Dead Moon 'Unknown Passage' and 'Defiance' LP Reissues

This trio from Clackamas, OR were formed from the ashes of husband and wife Toody and Fred Cole's first project The Rats. Andrew Loomis joined the duo and Dead Moon came to life in 1987, their debut came out a year later on Tombstone Records and they've been churning out rootsy-garage rock ever since. In 2006 Sub Pop released an extensive collection culling their greatest moments on a fine double CD. But, vinyl was still unavailable until now thanks to Mississippi Records. 'Unknown Passage' (1989) features stompers like "54/40 or Fight" and "Evil Eye", while 'Defiance' (1990) has the phenomenal "Walking On My Grave" and "Johnny's Got A Gun". I can't recommend these records enough -- try as I might to sum up their story I just can't top this interview Toody and Fred did for Soft Focus...

Soft Focus Series 3 interview with Dead Moon

http://www.mediafire.com/?1cvmcq8all1edk5

Chalk Circle 'Reflection'

It's surprising to learn that Chalk Circle were a part of the Washington DC Punk/Hardcore scene, given their euro-centric sound and that the group was ruled by girls. Formed through connections Sharon Cheslow made working at Yesterday and Today records in 1979, a hub for kids to hang out at the time, an early incarnation of the band included fellow vocalist/guitarist Ann Bonafede, Cheryl Celso (who won the lead singer slot over Henry Garfield) and Bert Quieroz from The Untouchables filling in on bass. It was Cheslow who thought up the name Chalk Circle based on Bertolt Brecht’s book “Caucasian Chalk Circle”.

The Washington DC music scene was governed by men, Chalk Circle experienced how palpable this was at the Unheard Music Festival in 1980 debuting the areas new hardcore bands, none of which featured girls. It was at this time Cheryl left the group and by March 1981 Chalk Circle was an all female affair with; Mary Green (vocals/guitar), Sharon Cheslow (vocals/guitar), Jan Pumphrey (bass), and Anne Bonafede (drums). In 1981 Tamera Edminster would become permanent bassist until moving to New York and forming SHE a year later, with Chris Niblack taking her place before the band called it a day in 1983.

Mississippi Records has compiled twelve songs culled from Outside Records and WGNS compilations, live recordings and unreleased works. Chalk Circles vocals flip from sedated to spry alongside heady bass, swarming guitars with amphetamine rhythms behind the driving force of the songs. "The Look" is a rejection of the rat race, utilizing sound effects of a clanking hammer intermittently personifies the monotony of the daily grind and Chalk Circle's rebellion against it. "High Stress" is a highlight on the album perfectly capturing how their songs run with a caffeine rush pulse.

Accompanied by a 16 page booklet put together by Sharon Cheslow shedding light on Chalk Circle's history along with photos, press clippings and liner notes from Don Fleming, whose group Velvet Monkeys, Chalk Circle opened for on their first few shows. With the resurgence of Post Punk at the moment this reissue has come out at the perfect time. What makes this worth your while is the unexpected place this music comes from. They didn't fit in to the humdrum of daily life nor the mold set by piers in their own music scene, making Chalk Circle one of a kind truly outsider band.

http://www.mediafire.com/?6uc1c2ui3tkco8u

Kleenex/Liliput - Vinyl LP Box Set

For those familiar with this compilation, whether you nabbed the original 1993 double disc set released through Off Course Records, or if you got the 2001 reissue from Kill Rock Stars, Mississippi has upped the ante with a four LP 12 page booklet box set.

When they formed, the girls were put under pressure by company Kimberly Clark to change their name as the sanitary organization planned on using 'Kleenex' to brand tampons. Liliput was chosen to replace it but, now feels like a moniker that never fully stuck leaving both names synonymously existing next to each other. Kleenex/Liliput were together for five years before they disbanded. Forming in 1978 they spent the first four years as a group touring with The Raincoats, Swell Maps and Subway Sect. It wasn't until a year before they split up in 1982 that they had released a full length album. Rough Trade put out their only two records, in addition, they had a meager three singles in the Kleenex/Liliput cannon. Their material went on to play a key part in influencing the Riot Grrrl movement and was championed on John Peel's Radio One Show (see 'Perfect Unpop Peel Show Hits & Long Lost LoFi Favourites 1976-1980').

The tracks have been organized in a slightly different order to the original compilation but all the good stuff is still there. Post punk has had a revivalism over the past few years encouraging a younger generation to bring new blood to the genre. I'm not old enough to have experienced post punk first hand, as much as I enjoy this new breed of bands Mississippi's compilation highlights where it all came from. Kleenex/Liliput's material remains unmatched even by today's standards, which is why it's relevant and so valuable to have these songs reissued once more.

Abner Jay "Last Ole Minstrel Man"

A blog post made a few months ago already has already allowed me to fawn over Abner Jay, so I'll hold back from the introductions and gushing again here.

Mississippi Records certainly runs the gamut for archiving Abner Jay's work, so much so that this release came as a (welcome) surprise. This 10" culminates the folk and blues troubadour's final studio recordings made in Atlanta, 1994. Always immaculate and thoughtful with packaging Mississippi treats us to photos, inserts and boasts in depth liner notes from Jack Teague.

What immediately struck me as unique and significant about these 6 songs is the vocal parts. Abner Jay's earlier recordings are sung with spunk and 'Last Ole Minstrel Man' is a departure from his younger, cockier days. Ever as heartfelt but now weary his ardently forlorn voice makes his final studio recordings sullen and poignant. At the end of 'Love Wheel' Abner Jay is recorded chuckling to himself at the end, reminding us he's still having fun. It's little moments like this in the EP that make listening even more rewarding. Using his Guitar and harmonica to accompany the songs, and you may know 'Cocaine Blues' and 'Too Poor to Live, Too Poor to Die' from previous releases but these versions may not be familiar, and are well worth your time.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tuvytxvlyatweep

Abner Jay

Can't stop won't stop Mississippi Records has reissued a second Abner Jay LP.

Solo musician Abner Jay played outsider blues songs through the 1920s until the 1990s. Self described as; "the last great Southern black minstrel show" he first got a taste for music when his grandfather, Louis W Jay who was born a slave, passed down a six string banjo to him. Jay was taught an enormous repertoire of songs which he would continue to play throughout his career. He toured ingeniously with a portable home that folded out into a stage.

His unusual and unique heartfelt blues/folk songs about politics, relationships, war, religion struck a chord with music lovers, collectors and critics alike.

Jay's records were originally released on his own label 'Brandie' (named after his wife). Following his death in 1993 original LP's on 'Brandie' would go for upwards of $100 a pop. Today, first pressings are even more rare than ever before.

To make his work freely available again, Subliminal Sounds were the first to reissue material on 'One Man Band' at a modest price. Then, last year Mississippi began contributing to archiving Jay's work as well at a cost that won't equal the sum of third world debt.

Oh and did I mention this is the second reissue on Mississippi? 'True Story of Abner Jay' is just as good as the recent 'The Original Folk Style of Abner Jay'. Always a sharp shooter; bleak, soulful hymns are delivered with the deepest sincerity and brilliant comical anecdotes. First track 'Depression' is accompanied with what sounds like a full band, fuller than the version on the previous LP 'I'm So Depressed'.

Abner Jay in his own words: 'World's Champion Cotton Picker and Pea Picker, World's Fastest Tobacco Crapper, World's Greatest Jaw Bone Player, World's Fastest Mule Skinner... THE WORLD'S WORSE BUSINESS MAN'.


Read full review of Folk Song Stylist - Abner Jay on Boomkat.com ©