More words to come. Does my heart good to tag some new names this month, many of my favorite artists. Collaboration was in the air in 1998.
Songs
Olu Dara–“Rainshower“. The avant garde trumpeter/cornetist, best known as the father of Nas (who I’ve never heard), put out his first of two IDontKnowWhatYouCallThisMusicButItsCertainlyNotWhatHesBeenKnownFor albums. Poise yourself for takeoff when the background vocals arrive at 3:20.
The Handsome Family–“Weightless Again”
Don Walser–“In My Dear Old Southern Home“. If there is better yodeler I’ve not heard him. Rivals the Tuvan throat singers for what he does with his voice on this song.
Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach–“Toledo“. I would give up a lot to hear Dionne sing this in her youth. I can’t take the whole album in a sitting because of the vocals. I prefer to have the songs locked in my memory, with another imaginary vocalist.
Richard Buckner–“Goner W/ Souvenir“. He’s an acquired taste live, that’s for sure, but unfortunately his recordings are sparse on youtube.
Queens of the Stone Age–“Regular John“. Brent hit the nail on the head with this one.
Mercury Rev–“Goddess on a Hiway”
Sonic Youth–“Sunday”
Songs: Ohia–“An Ace Unable to Change“. Impala is not the album to start with if you haven’t heard Jason Molina yet–one of the great songwriters, think Neil Young, Ambulance Man. This early song gives you a pretty good idea of where he was at emotionally and where the poor guy was headed. Wait, who am I kidding, you who listen to, and enjoy, Palace Music. This whole record will be just your thing, and I oughta have put in under albums.
Aaly Trio & Ken Vandermark–“Stumble”
Albums
Neutral Milk Hotel–In the Aeroplane over the Sea
Tim Berne/Michael Formanek–Ornery People
Gillian Welch–Hell Among the Yearlings
Lucinda Williams–Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Alan Licht & Loren MazzaCane Connors–Hoffman Estates
Elliott Smith–XO (heir to Brian Wilson, “Waltz #1“)
Billy Bragg & Wilco–Mermaid Avenue (“Eisler on the Go“)
Art Ensemble of Chicago–Coming Home Jamaica (The best songs aren’t on youtube, but this is still pretty damn good, “Odwalla (Theme)“)
Kate and Anna McGarrigle–The McGarrigle Hour (“School Days“)
Pere Ubu–Pennsylvania (I know that road’s still there, “Woolie Boolie“)
Music Corner w/ Archive 
I’m really looking forward to the other lists. I’m guessing John may have, at most, 3 dups with mine. Bob, maybe a couple. Tim, probably none, as usual, but I almost added that Boards of Canada track he introduced me to last month.
Sorry. mine’s ready to go, just have to find a moment to get it posted with some comments. 2 dups. But can you identify which two? Shouldn’t be too hard…
Glad to hear it’s coming. Elvis/Burt and either Gillian or Lucinda.
No, wait, I’m going to guess the Elvis/Burt and Bragg/Wilco as dups.
I like both of your guesses. I appreciate your confidence on the Elvis/Bacharach, which is of course correct. I need to revisit that Lucinda record (along a few others), and this list might help get that job done. And I actually don’t have any pre-“Time…” Gillian. More to check out. Technically the Wilco is half right (I hadn’t counted it originally), though I like the Wilco songs better on the 2nd volume.
Though I didn’t know this particular Gillian album, sounds like it holds up as well as any of hers. Love that second track on the record. Fabulous guitar work as always. And a lovely surprise minor chord on the chorus. Need to pick this one up.
I had been exposed to Mercury Rev at the time but never owned the album. The track that Tim posted was working for me. This one less so (not bad, just not a need to go buy).
I’ve played with the Handsome Family a couple times but this may be the first time I’ve listened to their recording work.
As mentioned, I need to to dig out this Lucinda record again. And I just heard another one of hers playing that I really dug. Too much music… Too little time.
Because of being so into Rufus Wainwright at the time, I bought the McGarrigle Hour when it came out. I think I couldn’t get past the voices to get into the writing. It got sold immediately… I probably wasn’t mature enough at the time. I might still not be.
Getting into the newest QOTSA. I see the charm of this one. I just don’t rock enough for this. Or get stoned enough.
Some fine yodels from Don.
Enjoyed the Olu Dara. Enjoy Nas too.
It was the writing on the second Mermaid Ave. record that started to get me into Wilco. And I love a lot of the songs that never made it onto either of these albums (from Leroy Bach and Jay Bennett). The Woody lyric that Leroy used to write the song “If You Were Here” is one of the greatest songs ever.
As I kind of mentioned in my post, I think a young Dionne wouldn’t be the right fit for these Elvis/Burt songs. They’re meant for an older voice. But I’d still enjoy a young Dionne singing these songs. For interest more than anything. I might appreciate some mid-60’s production too. Strip off a bit of the adult contemporary sound, as much as I enjoy it on this record.
Of course already a fan of the Neutral Milk and especially the Elliott. Good list overall.
Did we do “side 1 – track 1”? How did Woolie Bullie not make my list? Incredibly powerful!
Indeed! wrt the vocals on the olu dara…surprisingly I’m not versed in his output at all.
I see that the Mercury Rev made both Tim’s and your list (different tracks). I’ll have to give this a proper listen as I don’t recall appreciating this album as much as other Mercury Rev stuff.
The Mazzacane/licht was on my short list. Glad to see it here… Some of licht’ s’more listenable stuff.
When I heard The Handsome Family I thought “not really my cup of tea…but I bet Mike would like it”. I see that thought was correct.
Very interesting how our tastes have diverged these past few years. Makes things interesting. If we made this list in say 2000 I would imagine ours would be much more similar…or maybe not :).