…we’re blessed with a tremendous library system (courtesy of those crunchy-granola liberal thinkers in nearby Portland, who consider books and music to be an important resource for a strong community). So, in the spirit of turning you on to new grooves, here’s the first of (still) another new (occasional) series from Fusion 45: I Found It At The Library.

George Harrison – You – A semi-hit, I guess, from dear old George but highly underrated. An ass-kicking studio team, including our hero, Jim Keltner.
The Fall Call- The Walls Came Down – Fans of The Fall Call will likely scoff — this is the only one that non-Fall Call fans know — but any band that can get Charlton Heston to play keyboard in their video is OK with me.
The Fiery Furnances – The Philadelphia Grand Jury – The Furnaces are a band I really like but haven’t gotten to spend much time with. One of the few groups I’ve read about in The Wire that I actually understand.
Big Star – Take Care – Magazines love to write about Big Star…fallen idols, band that never quite cracked the glass ceiling of stardom. But, if they had, no one would be so intrigued, would they?
James Blackshaw – Stained Glass Windows – Remember when records were cheap enough that you could take the chance and buy one because it had a cool cover? Well, I borrowed this one for the same reason. Reminds me of Adrian Legg.
Kasey Chambers – sign On The Door – Kasey Chambers’ voice is a little thin for my tastes but her material equalizes that complaint. This is actually a pretty inventive album (Carnival)
Mark Knopfler – Secondary Waltz – Knopfler is one of those guys you can’t help but respect and I always enjoy his solo stuff. But I’m never quite as satisfied as I am when I listen to the first Dire Straits record.
Rickie Lee Jones – Road To Emmaus – I like the broad guitar sound in this tune. The good thing is that there are even better tunes on this album (The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard).
Stephen Malkmus – Phantasies – Don’t know his stuff well enough to know if this is typical but, either way, he owes Lou Reed a commission on this one.
Black Sabbath – Iron Man - I borrowed this one because one of my 10 year old’s friends has been singing it in the back of the car on the way to soccer practice. I’ve never gotten Black Sabbath and probably never will. Lame songs, bad production, marginal musicianship. This song is so bad it’s good (for a laugh, anyway).
Arcade Fire – Intervention – Another band for whom I’ve never understood the hype…but anything with a pump organ deserves at least a listen.
Peter Himmelman – Impermanent Things – This is from Strength to Strength, which I bought on cassette years ago. I think he’s brilliant and wish I had time to dig deeper into his stuff.
R. Crumb And The Cheap Suit Serenaders – I Want A little Girl – There’s really no comment necessary.
The Delgados – Friendly Conventions – Variety is the spice of life, a little noise is good for the soul.
Joan Armatrading – A Woman in Love – From her recent Into The Blues album, which was highly praised. She seems to nail every genre she touches.