Flashlite #451

Paul HamannPaul Hamann worked as the recording engineer at Suma Studios in Painesville, OH. The first time I saw his name was back in my old home town, when I was reading the liner notes to fIREHOSE album fROMOHIO. But, when I spoke to him about that record, it was just one of many that he did. His breakthrough happened with the first Pere Ubu album The Modern Dance. In the following years, Hamann recorded almost all Pere Ubu records and many of the essential Cleveland underground records: The Girls, Human Switchboard, Pagans, Pressler Morgan… Hamann had a way to capture raw power from almost any band that asked for his services. Part of it is an excellent set up at his Suma Studio, but also, his ear and unmistakable instinct to press the recording button at the right time. That was recognized by many of the Alive Records bands, who used his services. Black Keys made another huge mark on modern rock’n’roll and a large part of it was due to the spirit of Suma embodied in Paul Hamann. His departure is leaves a big void in the recording world. This episode of The Little Lighthouse is dedicated to his work.

fIREHOSE – Riddle of the Eighties
Pere Ubu – Non-alignment Pact
Pere Ubu – Modern Dance;
Pagans – Street Where Nobody Lives;
Pagans – Whats This Shit Called Love;
The Girls – Jeffrey I Hear You;
Human Switchboard – Prime Of My Life;
Pressler Morgan – You’re Gonna Watch Me;
15 60 75 – Here In The Life;
The Trees – Happy to See You;
fIREHOSE – In My Mind;
fIREHOSE – Time with You;
fIREHOSE – Some Things;
fIREHOSE – Understanding;
Brimstone Howl – Bad Seed;
The Black Keys – Strange Times;
Left Lane Cruiser – G Bob;
Mondo Drag – Fade Out (Into Space);
This Moment in Black History – Forest Whitaker;
The Safeties – No Fun;
Scarcity Of Tanks – Over And Done.

Flashlite #450

Grant HartWe lost Grant Hart about a week ago. Grant Hart was a man who lived his life with curiosity of a wide-eyed kid. His poetic and abstract way of writing stood as a counterpoint to the calculated and equally strong songwriting of Bob Mould in Husker Du. His post Du records gave him an opportunity to further explore history, demons and angels, future of man kind. And some records were simply disarmingly beautiful collections of songs. Grant Hart was unrepeatable. This collection is a mixture of odd stuff he has been creating throughout the years and some are rare live recordings too. Maybe this is the kind of obituary he would put for himself, or maybe not. It’s a selection of tunes that I just needed to put together.

Hüsker Dü – It’s Not Funny Anymore;
Hüsker Dü – Diane;
Hüsker Dü – Books About UFO’s (Live in CLE);
Hüsker Dü – What’s Going On (Live in CLE);
Grant Hart – Introduction;
Grant Hart – Diane;
Grant Hart – Don’t Want to Know If You Are Lonely;
Nova Mob – Children in the Streets;
Nova Mob – Ballad #19;
Nova Mob – No Promise Have I Made;
Grant Hart – Evergreen Memorial Drive;
Grant Hart – Flexible Flyer;
Arsenal – The Letter;
Grant Hart – Remains to Be Seen;
Grant Hart – I Will Never See My Home;
Grant Hart – I Am Death.

Flashlite #449

Hayley Thompson-KingWe of with two new interesting records form two ladies. Hayley Thompson-King kicks off with a surprising mixture of americana and europeana, and Lilly Hiatt who steadily provides great sounding records. Tall Juan is a new name from Queens, New York City, and in some ways, it does pay a tribute to the original pride of Queens, The Ramones. Lost Baloons come from Wisconsin and they had an excellent show in Cleveland, so we hear them in our live segment and we also check out their new album. Smog Veil record label mailed me a big box of records, and sifting through them, I picked The Prisoners and The Robert Besnick Band for this show. And, as an exclusive preview, we hear a brand new track from Cheese Borger and his Cleveland Steamers. Today’s show is dedicated to Holger Czukay of Can and Walter Becker of Steely Dan, to guys that indebted rock’n’roll in great, although very different ways. They died within two days from one another in early September.

Elope – Real Grim;
Hayley Thompson-King – Lot’s Wife;
Lilly Hiatt – Trinity Lane;
Lilly Hiatt – Jesus Would’ve Let Me Pick the Restaurant;
Part-Time Lover – Out Of My Control;
The Prisoners – Society’s Bitch;
Cheese Borger And The Cleveland Steamers – Maple Leaf Girl;
The Robert Bensick Band – AfterThe Ball;
City of Cool – Controlled;
Tall Juan – I Wish I Knew;
Lost Balloons – Not My Time;
Lost Balloons Live in CLE ;
Needles Pins – Pressure Points;
The Forty Nineteens – Another Day;
Minutemen – Dr. Wu;
Steely Dan – Peg;
Can – Outside my door;
Can – She Brings the Rain.

Flashlite #448

Ty SegallThis show starts with Paint Fumes from Charlotte, NC. Then we check out the new album by Ty Segall, done to support the American Civil Liberties Union. His friend over in California, Kelley Stoltz is also back with the new record. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard must be the busiest band in the world, along with Ty Segall. They already published their third album this year, and it’s a collaboration with another Australian band called Mild High Club. King Washington is a new trio from LA and Edgar Jones comes to us from UK. Andy Gabbard has a new record called Plenum Castle. Last week we heard David Nance with is take on the Beatles, and this week we hear his own epic tune called Ambulance.

Joe South – A Million Miles Away;
Paint Fumes – Brick Wall;
Ty Segall – Dust;
Ty Segall – Rusted Dust;
Jonly Bonly – Never Thought I’d Die;
Gorilla – Stay With Me;
Kelley Stoltz – Tranquilo;
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Tezeta;
Powerline Sneakers – Don’t Shit Me Now;
Dr. John – Ice Age;
Paul Kelly – Josephina;
King Washington – Nowhere’s Hard to Find;
Edgar Jones – La Cancion Del Dia Y De Noche;
Nicole Atkins – Darkness Falls So Quiet;
Love As Laughter – Coast to Coast;
The Yawpers – A Decision is Made;
Andy Gabbard – Black Fire Rainbows;
David Nance – Ambulance.