Like buses, you wait ages for a Bill Callahan track to appear on AUK, then two come at once. Bill Callahan has announced a new album called ‘Gold Record’ due September 4th via Drag City. The 10-song album features a new version of ‘Let’s Move to the Country’ from Smog’s 1999 album ‘Knock Knock’, along with a track named after Ry Cooder. He’s releasing a new track from the record every week from this week and the first is the one we leave you with for the weekend dear reader called ‘Pigeons’ which, after introducing himself as Johnny Cash, begins with the amazing line: “Well, the pigeons ate the wedding rice/And exploded somewhere over San Antonio.” You won’t hear this on Smooth Country Radio. Have a good one.
Tag: Bill Callahan
Pick of the Political Pops: Smog “The Morning Paper”
This week we were somewhat concerned that local rag – The People’s Republic of Liverpudlia’s Armageddon Times and Advertiser – ran a piece which was clearly in contravention of The People’s Republic’s Declaration on Inhuman Rights. Local law enforcement giant Bobby Bob was interviewed about how he had taken his local authority issued bike on a cycling holiday around a neighbouring republic and whilst there had afforded himself the opportunity to observe the local law enforcement’s methods of subduing the nasty, unwashed miscreants that litter their society. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Smog “The Morning Paper””
Bill Callahan “Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest” (Drag City, 2019)
Bill Callahan makes everything sound momentous – that dark growl of a baritone, reminiscent of Kurt Wagner, adds weight of course. And then there’s the quietly, and intellectually, confessional side of his lyrics which means that the lyrics tend to drop like concrete blocks, cemented permanently in place before the next thought is paraded slyly before the listener. And although it has been six years from his last release nothing has changed fundamentally in the music although ‘Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest‘ is if anything even further stripped back, predominantly guitar and vocal and little else other than little electronic effects, found sounds and the plinking of thumb piano. Continue reading “Bill Callahan “Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest” (Drag City, 2019)”
New Bill Callahan album due June – UK dates too
Rejoice! Bill Callahan’s late-phase hot streak continues with the announcement of his first record since 2013, ‘Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest.’ After its predecessor ‘Dream River’, Callahan’s life went through some changes including marriage and children, but described the situation where afterwards it was harder for him to find the place where the songs came, to make him and these new experiences over again into something to sing. Continue reading “New Bill Callahan album due June – UK dates too”