the best of his fifty year career. Sure – his voice is a bit weaker. But Ian was never a crooner – more a growler and a shouter, so it works. And certainly, you have to miss his old axeman – the late Mick Ronson. But his band is super tight (augmented by the likes of Graham Maby, Soozie Tyrell and Jeff Tweedy!). His writing is spot on and carries his trademark sense of humor and cranky observations on the world. I mean – honestly – why hasn’t a young band tossed off a song as straight forward as Soul of America? From the opening track Words, everything here rocks as if Ian was still in his 30s… rocks harder then much younger men (like that Springsteen guy)! Grab a beer and listen to an old friend.
The Fireman – “Electric Arguments” Speaking of old guys…. This is the only Paul McCartney album I own. In fact, I stopped liking Paul decades ago. I think right after Silly Love Songs – which I still hate. However, the song of his that got dropped onto Nitin Sawhney’s album “London Underground” sounded really good. So when I happened upon this record, I listened to a 30 second snippet of the opening cut and realized it might not be your normal Sir Paul record. And it isn’t. The first tune – Nothing Too Much Just Out of Sight – is the best piece of swamp blues rock from a Beatle since Helter Skelter. From there we go… everywhere. Paul’s alter ego – along with producer Youth – recorded thirteen songs in thirteen days. You have a simple acoustic number, a gospel boogie, a mid-range rocker, an instrumental and a taste of just about everything else including a little techno (Lovers In A Dream). This is very much a modern rock record, mixing tape loops, atmospherics and world music instrumentation into the basics of each song. But these are still songs – complete, not meandering. It’s just that Sir Paul and his lyrics take a back seat to the music. It’s a very good record. I wonder if he’ll play any of this on his tour.

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