Frank Macdonald just contacted me with the bad news that the great John Herald died.

Update at 6.54am 21/7 : It was confirmed by John's agent, Sarah. No more details at present but when any news comes in I'll let you know. I had the pleasure of meeting John and seeing him play during his many trips to Scotland. He made a record with The Radio Sweethearts called "Roll on John" which was released on Spit and Polish. One of the original folk troubadors, his work with The Greenbriar Boys is exemplary and he deserved much more than the cards life dealt him.

ROTTERDAM RUMBLE... The Coyotemen and a shedload of other garage grapplers this coming September at The Waterfront in, where else, Rotterdam.

The "TOP 12 HOTTEST FEMALE GUITARISTS EVER"!

Well I'll be (insert expression of choice here)... ("fucked with the ragman's coronet" was always my favourite but what can I tell ya? Scotland is a wonderful country. Where else would you expect to hear that the word "fail" is to be replaced, when dealing with kids' exams with "deferred success". Just lately I've been excelling in "deffered success" or, er... failure.

I'm working to clear that long promised backlog but am also trapped in the mire of reality and all the crap that trails into the hall. You all know how that is, right?

So anyway, there's e-mail to answer and discs to spin. There's Film Festival tickets to sort out too, See, the distractions are creeping in already...

A message from Ms Cantrell...

"Hey folks,

I am very disappointed about the sudden cancellation of Lucinda Williams' U.K. tour on which I was to be her support act. I am so sorry we won't be seeing you in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Newcastle.

However, I did want to let you know that I will be appearing on my own dates in Birmingham and York as scheduled, and may even be adding a last minute show in Glasgow next week (please watch my website for updates). Also, for those of you with tickets to the Cambridge Folk Festival, I've been added to the lineup for Saturday, July 30.

In addition, I will be appearing on the "Loose Ends" programme with Ned Sherrin on BBC Radio 4 this Saturday, as well as upcoming sessions on the " Andy Kershaw Show" for Radio 3, "OneMusic" with Rob da Bank for Radio 1, and "The Gideon Coe Show" for 6Music.

I'll be back in the U.K. in September for more shows that will be announced shortly, so again check the website as confirmed tour dates are added. There are also some new photos and free downloads, as well as a very special NYC subway map that plays all of the songs on my new album, "Humming By The Flowered Vine."

Thanks again for your support and understanding,

Laura Cantrell
Jackson heights, NY

July 24 - The Glee Club, The Arcadian Centre, Hurst Street, Birmingham, England. Tel: 0870 2415093

July 25 - The National Centre for Early Music, St. Margaret's Church, Walmgate, York, England. Tel: 01904 658338

July 30 - Cambridge Folk Festival, Cherry Hinton Hall Grounds Cambridge, England"

RIP - James Doohan, boldly gone, aged 85.

Just noted this at our eXTReMe Tracking site; beautiful girls, beautiful Asian girl, and me. I would love to tell you I was such fine company, but alas...

Handy dandy eBay feedback generator.

Reigning Sound news : a new CD Live At Maxwell's will be out soon on Telstar, with Spoonful managing the Lp. Fourteen tracks, originals and covers, and liners notes by Miriam Linna. Also (as previously announced) a 10" and CD, Home for Orphans (the scrapped second album) on Sympathy.

Acetate records is set to release a demo album by NINE POUND HAMMER; "Mulebite Deluxe", recorded in 1990 (with three new tracks, two originals and a cover for good measure), while Get Hip will be issuin' a 45 of NPH's version of "Train Kept A Rollin', Part 1 and 2".

Locals will be happy to learn that Utrecht now has it's own Elvis shop.

That's their forte....

THIS COMING WEEKEND IN NYC...

Cool picture overview of the recent Primitive fest in Rotterdam at YadaYadaOink.com. (link c/o Sander Bink)
And even more...

Dear Cats and/or Kittens,

Can't knock the rock? Then give in for a triple helping of rock and/or roll, SIT & Die Co. style!

THURSDAY, JULY 21st / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 8:00 - 12:00

It's another spectacular monthly revue of music, mirth and canned ham -- and special featured guests: uptown's Heather Allison, down South's Rosalyn Morris and the gypsy that's everywhere, Baby Maria. DJ Fabio Roberti will provide the atmosphere and we'll provide the snack bowls, all in the air-conditioned elegance of Otto's, located at 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in Manhattan's East Village. Two complete shows, at 8:00 and 10:00 sharp. Free! / www.OttosShrunkenHead.com /

FRIDAY, JULY 22nd / FREDDY'S BACKROOM / 9:00 - 9:45

The 2nd Annual Brooklyn Country Music Festival returns to the old-timey setting of Freddy's in Park Slope, Brooklyn, found at 485 Dean Street. No cover -- and free frankfurters! / www.BrooklynCountryMusic.com /

SATURDAY, JULY 23rd / RODEO BAR / 10:30 - 1:30

We're back at the Rodeo Bar, home of Tex-Mex grub, cold beer and peanuts in the shell, located at 375 Third Avenue (at 27th Street) in Kips Bay, Manhattan. We'll play three sets(!), from 10:30 on, and the music, like the peanuts in the shell, is free. / www.RodeoBar.com /

Why, it's three times the rock!

Sincerely,
Michael Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

And now to a few random things that'll keep you occupied while I have the rest of the day away from the screen here. Give the old peepers a break, catch up on some of the music and stuff that's lying around. Might even look into the possibility of catching DIG! , if it's still playing at any of the cinemas around here. I'm not holding my breath. So this next segment comes courtesy of a man who knows how to mix it up (Thanks Marty)...

LONG GONE JOHN interview. Then visit Sympathy to check out the latest releases.

BUBBLEGUM MACHINE (does pretty much what it sez on the glass).

The men don't know but the little GHOULS understand.

As the great one said, "and awaaaaaaay we go!" So get going.

Sure I take requests; playlists, top 10s, whatever. You tell me...
Here goes:

Sods - Minutes To Go (1979, Step Forward LP).
Pulled this one from the shelves earlier today, fantastic p-rock from Denmark. The William Burroughs reference and Suicide cover make it clear these kids were in the know.

Various - Studio One Lovers (2005, Soul Jazz 2LP).
Fab collection of early reggae and rocksteady tunes. The Sharks' How Could I Live is easily worth the price of admission by itself. But dig the Mad Lads' Ten To One and the Wailers' ultra rare I'm Still Waiting as well. Beautiful vocal harmonies, and more proof that the Impressions were bigger than the Beatles in Jamaica..

Dictators - Viva Dictators (2005, Escapi CD).
As much as I obviously enjoy this one, it would have been so much better if there was at least one new tune aboard and they'd left in HDM's between song rants. Each song here is a classic of mythical proportions, sure, but Manitoba's anouncements are such an intregal part of the 'tators'live experience. If you wanna save rock 'n' roll, you gotta serve the entire ensalada, not just parts of it.

New York Dolls recording new album.

Lookin' PRETTY good... (thanks Martin!)

OLD FARTS AT PLAY: TELEVISION LIVE IN UTRECHT 15/07/2005.
It's close to three decades since Tom Verlaine graced the cover of the very first issue of NBT. But even so many years down the line, Television proved they can still present a clear, transparent image/sound that is remarkably free of outside or current influences. Recent material sounded fine enough, but hey, gimme Marquee Moon any day. I can sorta understand that new songs probably give some kinda validation to the band, but it's the strength of the original material that still pulls in the crowds. And really, there's nothing wrong with that, as long as it's done with the kind of dignity as displayed tonight. See no Evil, Venus, Friction, Marquee Moon and Prove It (tho'sadly no Little Johnny Jewel) were all performed in fine style with the amazing guitar interplay between Richard Lloyd and Verlaine as good as it ever was. This reuion biz can be rather tricky at times, but this TV set was built to last and will never need fancy extras to make an impact...