Thursday, April 7, 2011

Song of the Day: Isaya Mwinamo - Lipa Kodi Ya City Council


Continuing a trend. I have no idea why there are pictures of the White House on this video btw.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Song of the Day: Scott Walker - Hero of the War


The worst thing about Governor Scott Walker is that he is tarnishing Scott Walker's good name.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Song of the Day: Marehamu George Mukabi - Bibi Mama Ngani Mzuri


This past weekend I'd been busy making music of my own, so my obsessive processing of new things stalled a bit. Fear not though because today is my day off and instead of going outside I'm just going to listen to some Nigerian High Life. Cool beans? This is off of the Lipa Kodi Ya City Council compilation from Mississippi Records.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Song if the Day: Sagor & Swing - In i Skogen


A little Sunday morning Swedish instrumental.

Song of the Day: Casa Forte - Edu Lobo




Last night it was incredibly warm and I walked around the Mission (where it was bizarrely deserted) listening to this. It was perfect. If you are a fan of tropicalia, or you know, good things, this is probably for you. You can download the whole album (which, again, is great) here courtesy of my favorite blog in the world.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Song of the Day: Abner Jay - Depression


Today I got this on vinyl, it was a good day.

Abner Jay is a pretty amazing guy, says wikipedia: Jay was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia. His father and grandfather were both slaves in Washington County, Georgia. His grandfather was also a banjo player and imparted a vast repertoire of old-time and folk songs to Abner. He started playing in medicine shows when he was 5. In 1932 he joined the Silas Green Minstrels and would later go on to lead the WMAZ Minstrels on Macon radio from 1946–56, before going solo. He spent many years travelling the American South and playing concerts from his “converted mobile home that opened up into a portable stage, complete with amplification and home furnishings”. These concerts, as evidenced in his recordings, were often equal parts spoken word (jokes, philosophical asides, rants) and music. Common instruments on his recordings include harmonica, drum kit, a six-string banjo (that Jay claimed was made in 1748), and the “bones”, which were chicken and cow bones that had been bleached in the sun and used to create percussion. Jay’s song repertoire included field songs, Pentecostal hymns and minstrel tunes. He once described himself as the “last working Southern black minstrel”. He also performed original material that was mostly secular, and subjects ranged from politics, relationships, war, the bible and depression. In later years he held a residency, playing shows and selling his LPs and cassette tapes at Tom Flynn's Plantation Restaurant in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Anthony Braxton, renowned American composer and philosopher, called Jay an "American Master"

Here is my favorite Jay album I have heard so far, Folk Song Stylist.