Greg Macpherson Band - "Slow Stroke". I've been reading Michael Turner's Hardcore Logo and since I'm not a fan of British Columbian 80s punk, I've been kinda imagining Greg Macpherson in place of Joe Dick. The substitution doesn't really work - the novel-poem's protagonist is a proud, well-meaning incompetent. (Macpherson, meanwhile, is wholly competent.) Macpherson is one of the finest voices in contemporary Canadian music - like a snarling Bruce Springsteen, Joe Strummer raised on Woody Guthrie and Winnipeg winters. Nevertheless, he's mostly unknown here, kept in the long shadow of former labelmates The Weakerthans. While I'm a fan of those folk-punkers (and we'll likely hear them on Gramophone some time soon), I'm willing to assert that Macpherson is in fact the stronger talent. The coals in his eyes smoulder and flare more brightly. His songs are fierce but instantly catchy - pop hooks with stark, clear-cut lyrics, a fighter's spirit. They blaze. Live, Macpherson's a monster, yelling and consumed by sound. "Slow Stroke" is fairly straight-forward, but there's nothing to yawn at in the yellow guitar licks and goofy, fabulous "hoo-oo-oo"s. Dig.
Nacho Vegas - "Seronda". A mesmerizing sliver of Spanish alt.folk - a doubletracked voice over acoustic guitar, organ, and a lazylaidback palette of drums. There are little blossoms, too, of horns and fiddle, as well as a brazen, smiling theremin (or something), whinsomely singing in the dawn. Howe Gelb teamed with Hayden, en español. Since recording this album (2001's Actos Inexplicables), Nacho's become a permanent member of Acaruela/Sub Pop signees Migala, who play black-and-red post-rock. This is better.
Elsewhere:
A downright enormous folk music library (with RealAudio and AIFF files) at Southwest Missouri State University: The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection.
Posted by Sean at March 31, 2004 2:09 AMnacho vegas? where do you find this stuff, it's great!
Posted by rojazz at March 31, 2004 2:49 AMThat Nacho Vegas' song is really great - i've been listening to it the whole afternoon. I think i want to listen more from Nacho Vegas :) The Actos Inexplicables record seems to be quite expensive - i just checked online - but there are two more recent records - MIEDO AL ZUMBIDO DE LOS MOSQUITOS and CANCIONES DESDE PALACIO - which are quite a bargain. Are those records recommendable?
Posted by pat at March 31, 2004 10:11 AMGlad Mr Vegas is such a hit!
I actually don't know any of his more recent stuff, Pat - like you say, his work in general is hard to find. I can't imagine that the records would be bad, though...
There are some samples on his website - click on any of the albums along the right side of this page, then choose the "extractos" link. (Sometimes you also have to hit 'escuchar' to listen.) Let me know!
Posted by Sean at March 31, 2004 11:16 AMMan, I totally dig that Greg Macpherson. Good stuff. Is he a Montrealer? I see he's playing twice here in the next couple of months.
Posted by Rob at March 31, 2004 12:09 PMHe's from Winnipeg. Go see him! (I will if I can.)
Posted by Sean at March 31, 2004 12:23 PMYeah, Greg Macpherson is a beast. Wouldn't want to cross him in a back alley, either. His new EP covers Bank Robber by the Clash, highly reccommended.
Posted by Tim at March 31, 2004 3:04 PMGreg Macpherson is a tough-looking fellow, indeed. Must be those years of grave-digging for the City of Winnipeg.
Are there any other Frank Black fans out there who hear "Dog in the Sand" (song, not album) when they listen to that Nacho Vegas track?
Posted by jeremyw at March 31, 2004 10:16 PMGreat call on the Greg Macpherson. Crossed paths with him years ago when he came through London, Ont. as a complete unknown (at least to me). Been a bit of a hobby ever since to periodically check up on him. Funny how he's remained just under the radar all this time.
Posted by aaron at April 1, 2004 3:57 AMThat Macpherson track is awesome!
Posted by Eppy at April 2, 2004 1:14 PMyeah - I just don't know when mr macpherson is going to break the bigtime. When I saw him in Montreal last year, I resolved to write an article comparing him with Hayden. Greg's this astonishing performer, devoted to his audience (and his art), inflamed and committed - and he's also a nobody. Hayden, meanwhile, positively exploded during his hiatus (before the release of "Skyscraper National Park"), and is now (live), this smug, lazy, self-indulgent performer. He's a Canadian superstar, but in person he's a little shit; compare with Macpherson, the brighter talent (IMHO), but nearly unknown. (sigh)
I never wrote the article because I figured it would simply be a bitter rant, and no one would be interested.
Glad you like it, Eppy - check out the album in toto!
Posted by Sean at April 2, 2004 3:09 PMYes, I went to Spain three months ago and some of the stuff there is great. I recomend NACHO VEGAS, MUS, MANTA RAY and especially LAVA. I had the chance to see them live and they´re amazing. The percusion guy plays as loud as fuck. If you like tropicalismo and that sort of stuff you must listen:
http://www.pueblorecords.com/html_espanol/lava/disco_lava/disco_lava.html
Cheers,
Daniel
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
