Almost every week we post a new list of new music and a few rarities thrown in for good measure. It’s basically what we’ve been listening to in a seven day cycle. This week was a good one! You know, I may just keep it up a little longer.
If you are looking for an album recommendation then I couldn’t gush any more about ‘Mercy’ the debut solo album from Natalie Bergman (Wild Belle) which came out on Third Man Records back in May. Check out the video and track ‘Talk To The Lord’ to feel the spirit and vibe.
The album was self-produced, performed and mixed in near-solitude, the twelve-song set takes a spellbinding step into Bergman’s singular world of sound, spirituality and the search for hope during tragic times. This weeks playlist opens with the track ‘You Make My World Go Round’ from the album. The track is a sensitively short and soulful statement and is just one of 12 equsquitse tracks on ‘Mercy’.
Check out ‘You Make My World Go Round’ below in the playlist. Remember it will change so follow the playlist and save these into your own mega playlist every week, cause when they’re gone, they’re gone! Oh and if you’re reading this after the the change the playlist below will not match this post!
After two months out of the fortnightly Subcity game, El Rancho is back with the full bhoona! 58 mins (I was daydreaming for two minutes and had to cut that out of the hour!) of brand new hits and a couple of undiscovered gems. When I say hits, I mean if El Rancho was a chart, these would be hits! All tracks are available on Bandcamp and come from great albums, new singles, EPs and unreleased new records!
One of those new records is John Andrews & The Yawns new record ‘Cookbook’ out on 14/05/21 via Woodsist. We’re big fans of John Andrews and Woodsist on the ranch (My arm even sports a Woodsist inspired all-seeing ‘eye’ tattoo found on many of the early releases). This new release has the familiar sound we’ve come to love, slightly wonky, unpolished and loose, yet full musicianship and songwriting that is so on point you just want more of it. Although ‘Cookbook’ was written off the back of 2017’s album ‘Bad Posture’, we’re only getting to hear how the songs sound in 2021. The past few years, you may have seen or heard Andrew’s playing alongside Hand Habits, Cut Worms or Woods or in his band Quilt – now that’s a lineup I’d happily hang out with! So you see how it might have taken a bit of time to get this one out.
The album starts with the first single, ‘New California Blue’ with Andrews on the piano in Rundgren fashion, easing us into another mellow record that keeps the feel throughout. Andrews’ singing is always hushed on ‘Try’, featured on this week’s show; he has a sort of 70’s Lennon-esque vibe with a slight cosmic country feel in and around it. The songs are delicate and soulful, with sweeping harmonies and tender melodies. Playful Honky-tonk piano, flutes, pedal steel and more make this record a delicious meal. Simple, honest and reflective lyrics fill Andrews’ songs, giving each track the feeling of sharing time with an old friend. There is an update of 60’s/70’s classics in ‘Cookbook’ that are welcoming and contemporary and should satisfy Neil Young and Joni Mitchell fans. The video for ‘River of Doubt’ (below) features Andrews’ unique moving animation, which can be found on the album’s cover. Some great photographs taken at home and on the road encapsulate the song and the homespun nature with which this artist portrays his music.
Make sure you work backwards if you’re new to John Andrews and check out the previous releases ‘Bad Posture‘ (2017) and ‘Bit By The Fang‘ (2015). These are all top quality tunesmithery that touches on all of the best shit – country, soul, R&B, bits of psych that possess a general warmth and groove that is completely endearing and engaging.
Pick up the new album ‘Cookbook’ below and check out this Brooklyn Vegan Interview for a run down of the influences on the album.
Check out the radio tracklist…
Dark Tea – Tears Down The Road John Andrews & The Yawns – Try Family Jordan – Stillness Lee Baggett – Fast Asleep Daniel Romano – Into A Rainbow Massage – Made of Moods Vinyl Williams – Beaming Shadow Force – Love You Know The Tubs – Two Person Love Sledgehammer – Inward & Abroad Henrik Appel – Outside Smirk – Violent Game Grave Flowers Bongo Band – Smile The Natvral – Sun Blisters Love Axe – Give Me A Kiss A Certain Ratio – Keep it Together The CUSP – Money
Our first extended two hour show was lots of fun down the Barra’s on Sunday. The sun was out and the traders were out and the vibe was very unlockdown. El Rancho bookending a guest mix from my musical comrade Christopher Haddow AKA Chad Yates, guitarist in Jacob Yates and the Lockpickers. Lot’s of Japanese surf and garage in the mix, jump to 37 mins for the mix…
The Rolling Stones – Rocks Bill Jerpe – Sittin’ Here Satisfied Willie Nelson – Bloody Merry Morning Doug Sahm – Groover’s paradise Kim Fowley – Barefoot Country Boy Clarence Carter – Slippin’ Around Shuggie Otis – Aht Uh Mi Hed Chad Yates Guest Mix (Starts 37 mins in) The Mops – The Letter The Spiders – Nati Bati Yi The Abstrak Sound – You’re Gonna Break My Heart Les Fleaux – Gloria Maria Elena & The Twilights – Temptation The Bermudas – Chu-Sen-Ling Dirty Beaches – True Blue Julee Cruise – Rockin Back Inside My Heart Mel Ball Quartet Featuring The Mercyaires – I Remember The Vibrants – The Breeze & I The Jaguars – Ritornerò in settembre Jackey Yoshikawa And His Blue Comets – Louie Louie The Rustics – Can’t Get You Out Of My Heart I Kings – asciati portare via Shin Joong Hyun & Park In Soo ? Maki Asakawa – Konna Funi Sugite Iku No Nara Haruomi Hosono – Boku Wa Chotto Cyril Scott – Lotus Land Two Pieces takeshi terauchi & blue jeans – Enchanted Sea Bob Weir – Black Throated Wind Doug Kershaw – Mama Said Yeah Rusty Kershaw – The Country Boy Blaze Foley – Big Cheeseburgers and Good French Fries Townes Van Zant – Who Do You Love? Bill Withers – Kissing My Love Neil Young – Walk On
I’ve put the El Rancho section on Mixcloud! Check it out below!
Join us next month for another installment of Sunday’s Spiritual Fantasy
But wait… they’re cookin’ up something and you know is going to be worth the wait…
photo credit: NeelamKhanVela
Remember these live scenes!? Oh I can’t wait till they are back on stage dazzling us with moves and music. Until then you’ll have to take comfort in knowing that LYLO are writing the follow up to their critically acclaimed ‘Post Era’ album. They spoke with DM’s read about it here: https://blog.drmartens.com/five-minutes-with-lylo/
elranchomusic.co.uk 