WHEELS ON FIRE

I’m a Johnny-come-lately as far as WHEELS ON FIRE is concerned. I first stumbled upon this band from Athens, Ohio when I saw their eponymous debut album listed in Herman Van Der Horst’s 2006 year end list in the Dutch music magazine OOR. Since Van Der Horst has turned me onto a lot of great albums during the last 20 years, I knew I had to check out this album. The next day, I found a copy of the said magazine in the public library with Van Der Horst’s review of the album and I immediately realized that I was in for a real treat. Read with me:

Let’s call it garage rock for convenience’s sake. The band itself - an illustrious five some formed around the brothers Mike and Matt Chaney from Athens, Ohio - hates sub labels like ‘alternative’ and ‘garage’. Wheels on Fire is a rock & roll band, got it?! On close inspection, they are totally right. The problem is that the term ‘rock & roll’ has become tarnished these days since everybody calls his band a rock & roll band. Wheels on Fire on the other hand, makes rock & roll with an urgency, a tension and the kind of necessity that is very hard to find among rock & roll bands these days. A kind of music where country, blues and sane insanity come together and where an unpretentious I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude merges with subtlety, devotion and inspiration. Briefly, a rock & roll band with soul, like they used to say for want of anything better. Eleven gritty and compelling gems not really produced but rather smashed into grooves in a flurry of excitement by Teddy Morgan. Chased by a manic Farfisa organ and a singer who possesses the same kind of intensity and desperation as Sky Saxon (The Seeds) or a very young Van Morrison (Them). Infinitely more significant and deeper than most of all those so-called ‘important’ releases by bands who disappear into oblivion after two weeks. Wheels on Fire makes you believe again in rock & roll and that’s why they are timeless.
(Herman Van Der Horst - Oor nr. 11 – December 2006)

Pretty convincing, huh? The great news is that Van Der Horst hit the nail right on the head: WHEELS ON FIRE is a band to cherish for the rest of your life! The bad news however, is that WHEELS ON FIRE doesn’t fit a category and consequently doesn’t get the recognition the band truly deserves: WHEELS ON FIRE is too punk for Americana-lovers and too Americana for punk rockers.


Early 2007, I got in touch with the band and arranged a show at the wonderful 4AD club in Diksmuide. The five some played a great set and all band members turned out to be very nice people. I told Mike Chaney, one of the two lead singers/guitar players in the band, that the organ often reminded me of Gene Moore’s haunting organ music in Herk Harvey’s cult classic 'Carnival Of Souls' and he admitted that this low-budget cult film from 1962 has been a big favorite of the band.

A couple of months later, I read on the band’s MySpace that their van got stolen, including all the equipment. I feared that this could mean the end for a band that still couldn’t reckon on a decent fan base but they struggled through and recorded another bunch of songs. They gave the demo to Jack Oblivian who passed it on to Bruce Watson of Fat Possum Records. Watson loved the songs and has just released WHEELS ON FIRE’s second album on his own Big Legal Mess Records label. It’s got an appropriate title: 'Get Famous!'


'Get Famous!' may not be the stellar killer album that their memorable debut was, but after repeated listening, I think it is a very worthy follow-up album to the band’s debut album. It’s more straightforward than 'Wheels On Fire', but it also features some killer songs like the Stones-style blues swagger of "Corkscrew Blues" or the wonderful "Two Time Loser" which could as well have been a Reigning Sound song.


I was able to book a last minute show at the Bar Mondial in Antwerp last week and again, they put on a great performance for way too few people. WHEELS ON FIRE no longer has a bass player but the overall sound doesn’t suffer from it: the wailing organ is still prominent and Mike & John’s blistering guitars and dual lead vocals do still sound heartfelt and inspiring. One of the highlights of the show was an amazing cover of The Compulsive Gamblers’ "Rock 'n' Roll Nurse".


In the near future, I hope to do an interview with this awe-inspiring band. In the meantime, I suggest you finally check out the band’s both albums! Here are 2 tracks from the new album:

Too Stubborn to Fold - WHEELS ON FIRE mp3

Corkscrew Blues - WHEELS ON FIRE mp3

UNSPOKEN (Fien Troch)

UNSPOKEN, the second feature by Belgian film maker Fien Troch received its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival last September. A month later, I attended the national premiere at the Ghent International Film Festival. At the time, I hadn’t seen her first feature from 2005 (Someone Else’s Happiness) but it had received positive feedback and I was curious about her new film because it featured Emmanuelle Devos, one of my favorite actresses today. UNSPOKEN turned out to be an intimate gem.

The film focuses on a couple’s inability to communicate, five years after the disappearance of their daughter. Next to its brilliant acting, UNSPOKEN’s visual language is mesmerizing. When I came out of the theatre, I absolutely wanted to see this film again. This week, UNSPOKEN is being released in Belgium and I would like to use the opportunity to urge all of you to check out this amazing movie.

Here’s an interview with UNSPOKEN’s very talented young director.

(original Dutch text free upon request)


One of the main assets of UNSPOKEN is the outstanding choice of the leading actress and the male lead. Did you write the script with Emmanuelle Devos (Grace) and Bruno Todeschini (Lucas) in mind? How did you get in touch with them?

When I started writing the script, I already had both in mind. It feels much comfortable when you can visualize a character, even if you run the risk that you never might work with them. It’s much easier to write a script with concrete images in mind.

I was able to send the script directly to Bruno through a friend of mine. He responded almost immediately and was very enthusiastic. We made an appointment and had a very relaxed & comfortable talk. He reassured me, especially because of his enthusiasm for the story and for my first feature Someone Else’s Happiness.

I contacted Emmanuelle Devos through her agent. It took a long time because usually your script ends up on top of a pile and you got to have luck if your script gets read at all. I think I waited almost 4 months, phoning and checking if they already read it every now and then. Ultimately, I received a phone call by her agent telling me that she had read it and that she was anxious to do it. I made an appointment with her in Paris. Again, it was a very relaxed talk and she too was enthusiastic about the script and about Someone Else’s Happiness.


You were pregnant while shooting UNSPOKEN. Did you feel emotionally more sensitive in comparison with the shooting of Someone Else’s Happiness? Did your pregnancy had an impact on UNSPOKEN?

I am almost certain that my pregnancy affected my film very little. During my pregnancy, I was very dynamic and didn’t have changing moods or emotional outbursts. UNSPOKEN is much more intimate and sensitive than Someone Else’s Happiness but I don’t think my pregnancy has anything to do with it. Of course, there is no proof that my film would have turned out differently without my pregnancy but I always prepare myself meticulously before the shooting which is in fact just the realization of these preparations which were done before my pregnancy.

In a certain scene, it looks like the baker who is visited by Lucas suddenly runs into a door or wall. I found this scene completely wacky…

I am a fan of the kind of lighthearted humor where people run into walls or fall from chairs. Besides, I was looking for elements that would provoke absurd or funny situations whenever Lucas is at work, especially to stress the contrast with the situation at home. In this way, the baker gets so nervous that he doesn’t know any longer what to do and consequently crashes into the door. Although I realize he could as well have staged the scene to avoid the inspection but that’s something that I leave to the audience.

In a beautiful scene, we hear The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby”. What was first: the song or the scene?

The scene was already there when I heard that sudden song on the radio again. I downloaded it and listened to it a couple of times, also while writing the script. I suddenly realized that it would be the perfect song for that scene. So we used it while shooting the scene and fortunately, we were able to get the rights.

Both Someone Else’s Happiness and UNSPOKEN deal with parents who lost a child. As a young woman just in her thirties, what fascinates you in the subject?

I don’t think it’s the subject itself that fascinates me but the emotions it provokes and that I want to use to tell my story. Usually, I start to write down situations and only then enters the idea of the lost child. It enables me to seek extremes in the emotions of my characters.

Thanks for your time and good luck with the movie!

Bargain of the month!

Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959)
RAY CHARLES (Rhino Records 8 CD box set)

Temporarily at sale for £29,99 at http://www.rhino.co.uk
(Amazon price is £93.98!) - I hope you're not busted ;-)

NEVER EVER LAND

Here’s an amazing 3 CD compilation box set that was released by Charly Records last year but that I didn’t see mentioned in any of the year end polls that I came across. And that’s a crying shame because NEVER EVER LAND is up there with the very best label compilations on the market. Texas-based International Artists Records was responsible for producing some of the most exciting and influential garage & psych sounds of the Sixties. Compiler Jon ‘Mojo’ Mills classifies the songs into 3 groups: Disc One is called GARAGE- THE TEXAN EARTHQUAKE and is perfectly balanced between well-known bands like The 13th Floor Elevators or The Red Crayola and obscure bands like The Golden Dawn or Sterling Damon. Disc Two is subtitled OUT THERE! THE PSYCHEDELIC SOUNDS OF I.A. and offers 26 other garage/psych nuggets before it clocks in at 77.57 minutes with a 60-second radio spot for the Elevators album “Bull Of The Woods”. Boring psych is nowhere to be found: these are killer tracks, drenched in fuzz guitars and heavy percussion! Again, we hear tracks by The 13th Floor Elevators and The Red Crayola, but also discover fantastic bands like The Bubble Puppy and Lost And Found. Finally, Disc Three says POT POURRI – POP AND ANYTHING GOES and then you start to realize just what an awkward way it is to classify the Texan label’s recordings into these 3 subdivisions. When I say that POT POURRI – POP AND ANYTHING GOES features great songs by Lightnin’ Hopkins and country singer Tom Harvey, I suppose you get the idea. Still, NEVER EVER LAND is a killer compilation (did I mention the wonderful 48-page booklet yet?) that you simply cannot afford to miss, especially at such a great price! Buy it now before it’s too late!

Listen to the track that opens CD2: Hot Smoke And Sasafrass – The Bubble Puppy (1968)

Lux Interior RIP

Only last week was I discussing with a couple of friends how I still like THE CRAMPS' "A Date With Elvis" album from 1986 and now Lux is no more.
Personally I think THE CRAMPS & RAMONES are the real godfathers of the 1990s garage punk explosion and I also loved how The Cramps unearthed tons of essential 50's & 60's rarities. I think I'm gonna reread that mighty ReSearch interview with Lux & Ivy tonight. RIP LUX!

You can download the extensive ReSearch interview with Lux and Ivy that ran in Incredibly Strange Music by clicking here.

howling blues

"Ghostrider Every Day" compilation CDR

I have just finished and uploaded a one hour CDR compilation with a bunch of tunes you might like. You can download it here for free.

Track listing:

1. Ghostrider - ALAN VEGA
2. New Wave Hippies - PSYCHEDELIC HORSESHIT
3. Mummys Secret Storage - BLECTUM FROM BLECHDOM
4. Dheem Thana Thana Nana - S.P. BALASUBRAHMANYAM
5. Dance Alone - THE HUNCHES
6. The Nose One - SHOES THIS HIGH
7. Tihar Bayatin - TARTIT
8. Grayere Nafun - LOBI TRAORE
9. Sabafolo - ADAMA DIABATE
10. My Narrow Mind - 16 HORSEPOWER
11. Winterland - DIED PRETTY
12. Noir Desir - VIVE LA FETE
13. Atabat (2) - OMAR SOULEYMAN
14. Trouble Every Day - TINDERSTICKS

Variety is the Spice of Life!

OUT OF OFFICE

STELLA ****

Films like STELLA really brighten my days! This genuine story of a 11-year-old heroine whose parents run a boisterous working-class bar, takes off when the girl enters an exclusive Paris middle school. The film subsequently tells about Stella’s everyday struggles to survive at school and at home where she finds solace with the daughter of an intellectual Argentinean Jew and some lowlife barfly. The film splendidly depicts a melancholic 1970s feel and the acting is simply wonderful. For her third feature film, Paris born director Sylvie Verheyde turned to her own childhood for inspiration and the result is a moving yet unsentimental coming-of-age drama that I can’t praise enough. Definitely a must-see!

RIP Ray Topping

I once shared two words with this walking encyclopedia of American roots music at the Blues Estafette in Utrecht. Seemed like a real nice fellow. Thanks for all those great Ace compilations, Ray!


Ray with Jules Bihari 1979

Ray Topping obituary with tributes from colleagues and friends
Don't forget to read the wonderful tributes at the bottom!

THE WEIRD AND NOT SO WEIRD - Mixtape

Here's the link to a new mixtape by my pal Miguel. It's all punk rock & roll this time so shove the furniture aside and go ape!

Tracklisting:
01 Eddy Current Suppression Ring - You let me be honest with you
02 Snake Flower II - Flight of the Navigator
03 Turpentine Brothers - Why can't I do
04 A.H. Kraken - Allan Müller
05 France has the bomb - World Of Mirrors
06 Jay Reatard - Painted Shut
07 Wooden Shjips - Shrinking moon for you
08 Nothing People - Cracked Actor
09 Land Action - Song for Michael Vick
10 Livefastdie - Sick as shit of shit
11 Fag Cop - My daddys got white trash friends
12 Civil Victim - Cop town
13 Needles - Blocked out
14 Barbaras - Summertime Road
15 Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Green cotton sweater (version)
16 Hearts of Animals - Stars Say No
17 Davila 666 - Basura
18 Box Elders - 2012
19 Plexi 3 - We Know Better



Snake Flower 2 Live at a party in SF 2007 by Canderson

One day when nobody’s watching – PHIL LEE

Here’s a song that I must have played a thousand times; a wonderful declaration of love by former truck driver and honky tonk poet PHIL LEE. This song comes from his 1999 debut album ‘THE MIGHTY KING OF LOVE’ which Phil released when he was almost 50. Last year, his third record 'SO LONG, IT'S BEEN GOOD TO KNOW YOU' got rave reviews everywhere and – shame on me - I still do have to check that one out, as well as his second record from 2001. I think I’m gonna order both CD’s today because Phil Lee is what I call the real thing!

Do you ever wonder what it would feel like to be with me
the way I wonder what it would feel like to be with you?
Laying in a big old bed, doing things we shouldn’t do
saying some things better left unsaid

I know I shouldn’t say nothing,
I talk too much it’s true
One day when nobody’s watching
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you

I guess you know I like you, anyone could tell I like you
well it goes a little deeper than that
Oh no, it’s not some whim, I know you’re dedicated to him
I will not interfere with that

One day you’re just gonna know it
It’ll come from out of the blue
One day when you least expect it
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you

I know all of this is wrong, that’s why I’m leaving you all alone
it’s the honorable thing I do
And that’s not like me a bit, I’m known to take all I can get
all of that was before I met you

If you see me with some little honey
it’s gonna be just something to do
One day I’m gonna surprise you
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you

I know I shouldn’t say nothing
I talk too much it’s true
One day when nobody’s watching
I’m gonna tell you how I feel about you
I’ll tell you that I’d like to touch you
I’ll tell you that I’d like to kiss you
One day when I should probably keep my big mouth shut
I’ll tell you that I do love you

One day when nobody’s watching – PHIL LEE mp3

Sons of the pioneer

Tom and William Ravenscroft, sons of the late John Peel, were recently guests on Tom Robinson’s BBC 6 programme “Introducing with Tom Robinson”. Two hours of great new music by bands you’ve probably never heard of. You can listen to the show or download it here. For more info about Tom and William, visit the Unpredictable Porridge (William) or the Channel 4 (Tom) websites.

Here’s the tracklisting:
a.ICE, SEA, DEAD PEOPLE - Hence:Elvis
b.CRYSTAL ANTLERS - Vexation
c.TEP - Plouf
d.LARKIN GRIMM - Ride That Cyclone
e.2 HOT 2 SWEAT - Your Space or Mine
f.PAUL WHITE - For You and For Me
g.ASS - I've Been Here
h.FUCKDRESS - Suburban Nietzsche Freak
i.ZOMBY - Strange Fruit
j.DOC DELAY - 5
k.MIDORI HIRANO - Null
l.ELECTRICITY IN OUR HOMES - Some Marvels
m.ZOMES - zomes
n.KING OF SPAIN - Bacon
o.THE FRENCH QUARTER - Bold With Fire
p.FABULOUS DIAMONDS - LP3
q.ROLO TOMASSI - Oh Hello Ghost
r.THE LOST LEVELS - Early Sheets
s.VIVIAN GIRLS - Going Insane
t.ELLIOT WHALE BOY - Drain the River Drown the Tree
u.PHOSPHORESCENT - Wolves
v.PARTYSHANK - Penis Vs Vagina
w.SPHINCTERWOLF - Pemix

Music For Jackofficers

Are you ready for the dancefloor? Here’s a link to an early 80's coldfunk, postpunk and electro compilation my pal Miguel has just made. Let me know if you dig it & I’ll ask Miguelito for more mixtapes!



Tracklisting:

01) Material - Disappearing
02) A Certain Ratio - Day One
03) Liquid Liquid - Cavern
04) 23 Skidoo - vegas el bandito
05) Pop Group - Justice
06) Spandau Ballet - Chant Number No 1
07) Tina Weymouth - Incognito
08) Pyrolator - Ein Weinachtsmann kommt in die Disko
09) Kraftwerk - Vitamin
10) The Slits - In the Beginning
11) Konk - Your life
12) Yello - Bostich
13) Quando Quango - Love tempo (remix)
14) Lora Logic - Stop, halt

Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask

Robert Fisk: Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask

OK, shoot me. I’m a terrible blogger. In fact, I don’t even know why I launched this damn thing at the time!

My problem is that I can’t decide what to do during my valuable spare time. Should I continue reading that great novel? Should I jump in my car and go see a good movie? Or should I watch one at home? But maybe I should first listen to some good music then? Or search the internet for some long lost gems? Hey wait, did I already listen to those new records in the mail? It gets even worse with age…

Needless to say, updating this blog isn’t a forerunner in my daily to-do list so no hard feelings if you delete my blog from your favorites list, really.

Talking about lists, I find it very hard to make a year end list as far as music is concerned. I just haven’t heard a lot of exciting new music in 2008. That said, I purchased a lot of terrific reissues and compilations last year and I promise that I’ll list ‘em all before the weekend.

I did see a lot of great movies in 2008 so maybe I should start with my film list:

1. IMPORT/EXPORT

"A shocking but brutally honest movie that feels like a knockout punch."

2. THERE WILL BE BLOOD

"A modern day masterpiece of blistering intensity. Really, this is an enthralling and powerfully eccentric American movie of epic dimensions!"

3. HUNGER

"A visually stunning and barbaric movie that never feels willfully arty, no matter what the press says. Some years ago, I saw a brilliant video installation by this conceptual artist and first-time feature filmmaker at the Venice Biennale and I am glad that his first feature film didn’t disappoint to say the least!"

4. THE BANISHMENT

"A gloomy and intriguing film about a disintegrating family, somewhere between Bergman & Tarkovsky."

5. LA GRAINE ET LE MULET (THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN)

"A touching, humanistic drama about an immigrant family in southeastern France. I loved every second of this 151 minutes pic!"

6. DELTA

"An apocalyptic, atmospheric drama, set on the Romanian Danube delta."

7. LUST, CAUTION

"Ang Lee is a true master and this grim love story is a rich and fascinating espionage thriller."

8. TWO LOVERS

"A romantic movie to cherish: so genuine and heartfelt, so real and powerful!"

9. LE SILENCE DE LORNA

"The Dardenne brothers did it again! Another urgent human drama that never ceases to fascinate."

10. UNSPOKEN

"This second feature by Belgian director Fien Troch is truly absorbing, challenging and magical. The film got under my skin and as soon as I left the theatre, I felt the urge to watch UNSPOKEN again."

11. THE MAN FROM LONDON

"Another Béla Tarr; another totally unique film noir murder mystery from Hungary."

12. WONDERFUL TOWN

"This debut feature from Bangkok-born, American-educated Aditya Assarat takes place in a seaside town in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and evolves from a tasteful romance into a brutal tragedy."

13. SZTUCZKI (TRICKS)

"The Polish candidate for the foreign-language film Oscar is a bitter-sweet children’s movie that stole my heart!"

14. EL CANT DELS OCELLS

"Contemplative but totally wicked, this is a film that has to be seen on the big screen for sure!"

15.MUTUM

"A captivating story of a disintegrating family in a remote area of Brazil. A personal film festival discovery!"

16. CHARLY

"Another personal film festival favorite that I’ll cherish for the rest of my days! Isild Le Besco est une grande dame!"

17. NIGHT AND DAY

"It would be hard to imagine a film festival without the latest Hong Sang-soo! His preoccupation with the confused male psyche always makes my festival day!"

18. HONEYDRIPPER

"The feel-good movie of the year and a wonderful tribute to the blues!"

19. INTO THE WILD

"A powerful and poetic road movie with a hero in search for truth and beauty. A reflective and captivating journey for sure!"

20. I can't chose between NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, ENTRE LES MURS, LA VIE MODERNE, BURN AFTER READING, I’M NOT THERE, HELP ME EROS, PLOY (minus the ridiculous ending), SECRET SUNSHINE, L’HEURE D’ETÉ, THE BAND’S VISIT and WALTZ WITH BASHIR.

I also enjoyed watching THE REBIRTH, THE SUMMER SOLSTICE, LES AMOURS D’ASTRÉE ET DE CELADON, PURE COOLNESS, ALLEIN IN VIER WÄNDEN, SAD VACATION, LIFE TRACK, LA ZONA, NIGHT TRAIN, BREATH, BEYOND THE YEARS, JUNUN, THE YEAR MY PARENTS WENT ON VACATION, PÁRPADOS AZULES, ANDALUCIA, MUNYURANGABO, SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, WENDY & LUCY, WITH A GIRL ON BLACK SOIL, TULPAN, SNOW, SWEET FOOD CITY, KATYN, THE SONG OF SPARROWS, IN LOVE WE TRUST, KABULI KID, ADORATION, LA RABIA, GOD MAN DOG, ELLE VEUT LE CHAOS, MY MAGIC, AUTUMN, GOMORRA, SHULTES and TWO-LEGGED HORSE.

I almost felt a physical repulsion against ELEGY, the most hypocritical & fake movie I have seen in ages!

Zimbabwean Roots Rock Guitar Party!

When a country is in a state of emergency, I always wonder what is happening to its musicians. Now that Zimbabwe is in complete disorder for example, I am thinking about how the Bhundu Boys, the Four Brothers or Thomas Mapfumo are trying to survive…

Here’s one of my favorite Zimbabwean tracks: "Mombe Youmai", a song that I first heard on a Zimbabwean import record called ‘Tonosangana Ikoko’ by PATRICK MKWAMBA & THE FOUR BROTHERS. This vibrant record was released on Gramma Records in 1984 and also features the great hit “Wapenga Nayo Bonus”.

If you want to hear more scintillating sounds from Zimbabwe, check out the 3 essential Zimbabwe Frontline compilations on Earthworks.

Let’s all hope Zimbabwe will soon arise out of the chaos and that the music scene will revive consequently!

Two great shows last week at the mighty Pit’s! On Monday, BEATBEATBEAT played some dirty ass punk rock & roll; somewhere between Johnny Thunders and The Users. With members and friends from likeminded bands as The Carbonas and Gentleman Jesse, the five some treated us on some great & wild covers from The Zeros ("Beat Your Heart Out"), The Kids ("Do you wanna know") and "River Deep Mountain High" (The Saints version of the Ike & Tina chartbuster). After the show I had a nice chat with singer/guitarist Warren who raved about his The Kids obsession and the soul singles collection he recently found at a backyard sale. He told me to check out this unknown soul hero called King Floyd. I surely will! Great people & a ferocious wild live band!

Last Saturday, STINKY LOU & THE GOON MAT with LORD BENARDO proved again why they are the best blues band in the world these days. It’s hard to describe the band to people who haven’t seen this trio but I think the best way to introduce them is by describing them as a hardcore juke joint blues band. Their debut album on Beatman’s Voodoo Rhythm Records doesn’t really do them justice (it’s not a bad album but a bit too mellow for my taste), but live they are a very wild & merciless experience! Talking about a blues explosion indeed!

For what it’s worth, here are my favorite shows of the year as of today:

1. Eli “Paperboy” Reed (21/11 – Charlatan)
2. Stinky Lou & The Goon Mat with Lord Benardo (29/11 - Pit’s)
3. Deke Dickerson & The Eccofonics (22/3 – Turnhout)
4. The Hex Dispensers (23/5 – Pit’s)
5. Psychedelic Horseshit (2/3 - Pit’s)
6. The Carbonas (9/4 – Pit’s)
7. Carolina Chocolate Drops (21/3 – N9)
8. Toby Dammit & Jessie Evans (3/4 – N9)
9. The Mean Devils (22/3 – Turnhout)
10.Beat Beat Beat (24/11 – Pit’s)

I also enjoyed the Whiskey Daredevils (12/5 – Evergem), The Seatsniffers (16/5 – N9), The Sonics (12/7 – Gierle), The Monsters (12/7 – Gierle), Black Lips (17/9 – Trix), Horace Andy (30/10 – Vooruit) and probably some other shows I forgot about already…

Free Dirt - DIED PRETTY (Citadel Records 1986)

While compiling my desert island albums list a couple of years ago, I was seriously considering to include DIED PRETTY’s 'Free Dirt ' album from 1986 because it’s one of the most passionate yet uncompromising rock albums of the 1980s. Now - 20 years after its original release - the album has been reissued in style as a 2cd set, including all the great early singles and a bunch of live tracks. Listen to samples and read more about the Rock Album Reissue of the Year here (click on the album cover for details).

My Music Room

I just wanted to share 2 pictures with you of my music room. I don’t know exactly why – maybe because I liked Harry Prengers' ‘culture wall' – but I’m sure you’re gonna like my original Derek Hess, Robert Williams & TAZ posters…

ELI "PAPERBOY" REED !!!

Last night, I went to see 24-year-old blue-eyed soul sensation ELI “PAPERBOY” REED in Ghent and was totally blown away by Reed’s ultra-dynamic performance! Backed by his super-tight backing band The True Loves, Reed delivered a monster set of high-energy R&B and sizzling southern soul ballads. Most of the songs were of course from his fabulous album 'Roll With You' but the super-enthusiastic crowd also got to hear a brilliant cover of The Ohio Untouchables’ astonishingly beautiful “I’m Tired”. Believe it or not, but on stage Eli “Paperboy” Reed channels the ghosts of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke and is nothing short of spectacular! One of the best shows I’ve seen in the last couple of years!

You can watch a complete show from July 16th, 2008 here. It's rather courteous compared to yesterday's show but still very good!

CATH & PHIL TYLER

A couple of months ago, New Jersey native Cath Tyler and her husband Phil released their amazing debut album 'Dumb Supper' on the tiny No-Fi Recordings label. It’s a wonderful collection of haunting, mediaeval-like ballads and traditional banjo tunes. Despite its immediate origins in North Eastern England – the album was recorded in Cath & Phil’s current hometown Newcastle upon Tyne - the music is deeply rooted in the traditions of rural America. Most songs are sung with spare accompaniment from finger picked acoustic guitar or banjo, with a few harmonized acappella songs along the way. Listen to “Fisherman’s Girl” by clicking here.

Cath actually used to play in the criminally underrated folk-rock band CORDELIA'S DAD; a truly unique trio that brilliantly mingled acoustic American folk traditionals with grungy indie rock. I interviewed the band in 1997 for my fanzine and I hope to republish that interview on my site soon. In the meantime, there’s a pretty good biography at All Music and Cd Baby sells most of the band’s amazing output.

After the demise of Cordelia’s Dad, I was very glad to hear that all members are still making music. Tim Eriksen, the shaven-headed lead singer whose musical roots are in the western Massachusetts hardcore punk scene of the ‘80s, formally studied South Indian Carnatic music while in college and holds a degree in ethnomusicology. He currently plays traditional tunes, accompanying himself on guitar, fiddle and banjo. He also played guitar in the Bulgarian rock band ZABE I BAB with his wife Minja Lausevic. You can listen to Zabe I Bab’s “Sjaj Mjesece” from their 1997 album 'Drumovi' by clicking here.

According to Cordelia’s Dad’s recently revitalized website, the band is still active so let’s hope they will record and tour again in the future. In the meantime, buy 'Dumb Supper' because it’s a gem!

At the movies

I watched 37 movies at 35th Ghent International Film Festival and for the first time in years, I had the feeling that I was still missing out on another bunch of interesting films. Needless to say, the 2008 edition was an outstanding one with a strong emphasis on world cinema and a high-quality retrospective section. Two films will undoubtedly make it into my personal top 5 of 2008: Kornél Mundruczo’s visually stunning DELTA (Béla Tarr meets Carlos Reygadas) and British video artist Steve McQueen’s gut-wrenching HUNGER, two films that were also part of the Official Selection at Cannes this year.

Another surprise was Fien Troch’s intriguing second feature UNSPOKEN. Although this promising Belgian filmmaker is hardly 30 years old, her film is directed with great intelligence and visual flair. A mystifying but unpretentious arthouse film that doesn’t cease to fascinate!


Apart from a tribute to American silent film actor Harold Lloyd, the Memory of Film section – in collaboration with The World Cinema Foundation, established by Martin Scorsese - had its focus on neglected films from around the world - in particular, from those countries lacking the financial and technical ability to preserve and restore their cinematographic masterpieces. The digitally restored Turkish film DRY SUMMER (SUSUZ YAZ) (1964) from Metin Erksan - a village story about the struggle over land and water – earns a special place in our film history (and in my heart from now on) because of the genuine way its social realism handles erotic elements.


I will try to review most of the other films I saw when they get a national release here in Belgium. In the meantime, here’s some kind of personal value judgement:

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

DELTA
HUNGER
UNSPOKEN
DRY SUMMER (1964)

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

THE HONEYMOON KILLERS (1970)
HONEYDRIPPER
DAISIES (1966)
SNOW
KATYN
TULPAN
WENDY & LUCY
THE SONG OF SPARROWS
TWO-LEGGED HORSE
IN LOVE WE TRUST
ADORATION
KABULI KID
AUTUMN
MY MAGIC
LA PISCINE (1969)

♣ ♣ ♣

LA RABIA
LAKE TAHOE
GOD MAN DOG
ELLE VEUT LE CHAOS
WITH A GIRL OF BLACK SOIL

♣ ♣

SWEET FOOD CITY
THE SHAFT
PARKING

♣

FLIPPING OUT
LINHA DE PASSA
SUMMER BOOK
THE PRINCESS OF NEBRASKA
GITMEK: MY MARLON AND BRANDO

0

ELEGY
THE GUATEMALIAN HANDSHAKE

R.I.P. Nathaniel Mayer 1944-2008

I'm out-of-office...

http://www.filmfestival.be/

Bad Loser - NAOMI & THE BOYS mp3

Grey Past Records from Breda, The Netherlands has just issued another great compilation with a bunch of 60’s beat, psych & garage tracks from Hungary. While previous volumes contained sixties rarities from South-East Asia and Turkey, the new 2LP volume is called Paprikázz Fel! Best of the Hungarian rock scene 1965-1971. I haven’t been able to listen to the whole album but I hope to put a review on my site before the end of the year. Today however, I would like to share an absolute gem from the Steam Kodok: 26 A-Go-Go Ultra rarities From the Sixties-Singapore and South-East Asia Underground compilation from a couple of years ago. According to the liner notes, NAOMI & THE BOYS hit big with their "It’s All Over" which reached the charts and went to N°1 in Singapore in April 1965. Their second release "Happy Happy Birthday Baby" released in August 1965 also hit N°1 and by 1968 the band had moved to Decca where their first EP contained this Peter Thomas composition entitled "Bad Loser". I don’t know if we are talking about this Peter Thomas but what I do know is that the Christmas-like glockenspiel, the distorted guitar chording, the great lyrics and that wonderful innocent voice of Naomi make this version a real winner!

Bad Loser - NAOMI & THE BOYS

Swamp Pop Legend CLINT WEST

A friend of mine used to make these great ‘All Killer No Filler’ compilation tapes full of amazing songs from all over the world. One of the tracks I cherished as a teenager was this wonderful swamp pop ballad he taped for me called “Sweet Suzannah” from South Louisiana singer Clint West. Years later, while on honeymoon in Louisiana, I was lucky enough to found a Clint West compilation CD at Floyd’s Record Shop at Ville Platte and fortunately, it featured the wonderful ballad! The other standout track was this absolutely crazy Cajun rocker called “Bayou Pon Bon” that I really would like to share with you.

Here’s some info about Clint West from the CD booklet:

At thirteen, Clint was playing drums and singing Cajun and country songs with a Cajun band from his home community, The Vidrine Playboys. Later he joined a country-rock group, The Vel-Tones, and recorded his first record, “Lover Blues”/”Take A Ride” (for JIN Records). In the early 60s, he headed one of the top drawing music groups touring the club circuits of the South, The Boogie Kings. It was then that he and the group recorded their first LP, JIN #4003-“Clint West & the Boogie Kings”… an instant smashing success.

Clint has made Alexandra, LA his home turf for the last twenty years, entertaining crowds several nights a week. Until 1990 he performed at Leroy’s, and then moved to Toby’s at the Ramada Inn where he’s been playing since, when not on tour. He was inducted twice in the Louisiana Hall of Fame… once as a vocalist, and once as a member of The Boogie Kings group.

For more info about Clint West and Jin Records, I recommend The Early JIN Singles: Southland Rock ‘N’ Roll and The Later JIN Singles: The Promised Land, both on Ace Records.

Bayou Pon Bon - CLINT WEST mp3
Sweet Suzannah - CLINT WEST mp3