Ramsay Midwood :: Manchaca Eyeball (Live From Sam’s Town Point)

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I know I’ve mentioned this before, I but I love year-end album list time. I try to pay attention to as much music as I can throughout the year, but there’s always something I’ve missed. I love browsing other people’s lists and often find things I missed. But sometimes, I just wonder: “I wonder if Ramsay Midwood’s put out any music lately” only to discover that he put out a live album in January 2024.

I first came across Midwood about 25 years ago through the German label Glitterhouse. I ordered it from Germany after winning a silly bet with my wife. Years later, we spent our 10th wedding anniversary in Austin at Sam’s Town Point just to see him play life. We waited for like 2 hours while he ate burgers and drank beer before finally deciding to take the stage at around midnight. It was worth the wait! Even years later, we hosted him in our living room to pretty much no crowd while my friend Shawn sat in on harmonica.

All that to say, I’ve followed his music with great interest for many years. I’m even thanked in the liner notes of his radio performance release Undone, but that’s a different story.

ANYWAYS: Apparently Midwood released a live set of mostly unreleased material all the way back in January and I’m just now finding out about it. Manchaca Eyeball profiles Midwood in his natural habitat with long-time collaborator Jeff Johnston and others.

Watch the video for the lead track “Mystical Man of Sorrow”:

Preview the album here:

  • Purchase Manchaca Eyeball (Live From Sam’s Town Point) at Bandcamp

  • Follow Ramsay Midwood on Facebook.

  • Follow Ramsay Midwood on Twitter.

  • Purchase Midwood’s music at Amazon.

  • Browse all posts tagged “Ramsay Midwood”

Shakti NPR Tiny Desk Concert (2023)

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Here is Hussain reuniting with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin for their project Shakti at NPR’s Tiny Desk.

NPR’s Felix Contreras says:

“It's hard to get past the significance of this performance by the Indian jazz fusion band, Shakti. Initially formed in 1973 by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin with virtuoso traditional Indian musicians, the band opened the doors for others to expand their musical appreciation beyond Western music. 50 years later, as guitarist McLaughlin reunites with tabla player Zakir Hussain to take Shakti on another world tour, the group stopped by for a magically inspiring performance behind the Tiny Desk.”

Setlist:

  1. "Shrini's Dream"

  2. "Lotus Feet"

  3. "Bending the Rules"

Players:

  • John McLaughlin: guitar

  • Zakir Hussain: tabla

  • Selvaganesh Vinayakaram: kanjira, ghatam

  • Shankar Mahadevan: vocals

  • Ganesh Rajagopalan: violin

  • Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

  • Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

  • Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

  • Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

Diga Rhythm Band with Jerry Garcia at Golden Gate Park 5/30/75

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One of the many projects Hussain was involved in was the percussion ensemble Diga Rhythm Band alongside the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart. Here they are performing at Golden Gate Park 05/30/75 with Jerry Garcia sitting in.

This recording is audio only but it’s well worth your attention. Trust me.

Heads will find the last track of particular interest.

Enjoy.

Setlist:

  1. Sweet Sixteen

  2. Speech by Zakir Hussain

  3. Freeform

  4. Happiness Is Drumming (aka Fire On The Mountain)

  • Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

  • Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

  • Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

  • Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert (2010)

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As we continue to mourn Zakir Hussain, we also celebrate his life and legacy through the wonderful music he left us. Wildly innovative and a master of his craft Hussain often collaborated with unlikely partners, blending musical styles.

One of his better known cross-genre projects was with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. The trio stopped by the NPR studios for a Tiny Desk performance in 2010.

Setlist:

  1. "Bubbles"

  2. "Bahar"

  • Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

  • Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

  • Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

  • Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion (Live)

Continuing to celebrate the life and music of Zakir Hussain, here he is performing with “Masters of Percussion.” No information is provided for this performance (it was uploaded in 2013), but the recording is great. Enjoy.

  • Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

  • Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

  • Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

  • Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland Live as Crosscurrents

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Remembering Zakir Hussain, here he is with Dave Holland on bass, a jazz band including Chris Potter on saxophone, Bollywood vocal star Shankar Mahadevan, and Mumbai-based jazz guitarist Sanjay Divecha among others.

Setlist:

  1. "Radhe Rani"

  2. "Hope"

  3. "Shadows"

  4. "Rama Rama"

  5. "Doors"

  6. "Solace"

  7. "Finding The Light"

  8. "Encounter / Breathless"

  • Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

  • Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

  • Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

  • Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

Favorite Music :: 2024

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Some singles, some EPs and some full-length albums.

These have been 50 of my favorite releases of 2024. Selections are in alphabetical order because you can’t rank music.

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

  • Wood Blues by أحمد [Ahmed] // BC //

  • Ghosted II by Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andreas Werliin // AMZN // BC //

  • Bullets In The Chamber by Arrested Development // BC //

  • Tension by Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra // AMZN // BC //

  • This is Basic by Basic // AMZN // BC //

  • Across the River of Stars by Beachwood Sparks // AMZN // BC //

  • Live in Paris 1973 by Can // AMZN // BC //

  • Close Encounters of the Third World by Creation Rebel // AMZN // BC //

  • Songs of A Lost World by the Cure // AMZN //

  • Love Changes Everything by Dirty Three // AMZN // BC //

  • 100% Sahara Guitar by Etran De L'Aïr // AMZN // BC //

  • When I’m Called by Jake Xerxes Fussell // AMZN // BC //

  • Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons // AMZN //

  • Mahal by Glass Beams // AMZN // BC //

  • Goat by Goat // AMZN // BC //

  • No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead by Godspeed You! Black Emperor // AMZN // BC //

  • the Collective by Kim Gordon // AMZN // BC //

  • Blu Wav by Grandaddy // AMZN // BC //

  • Dead of Night by Maalem Houssam Guinia // BC //

  • the Handover by the Handover // AMZN // BC //

  • In Waves by Jamie xx // AMZN // BC //

  • Chain of Light by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party // AMZN // BC //

  • Diamond Jubilee by Cindy Lee // AMZN // BC //

  • Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman // AMZN // BC //

  • Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker // AMZN // BC //

  • Drop 7 by Little Simz

  • Two Improvisations by Joshua Massad & Dylan Aycock // AMZN // BC //

  • Locust Land by Bill MacKay // AMZN // BC //

  • Funeral For Justice by Mdou Moctar // AMZN // BC //

  • the Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis by The Messthetics // AMZN // BC //

  • Night Palace by Mount Eerie // AMZN // BC //

  • Walking After Dark by Mountain Movers // AMZN // BC //

  • David Nance & Mowed Sound by David Nance // AMZN // BC //

  • Bleed by the Necks // AMZN // BC //

  • The Way Out of Easy by Jeff Parker ETA IVtet // AMZN // BC //

  • Le Rêve de Polyphème by Polyphème // BC //

  • Deep Time by Prairiewolf // AMZN // BC //

  • Bite Down by Rosali // AMZN // BC //

  • Water Still Flows by Rich Ruth // AMZN // BC //

  • Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace by Shabaka // AMZN //

  • Exotic Birds of Prey by Shabazz Palaces // AMZN // BC //

  • Passage Du Desir by Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) // AMZN //

  • Time Is Glass by Six Organs of Admittance  // AMZN // BC //

  • Small Medium Large by SML // AMZN // BC //

  • Africa Yontii by Tidiane Thiam // AMZN // BC //

  • 5 by Trummors // AMZN // BC //

  • Tiger’s Blood by Waxahatchee // AMZN // BC //

  • In the Running 3 by Wet Tuna / DUNZA by Wet Tuna / DUNZA // BC //

  • Woodland by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings // AMZN // BC //

  • Acadia by Yasmin Williams // AMZN // BC //

The Smiths :: Live at Hacienda, Manchester :: 02/04/83

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The Smiths, live at Hacienda, 02/04/83. Watch the Smiths perform only their third live concert.

“We are the Smiths. We are not ‘Smiths,’ we are the Smiths.”

Setlist:

  1. These Things Take Time

  2. What Difference Does It Make?

  3. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

  4. Handsome Devil

  5. Jeanne

  6. Wonderful Woman

  7. Hand In Glove

  8. Miserable Lie

  • Visit the Smiths’ official website

  • Visit the Smiths’ official Youtube page for all the videos

  • Follow the Smiths at Facebook

  • Purchase the Smiths’ music at Amazon

  • Read Rolling Stone’s profile of the show

Danielson: a Family Movie (2006)

Life is super busy lately so I’m grateful when I have time to post much here lately. With that in mind, I just want to point your attention in a direction without personal comment. Mostly because I don’t have the time to write about this band the way that I’d like, so for now:

From the video’s Youtube page:

“Danielson: a Family Movie is a documentary about unbridled creativity vs. accessibility, Christian faith vs. popular culture, underground music vs. survival, and family vs. individuality. The film follows Daniel Smith, an eccentric musician and visual artist, as he leads his four siblings and best friend Chris to indie-rock stardom. Beginning in 1995 when the youngest band member was 11 years old, the Danielson Famile performs in white, vintage nurse costumes to symbolize the healing power of the Good News, a recurring subject matter. Though tepidly received by the Christian music world, the South Jersey farmland-bred clan is widely embraced by the mainstream independent music community, written about in Rolling Stone, Spin, the New York Times and elsewhere as an outsider curiosity backed up by innovative, experimental music.

But as with other family acts, members of the band begin to seek out their own paths as they go through school and Daniel eventually faces the struggle to become viable as a solo act. Along the way he mentors an unknown singer-songwriter named Sufjan Stevens whose own subsequent success stands in stark contrast to the music world’s uneasy reception of Danielson just a few years prior.”

Credits:

Collage, observations, animation and memorable performances all contribute to this thoughtful and thought-provoking spectacle.

Produced, Directed, Filmed, Edited by JL Aronson Running time: 105 min World Premiere: SXSW Film Festival 2006 Cameos: Steve Albini, David Garland, Daniel Johnston, Rick Moody

FOR MORE ON DANIELSON: http://www.soundsfamilyre.com/artists...

FOR MORE ON THE FILM: https://danielsonmovie.wordpress.com/

COPYRIGHT 2006 - Creative Arson Productions”

  • Visit the Soundsfamilyre website

  • Visit the Danielson profile page at Soundsfamilyre

  • Purchase Danielson music at Amazon

  • Follow Danielson at Facebook

Tidiane Thiam :: Africa Yontii

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Not everyone in my life gets my many musical obsessions.

I grew up in Phoenix, which means that I didn’t have a whole lot of cultural options, but Bob Corritore and the Blues was always a constant in my life. I remember sometimes thinking: “How can this guy play five hours of Blues every week and not get tired of it?”

Years ago, I also knew someone that hosted a regular Reggae radio show that was 3-hours each week and I remember thinking: “How can this guy play five hours of Blues every week and not get tired of it?”

And here I am having professed my love for Tuareg guitar music and music from the Sahel region in general recommending yet another album. I could easily play five ours of Tuareg music, and no, it’s doesn’t all sound the same. In addition to the newest album album by Etran De L'Aïr :: 100% Sahara Guitar, the fabulous Sahel Sounds label recently put out the newest album from Tidiane Thiam :: Africa Yontii.

This one is laid-back.

Relaxing.

Meditative yet driving.

Exquisite interplay. With overlapping melodies.

Enjoy.

Watch “Yewende”:

Etran De L'Aïr - 100% Sahara Guitar Gets The Video Treatment

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By now you’re familiar with my love of Tuareg guitar music and music from the Sahel region in general. One of my favorite labels, Sahel Sounds, is releasing the newest album by one of my favorite acts, Etran De L'Aïr.

Entitled 100% Sahara Guitar, the album will be out next month. To celebrate, the band has released a video for one of their live staples, “Imouha.” Filmed on a green screen at Vancouver BC's Shoreline Studios Vancouver BC by Christopher Kirkley with additional footage courtesy of Abdou Hamani (Discothèque Ambiance de Tchiro), the song is a great teaser for the full album.

Enjoy.

  • Purchase 100% Sahara Guitar, Etran De L'Aïr at Bandcamp

  • Visit Etran De L'Aïr’s artist page at the Sahel Sounds website

  • Follow Sahel Sounds at Facebook

  • Follow Sahel Sounds at Twitter

  • Follow Sahel Sounds at Youtube

  • Support Sahel Sounds at Bandcamp

  • Browse “Sahel Sounds” at Amazon

Phish :: NPR Tiny Desk

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If you’ve ever visited this music blog, chances are that you’ve already watched this. Watch it again.

Phish recently stopped by NPR’s Tiny Desk for a 35-minute, 5-song set.

You enjoy myself . . .

Setlist:

  1. “Sigma Oasis”

  2. “Evolve”

  3. “You Enjoy Myself”

  4. “Sample in a Jar”

  5. “Chalk Dust Torture”

2024 Favorite Music (So Far)

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Here are my favorite 20 releases of 2024 so far.

  • Ghosted II by Oren Ambarchi / Johan Berthling / Andreas Werliin

  • Live in Paris 1973 by Can

  • Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons

  • the Collective by Kim Gordon

  • Blu Wav by Grandaddy

  • the Handover by the Handover

  • Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker

  • Drop 7 by Little Simz

  • Two Improvisations by Joshua Massad & Dylan Aycock

  • Locust Land by Bill MacKay

  • Funeral For Justice by Mdou Moctar

  • the Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis by The Messthetics

  • David Nance & Mowed Sound by David Nance

  • Bite Down by Rosali

  • Water Still Flows by Rich Ruth

  • Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace by Shabaka

  • Exotic Birds of Prey by Shabazz Palaces

  • Time Is Glass by Six Organs of Admittance

  • Africa Yontii by Tidiane Thiam

  • Tiger’s Blood by Waxahatchee

Heron Oblivion Live at WFMU (2016)

Continuing to mine te WFMU Monty Hall archives, we come across Heron Oblivion from 2016. From the show’s Youtube page:

“First displayed on their 2016 debut LP released on Sub Pop, this Bay Area group has forged a unique alchemy between elements of dreamy psychedelic folk and meltdown electric guitar freakery. Their lineup includes singer/drummer Meg Baird of Espers/Watery Love, guitarist Charlie Saufly of Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, guitarist Noel Von Harmonson, and bassist Ethan Miller of the late great Comets on Fire who recorded two blowout sessions on WFMU in the mid 2000's.”

The Deets and Setlist:

Recorded at WFMU's Monty Hall in Jersey City, NJ on May 26, 2016.

  1. Beneath Fields

  2. Oriar

  3. Sudden Lament

  4. Your Hollows

  5. Faro

  6. Rama

  • Support Heron Oblivion at Bandcamp

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  • Follow Heron Oblivion at Twitter

  • Purchase Heron Oblivion music at Amazon

Group Doueh Live at WFMU (2017)

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Continuing to explore the WFMU Monty Hall archives, here is Group Doueh Live at WFMU (2017).

From the show’s Youtube page:

“One of the most blasted psychedelic Western Saharan combos to hit American shores. Founded in the 1980's, headmaster and guitarist Doueh's raw distorted electric guitar stylings juxtapose western elements of Hendrix and James Brown with the poetry of Hassania language in Saharawi folk tradition, all centered around a big band environment that includes two vocalists. "Unhinged virtuosity" is a common phrase attributed to the sound of Group Doueh, truly a spectacle to behold, and thanks to some high profile releases on the Sublime Frequencies imprint, the band's audience has grown greatly. This gig, presented by Brian Turner's program, also featureed NYC's excellent 75 Dollar Bill supporting. Severe thanks to Doueh, Scott Konzelmann and Glenn Luttman for the mix, Ruth Polduk, Todd Abramson, Bridget Murray for cam work.”

Now if that 75 Dollar Bill set could just see the light of day . . .

Recorded at WFMU's Monty Hall in Jersey City, NJ on October 7, 2017.

  • Visit Group Doueh’s profile at Sublime Frequencies

  • Visit WFMU’s Youtube page

  • Browse Group Doueh’s music at Amazon

Kikagaku Moyo Live at WFMU (2019)

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WFMU recently announced the opening of their vaults and began sharing videos from their Monty Hall archives. So guess what we’ll be featuring more of lately!?

From the show’s Youtube page:

“Japanese psych band Kikagaku Moyo played at WFMU's Monty Hall in 2019, following the release of their album Masana Temples on the Guruguru Brain label in 2018. The powerhouse group announced their final tour in 2022 and are on an indefinite hiatus.

Recorded at WFMU's Monty Hall in Jersey City, NJ on June 27, 2019.”

The Deets and Setlist:

Recorded at WFMU's Monty Hall in Jersey City, NJ on June 27, 2019.

  1. Green Sugar

  2. Nazo Nazo

  3. Kogarashi

  4. Tree Smoke

  5. Fluffy Kosmich

  6. Entrance

  7. Dripping Sun

  8. Gatherings

  9. Streets of Calcutta (Ananda Shankar cover)

  • Visit the group's official website

  • Follow the group on Facebook

  • Follow the group on Twitter

  • Purchase the group's music at Bandcamp

  • Purchase the album at Amazon

  • Visit WFMU’s Youtube page

  • Browse other Holiday at the Sea Kikagaku Moyo posts

Sylvan Esso Live at NPR's Tiny Desk (2015)

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Sylvan Esso perform at NPR’s Tiny Desk (2015)

Setlist:

  • "Coffee"

  • "H.S.K.T."

  • "Come Down"

  • Visit the official Sylvan Esso website

  • Follow Sylvan Esso at Twitter

  • Follow Sylvan Esso at Facebook

  • Purchase Sylvan Esso’s music at Amazon

Saturday Sessions :: Billy Strings and Chris Thile :: CBS Saturday Sessions (2024)

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By now I’m sure you’ve seen the videos of Billy Strings and Chris Thile for CBS’ Saturday Sessions. That’s OK. You can watch them again and again and still be amazed by the interplay between these two master musicians. The duo performed three songs (I don’t know the order they originally appeared):

  1. "I've Been All Around This World,”

  2. "I Am A Pilgrim,”

  3. "Wild Bill Jones.”

Enjoy.

  • Visit Chris Thile’s website

  • Visit the Billy Strings website

  • Follow Chris Thile at Facebook

  • Follow Billy Strings at Facebook

  • Follow Chris Thile at Twitter

  • Follow Billy Strings at Twitter

  • Purchase Chris Thile’s music at Amazon

  • Purchase Billy Strings’ music at Amazon

Meat Puppets Live at WFMU (2019)

This week we continue to explore the WFMU live Monty Hall vaults and this time we recognize AZ roots even though the Meat Puppets no longer claim this desert as home. From the show’s Youtube page:

“Originally consisting of vocalist and guitarist Curt Kirkwood, vocalist and bassist Cris Kirkwood, and drummer Derrick Bostrom, the Meat Puppets are one of the most compelling, original and enduring bands in rock history. The trio was joined by Curt's son Elmo and keyboardist Ron Stabinsky when they played WFMU's Monty Hall on May 18, 2019.”

Setlist:

  1. Comin' Down

  2. Warranty

  3. Sam

  4. Oh, Me

  5. Dusty Notes

  6. Unfrozen Memory

  7. Seal Whales

  8. Flaming Heart

  9. Movin On

  10. Sea of Heartbreak

  11. The Great Awakening

  12. Up on the Sun

  13. Outflow

  14. Nine Pins

  15. Lost

  16. Plateau

  17. Lake of Fire

  18. Backwater

  • Visit the Meat Puppets’ official website

  • Follow Meat Puppets on Facebook

  • Follow Meat Puppets at Tumblr

  • Purchase the band’s music at Amazon

  • Visit WFMU’s Youtube page

  • Browse other Holiday at the Sea Meat Puppets posts

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Live At KEXP (2017)

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KEXP presents King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded October 11, 2017.

Setlist:

  • Welcome to an Altered Future

  • Digital Black

  • Han-Tyumi The Confused Cyborg

  • The Lord of Lightning

  • Altered Beast I

  • Alter Me I

  • Altered Beast II

  • Alter Me II

  • Altered Beast III

  • Alter Me III

  • Altered Beast IV

  • Visit King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s website

  • Follow King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard on Twitter

  • Visit King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at Facebook

  • Support King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at Bandcamp

  • Purchase King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s music at Amazon