Morning Shorts

We've been experiencing technical difficulties. First Blogger goes down, then EZArchive. Even in the future nothing works! Too true, Mel Brooks, too true. Expect a return to regular posting, giant web utilities willing.

Mark Kozelek has officially announced his new live album Little Drummer Boy, a double-disc package limited to 10,000 copies, and out November 28th. It features live performances over the last several years, including "Mistress" at the 4AD anniversary show, and two new songs, "Moorestown" and "Unlit Hallway". Pre-order it now and put food on the Kozelek table.

The new issue of Mojo, on newsstands now, comes with a free CD, "The Quiet Revolution", full of 15 previously released tracks from folkies like Vashti Bunyan, Bert Jansch, Akron/Family, Diane Cluck, Espers and Woven Hand. Along with the must-read Elton John cover story, quite an $8.99 value...

The Guardian talks to a bunch of songwriters, including M. Ward, Joanna Newsom, Will Oldham and John Darnielle, about their lyrics in relation to poetry. "Indeed, poetry - in the book sense - has a bad reputation among even the most literary songwriters. "I see a huge gulf between poetry and song lyrics," insists Bill Callahan [Smog]. "Poetry is so often an internal and individual thing. Music is a social art that speaks to the body more than the mind. Even if you choose to listen to music alone, you are still a part of a living thing. Poetry is about separating yourself out from the masses. It's about not being a social animal. I dislike poetry!"

The reviews for Bert Jansch's The Black Swan, out next week on Drag City, are trickling in. Dusted Magazine is pretty pleased: "If The Black Swan doesn’t have the cross-generic impact of Jansch’s 1970s music, in its place is a hard-won serenity and quiet pleasure in the joys of unassuming folk endeavor...Jansch’s self-penned tunes are as affecting as ever, none more so than on the deep blue threnody “High Days,” or the opening title song, which is as heartbreaking as Jansch’s classic “Needle of Death.” Sure, it’s sentimental to simply be thankful that the lovable old rogue is back, but this time round, it’s no false sentiment. Now, if only his old sparring partner Anne Briggs would make a similar return…" Seattle Weekly is less forgiving: "Jansch fucked up when combing the pages of Arthur, searching for young acolytes to work with. If he really wanted to challenge himself, then Jansch should have collaborated with Joanna Newsom...as it is, Black Swan is just a well-crafted collection of introspective ballads like "High Days" (a reminiscence of long-gone singer-songwriter Tim Hardin), traditional tunes, and one or two bluesy numbers...Jansch is supposed to blow minds, not produce slightly above average folk music." Ouch.

Kirstiecat has a nice review and a slew of amazing pictures from the Chicago Mojave 3 concert. Check them out on their remaining tour dates, and listen to a few great tracks from their latest album, Puzzles Like You.

MP3: Mojave 3 - Breaking the Ice
MP3: Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You