Philadelphian musician Greg Koons turned back the clock almost 35 years backwards and, without too many unnecessary innovations, he recorded an album in the best outlaw singer-songwriting traditions of Guy Clark and Gene Clark. 2009 was definitely the right time to return to these traditions as we begun to loose track of these great records. When you put this record on, you will find 11 modern songwriting masterpieces. At the same time, Koons’ backing band The Misbegotten will give a sharp rocking edge to his laments on heartbreaking loves, hookers and cities passed on the road. A picture of a US soldier who died in Vietnam is a dedication to the outlaw sentimentality and an anti-war cry at the same time. No misses on this one.
Tag Archives: Greg Koons
Flashlite #53
After four-week break, The Little Lighthouse is finally back. But not for long. In two weeks Radio SC is taking a summer break with re-runs, so this show will resume when they return in September. But let’s see what we have on today! Dinosaur Jr are back with a new album called Farm and it’s a good one! I must admit, I did not expect too much, since it seemed to me that their reunion was motivated by anything but pure artistic inspiration. I guess I was wrong. Greg Koons, who we praised for his great LA on TV song, finally has a debut record out. It’s called Welcome to the Nowhere Motel and it represents him as already developed singer-songwriter with a nice rock edge. Another songwriter, Willie Nile, who wrote some of the most engaging lyrics about New York City, is also back. The new album is called House of a Thousand Guitars. And then we have one more singer-songwriter, Ray Mason, the hardest working man in rock’n’roll who puts out at least two records per year, is back again with the new record Like Bugs Chewing on Paper and this time it’s a solo deal. Predrag Delibasic, multi-instrumentalist from Perth, Australia recently recorded a demo and a single, and it’s filled with very approachable, danceable but imaginative instrumentals, played on weird instruments. We end things up today with two live bootlegs that I’ve recorded in Pittsburgh using my mp3-player: Ed fROMOHIO and Grant Hart – two legendary SST musicians who need no introduction.
Clive Gregson & Christine Collister – As Lovers Do;
Scarce – Scorpion Tray;
Dinosaur Jr – Over It;
Dinosaur Jr – No Bones;
Cedars – For your information;
Elektricni Orgazam – Glave;
Predrag Delibasic – Leaves Falling on Lisbon;
Modern Lovers – Egyptian Reggae;
Greg Koons And The Misbegotten – Here She Comes;
Willie Nile – Run;
Willie Nile – Hide Your Love;
Ray Mason – They Don’t Make Records Like That Anymore;
Ray Mason – Sin Eater;
Lemonheads – I Just Can’t Take It Anymore;
Gram Parsons – I Just Can’t Take It Anymore;
Jack-O & The Tennessee Tearjerkers – Ditch Road;
The Moaners – Elizabeth Cotton’s Song;
Ed fROMOHIO Trio – In Memory of Elizabeth Cotton;
Grant Hart – I Knew All About You Since Then.
Flashlite #48
We have four new names in today’s show. Three represent straight forward garage rock. Elephant Bones are coming from my town, Cleveland. Their album Arms is a glamified deal with good lyrics and well informed with history of pop music. Bazooka Falcon are from New York, but sound more like they’re from Sweden. They have some of that rocking sound that we’ve heard from the Hellacopters and Hives. The third in the new line up is The Rain Bonnets, who I know very little about, but they sound like Iggy Pop with a good dose of humor. Greg Koons from Philadelphia also debuts at The Little Lighthouse. His song Los Angeles Looks Prettier on TV is a modern songwriting masterpiece. His tour-list is very extensive, so make sure if he’s visiting your town. Demon’s Claws from Montreal have a new 45 and we check it out today. And, finally – we have waited 30 years for their second lp, but only 5 for their fourth one – Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely – The Flatlanders are together again.
Bruce Springsteen – It’s Hard To Be A Saint In The City;
Jackie DeShannon – Movin’;
Rod Bernard – Recorded In England;
Bazooka Falcon – New Enemy;
Rain Bonnets – Your Space and Your Reaction;
Dan Auerbach – My Last Mistake;
Elephant Bones – Diaspora;
Demon’s Claws – Get Together;
Demon’s Claws – 9000 Feets;
Neil Young – Just Singing A Song;
Mama Rosin – Bon Temps Roulet;
Tarbox Ramblers – Last Month Of The Year;
Flatlanders – I Know You;
Flatlanders – There’s Never Been;
Flatlanders – Dallas;
Greg Koons – Los Angeles Looks Prettier On TV;
Guy Clark – LA Freeway.