March 21, 2013
Miracler
Kevin Seidel
Location
San Francisco
Miracles, we got 'em
Folks, lean back, crack open a cold one, and settle in for nice 45-minute spell, as today we're hosting a beloved Miracling vet, the man who brought us Home, Sick in Sept. '12, about which you guys said: Just looking at this track list makes me smile!! Starts out great and, man, just keeps getting better. Yep. Meat Puppets! Vic Chestnutt! Harry Nilsson! Willie Bobo! Sick? Mom knows you're faking it. Off to school now. Groovy, Kevin. Thanks. Hugh Montenegro kills it. Always wanted to be Illya Kuryakin. (Good band name.) Now, on to the real stuff...Lovin' Viqueen, I Am Kloot, Willi Bobo, The Heavenly States, The Soledad Brothers, White Denim. And it takes us 5 years to get Me and My Arrow on a mix? C'mon, people! Now, back to the fake stuff... Liam Lynch!!! Gawd I love that song. Fun mix Kevin - I Am Kloot? White Denim? Liam Lynch? Thx for turning me on to some artists i've never even heard of & hope you're feeling grand by now! A very fun mix! I especially enjoyed the Soledad Bros., Willie Bobo, and Visqueen tracks. No need to apologize for the Liam Lynch-- made me chuckle all the way through. What a great mix. I felt better by the end of it and I'm not even sick. Maybe it's because I preempted any possibly illness with lots and lots of pudding. I agree with Kevin's mom, it's absolutely medicinal. So good to see Villagers make it on the mix. It's great to hear Midnight Oil again. I'm loving White Denim, Liam Lynch and I Am Kloot. Fun mix, I feel better already! This mix also works great for "Home, with Sick Kids" and just "Home". Al Hirt is awesome. Television Fission is incredible. Other favorites: Nilsson, The Heavenly States, Visqueen, I Am Kloot. Thanks. This mix plays out like the soundtrack from a 12 or 13 year's fako sick day. Super energetic and blasting at first, clearly this day is unsupervised. But then the guilt - that Vic Chesnutt song bares the woeful truth. After all there's only a an hour or so left to the real school day, and that math test that she skipped out on is waiting for her the very next day. But she rebounds with Visqueen and gains greater insight with "To the Brink". It's gonna be just fine tomorrow. What a productive home sick day! In the adult world some companies legitimately offer them as "mental health days" Excellent Mix Kevin! Been digging this mix for the last two weeks. Lots of treasures from all over the spectrum. Esp. digging the closing quintet. First reminded me of my own sick days. Then reminded me of Ferris Bueller grooving to the I-Dream-of-Jeannie theme on his "sick" day. Excellent addition to the KS oeuvre. I hope you're feeling better. Lots of very fun stuff here. Many thanks for Midnight Oil. United States of Whatever is the only Prodge song so far (in my first season) that my 12- and 14-year-old kids have asked me to play again. Including songs on my own forthcoming mix.
Before that mix came many other KS Miracles, all concept-driven and commented-on by many, like Exile in Mainstream and Downside and Upside and Songs in the Key of PCH and bonus Definitive Collection MIx: Grant-Lee Phillips and Solos and Supergroups: A Double Album, have passed through this URL in the past, but my fingers are too tired to tell you how much you liked em. Go see for yourself. Today he brings us something he likes to call TWANG, though I definitely picked up some electric gee-tar action on a bunch of that stuff, so I guess a twang is whatever you make of it.
Liner Notes from KS
The songs on this mix all started out fitting nicely under the banner of “Twang.” But then I started tinkering. So now, not so much. What they still share in common is a certain sonic quality. Let’s call it tone. I’m a sucker for it. Good guitar/ bass/vocal tones can make or break a song for me. But they’re still all kinda twangy too. Geez, Kevin, does it matter? Only to my OCD tendencies.
I just hope you like it.
Get Rhythm – Johnny: This obviously started off a great twang mix.
This is Sally Hatchet – Father John Misty: This is one of my favorite records of last year. Or as my son says, “Oh no, not this again...”
A Country’s King of Dreams — Caveman: Very little song structure. Tons of tone.
No Place to Fall — Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan: This is a nice take on a Townes van Zandt song. One of two tracks on this album that doesn’t feature Lanegan, but rather Willy Mason (who sounds beyond his 28 years in age).
Corona — Calexico: A reworked version of the Minutemen tune. I like this version better with the in-key singing (heresy).
Who? – Brian Jonestown Massacre: They could have tuned their guitars. But I’m glad they didn’t.
Blue Eyes — Middle Brother: I wanted to use a Delta Spirit song, but they seemed a little overplayed in the prodge. This is the same singer w/ some guys from Dawes and Deertick.
Blacklisted – Neko: I love the dark tones on this record. Shimmery, sweet and chewy. From my favorite potty mouthed singer.
You May Be Blue — Vetiver: Another moody track from this band unfairly lumped into the SF hippy band scene (see Devendra Banhart).
When I’m Small — Phantogram: I thought this was a nice retro-future twang tune. Yeah.
Foolish Person — Fresh and Onlys: Another throw back tune that ends with some delightful (and well-toned) guitar wankery to close us out.
21 comments:
Holy Crap Kevin, after listening thru for the first time I may have found my favorite mix yet! From one end to the other I kept muttering, wow, this song is great, hey, another hot tune, geez, this one cooks. You get the idea.
Other than Johnny at the top these are all new to me. Love the sonic explosions throughout, especially ending with all that rocking by Fresh and Onlys . I especially like the Neil Young feel to Blue Eyes and the the Twin Peaks feel of Blacklisted and You May Be Blue. Who? rocked my world, reminded me of Pictures of Matchstick Men. When I'm Small is another great tune. Great taste throughout.
Thanks for such an excellent serving of twang. Love the cd cover to boot.
I've had this mix on its own loop all day. Couldn't download it fast enough after reading the liner notes. Mark Lanegan is my fave singer ever in the world, so saw his name and got googly excited stupid. Then realized it was a non-Lanegan track from that album (sad face), then realized it was the Willy Mason track (happy face). It was an emotional roller coaster, and I hadn't even downloaded yet! I love Willy Mason. Saw him at the GAMH a few years back and I can't remember who he opened for, he was that good. Only wish he'd had a tee shirt I could wear to death.
With a bullet: Vetiver track. I've listened to it 8 times already today. There's something about the rhythm and, man, I am hooked. Followed by that killer Phantogram beat: outstanding! Other standouts are The Fresh and Onlys, Brian Jonestown Massacre (those kooks!), Middle Brother (I'm totally hearing that Neil Young, too. Good call, Ulriksen). Nice to see Sam Phillips on here!
I'm liking the Neko Case. She's a bit of headscratcher for me. I used to think she was in the Hope Sandoval, every-dude-I've-ever-met-would-pull-his-teeth-out-to-be-in-the-same-room-as-her-but-girls-accept-that-she-is-a-mere-mortal column. But then I kept meeting chicks who were apeshit for The Neek. So she now gets her own column. Although I am not one of those chicks, some of her stuff I really dig; her house is cool, but I don't think she walks on water or anything. I've seen her live and I know she doesn't do this, but I really like thinking about her singing and picturing her doing crazy craning neck and mouth moves, kinda like a monkey but not in a negative way, kinda in a Will Oldham way.
Loving this mix! Thank You Kevin!
(That Phantogram has a 'Pair', by the way. I haven't put my finger on it yet, but I'll get it...I can feel it.)
Johnny Cash is always a good way to start a mix. Father John Misty continues to interest me. This is a great song. I might come around after roundly dismissing him because of my dislike of Fleet Foxes. I really like the Caveman cut. They are completely new to me. So is Middle Brother, but I know the other bands of all three members so I'm not surprised that the collaboration is great. I'm happy to see Brian Jonestown. This song is one of my favorites. The bass player is an old friend of mine and he's confirmed that Anton actually is as bizarre as you've heard. Dan has been in the band forever though. Maybe he's just a survivor, or maybe he sits way in the back of the van. That Vetiver cut is great. What a fantastic groove. I'm such a sucker for a good groove. I really like the Phantogram cut too. Thanks for a great mix, Kevin.
I'm keeping all of these, which is pretty unusual for me. This twang mix will join Marcella Estes's 3mpmp mix A Glass of Twang & Tim Carroll's Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban cut "Los Twangueros." Thanks for sharing, Kevin!
I, too, have a major soft spot for that twangy tone or whatever you want to call it, and all of these songs hit the spot square and center. Father John Misty really caught my attention on Pete Kellen's Mayan Celebration Mix and this second punch took me to the record store for all the rest. Thank you Kevin!
Christina, your Neko tangent is hilarious. I never expected to have the faces of Neko Case and Will Oldham morphed together in my brain, but now the damage is done.
I've finally had a chance to put the mix on and go about my day, sometimes focused on the music, sometimes not, like putting a pot of soup on in the kitchen, occasionally stirring it and then other times just letting the aroma fill the rooms of the house before enticing me back to the kitchen to check the ingredients, trying to determine exactly which spice or herb makes everything so wonderful.
Though I like all the songs, it's the mix that I love. A perfect blend of all my favorite flavors -- twang, acoustic, country, distortion, harmonies, old school and brand new.
If there was a Top Chef for mix makers, you'd get my vote Mr. Seidel and I'd be waiting in line for your new restaurant to open.
Wow, some thought out comments. Thanks everyone. Christina, I still think "the Neek" walks on water...and Wes, I know what you mean about the Fleet Foxes affiliation. But Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman) is the real deal and deserves a fair shake in his own right!
Thanks all. -Kevin
12 great songs that sound even better together!
Kevin, you've convinced me about Father John Misty, in spite of his association with The Band That Shall Remain Nameless. Lots of new (to me) stuff here – Caveman, Middle Brother, Phantogram – and I dig that Fresh and Onlys closer, all 6 minutes of it.
Thank you, my friend.
I love how this mix started off with something quintessentially "twangy" (not Duane Eddy, but right up there), then pulled the rug out from under me on track two, so I had no idea where we were headed after that and had to just hold on and enjoy the ride (which was a great one). I will overlook your blasphemous commentary to say that the Calexico cut is pretty good in its own right. The other standout for me was definitely the Vetiver track - never heard them and now need to hear more. As Xtina said, there's something about it...
Phantogram was another new one on me, and mighty nice!
I dug this mix, but rather then Twang it was much more Misty...kind of like Songs in the Key of PCH. Listen to it from the last song to the first, and it really flips the whole deal.
I like all the songs Kevin! Stand outs are Phantogram, and Vetiver, Calexico, Sam Phillips, and Middle Brother. Neko fits in really well here. Yes to Father John Misty who wants to changes the course of this mix. He is powerful in his Misty way.
While Townes Van Zandt is so highly revered, he has always been pretty hard to listen to, as he is so authentically tragic. This song covered by Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campell really does it justice.
Thanks for another great mix Kevin!
Damn it! Misspelling ones own name and not being able to edit it is not a great way to start the day!
In any case, I recommend listening to this mix backwards. It is tremendous!
...but you might here my hidden messages. ;)
Thanks for the kind words.
Or "hear" them.
It took a while to find the time to listen to this but WOW, so glad I did. Great stuff on here. I have a thing for Sam Phillips and love the tune you included here. Other standouts for me are the Isobel Campbell/Mark Lanegan track, the Caveman tune and the song from Vetiver. Like Xtina, The Neek has never walked on water for me -- I respect her talents but she hasn't taken me to a higher place the way she does with many of her fans. Anyway, great mix!
The mix is greater than the sum of its delectable parts. I've been thinking a lot about minimally constructed music lately and the Caveman song plays right into that. Willy-Mason-track-fact aside, every time I see the words "Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan" my inner needle skips for a minute, thinking about that particular musical-career Venn Diagram intersection. The closing trio is total ST bait. Those are my highlight thoughts, everything else is merely great. Thanks for the good stuff.
Well, I'm a little late to comment, but I LOVE this mix. Where do I begin? Isobel Campbell, Vetiver, Father John Misty? I'll be enjoying this for a long time. Long live twang!
Kevin, what a grand mix you have put up here. totally get the tonal direction you were headed, especially liked/was drawn in by the Neko Case - always a haunting favorite - Vetiver - Phantogram trio where you really got me.
What awesome bad-assery is this????
You took Twang and flipped it on its head and for that I say, "Thank you kindly mister!"
Lots and lots of juicy goodness (loved seeing Brian Jonestown Massacre make an appearance here....I have the random pop culture honor of having them named the band in our Haight Street flat eons ago when I lived with Travis, one of the original members). Ouch. Sorry, just tripped over that name I dropped. Back to you, and this really really excellent mix. Love the caveman track, Isobel Campbell, Phantogram and def the Vetiver track. In fact,your mix just finished and I'm starting it up again...
One of the better name drops I've seen here! Cheers.
Is my ever-increasing fascination for/appreciation of The Brian Jonestown Massacre a sign that I need the services of a mental health professional? Or am I actually receiving treatment by listening to them? This is a great mix! When I saw the title, I thought I was in for an alt country hoedown — generally not my fave genre — but this playlist runs all over the dial while finding a commonality I hadn't considered before. Thank you as always Kevin for food for thought and funk shun! Cheers.
I'm also a sucker for tone. One of the things I like on my favorite tracks in this mix is also the reverb which tends to give twangy stuff that David Lynch mysterious vibe. Really like the way the Vetiver and Phantogram flow. I'm also a fan of the Caveman track. Funny, I love the New Pornographers, but I've always had a hard time getting into Neko Case's solo stuff. A really interesting and eclectic mix. Thanks.
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