Guest Mind De-Coder: Countrymike

They say that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" ... well, this weeks Mind De-coder, mind de-coder #12 might not flatter the originator of the meme in its content, but its intent suggests that there is something to the format... something perhaps worth replication by others. While the original 11 mind de-coders (there will be more I'm sure) could be said to tend towards the psychedelic I have never really found psychedelic music to be as transcendent or condusive to internal musings as I have the simpler combinations of sound and lyric. This mind de-coder is decidely dark; I think that when left alone with the keys to the collection and the means to get there ... this is where I go, to the end, to the places in the psyche where the pleasure principle meets its maker the death drive. So ... if you're in the mood to come too then turn the lights down low, finish that glass of wine and pour another big one and well ... we'll see how we come out at the end.

Playlist

Johnny Cash - "Gettysburg Address" (1972)
One of the first ever demonstrations of the phonograph in Boston in 1878 played to an astounded audience The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln; the speech is one of the most famous pieces of oratory in American history. Abraham Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa., on November 19, 1863, some four and a half months after the bitter and decisive Battle of Gettysburg.  About 7500 soldiers lost their lives during the three day battle of 160,000 Union and Confederate soldiers in July, 1863. This Johnny Cash version is probably one of the most well known recorded recitations of the speech.

Lou Reed - "See that my grave is kept clean". The Harry Smith Project: Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited.
See That My Grave Is Kept Clean is a classic blues song written by Blind Lemon Jefferson; this harrowing version is performed here by Lou Reed as part of the The Harry Smith Project: Anthology Of American Folk Music Revisited

Ry Cooder & Harry Dean Stanton from Paris, Texas soundtrack. "I knew these people ... these two people ... " for some reason i've never forgotten this simple line.

Dry Bones - Bascom Lamar Lunsford
Bascom Lamar Lunsford (March 21, 1882 - September 4, 1973) was a lawyer, folklorist, and performer of traditional (folk and country) music from western North Carolina. He was often known by the nickname "Minstrel of the Appalachians." Recorded in February 1928 in Ashland, Kentucky Dry Bones is a rare example of the banjo used in a religious tune. This tune contains references to Enoch (Gen 5:21-24), Paul (Acts 16:25-26), Moses (Exo 3:2) and a strange account out of Ezekiel about walking bones (Ezek 37:1-10), not to mention Eve and "Satan a-tempting me."

Porter Wagoner - Untitled
The Wagonmaster 2007.
Porters final album on Anti-records. His deep yet whispy voice and the selection of songs on this album both recall a full life steeped in religion and country music as well look towards the end ... which wasn't actually far off. Track here is a conversation with Porter Wagoner and a recitation of "Men with Broken Hearts" plus a version of Hank Williams "Lonesome Whistle Blow". 

Everyly Brothers - Living Too Close to the Ground (Roots, 1968)
A much underrated gem of country rock "Roots" with a touch of psychadelia thrown in was the Everly Brothers return to their folk/country origins combined with some coming of age experimentation. The sparse Living Too Close to the Ground combines beautiful lyrics by Don Everly with a mixture of synthetic efflorescent background sounds. 

Tunng - Beautiful and Light
From "This is... Tunng: Mothers Daughter and other Tales" 2005. Glitch folk music?

Akron/Family - I've Got Some Friends Love is Simple (2007)
In September 2007, it was announced that original member, Ryan Vanderhoo had departed the group "amicably sometime between the completion of (2007 release) Love Is Simple and the start of the band's U.S. tour" according to Akron/Family's publicist. The reasoning behind his departure was that "he went to live in a Buddhist Dharma center (Tsogyelgar/Flaming Jewel) in the Midwest."

Sour Smoke - Comets on Fire. Avatar 2006.
A track off of 2006' excellent "Avatar" Comets on Fire combine equal part traditional rock guitar elements with a psyhedelic instrumental rambling that noodles along into a fine soup to be consumed in large qualities and without added MSG. 

Dog Treat - Tom Waits Orphans (2007)

Dog Door - Tom Waits Orphans (2007)

Van Eps Banjo Orchestra - Some Baby (1914)
Fred Van Eps (December 30, 1878 – November 22, 1960) was a noted banjoist and banjo maker. The Van Eps Banjo Orchestra group was one of the first to record for the American branch of the French Pathé Frères Company in 1914. Van Eps also formed a company that manufactured and sold the Van Eps Recording Banjo, modeled on the one he used in recordings and concerts. The banjo remained on the market until about 1930, when widespread use of electric recording removed the need for the loud volume produced by the Van Eps model.

Thanks to El for letting me bastardize his format.

- Countrymike.