Pete Townshend and Ronnie Laine did a perfectly wonderful album called Rough Mix. It alternates between Who-like rock numbers and folky musings. The lyrics are intelligent and clever throughout. I’ve never talked to anybody else who has this treasure.
Ensemble Gurrufio is a miraculous cross between jazz and Venezuelan folk music, all instrumental. The CD is called El Cruzao, and as far I know, it’s their only recording. I got it from Public Radio Music Source right after the band appeared on St. Paul Sunday. When I play it, folks tell me it’s like being in a little cafe somewhere tropical. The individual musicians have probably surfaced somewhere else; Cheo Hurtado, David Pena, Cristobal Soto, and Luis Julio Toro.
I cannot second this enough. Gogol Bordello is the single best band I have seen live. A vodka-soaked gypsy-punk-rock cabaret that whips the crowd into a frenzied, dancing whirlwind. Their albums do not do their live shows justice, but they are really damn good and excellent to listen to when you want to just DANCE.
They were supposed to be on Conan O’Brien’s show last week (Wed. or Thurs., I think) and I stayed up late to catch them. But for some reason they were not on.
Here’s the thing; I’m not in the LA area (I’m in NY). I get Brad’s auction lists of 78s and played with Reynolds when he was in NY 12 years ago. (You must know Mora’s Modern Rhythmists; I think they’re tremendous.)
