Just Released - 2014 [Ep.06, S.4]

“O Death, O Death,

Won’t you spare me over ‘til another year? …”

                                           “O Death” – Dock Boggs [1927]

No matter the vintage, a song will extend its relevance only as long as people continue to sing it. One song that’s been popping-up for the best part of a century now is, “O Death”. Recorded by Ralph Stanley for the ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’ soundtrack, the song continues to infiltrate this century with its latest reinvention by the Hip-Hop/Bluegrass (or ‘Rappalachian’) collective, Gangstagrass. Imagine Tupac Shakur jamming with Bill Monroe. It may go against all the laws of nature and logic but that doesn’t mean it can’t work - and you’ll hear how it does in this week’s edition of JR.

We also lift the lid on ‘From His Head, To His Heart, To His Hands’, the just released box set anthologizing the career of American Blues guitar virtuoso, Michael Bloomfield. His gifted playing notably featured on Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone”, albums by The Electric Flag and Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the (bona-fide) classic album, ‘Super Session’ (with Al Kooper), and Janis Joplin’s solo album debut, ‘I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!’ In this week’s JR you’ll hear Bloomfield as a brash acoustic hotshot in his first record audition and adding his efficient and economical style behind the remarkable Janis Joplin.

Also in this edition are new releases from Sydney Indie Pop quartet, The Holidays (touring nationally this month), Darwin Soul duo, Sietta and English singer/songwriter Ryan Keen (recently seen touring Australia with Busby Marou). As well, we have a new single from Moby’s latest album, featuring the angelic voice of American singer Damien Jurado.

Spotted on the Comeback Trail this week were Ray LaMontagne and Coldplay. It’s been almost 4 years since Ray’s last album and his newest (due in early May), has been produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Meanwhile, Coldplay’s new song, “Midnight” implies a band seriously reassessing its trademark sound. As yet, the album neither has a title, or a release date, beyond the proverbial “later this year”.  

      

The Holidays: “Home” (from the album, ‘Real Feel’)

Gangstagrass: “O Death” (featuring Brandi Hart, Liquid & R-SON) (from the album, ‘Broken Hearts And Stolen Money’)

Nick Waterhouse: “Sleeping Pills” (from the album, ‘Holly’)

Sietta: “Agree To Disagree”/”Such Desire” (from the album, ‘The Invisible River’)

Ryan Keen: “Old Scars” (from the album, ‘Room For Light’)

Moby (featuring Damien Jurado): “Almost Home” (from the album, ‘Innocence’)

Michael Bloomfield: “Hammond’s Rag”/Janis Joplin (featuring Michael Bloomfield): “One Good Man” (from the box set, ‘From His Head To His Heart To His Hands’)

Ray LaMontagne: “Supernova” (preview from the album, ‘Supernova’)

Coldplay: “Midnight” (new single)

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Just Released is heard Saturdays at 9:05pm on ABC Local Radio.

Replayed Sundays at 4:05pm (AEDST or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio through Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, & streaming on demand at the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin web pages.

JR can also be heard on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.