Crackle and Pop 5 - Love Song for the Dead Che

I bought this single in 1968 after hearing the "A" side "The Garden of Earthly Delights" on the Pete Drummond show. The United States of America were a great psychedelic band who created a unique sound developed by band member Joe Byrd, mixing early electronics and treated vocals with electric violin and guitars. Though this "B" side is much more downbeat and an obvious and acknowledged influence on both Broadcast and Portishead.

'Love Song for the Dead Che' is - according to the Dusted review - ‘Burt Bacharach on downers...'

Pitch fork describes the bands leader...
'Former UCLA ethnomusicology instructor Joseph Byrd concocted miracles with musique concrete-style tape collages and white noise blurts that veered in and out of the songs like uninvited but still welcome guests.'

Love Song For The Dead Che (MP3, Vinyl rip)

emusic - 50 free downloads offer

There are now many different legal downloads sites available, but eMusic is one of the best. I picked up on this from Canadian Alan Williamsons blog Sixeyes, who you all have subs to anyway? If not go and visit right away!

eMusic currently has a offer of 50 free downloads which I have taken up. They have a wide selection of indie labels signed up and I will definitely be keeping my subscription.

I got into a countryish/folkish mood while on the site and went for the following.

Lambchop - Is a woman. (Very downbeat album from Kurt and the gang but that suits me fine)

Richard Thompson - Old Kit Bag (bit of a mixed bag really, some strong songs from RT but also a lot of very ordinary tunes)

The Be Good Tanyas - Chinatown (love it, not heard anything by this band before and I will be back for the first cd next month)

Nic Jones - Penguin Eggs (completely blown away by this so Nic will get a whole entry of his own very soon!)

Steeleye Span - Please to See the King (excerpts) (was as good as I remembered and will download the rest next month)

The site is also Mac friendly, with a good download manager for OSX.