Friday, November 25, 2011
Music / Post No Bills John Doe's beguiling pedal-steel player, Maggie Bjorklund
Posted By Peter Margasak on 11.25.11 at 09:00 AM
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Several Seattle musicians returned the favor and sang on her album, including Jon Auer, Rachel Flotard, and Mark Lanegan. It was cut in Tucson, and most of the heavy lifting was done by bassist Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino (known collectively as Calexico, of course). Unsurprisingly, there's a strong southwestern feel to the music, most of which embraces a beautifully washed-out cosmic twang. Based on these songs, Bjorklund is a superior songwriter than the Calexico brain trust, and the vocal cameos by McWilson, Flotard, Auer, and Lanegan enhance the album without turning it into an erratic collection hijacked by its revolving cast. Below you can listen to one of the moodier pieces, which features a lovely duet between Bjorklund and Lanegan.
Maggie Bjorklund, "Intertwined"
Today's playlist:
Evinha, Evinha (Odeon, Brazil)
Steve Cardenas, West of Middle (Sunnyside)
Mike James Kirkland, Hang On in There (Luv N’ Haight)
King Sunny Ade, Bábá mo Túndé (Mesa/IndigeDisc)
Count Basie & His Orchestra, On My Way and Shoutin' Again (Verve)
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