Just in case anyone is wondering about the breaking of radio silence...
Braden Gates' new album is certainly worth talking about, plus the talented young man was kind enough to send a CD to me.
Otherwise, I haven't heard or seen anything new or transformational since I lasted posted here. In the absence of new discoveries, I can recommend some strong and enjoyable records from folk I already knew had it in them - such as Hiss Golden Messenger's Lateness of Dancers, Steve Gunn's Way Out Weather and Robert Plant's Lullaby & The Ceaseless Roar.
In that category,Thurston Moore's The Best Day deserves special mention for housing some strong and varied music in a lovely sleeve.
There have been some excellent archive releases too, notably Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's 1974 boxset and Paradise of Bachelors' repressings of early 70s Mike Cooper albums. And, of course, 6 CDs' worth of the Complete Basement Tapes will land with a substantial thud on Dylan fans' doormats tomorrow...
Not much on the gig front to report: Neil Young excellent for tens of thousands in Hyde Park, Harry Manx similar for tens in a Brighton pub. James Taylor doing his thing with commitment and grace, for those whose boats he floats...
Onward and upward.