paradiseofbachelors

James Elkington: Wintres Woma (PoB-034)

Drawing from British folk, avant-rock, and jazz traditions alike, Wintres Woma—Old English for “the sound of winter”—is James Elkington’s debut solo record, but you’ve likely heard his masterful guitar playing and arranging with Jeff Tweedy, Richard Thompson, Steve Gunn, Michael Chapman, and Joan Shelley, to name just a few of his many enthusiastic admirers. His assured album, recorded at Wilco’s Loft, is baroquely detailed and beautifully constructed, featuring both his baritone vocals and some of Chicago’s finest musicians, including Tomeka Reid.

Terry Allen Premieres “Stroll” for Our First 100 Days.

Our friends at the Secretly Group are assembling a 100-track compilation to benefit a variety of organizations involved in the resistance against the oppressive political regime in the U.S. Today, for Day 89, Terry Allen has premiered “Stroll,” an appropriately apocalyptic (and discomfitingly calm) solo song recorded during the Bottom of the World sessions, and the first new music Terry has released since 2013. “Screaming from zombie horror movies … fades.”

Michael Chapman on Later … with Jools Holland.

Tomorrow, April 18, at 10pm GMT/5pm EST, the legendary Michael Chapman will appear for the first time ever on Later … with Jools Holland on BBC 2. He will likely play some material from his critically acclaimed new album 50, produced by acolyte (and spring tour mate) Steve Gunn. He will be joined on the program by Valerie June and another guitar guy called Ed Sheeran… a rather motley crew. Tune in.

Nap Eyes Premiere “Your Samples, Our Obsession” for Our First 100 Days.

Our friends (and distributors) at the Secretly Group are assembling a durational 100-track compilation to benefit a variety of worthy organizations involved in the resistance against the current oppressive political regime in the U.S. Today, for Day 70, Nap Eyes has premiered “Your Samples, Our Obsession,” a recently rerecorded version of a favorite song from their infancy as a band. Check out Nigel singing in French!

Bonnie “Prince” Billy & Nathan Salsburg Share “Wallins Creek Girls” from RSD EP.

“Our names are Sals and Bonnie, two rounder boys you know”: In which the intrepid Louisville duo gamely paddle forth to explore two Kentucky creeks, singing an ode to Beargrass and meeting their match in two hitchhiking, car-riding young ladies of the Cigarette Crew. This delightful 45rpm 7″ EP, the pair’s first recorded artifact, is limited to an edition of 2000 copies, and is available for purchase exclusively on Record Store Day, April 22, 2017. Hop in.

Bonnie “Prince” Billy & Nathan Salsburg EP (PoB-037)

“Our names are Sals and Bonnie, two rounder boys you know”: In which the intrepid Louisville duo gamely paddle forth to explore two Kentucky creeks, singing an ode to Beargrass and meeting their match in two hitchhiking, car-riding young ladies of the Cigarette Crew. This delightful 45rpm 7″ EP, the pair’s first recorded artifact, is limited to an edition of 2000 copies, originally released on Record Store Day, April 22, 2017. Hop in.

Jake Xerxes Fussell Jumps for Joy.

Hear album opener “Jump for Joy,” a gorgeously transformed Duke Ellington cover featuring Nathan Bowles, via Flood Magazine. Jake opens for Wilco in NYC this month, followed by a US tour with Joan Shelley and Nathan Salsburg, and then an EU/UK tour with Daniel Bachman. What in the Natural World is out March 31, when he’ll celebrate with a full-band record release show in Chapel Hill, NC.

Michael Chapman Profiled on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Thanks very much to NPR’s Morning Edition and Joel Rose for this morning’s lovely story on Michael Chapman, in which the Fully Qualified Survivor, along with producer Steve Gunn and critic Andrew Male, looks back at his long career and discusses why Yorkshiremen are cheap, how his career started with a rainstorm, why he never sings sober, and his moving, universally acclaimed new record 50 (which you can order, and hear, below.)

Lavender Country Premieres “Red Dress” for Our First 100 Days.

Our friends at the Secretly Group are assembling a durational 100-track compilation to benefit a variety of worthy organizations involved in the resistance against the current oppressive political regime in the U.S. Today, for Day 37, Lavender Country has premiered “Red Dress,” their first new recording to emerge in years. Patrick Haggerty has been on the front lines of civil rights battles for decades. His righteousness is our compass.