Shakey Graves - Shakey Graves Day Anthology

I know nothing of Lee Leffingwell's politics. But I can state with certainty that during his time as mayor of Austin, he got at least one thing right: Declare February 9 Shakey Graves Day. When he did so in 2012, I have no idea how Mr. Leffingwell was even aware of the Gentleman from Texas. Maybe he was a fan of Friday Night Lights. Perhaps he liked the artist's debut from 13 months prior. Or maybe he, like me, just had a bro crush on the guy. Who's to know.

Since 2012, every February 9 has been another edition of this marvelous day, one on which Alejandro Rose-Garcia plays a show in the Austin area and makes pretty much his whole catalog of unique folk/blues/country/rock available at a rate of "pay whatever you feel like" on Bandcamp, but only after adding a nugget or two. (This year it's A Shakey Graves Day Anthology.)

And since we've covered nearly all of Shakey's previous major releases in this space, it's time to fill in that last remaining gap and bring it back to where it all started: his debut. Roll the Bones is DIY through and through, but a number of tunes still dot his setlists and stand as fan favorites. Picking, plucking, and singing his heart out, all of the elements of what makes Shakey Shakey are here from the beginning, suitcase drum included.

Celebrate what Rose-Garcia calls "his alter ego's birthday" with a little trip to https://shakeygraves.bandcamp.com/. 

 

The Go! Team - Get Up Sequences Part Two

Sequels rarely outshine their predecessors, but when they're named parts 1 and 2, it's harder to clearly demarcate. The Go! Team's Get Up Sequences Part Two picks up, and arguably improves upon, where the first installment left off 19 months ago. 

Ian Parton's bouncy, upbeat retro-leaning creations again conjure nostalgic feelings of a schoolyard playground that mixes bubblegum, the Jackson 5, and aural double Dutch. As always, it's feel good music that makes you want to...ahem...get up and go.