I’m not her neighbor…so basically this kicks ass.

One was the a print from Audrey Kawasaki that I had purchased in February (picture in an upcoming post) that finally arrived, and it is beautiful.

But, what’s been burning up my CD /mp3 players this week is the latest album from Galactic, Ya-Ka-May. I’ve got a nostalgic bent for the band from my days at Tulane, when we’d book them for shows here & there (I’m going way back there, btw).

Anywho, Ya-Ka-May kicks some serious ass. My favorite track so far is “Heart Of Steel” a collaboration with the incomparable Irma Thomas, which has commandeered the ‘repeat’ button on my radio for days.  There’s a Trombone Shorty track that’s almost as awesome, so I’d say the whole album is worth your time.

• for solo guitar
• a wild version for ringing bells (yea you heard me right) — gotta make it 2:00 into this one for the full effect to hit
• two guitars
• a  “metal” version
• flute and whistle

And the original….

Countrypolitan

Nice.

Thanks to NPR, you can listen to a SCOTS concert online:

Southern Culture On The Skids On Mountain Stage : NPR.

Back in the day, “Whole Lotta Things” found it’s way on to more than a couple of my mix tapes. ( What’s a ‘mix-tape’ you ask? Why, sonny, pull up a chair and I’ll spin you a tale of the olden days… )

the Moscow Coup Attempt – Do You Fear Sleep?

[thanks to Brand Upon The Brain ]