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Dusted Features
Every Friday, Dusted Magazine publishes a series of music-related lists compiled by our favorite artists. This week: The Phantom Family Halo and Harlan T. Bobo.
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Listed: The Phantom Family Halo + Harlan T. Bobo
The Phantom Family Halo
Louisville quintet The Phantom Family Halo are the product of millions and millions of hours in front of speakers, communicating off of the wave forms of ’60s & ’70s rock ‘n’ roll music. Core members Michael McMahan (The For Carnation / Dead Child) and Dominic Cipolla (Hookers / Sapat / Dead Child) have been jamming together for over 13 years and have no fear of angelic apparitions while walking past the skeletons of rock's multi-dimensional idiom. The Phantom Family Halo's debut long player The Legend Of Black Six (Cold Sweat Records) will put you in the cockpit of a journey into other worlds and dimensions of time. Harkening back to the trailblazers of experimental rock music, while fitting nicely within the nest of neo-psyche brethren Dead Meadow, Entrance, Six Organs Of Admittance or Bright Black Morning Light. Dominic took part in this week’s Listed.
1. Walker Brothers - Nite Flights
The first time I ever heard Scott Walker was when I stumbled upon this record. The track "The Electrician" changed my life. The bass drones, the lyrics (driving through the spirit sanctum tonight), the beautiful string break - his voice. It does not get any more perfect then this. Second half of record is songs by the other Walkers…not so good.
2. Faust - 71 minutes
When I first heard this I did not know music like this could be made - it was a true mind blower. Frightening and beautiful.
3. Sparks - Woofer in Tweeters' Clothing
The official first Sparks record. Theatrical rock at its finest. I think it came out in 1971. Truly a piece of work that was way ahead of its time. It never seems to get any credit.
4. Alice Cooper Group - Love it to Death
The greatest American rock'n'roll band from 1968 to 1974. Neil Smith, Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Glenn Buxton.
5. Amon Düül II - Yeti
I had to put this on the list for the simple fact that "Archangel Thunderbird" is on it and it rules.
6. The Kinks - Arthur
This is, to me, the Kinks' best moment. From the assault of "Brainwashed" to the sadness of "Some mother's Son," it covers all my favorite Kinks areas.
7. John Entwistle - Smash your Head Against the Wall
This is his solo record from ’71. The title track is super heavy and distorted, total Sabbath-type riffs. It's about dealing with your girlfriend and just wanting to smash her head against the wall. There are some pretty songs, too.
8. Budgie - In for the Kill
A perfect early ’70s heavy record from start to finish. Title track is a deep warm analog rich assault to the senses, especially when played very loud.
9. Throbbing Gristle - 20 Jazz Funk Greats
Sounds like ghosts battling electro knights in heaven or somewhere in between their atmosphere and our Earth's surface. I'm not sure.
10. The Nice - Ars Longa Vita Brevis
Late ’60s British psychedelia featuring Rick Emerson from ELP…but way better then ELP. Check out the songs "Daddy Where Did I Come From?” and "Little Arabella."
Harlan T. Bobo
You’ll often see the words “elusive” or “man of mystery” linked to Memphis, Tenn., songwriter Harlan T. Bobo, but if Harlan T.’s excellent new full-length I’m Your Man (Goner) is any indication, then he seems like a relatively open fellow. The album, his second (the debut too much love is also available from Goner), is a pastiche of pop styles – country, Kinks, some light acoustic shuffles, a bit of choogle, and even the occasional bedroom-produced beat – that underpin some wonderfully plaintive lyrics on life and love. The result is at once straightforward yet strangely poetic; haunting yet a little funny ha-ha too. Harlan T. participated in this week’s Listed.
1. Lee Hazlewood
I don't need a reason to listen to Lee, but since his recent passing I pulled out all his records and found, Requiem for an Almost Lady (Smells Like Records), to be my favorite. Biting humor, pop melodies for unpopular themes, simple language that covers a lot of emotional territory. Lee's delivery causes me to laugh out loud. Long live Lee.
2. Fela Kuti - Roforofo Fight
15 minute super fast grooves with slow evolving horn arrangements, there’s so much energy coming of this record I can't help but think these guys were in great physical shape. Fela jerking around the English language is a lot of fun, "impossibitliesisisms".
3. Timothy Prudhomme - With the Hole Dug (Smells Like Records)
I like to lie on the floor and listen to this one, it has the same effect as meditation without having to do the work. Rich stories told with a minimum of words and plenty of space, leaves the mind time to make pictures. trk #7 rolling on!!
4.The juke box at the Lamplighter, Memphis Tenn.
Tonight’s favorites... Willie Nelson, “Georgia on My Mind”: this song has no verse. Los Lobos, “La Bamba”: drummer rocks. Kenny Rogers, “Ruby”: he's got some restraint on this one. Frank Sinatra, “High Hopes”: gives just that. Lou Reed, “Vicious”: fun to see the older regulars bobbing to this one.
5. Funkadelic - America Eats Its Young
First read the inside cover statement on America. Then let your freak flag fly. How that many musicians can sound so spontaneous and together at the same time is beyond me. Disc 3 Track 1... “all I need is pussy to ease my worried mind.” I can never listen to this song just once.
6. Johnny Cash - Personal File
Just Mr. Cash and his guitar. Recorded mostly in the early ’70s at his home. Johnny Cash's voice shakes all of life’s bullshit away. I'll play this record on my deathbed.
7. Kris Kristopherson - Silver Tongued Devil
I've always liked his song writing but never liked his voice until this one, reminds me of an unhinged young Leonard Cohen. Great songwriting of course, but the performances really get me.
8. Konono No. 1 - Congotronics
Thumb piano music through homemade amplifiers, this stuff puts a lot of low-fi tech music to shame.
9. Blood Tea and Red String
This is a stop animation movie by Christiane Cegavske. Low budget, beautiful to look at, unique characters and a story that feels like an ancient fairy tale.... Beautiful. Great music by Mark Growden.
10. Marc Bojanowski - The Dog Fighter (book)
Very violent, feels like a small personal chapter in a Cormac McCarthy book. Satisfies the macho like biting into a rare steak. Also very nice to watch a character grow away from his violence.
By Dusted Magazine
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