Erkin Koray/Wooden Shjips

Erkin Koray
Erkin Koray
(1973 - World Psychedelia Ltd./MIZ)

This is a prime example of the far-reaching influence of psychedelic music of the late '60s/early '70s. Erkin Koray, known as the Turkish Hendrix, is a psychedelic guitar guru and a musical trailblazer for rock 'n' roll in the Middle East. His fusion of traditional Turkish folk and rock created what is now known as Anatolian rock.

Though this is considered Koray's first album, it is actually a collection of singles dating back to 1967. Lots of the songs on the album gorge themselves in acid/psychedelic rock, while others are much more reserved and folky, clearly prior to the psych explosion.
A holy matrimony of East meets West.

Tracklisting:

1. "Mesafeler" – 3:40
2. "Askimiz Bitecek" – 3:22
3. "Yagmur" – 3:41
4. "Silinmeyen Hatiralar" – 4:11
5. "Istemem" – 3:29
6. "Çiçek Dagi" – 2:39
7. "Nihansin Dideden" – 4:05
8. "Sana Birseyler Olmuş" – 3:08
9. "Seni Her Gördügümde" – 3:22
10. "Aska Inanmiyorum" – 3:34
11. "Kizlari Da Alin Askere" – 3:32
12. "Anma Arkadaş" – 4:04

Download Erkin Koray

MP3: Erkin Koray - “Mesafeler”
MP3: Erkin Koray - “Sana Birseyler Olmuş”

In other news, the San Franciscan quartet Wooden Shjips (and no that's not a typo) will be playing tonight at the Independent. While visiting their Myspace page last night I noticed they placed Erkin Koray in the coveted, "Number One Friend" spot, or whatever it's called. That was the inspiration for this post. They released their debut album on the highly respectable, and Santa Cruz-based, Holy Mountain label late last year. Support local music! (As I give you their stuff for free! Oh, the irony.)

Download Wooden Shjips
MP3: Wooden Shjips - “We Ask You To Ride”

Liars/No Age

This is sort of last minute. I'm going to try and make it short and sweet because it's really late and I shouldn't even be writing this.

Liars are coming off their eponymous fourth album, while No Age have created lots of excitement with their quality debut titled, Weirdo Rippers.

No Age is from Los Angeles and recently joined forces with countercultural publisher Arthur Magazine to present an "L.A. River Beautification Meeting," a.k.a. the band played by the river and everyone smoked lots of pot. No, but really, the purpose of the gig was to celebrate public space and nature among the urban sprawl. Too bad the rangers didn't see it that way. They saw to it that the celebration ended prematurely. Below is a clip of the show at its peak.



Liars and No Age will be playing together at Slim's tonight. The show is going to be fast and loud, so if that's not how you want to spend your Friday night then you'd be wise to skip this one. For the rest of you, the show will satisfy your craving for art-rock noise. Let's hope their shows are equally as impressive as their albums.

MP3: Liars - “Freak Out”

MP3: No Age - “Neck Escaper”

5.18.98 - BOTH

Elliott Smith
Live @ Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco
(May 18th, 1998)

I think it's safe to say that most everyone has gone through a phase with Elliott Smith in which his music dominates your CD player, record player, iPod, and your life basically . And, I'm sure for some of you his music is more than a phase, but rather a lifelong-love affair. His lyrics were so personal they seemed to be able to strike a chord with people across-the-board. It didn't always feel like you were really listening to his music; instead it was like you were commiserating a troubled soul.

Elliott, who changed his name from Steve because he thought it sounded too much like a "jock" name, began having traumatic flashbacks of his step-father sexually abusing him while he was a kid. Nobody can confirm whether he was sexually abused as a child, not even Elliott, who was never positive that his flashbacks stemmed from reality. Some people have suggested that Elliott suffered from false memory syndrome. Either way it's certain that his drug and alcohol addiction played a key role in his deteriorative mental state.

I found this album while browsing through the Internet Archive website. The website provides lots of live bootlegs from musicians all over the world; though some of the files can be low quality. Luckily, this one of Elliott performing at BOTH is one the best. Elliott Smith did lots of Beatles covers during his shows, and in this one he does a pretty good job covering John Lennon's, "Jealous Guy." Although he almost forgot the lyrics about 3/4 of the way through, he calmly recovered and finished it off nicely.

It is soon to be five years since the mysterious passing of Elliott Smith. For those of us living in the Bay Area, there will be an Elliott Smith photography exhibit opening February 28th at Queens Nails Annex. If anybody wants to join me let me know.

Tracklisting:

1) Angeles
2) Division Day
3) Waltz #2
4) Clementine
5) St. Ides Heaven
6) Between the Bars
7) Alameda
8) Rose Parade
9) Oh Well, Ok
10) Needle in the Hay
11) Jealous Guy
12) Say Yes
13) Pictures of Me
14) I'm So Tired
15) Bled White
16) A Question Mark
17) Southern Belle
18) Coming Up Roses
19) The Biggest Lie

Download Elliott Smith - Live at Bottom of the Hill (5.18.98)
Recommended Tracks: "Angeles," "Waltz #2," "Between the Bars," "Jealous Guy," "Say Yes"

BTW
I couldn't upload Faces in the Rocks because the file size was too big. You're just going to have to check it out on your own. The song below will give you an idea of what her music is all about.

MP3: Mariee Sioux - “Wizard Flurry Home”

Thursday @ GAMH

Entrance
Prayer of Death
(October 2006 - Tee Pee Records)

You know how sometimes you listen to a record for the very first time and you know instantly you're going to love it? This is one of those records. I listen to this album habitually and I never seem to tire of it.

Entrance is the musical moniker used by Baltimore native Guy Blakeslee. Being left handed, Guy has adapted by playing the guitar upside-down. Upside-down, hmmm? Anybody in particular come to mind? Indeed, Jimi's influence is readily felt in Entrance's music. Guy claims to be a huge fan of musicians such as Sandy Bull, Jimi, Can, and the enigma that is Yahowa 13. The dude even hooked up with Cat Power. I don't know how I can still like the guy, but I do.

For those of you still keeping track of musical genres, this might fall under the psychedelic rock category, though that's pigeonholing it for sure. It definitely has a blues feel to it, as well as a strong Middle Eastern vibe (track three features the sitar).

Entrance will be performing this Thursday at the Great American Music Hall. Despite how great this album is, it doesn't do their live show justice. They are one of the best live acts around. It's strange that they haven't received the proper accolades that they most definitely deserve.

Tracklisting:

1) Grim Reaper Blues
2) Silence of a Crowded Train
3) Requiem for Sandy Bull (R.I.P)
4) Valium Blues
5) Pretty Baby
6) Prayer of Death
7) Lost in the Dark
8) Never Be Afraid!

Co-headlining is Mariee Sioux who released a wonderful album entitled Faces In The Rocks in '07. One of my favorites of the year. I hope to get around to posting about her before Thursday. She's worth the price of admission alone. It's going to be amazing people! Be there!

Download Prayer of Death
Recommended Tracks: All of Them. Seriously!

Juno

Juno - OST
(January 8th, 2008 - Rhino Records)

I saw this movie with my moms during my recent visit and we both walked out with a smile on our faces. It was such a charming movie due in large part to Ellen Page's performance. You really have to try not to like her. The writing was excellent; very witty.
At first I wasn't sure I was going to like the movie because the dialogue was a little too over-the-top for my liking. Using cheesy-ass slang to get by. But as the movie went on they eased up on it.

Music plays a big part in Juno's life, thus the soundtrack is embraced often in the movie. It is an excellent collection of songs that seem to be a good fit for the theme of the movie. It also introduced me to a singer named Kimya Dawson who was in a band called the Moldy Peaches (who are also on the album). The musical aspect of her craft isn't what grabs you, quickly strummed acoustic guitar chords, rather it's her engaging lyrics. Here are two I liked:

If I'm a spinster for the rest of my life

my yarns will keep me warm

on cold and lonely nights

When I saw Genevieve I really liked it when she said
what she said about the giant and the lemmings on the cliff
she said 'I like giants, especially girl giants
'cause all girls feel too big sometimes, regardless of their size'

Those lyrics came from the songs, "Tire Swing" and "I Like Giants", respectively. She's also socially conscious and expresses her points of view in songs like "Loose Lips" and "12/26" - a song about the 2004 tsunamis.
My favorite track on the album is Sonic Youth's cover of the Carpenters song, "Superstar." It's beautiful and brooding at the same time. Just the way I like it.

Tracklisting:

1) All I Want Is You - Barry Louis Polisar
2) Rollercoaster - Kimya Dawson
3) A Well Respected Man - The Kinks
4) Dearest - Buddy Holly
5) Up The Spout - Mateo Messina
6) Tire Swing - Kimya Dawson
7) Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle And Sebastian
8) Loose Lips - Kimya Dawson
9) Superstar - Sonic Youth
10) Sleep - Kimya Dawson
11) Expectations - Belle And Sebastian
12) All The Young Dudes - Mott The Hoople
13) So Nice So Smart -Kimya Dawson
14) Sea Of Love - Cat Power
15) Tree Hugger - Kimya Dawson And Antsy Pants
16) I'm Sticking With You - Velvet Underground
17) Anyone Else But You - The Moldy Peaches
18) Vampire - Antsy Pants
19) Anyone Else But You - Ellen Page And Michael Cera

Download Juno - OST

Recommended Tracks: "All I Want Is You," "Superstar," "All the Young Dudes," "Sea of Love," "I'm Sticking With You," "Anyone Else But You."