All of The Pillcrushers' Welcome to the World is good:
http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Pillcrushers-Welcome-To-The-World-MP3-Do...

However, there is one 22 carat stonker which I would like to direct your attention to. Take a listen to track 6, Everyday:
http://www.emusic.com/samples/m3u/song/10858341/13312489.m3u

This distils the rest of the album's tuneful power-pop ambitions in one song. A song which is already very good and is then transcended by the unexpected and welcome appearance of a trumpet solo. Not words you read very often, I grant you; I can only say that it makes my heart soar every time. However, listen to the sample and, if you like it, perhaps risk a monthly credit (17p or so!) on it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I just came by to tell The Massive about Radio Global Sound - The Smithsonian's Music Library, covering all kinds music from the earliest field recordings right up to the present, as long as they deem it to be historically or culturally important. You can dig around here 'til the cows come home.

http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/radio_globalsound.aspx

Thanks to G-Fab for the link. http://analogmix.blogspot.com/

The album is actually called At Sixes and Sevens:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Sirenia-At-Sixes-And-Sevens-MP3-Download/107...

Frankly though, I don't know if I could eat a whole one. However, there is always a place in my heart for completely over the top bombastic kitchen-sink extravaganza rock. And that place is amply filled by A Shadow of Your Own Self:
http://www.emusic.com/samples/m3u/song/10751038/12193833.m3u

The combination of the male/female vocal interplay, chunky guitar and Steinman-esque symphonics is just laugh out loud wonderful. And who can resist lyrics like "Don't deny your life's a living hell/You're a shadow of your own self". Nick Drake would have found it hard to pull those off. The stentorian delivery here ensures a sing-a-long moment that never fails to lift the spirits.

If it was a deliberate parody, it just wouldn't be funny. However as it is done straight, it is both funny and utterly brilliant.

Here's them doing it live (but it's not quite as good):

Last time I looked, there was only the Education single. However, I see that the whole album is there now:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Isa-And-The-Filthy-Tongues-Addiction-MP3-Dow...

I'll be downloading that this month.

Meantime: Education. It has a catchy twangy surfy guitar riff all the way through - which is something I almost invariably find irresistible. It also has some wonderfully sultry female vocals, complete with a spoken word section - again, are there any bad records with a spoken word section? I think not. And this one is no exception.

Don't take my word for it though - here's the promo from youtube:

Something rather different this. It's a recording of Terry Riley's "minimalist masterpiece", In C, by the Bang on a Can ensemble:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Bang-On-A-Can-Bang-On-A-Can-Terry-Riley-In-C...

In case you're unfamiliar with it, here's the wikipedia (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_C) description:
"In C consists of 53 short, numbered musical phrases; each phrase may be repeated an arbitrary number of times. Each musician has control over which phrase he or she plays: players are encouraged to play the phrases starting at different times, even if they are playing the same phrase. The performance directions state that the musical ensemble should try to stay within two to three phrases of each other. The phrases must be played in order, although some may be skipped. "

The effect is mesmerising - for me at least. The emusic 30 second sound sample doesn't really give you much of an idea about this one, unfortunately. Note, however, that the entire 45 minute 32 seconds performance is one download. That's right - a mere 18p or so for an entire CD's worth of music that just might be the most beguiling thing you've heard in yonks. Go on, take the risk. Still not convinced? Oh all right then, here's a longer clip from youtube:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Electric-Eel-Shock-Go-USA-MP3-Download/10860...

A sorta Japanese punk band. No doubt familiar to the Word cognoscenti but unknown to me until I stumbled across them on emusic. I've no idea what they're singing about but sounds like great fun. My particular favourite is track 5 Punctured:

http://www.emusic.com/samples/m3u/song/10860385/13338835.m3u

But here they are on youtube doing the delightfully daft Rock and Roll Can Rescue the World from the same album. I believe that this may be the first time that Wishbone Ash have been mentioned in this context.

This is a 7-disc set of recordings from John Coltrane's 1961-63 European tours.

http://www.emusic.com/album/John-Coltrane-Live-Trane-The-European-Tours-...

It really is very very good. Pedants may say that 6 versions of 'My Favourite Things' is overdoing it a tad. But they'd be wrong. They are all very different and a good shop window for Coltrane et al's improvisational skills.

Here's a taster, via the magic of youtube:

You may find that 39 extended Coltrane pieces is a bit rich for one sitting. What I did was to download it over several months, a few tracks at a time. You could, of course, buy this on Amazon - for £125.79. Makes me realise that my 40 downloads for £6.30 is, in fact, rather good value.

Details on the tracklisting, concert dates etc. from here: http://home.att.net/~dawild/livetrane.htm

I can't remember how I stumbled across this one:

http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Mendoza-Line-30-Year-Low-The-Final-Remar...

I suspect that it was the Richard Thompson cover version in the accompanying out-takes disc ('Withered and Died' - OK but not as entertaining as their version of Arab Strap's 'Pack of Three').

The whole 30 Year Low album is pretty good, in a folky, poppy, country-ish sort of a way. It apparently documents a parting of the ways romantically and professionally for two of the band members, which adds a certain frission to some songs.

However, I'd like to draw your attention to one flat-out wonderful track - 'Since I Came'. It has a picked guitar riff all the way through which has a haunting quality reminiscent of Fairport's 'Farewell, Farewell' while sounding nothing like it. The female vocals are equally atmospheric, intensifying towards the conclusion . On first listen I had no idea what it was about but knew it wasn't good (see if you can guess). Yet it has that addictive 'press repeat' quality that top quality songs have.

Judge for yourself:

I had never heard of Scott H Biram until emusic offered the title track from Graveyard Shift (http://www.emusic.com/album/Scott-H-Biram-Graveyard-Shift-MP3-Download/1...) as a freebie. A smart move on their/his part as I rapidly found myself downloading everything I could lay my cursor on.

SHB uses a wide range of blues/punk/country styles yet the sound is always unmistakably his own. One of the hallmarks of greatness, I think.

Usually unaccompanied - what I took for rudimentary percussion on the title track is, in fact, the sound of his boot stomping on the floor as he plays - the sound can be pretty raw. No zillion-pound post-production here; he sings and plays like he means it.

What can I say? This discovery reminded me of why I love music. Someday he is going to be, if not hugely popular, then certainly hugely trendy. Get in ahead on the rush. Here's a youtube taster:

Her whole album is just plain wonderful (tunes, beats, delightful vocals - what more do you want?):
http://www.emusic.com/album/Andrea-Echeverri-Andrea-Echeverri-MP3-Downlo...

However, your particular attention is drawn to the song 'Amortiguador'. This has a propulsive quality that I find quite addictive - see what you think via the video below.

Ms Echeverri is singing in Spanish, a language that, unfortunately, I do not speak. However, I think I can probably guess what this song is about. 'Amortiguador' translates as 'shock absorber' so it is obviously a paean to the Colombian equivalent of Halfords. No, not really.

This was actually one of Rob Fitzpatrick's recommendations a few months ago. I was sufficiently intrigued by his comment that he kept re-starting it because he couldn't bear it to finish, to see if the compilation album he mentioned was on emusic - and there it was:
http://www.emusic.com/album/Sweet-Tee-Rapmania-The-Roots-Of-Rap-MP3-Down...

It's on the second of the two discs. It is indeed (to my ears)very good. I have to confess that I know he-haw about rap/hip-hop. However, I like this very much - it's catchy and life-affirming. And you can never have too much of that.

Here's the original version, via the magic of youtube:

This 1935 song is possibly the first recorded instance of the f-word (or maybe not, possibly a whole thread there in itself). However that's not why this Lucille Bogan (AKA Bessie Jackson) track is great. What makes it great is its frank, exuberant, joyful celebration of female sexuality. It's difficult to believe that this dates from the 1930s. Makes the like of would-be daring singers like Madonna look like Nana Mouskouri.

http://www.emusic.com/album/-Lucille-Bogan-Bessie-Jackson-Vol-3-1934-193...

There's a lower quality take here. Warning: not work safe. Unless, of course, you work from home. Or in a brothel.

It's really rather difficult to categorise this, except that it never fails to put a smile on my face and a tap in my feet. And aren't there times when that's all you need?

The rest of the album - Tijuana Sessions vol 3 - isn't quite as good, IMO - http://www.emusic.com/album/Nortec-Collective-Tijuana-Sessions-Vol-3-MP3...

However this piece of trumpety electronica is pretty sublime. Check it out for yourself in their fab video. You won't regret it. It all kicks in at about 0.38.

One of the great British voices. Presented here with a tight band recorded in London on 10 March 1995 (I'm taking that from the cover).

http://www.emusic.com/album/Kevin-Ayers-The-Wizards-of-Twiddly-Turn-The-...

This is a delightful record, with Mr Ayers in fine form and a good selection of songs, including the perennial favourite 'Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes' and personal favourite 'May I?' (1972 OGWT performance below). There isn't a duff track on here though. If you've heard of Kevin Ayers but haven't been sure where to start, then why not start here?

Something a bit different from my usual listening pleasure. A piece for 9 percussionists (only 4 here though) 2 vocalists and a piccolo. As hypnotic and compelling as lying in bed listening to rain on the roof.

http://www.emusic.com/album/So-Percussion-Steve-Reich-Drumming-MP3-Downl...

Ok, so you probably won't want to listen to this every day (but you might). It's 70 minutes of intriguing music for 4 downloads. That's 63p at my current subscription rate. You can't buy CDs at a car boot sale for that.

This short clip will give you a bit of a flavour but you really need the full thing:

Lots of it there

The compilations that he is featured on are also good, with other worthwhile Nordic electronica

Just performing a quick scan down the Chart on there I would recommend

-Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
-Memory Tapes
-Monsters of Folk
-Vitalic
-The Big Pink

but particularly this

http://www.emusic.com/album/Lindstrøm-Prins-Thomas-II-MP3-Download/11443098.html

Something quite special here.
http://www.emusic.com/album/Max-Roach-We-Insist-Freedom-Now-Suite-MP3-Do...

Ferocious, politically-charged jazz, backed by Abbey Lincoln's lovely vocals.

Here's a taster courtesy of Belgian TV:

The bird is The Word.

Kind of appropriate.

http://www.emusic.com/album/Trashmen-Surfin-Bird-Bird-Dance-Beat-MP3-Dow...

Peter Griffin explains matters:

May (and probably June and much of the rest of the year) has been Keith Jarrett month in these parts.

Are hypnotic, enthralling piano improvisations your thing? Then read on. There's a wealth of Keith Jarrett material on emusic, including the famous Koln Concert:
http://www.emusic.com/album/Keith-Jarrett-The-K%C3%B6ln-Concert-MP3-Down...

Taster here:

There's also the 10-album SunBear Concerts:
http://www.emusic.com/album/Keith-Jarrett-Sunbear-Concerts-MP3-Download/...

Both of those together provide hours of wonderful music for 17 downloads - under £3 at my rate. Alternatively, you could buy the CDs for over £70 on Amazon.

It doesn't feel quite right to talk of money in the context of such luminous music. However, this is an example of why I love emusic - it makes it easy to sample artists you are curious about without breaking the bank.

This is mostly cabaret singer stuff. Not my cup of tea and not, I guess, yours either. However right at the end is a comic gem, in the form of Wee Andy Webbers Scottish Medley. This is completely different from the rest of the album, so on no account be tempted to download the rest. Seriously.

http://www.emusic.com/album/Dean-Park-Dean-Park-Live-In-Concert-MP3-Down...

The Scottish Medley is basically over-the-top accordion band versions of Andrew Lloyd Webber 'classics'. It probably adds to the joke if you're familiar with the accordion band genre but it is generally laugh-out-loud funny. The version with the voice-over at the beginning is best, I think. Youtube taster below - altogether now "Oh Jes-sus CHRIST - suuperstar!"

I've never been sure where to start with the solo Cale oeuvre. Yes, he is a sort of rockular elder statesman and I've heard the odd song over the years that I've liked - but I'm led to believe that the quality control is not constant/he follows his own distinctive muse (delete to taste).

It is for such dilemmas, surely, that the live album was invented? And here it is: http://www.emusic.com/album/John-Cale-Live-At-Rockpalast-MP3-Download/11...

And this is actually two in one. A rocked out concert and an acoustic one, with many songs in common - and none the worse for that.

I am rather fond of the version of Mercenaries and the segue from 'Pablo Picasso' into 'Love me two times' however the standout for me is his cover of Heartbreak Hotel. This youtube clip helpfully has both versions segued together - enjoy!

This has had me grinning like an idiot all day - a great recording of the short-lived Hawklords from 1978.

http://www.emusic.com/album/Hawklords-Live-1978-MP3-Download/11476796.ht...

This is best described as Hawkwind without the boring bits. It rocks with a propulsive beat all the way through. 'Urban Guerilla' for example, sounds more like Motorhead than the Hawkwind version. If it wasn't for their musical baggage, I wonder if the Hawklords would have been given a better critical reception at the time?

Bob Calvert sings. It has 'High rise'. Not a dull moment throughout. Go on, give it a go.

Live on tour 2010

Dundee's answer to Frank Zappa, backed by Edinburgh's virtuoso take on a modern chamber orchestra.

I caught this tour earlier this year and was, I admit, apprehensive about how this combination of the richly talented would work out. I need not have worried; they were made for each other. I have therefore been eagerly awaiting the release of this album.

http://www.emusic.com/album/Michael-Marra-Michael-Marra-with-Mr-McFall-s...

As Michael Marra's back catalogue remains out of print - a scandal, IMO - this is the only chance to hear classics like 'Happed in Mist' (based, I think, on Lewis Grassic Gibbon's Sunset Song) and Hamish the Goalie (featuring the visit of Princess Grace of Monaco to see Dundee United at Tannadice) as well as more recent favourites such as 'Frida Kahlo's Visit to the Taybridge Bar' (in which the late Mexican surrealist visits Mr Marra's local howff).

If you're going to sing on that range of subjects, best be able to back it up musically, lest you look like an eejit. Fortunately, Michael Marra has a good ear for a tune and a voice like a glass of Laphroaig. The sympathetic backing of Mr McFall's Chamber means that these have a fair claim to be definitive versions.

Best of all though, is his cracking version of 'Green Grow the Rashes' which has not appeared on record before.

This is, beyond any doubt, my record of the year. It is also, I believe, the best record ever to feature a musical saw.

By way of introduction, here's a taste of Mr Marra solo.

I love this - it's a take on the blues that I was previously unfamiliar with, courtesy of the inspired combination of singer Joe Turner with The Trumpet Kings (Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Harry 'Sweets' Edison and Clark Terry). Basically, extended trumpet solos instead of guitar. Unfortunately, as I now realise, that bare description does not to justice to the soaring, life-enhancing music therein. Give it a go - it's a mere 4 downloads:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Joe-Turner-Dizzy-Gillespie-Roy-Eldridge-The-...

Someone has helpfully put a track from it on youtube: