Claude Steel

Portland experimentalists whose singular sound touches on psychedelia, modal music, hard rock, and dub. Collection includes: The Burden Of Hope (2003); Redlight (2004); Interpretations Of Three Psychedelic Rock Songs From Around The World (2005); Black Tar Prophecies vol's 1, 2, & 3 (2006); Burning Off Impurities (2007); Doomsdayer's Holiday (2008); Take Refuge In Clean Living (2008); Deep Politics (2011).

Paul Albert Anka OC (born July 30, 1941) is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter and actor. His songs including "Diana", “You Are My Destiny", “Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and "(You're) Having My Baby".

Gombo (Gumbo) is the most typical Louisiana dish. Comprised of a host of ingredients and derived from many traditions, gombo is the product of and a symbol for the multi-ethnic culture of Louisiana. Gombo is Zachary Richard's 21st studio album in a career spanning 45 years. The songs run the gamut from the festive Louisiana influenced Zydeco Jump / Dans les grands chemins / Catherine, Catherine / Pop the Gator to the more reflective La ballade de l'exlcu / Au bal du Bataclan. A passionate student of Louisiana history, Zachary's songs are inspired by the often difficult and ever compelling history of the Bayou State : Manchac / Jena Blues. Devoted to the survival of the French language culture of North America, Zachary pays tribute to far flung French communities : La ballade du Irving Whale (Les Îles de la Madeleine) La ballade d'Émile Benoît (Newfoundland) La Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan). There are love songs: Sweet little darling of mine / Somebody calling and a song which examines the nature of romantic love : It might be love. There are two remarkable duets : Catherine, Catherine, written and performed with the remarkable Québec singer Robert Charlebois and the magnificent anthem of hope Fais briller ta lumière, performed with African super-star Angélique Kidjo.

The Soulful Strings were without a doubt the hippest project ever to emerge from the 60s with the word Strings in its name. Brainchild of producer/arranger/bassist/songwriter (and genius) Richard Evans, the group was a far cry from the interchangeable outfits that flourished during the beautiful music era; instead, The Soulful Strings were actually composed of members of the Chess/Cadet label house band, including flautist Lennie Druss, guitarist Phil Upchurch, bassist/cellist Cleveland Eaton and harpist Dorothy Ashby, who laid down a tasty electric groove into which Evans stirred lush strings and unusual instrumentation like the kalimba and sitar. The result was a sound that resided at the crossroads of easy listening, jazz, R&B and exotica and, as one might expect from that description, every Soulful Strings release (they made seven albums) is treasured by cratediggers worldwide. This 1968 release was their highest-charting record at #35 on the charts, and appears on CD for the first time anywhere in the world, with liner notes by Gene Sculatti. The soundtrack to many a swingin 60s Christmas party.

Here's a selection of cracking R&B instrumentals, and scarcely a chart hit amongst them. Guitar-led rockers from the West Coast, with fiery picking and heavy blues/rock riffs from Johnny Talbot, Travis Wammack and Roy Buchanan and some early fuzzbox action from Lou Josie of the Ho-Dads. There's Louisiana sounds from Mac 'Dr. John' Rebennack and Robert Parker with Mid-West guitar grooves by Tommy Tucker, Freddy King and Little Milton. Up in New York, you've got B.B. King, Wild Jimmy Spruill, and King Curtis blowing out on Soul Train. Dave Lewis and The Exotics were from Seattle and there's even a Canadian group, future comedian Tommy Chong's Little Daddy & The Bachelors. These are the records Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Dave Davies, Jeff Beck et al were listening to in 1964.