For The Sake Of Song

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan will always be the brightest star of the devotional music of the sufis called  qawwali . Fascinating to say the least. "Ali is the one who gives dignity to those who do not have anyone to protect their dignity... Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam

It's summer six pack time again, my amigos da musica , so get it together y'all. Fab art as always by Tinca . Right down here... Reverend Gary Davis - Let Us Get Together The Staple Singers - We've Got To Get Ourselves Together Tinga Stewart - Why Can't We Live Together Bright Engelberts & The B.E. Movement - Get Together The Up - Together Ron Wood - Act Together

Because you all need the blues according to Jessie Mae in your lives. Trust me, my amigos da musica . Jessie Mae Hemphill - Feelin' Good

Halfway in What A Long Strange Trip It's Been , Dennis McNally's absorbing and very extensive Grateful Dead biography, so high time to celebrate for a bit. Here's the Dead working in mysterious ways during an intense acoustic set at Harpur College back in 1970. Glorious gospel. Hey now! Grateful Dead - Cold Jordan (live '70)

It's one of 'em summers alright. Even the geraniums are wilting on the balcony, no matter how much water you give them. City definitely red hot, too hot... So how about a boiling, sweaty six pack for your listening pleasure, my amigos da musica ? Hot time artwork as usual by the mighty  Tinca . The Soul Lifters - Hot, Funky And Sweaty The Explosions - Stepping Hot The Samurai - Fresh Hot Breeze Of Summer Lee 'Scratch' Perry - City Too Hot Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band - Hot Head William Harris - Hot Time Blues

Johnny Darrell was one of the first ones to take on Willin' , Lowell George's immortal ode to the truck drivin' way of life. Did a good job, too. That silvery guitar? The great Clarence White of course. Johnny Darrell - Willin'

Ann Arbor rock monster Big Chief was destined for greatness. They had the heavy wahwah grunge down pat, the Motor City funk in their pockets. Swagger and jive in spades, and some fine fine songs, too. I saw 'em live once in Amsterdam's Milky Way, where they used part of the Kiss firework display after befriending the pyrotechnics guy of the arena rockers in a red light district dive the night before. Good times, good show. Alas, they broke up in the mid-nineties, utterly frustrated with the music biz. Shame that. Big Chief - Drive It Off Big Chief - One Born Every Minute (Doc's Theme) Big Chief - Fresh Vines Big Chief - Map Of Your Failure

Time for some true American primitive guitar, recently released. Once a student of legendary picker Robbie Basho, Richard Osborn wasn't able to play his instrument of choice for 15 years as he hurt his hand in two separate accidents. Here's proof he hasn't lost his touch. Richard Osborn - Still I Will Be Merry

Been awhile since we enjoyed a steaming six pack from the garage, so here goes. Fuzz guitars and tambourines, razor sharp organs and snotty vocals... What more could one possibly want? Sixties punk never goes outta style. We The People - In The Past Velvet Illusions - Velvet Illusions New Fugitives - That's Queer The Cryan' Shames - Ben Franklin's Almanac The Brogues - I Ain't No Miracle Worker Bohemian Vendetta - Enough

A progfolk gem from one of the rarest records ever. Perry Leopold self-released his Experiment In Metaphysics album in a run of 300 copies in 1970 and managed to give most of them away from a Philadelphia street corner. Sail into the night... Perry Leopold - The U.S.S. Commercial

The reincarnation of Nick Drake? Nah, but this young Windy City-based Brit in exile sure gets close sometimes. Tastefully arranged pastoral English folk with some seriously good picking in full-on Jansch/Renbourne mode. Enjoy the sounds of winter in high summer, my amigos da musica . James Elkington - Make It Up

Back in the days, it was quite a surprise to hear the ruthless Sheffield electro postpunks of Cabaret Voltaire covering L.A. sixties punkers the Seeds. But they sure did an original and refreshing job. The Seeds - No Escape Cabaret Voltaire - No Escape

Presenting three cool songs with a bovine signature for your listening pleasure. Don't ask why. Just is. The Suburbs - Cows Melvins - Cow Daniel Johnston - Walking The Cow