The Sensational Nightingales - My Sisters And Brothers

Great ramshackle rhythm backing on this, and empyrean reverb on the vox (only fitting). I'm off on summer hols, back in mid-July, and then it's ON.

Cream - Dance The Night Away

I like that you can pretty much see the revellers spilling out into the streets when the psychedelic part kicks in at 0:45.

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL

Franck Dervieux - Present Du Futur

Radar - Una Splendida Emicrania

A search for more Italian new wave on discogs.com turned up this nugget. Old news for some but new to me. The chord progression reminds me a Dave Grohl-penned Nirvana B-side called "Marigold", of all things. Pretty crucial material here. I'm glad I didn't completely miss the boat on this one.

Recorded October 1981. Una splendida emicrania = "a wonderful headache"

La parti elettroniche dell'LP sono state suonate senza ausilio di computer o automatismi.
"The electronic parts of the LP have been played without the aid of computers or automation."

Nicola Salerno: voce, Korg MS10, Yamaha CS80, Roland Jupiter 4, batteria elettronica
Alessandro Ceradini: voce
Bruno Marini: assolo clarinetto basso

new Viva show (#110) in the archive

Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band - Observatory Crest

A descendant of For What It's Worth, arrangement-wise, this popped up on a couple of mixes last year. Are we talking Griffith Observatory? Was the concert at the Greek? These secrets now lie with the Captain... R.I.P.

Recorded at Stronghold Sound Recorders, North Hollywood, CA.

Ramases - Balloon

If you're thinking, "Gee, that sounds like Lol Crème on lead guitar, moog synthesiser, and possibly background vocals," you are correct. Indeed, all four members of 10cc comprise the backing band here. (This was about a year before they recorded this.) The LP was reissued on vinyl somewhat recently by Mexican Summer.

Electric Light Orchestra - Letter From Spain

Miharu Koshi - パラレリズム [Parallélisme]

Big Star - The India Song (alternate version)

Words and music by Andy Hummel, with whose sentiments I completely agree. Available in this box.

Blackway - Follow Me

The Stepkids - Shadows On Behalf

If this were a lost electro-psych-soul obscurity from '73, it would be one of the greatest crate-digs of all time. Instead, it's a genius single devised by three lads from Connecticut who style themselves The Stepkids. High-quality mp3 and vinyl available from Stones Throw records. Catch the 'Kids live at Fort Green Park in Brooklyn on July 12th.

Flyer - Get Back Your Love

If you like Flayer, you'll love Flyer. Lead vocals / Piano / Synthethizers (sic) & Lead Guitar by Alain Salvati. Recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami (Florida)

Click here to experience the life-changingly good instrumental edit of this.

Slapp Happy - Jumpin' Jonah

Avant-gospel moves from Slapp Happy, on the b-side of their first single. Perhaps Dagmar & co. caught the Dead on the Europe '72 tour?

Amon Duul II - Another Morning

Thanks to JG for pointing me back to this one. It's all about the choral vocal part that kicks in at 1:37. Sounds like Ariel Pink or something? (or Mike + The Mechanics, "The Living Years"?)

Vic Chesnutt: Dodge

Toots & The Maytals: Reggae Got Soul

new Viva show (#109) in the archive

Flowers - For Real

I hope one day to have dinner with this bass player.

from the archives

Bob James - El Verano

Summer is back... and that phased guitar riff reminding you it's been here all along.

original air date: June 5th, 2010

Amon Duul II - Kirk Morgan

Thanks to Sorcerer for this one. The song structure is something like ABABCDCE and parts A,B,C,D, & E are all great. The rhythm guitar player in the right channel is a genius, as is pretty much everyone else involved in this, evidently.

Lyrics and album cover impenetrable.