So when asked to be a guest editor for MAGNET, my initial reaction was that my inner 18-year-old self might flip out so much that I might have nary a word to say. However, I persevered and was immediately filled with some of the memories of growing up in the proverbial “sticks” in the ’90s. Starting there and moving forward to the present day, I accumulated a list of people, movies, music, food, poets and other stuff that, although not exhaustive by any extent, it gives an insight into me, my music, the band, inspirations and interests. At the very least I would hope that a few of these things may also be viewed as recommendations that could steer people toward becoming acquainted with a few new people, and things that I find dear. It goes without saying, I appreciate the opportunity to “preach from the pulpit,” so to speak and air my opinion on so many different things. Normally people only care about what I say about my music or music in general, which can get tedious. So thank you, MAGNET, for providing the platform to impose my taste on others. Really and truly, I hope someone finds something in here that they, too, can enjoy.
So I got turned on to this artist Abner Jay a number of years ago and absolutely love this record put out by Mississippi Records from right here in Portland, Ore. Abner Jay was kind of this idiot-savant one-man band blues/soul/folk guy who apparently slipped through the cracks over the years and failed to find a larger audience during his lifetime. In 2009, Mississippi Records released an LP compilation of his material entitled True Story Of Abner Jay, which serves as a retrospective of sorts of songs that had been out of print since the ’70s. It’s a brilliant introduction to the guy’s stuff. There is an amazingly unique quality to the songs that seems influenced by Abner’s questionable mental state and chug along with a lo-fi backbeat and some kind of electric banjo as the main instrument. With lyrical topics ranging from depression, cocaine and Vietnam as well as interesting monologue segments, it’s hard not to get wrapped up into Jay’s universe. Also important to note is how awesome of a service Mississippi Records frequently provides by founding forgotten music like this and taking the curatorial initiative to re-release records of this ilk. They have put out a bunch that are all interesting in their own right spanning a number of genres and time periods. I am especially enamored with their mix-tape compilation cassettes comprised of rare cuts from 45s that are themed. They have introduced me to all kinds of stuff I never would have dreamed of liking such as unusual Brazilian artists, African pop music, dub, psych garage, gospel and blues.
Video after the jump.
