For The Sake Of Song

If this one doesn't remind you of vintage Lou Reed I don't know what will. From  Time The Teacher , the stately new album by former Black Swans frontman Jerry David DeCicca. Wrinkled and true indeed. Jerry David DeCicca - Grandma's Tattoo And speaking of the Black Swans, here�s a couple of fine tunes from way back when to remember them by. Cock-a-doodle-doo! The Black Swans - Rooster The Black Swans - Joe Tex

In search of the perfect party soundtrack? Look no further, my amigos da musica . Ernesto Chahoud, Lebanese digger and dj supreme, has just compiled it for you, and inna Ethiopian stylee at that. It's Taitu time! T�shom� Meteku - Hasabe

"Now you're stranded alone and the past is unknown and there is no easy way down..." Presenting a bottomless six pack for your lowdown listening pleasure. Deep art by Tinca . Easy now... Albert King - Down Don't Bother Me Fraser & Debolt - Don't Let Me Down Dusty Springfield - No Easy Way Down Billy Joe Shaver - Low Down Freedom John Martyn - Go Down Easy The United States Of America - Coming Down

Some days, an acoustic twelve string paired with a regular electric is all you need really. And had I gotten this instrumental debut by the duo of Jesse Sheppard and Drew Gardner just a teeny bit earlier, it would have made my end of year list for sure. A hypnotic American Primitive soundtrack to an imaginary Western, The Black River is available on the Debacle label. Elkhorn - Due West

Down here at FTSOTS headquarters we completely agree with Kris Kristofferson's maybe not very subtle but most definitely heartfelt motto: if you don't like Hank Williams, buddy, you can kiss my ass. Which is precisely why we present these honest homages to the Hillbilly Shakespeare this fine Monday. "We never met I know and yet I know you well my friend, and if ever I get to heaven on high I hope you'll shake my hand..." Amen to that. Kris Kristofferson - If You Don't Like Hank Williams Moe Bandy - Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life Jimmy Murphy - I Long To Hear Hank Sing The Blues Stoney Edwards - Hank And Lefty Raised My Country Soul Freddie Hart - Hank Williams' Guitar Tim Hardin - Tribute To Hank Williams Mark Chesnutt & George Jones - Talking To Hank Waylon Jennings - Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way Johnny Cash - The Night Hank Williams Came To Town Ry Cooder - Hank Williams

Worshipping at the altar of electric Miles, Albert Ayler, and the Sun City Girls, the Sunwatchers take no prisoners on their dense second outing, cleverly called II . Easy listening is obviously not very high up their list, but don't let this drive you away. Give 'em some time and you might be rewarded for stamina. Oh, and one wouldn't want to miss these New Yorkers covering Dylan and the Meat Puppets on an inspired Lagniappe Session over at Aquarium Drunkard either. Stand in solidarity, folks! Sunwatchers - Silent Boogie

Huelva province's finest flamenco singer just might be Francisco Jos� Arc�ngel Ramos, the none-gypsy better known as just Arc�ngel. Here he digs deep  por sole� . "Erase my name from your lips and don't call me..." Arc�ngel - Llego La Hora

Hey now, new Dave's Picks alert! Hot on the heels of late last year's wonderful Volume 24 , which presented a truly cooking Berkeley show from '72, here's Binghamton '77. It was the last show of the year the two sevens clashed for Jerry and co, but there's lots of energy here, not to mention a setlist to die for. Maybe not up there with the famous Cornell gig from the spring, but definitely worth your precious time. Grateful Dead - Jack Straw (Live Binghamton '77)

All hopped up to see Colter Wall on stage in Barcelona's Sala Rocksound tonight. Here's hoping the young Canadian with the mighty voice plays this beauty. Colter Wall - Thirteen Silver Dollars

Virgil, that famous Roman poet of old, is on record to have proclaimed that 'woman is ever a fickle and changeable thing'. Be that as it may, here's a pair of lovely recent tunes by two strong and talented women. Semper femina indeed. Let Laura Marling bowl you over first with the price track of her last album, and listen to Joan Shelley's mouthwatering take on an old chestnut next. I'm sure Nick Drake, and maybe even ole Virgil himself, would have been proud. Laura Marling - The Valley Joan Shelley - Time Has Told Me

Worth it for the cover alone:  Eghass Malan , the first studio outing by Les Filles De Illighadad. The music, an electric take on that stark and hypnotic desert blues called tende , ain't half bad either. From the heart of Niger, and straight from the heart. Find a copy on the hot  Sahel Sounds label, and go see them on tour in France and Spain. I know I will. Les Filles De Illighadad - Eghass Malan

Just got the sad news that Dennis Edwards has passed away. The lead singer of the Temptations during their amazing psychedelic soul phase was 74. Miss him. The Temptations - Psychedelic Shack

"Pay close attention to my story, you'll find every word is true..." Presenting an eyecatching six pack for your listening pleasure. Blinding artwork as usual by Tinca . Stop, look, and listen, my amigos da musica ... Traveling Echoes - Looking For A Better Place To Live Nightriders - Lookin' For My Baby The Soul Stirrers - Looking Back The Spiders - Inside Looking Out The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Look Over Yonders Wall The Temptations - Take A Look Around