I don't know much about Wooden Wand. I've been told Wooden Wand is really a guy named James Jackson Toth, and Winter in Kentucky is taken from an album called Briarwood which came out in November on Fire Records. Fine funny lyrics, great organ sound, nice understated guitar, a hint of a Steve Wynn/Bob Dylan vibe...I just played it five times in a row, I'm stuck on it.
Nathan's Keri Latimer will be releasing an album called Crowsfeet and Greyskull on April 1, 2012. Here's a preview, Liquidation Sale. Lotsa layered vocals, pretty pop sounds with some Roches-like hints, looking forward to the rest. I saw her open a show by herself once long ago (Bob Mould? Robyn Hitchcock? Can't recall), I've been meaning to give her some attention since. Here it is.
I dunno about you, but I guessed that John K. Samson solo would mainly be in the folky singer-songwriter vein. Maybe not so much if the new song is indicative of the album - more straightforward than the roads The Weakerguys have been heading down, at least to my possibly gig-damaged ears. Album entitled Provincial out January 24, more info/ purchasing info here.
Track List: 01. Highway 1 East 02. Heart of the Continent 03. Cruise Night 04. Grace General 05. When I Write My Master's Thesis 06. Letter in Icelandic from the Ninette San 07. Longitudinal Centre 08. www.ipetitions.com/petition/rivertonrifle/ 09. The Last And 10. Stop Error 11. Highway 1 West 12. Taps Reversed
You know, you can leave a comment below, it's fine with me, and no one else cares.
I ignored Yuck for a while because I can't stand the band's name. This isn't the first time I've deliberately shied away from artists with terrible names (cough*Death Cab for Cutie*cough), but if the music is good enough, I'll get past it. Yuck's seemingly effortless stabs at 90's greats like Dinosaur Jr. or Ride eventually won me over. One of my favourite's of this year. I still don't like Soothe Me, though.
Caught this video of Winnipeg's Sons of York mining the Outsiders visual thing once more. Seems they recorded a few tunes in NY with Gus Van Go and Werner F. which are available on iTunes. I'm surprised some label hasn't snagged this band yet, but maybe those days are over. Hey, shouldn't Splendour in the Grass with this band be Splendour in the Grease?
Paul Kelly is one of the most amazing singer/songwriters ever hatched. Recently I was watching a documentary on Ron Sexsmith and many people were talking about how it was such a crime that he wasn't a superstar. In my opinion, Paul Kelly is another guy that should be revered much more than he has been to date. Kelly's been making exceptional music since the seventies, but I haven't heard anyone nominating him for sainthood. I'm doing that now. Let's start with a holiday song. It's not too late, you can still jump on this bandwagon.
Anyway, Mr. Kelly has recently releasedthe A-Z Recordings, an 8(!) cd set you may want to check out when you believe in his greatness like I do. You can buy that here.
I know John K. Samson and The Weakerthans have been showing a few sides of Winnipeg and Manitoba. Here's a completely different element of the town from Knuckleduster.
mp3s will be posted for a limited time and are for promotional purposes only. If you like it, buy the albums, go to the shows, buy the t-shirts - support the artist so they can keep on keepin' on. Artists - if you would like an mp3 or video removed, please contact me directly at chrisyakchart@hotmail.com.
If you've got something Scruffy should hear, same email. Snail mail is cool too.
Scruffy the Yak 34 Allenby Cres Winnipeg Mb R2C 3J4