Sunday, April 18, 2004  

Since we're out of South Africa and back on the mean streets of Silver Spring, I decided to do a big upsies today to fight the Monday blues. For those of you coming here for the tunes, I'm going to try and keep them easily accessible at right for as long as they're posted (a week or two). For those of you looking for music as well as stage-honed japes, read on.

Don Drummond, "Man in the Street"
Don Drummond, "Don Cosmic"
from In Memory of Don Drummond (Studio One)

The man whose image graces this blog, Don Drummond was the trombonist for the legendary Skatalites. Along with saxophonist Tommy McCook, Drummond was the most jazz-oriented member of the band, and he was also the Skatalites most prolific composer. Don Cosmic had severe mental problems, however, and in 1965 he killed his common-law wife. Drummond was put in a mental institution, where he died in 1969. Sure looks and sounds cool, though, and really---what else is there?

Sun Kill Moon, "Glenn Tipton"
Sun Kil Moon, "Carry Me Ohio"
from Ghosts of the Great Highway (Jetset)

I remember the first time I ever heard Mark Kozelek sing. In 1992 I was in a record store in Grand Rapids, Mich., with Tim S., and we heard this warlock croaking something about panties thrown on the alarm clock. I should have left it right there, but something about Kozelek's voice stuck with me even if the panty line didn't (and in general, I love his lyrics). His croon is really haunted, and it evokes the utter bleakness of Midwestern winters---well, for me it does, and Kozelek and I lived through enough of them before hotfootin' it to milder climates. Red House Painters was Kozelek's previous band, and Sun Kil Moon is his new one. These songs are from the band's debut from last fall, and I listened to these two tunes about 20 times in row on my flight from Cape Town to Jo'burg. The Sad Reminders Web site will keep you updated on Kozelek's work and show you pictures of his extra-large forehead.

Vusi Mahlasela, "Silang Mabele"
from The Voice (ATO) compilation and Silang Mahlasela (BMG Africa)
Vusi Mahlasela, "Kuyobanjani Na"
from Silang Mahlasela (BMG Africa)

If he wasn't on Dave Matthews' record label, South African guitarist-singer Vusi Mahlasela---aka The Voice---would most likely be on Peter Gabriel's Real World. He has all the soul of a true folk artist with the commercial appeal of a pop star. The opening arpeggio of "Silang Mabele" could be right out of an indie-pop tune from Sarah Records before it goes into Gabriel-esque Afro-pop with some Matthews-like cheese, and "Kuyobanjani Na" brings to mind Cat Stevens (except Catty would probably have to bunch up his boyz to hit those high notes). And yes, I'm recommending an artist who sometimes recalls Dave Matthews (I have soft spot for his ballads) and Cat Stevens (ditto). And Peter Gabriel always gets a free pass from me. (Am I this far away from wearing a Hawaiian shirt under a suit coat?)
ATO bio of Mahlasela.
Mahlasela's interview from the film Amandla!
NPR fawns over Vu.

Notes on the Michigan & Smiley tunes are in the April 6 blog entry, but you'll have to wade through a bunch of deep thoughts to get there.

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