Sunday, July 19, 2009

Valcour Records


Every once in awhile I'd like to call people's attention to record labels that do great work and deserve our support. (Earlier I spotlighted Smithsonian Folkways.) This time I want to point out a small Louisiana label run by a new generation of Louisiana musicians: Valcour Records. They only have a handful of releases in their young history, but it's quality stuff!


In these days of big box stores, spoonfed radio fare, and other corporate homogenization, it's always nice to see some folks working to keep regional art forms alive! Check out Valcour if you like Cajun & Zydeco & other Louisiana music. Here's a great song to download or hear online to whet your appetite. It's from two great rising stars, Cedric Watson on fiddle and Corey Ledet on accordion. Links for 2 songs from their new release (a band called Bonsoir Catin) here and here. Poke around on their site and you'll find plenty more!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Dexateens!

Here's one of my favorite albums so far this year. Dexateens are from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and have been around a long time. Singlewide is out on Skybucket Records. But they've never grabbed my attention quite like they have this time. If you like Faces, Neil Young, early Wilco, stuff like that, this is for you.

I happened to find out that their previous album, apparently unissued, is available for free download here! They happily welcome a donation via PayPal, which I encourage, because then maybe the record will see the light of day with official release.

Here's a couple videos to try to convince you of their worth. This one has a cheesy intro so just be patient... the tune, Down Low, is great! And then there's a live performance of another fave of mine called Granddaddy's Mouth--um, I think the crowd has had a little bit to drink...

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Friends, foes, everyone!

I'm still here, just had a little blog-o-sabbatical, see.

The playlist for my W X D U show from 7/8/09 is here.

Among other things, I revisited the great Liam Finn (bottom right) album from last year, played a Bulgarian folkdance off a 45 unearthed from my mom's basement (top right), heralded local shows by The Loners (lower left), and played something by The Inner Space (upper left), the band that morphed into Can.

Thanks for tuning in and check back again!