In today’s bluesy roots episode we check out the new music from the legendary Tav Falco, Cruzados, Cowbell, Tinsley Ellis and introduce Devils and Blues Against Youth – both from Italy. Across the Adriatic sea, we check out Mary May and Harp Explosion from Croatia.
Bill Janovitz – Mean Old;
Cruzados – She’s Automatic;
The Devils – Devils Whistle Don’t Sing;
John Mayall with Mike Campbell – Chills and Thrills;
Johnny Burnette – The Train Kept A Rollin’;
Tav Falco – Train Kept A Rollin;
Tav Falco – The House Of The Rising Sun;
Cowbell – Garage Flowers;
Cowbell – Tallulah;
Ilana Katz – Time To Go;
Mary May – Don’t Call Me Baby;
Harp Explosion – Streets;
Tarbox Ramblers – Million Miles From Nowhere;
Tinsley Ellis – Slow Train To Hell;
Blues Against Youth – Oblivion.
Every year around this time we look back. This year is again. We begin the new 2019 with a retrospective of best albums in last year. Next week I will present the lest top 12 albums last year. This week we focus on positions 25-12.
We reported earlier this year that Porcupine over in Minneapolis had recruited Greg Norton from Hüsker Dü as a bass player. Their new album is out and there’s a cover of a Hüsker Dü song Standing By The Sea among other really good originals. Tav Falco also has a new record out. Thalia Zedek is very productive this year. After an album with her new band E, there’s also a new one of her own. We introduce Dee Rangers from Sweden, Grip Weeds from New Jersey, Caddy from Norway and Warm Drag, a duet from Los Angeles. We pay a tribute to Tony Joe White who passed away on October 24th this year.
Today we have new music from the Australian band Chook Race and the spanking brand new tune from Tav Falco and his Panther Burns with Mike Watt on bass. We alco introduce Beware of Darkness from California, Apocalypse Blues Revue from Florida, Bob Hillman also from Cali and The Meredith Hunters from France. Safeties are in our Live in CLE block.
Tav Falco’s book on Memphis Ghosts Behind Sun: Splendour Enigma and Death begins as a story narrated by the city itself, continues with a detailed and informed description of the city’s rock scene and throughout it’s never clear if it’s the city itself telling the story, Tav Falco or his alter ego Eugene Baffle. That’s what Tav Falco really is – uncatchable non-stop art concept.
Unfortunately, today’s show dominates with a no less than five obituaries. We pay respects to Vlada Divljan, Andy Fraser (from Free), Sam Andrew (from Big Brother and The Holding Company), Michael Brown (from Left Banke) and Daevid Allen (from Gong).
We have some interesting reissues today. Tav Falco continues reissues of his opus with a second installment of Lore and Testament which compiles two EPs and one live concert in Vienna from 1986. Another reissue today is a 2cd set that compiles the music from the 80s rock band in Zagreb called Trobecove Krušne Peći. New stuff today is a new song from John Paul Keith, new debut album from The Connection, and the new record for Ty Segall. Tim Williams is back with his Summer Suns with a new record called Eulalie. The only truly new band today is The Torments from Cleveland, who we feature in our regular live in CLE segment.
Last week we introduced the list of 20 best LPs that we liked to listen to here at The Little Lighthouse. This week, we move on to the list of five best reissues and archival recordings that came out in or around 2012. The title goes to Tav Falco and a gorgeous reissue of Beyond the Magnolia Curtain with also included Blow Your Top EP and four pages of early history of the band. The whole list looks like this:
Today we say goodbye to Johnny Perez, who played drums in the early days of The Sir Douglas Quintet. We also play some very interesting reissues from many different heroes of this show. Tav Falco has reissued his debut album Beyond The Magnolia County recently, and the record cover includes a nice four sided description on the early history of the band from the insiders. Legendary first (and only) album by Memphis band Moloch also has a very nice high quality vinyl reissue. Beach Boys and Frank Zappa are reissuing their entire catalog and Velvet Underground’s debut from 1967 saw an extremely expanded 6 disc upgrade. Also there’s a new tribute to the same record, marking a nice 45 year anniversary. Other new stuff is Kurt Baker and his new record, as well as Austin’s Rosie Flores.
 Today we pay respect to Beastie Boy MCA and Flying Burrito Brother Chris Ethridge. We also have a new name at the show, a singer from Cardiff in England, Suzi Chunk. Another new name today is a Basque artist called Petti. He joined forces with the legendary Boston’s singer Barrence Whitfield and did a very nice record over in the Basque land, which still happens to be part of the Northern Spain. Naim Amor is back with a new album Dansons and Italian rockers Mojomatics are also here with a new record which the call You Are The Reason For My Troubles. The volume two of Jeffrey Lee Pierce’s tribute record is out and Tav Falco’s Panther Burns have a nice song on it.