Worlds In A Life with Thollem

Worlds In A Life is a new project that evolved organically out of Thollem’s most recent album with Nels Cline and Terry Riley (Other Minds Records). Utilizing samples from the six Thollem/Cline Trio albums as the primary sound sources, (including double bass, piano, organ, electric guitar, drums, MIDI accordion, and voice), Thollem has basically created a solo sextet with Nels Cline, Terry Riley, William Parker, Pauline Oliveros, & Michael Wimberly. This is a real-time performance combining electro-acoustic sensibilities with unique keyboard technique & omni-idiomatic improvisation. Creating new sounds from these live re-mixes the results resemble something familiar and at the same time unlike anything else. What if? and Why not? are the two leading questions generating ear-dropping surprises at each twist & turn. The title of the albums and the performance comes from the track titles of the first album with William Parker: “there are as many worlds in a life as there are lives in the world.” This music is a celebration of the limitless palette of sounds and the infinite within each of us, the seen and unseen. ACVilla will be joining Thollem in performances throughout Europe & N. America in 2024 as a multimedia improvising duo. Together they have created a show in eight movements, much like storytellers, keeping the general structure, but with enough freedom to perform it VERY uniquely each time. ACVilla will be mixing new visual material created for this performance, along the lines of this: vimeo.com/thollemacvilla/wialone. Worlds In A life is a meditation on the intrinsic value of every individual in respect to the infinitely complex inner workings and all the possibilities within each being.

It is always the riGht time to discuss new things with family to the proGram, Thollem. Somehow, this time, with our deep dive into this new Worlds In A Life project, I found myself really feeling the process along with the discussion. I started to feel the happiness I could hear in his voice, and I definitely wanted to get some of that. I went back and re-listened to Worlds In A Life, One and there I was, in the happiness. Taking what was and making a new what is, in real time prompts more questions than answers and for me, that often feels the point. Then getting an idea of how our friend, ACVilla will work her new material into something they can…they are taking on the road is the icing on this cake. This feels like another experience out there not to be missed, I hope the inspiration these folks bring me, feels an open and obvious to you, but even better, it may not and that is a perfect door in.

Mooner

The final part of this week’s proGram went from a Nooner to the mooner in a matter of moments. Blast off!

Liar- RoSaWay
Wake Me Up- RoSaWay
Good Life (Impilo Emnande) {Devitchi RMX}- Soweto Gospel Choir X Groove Terminator
Freedom Now- Nick Mulvey Ft. Golshifteh Farahani & Arooj Aftab


Can’t Take This Feel- Ben Okafor & The Liberators
Funky Monkey- The Utopians
Beggin’- The Diasonics
The Early Bird Catches- Karate Boogaloo
Creeping Around- Pratt & Moody
Don’t Add Me- Substance Abuse Ft. Kurious


Wonder Us- Rhabdomantic Orchestra & Haitch
Konyagi a Gogo (Rafael Aragon Remix)- Uhuru Republic Ft. Splendore

Laddering Up

The middle part of the proGram just kept climbing.

Queen Bee- The Taj Mahal Sextet (Live at the Church in Tulsa)
Lovin’ In My Baby’s Eyes- The Taj Mahal Sextet Ft. Trey Hensley (Live at the Church in Tulsa)


Honky Tonkin’ (I Guess I Done Me Some)- Seth James
***pre-recorded conversation with Seth James***
The Rub- Seth James
B Movie Boxcar Blues- Seth James


Woman- Christine Santelli & Heather Hardy (Live)
Silver Lining- Misty Blues Ft. Early Times
Ain’t Giving Up- Gary Cain
Wagel Butt Rock- The Mike Clark Band
Hurt Walks out the Door- Marcus Malone & the Motor City Hustlers Ft. Daniel John Montagu Smith
Back to the Beginning- The Reverend Shawn Amos Ft. The McCrary Sisters


The Needle And The Spoon- Artimus Pyle Band Ft. Lindsey Ell
I Know A Little- Artimus Pyle Band Ft. Michael Ray
Saturday Night Special- Artimus Pyle Band Ft. Warren Haynes

Blue Liner

The first part of this week’s proGram went into the blue from which is started.

Drowsy Maggie- Malcolm MacWatt
12 Notes and 26 Letters- Scott Sean White Ft. Susan Gibson
Blue Highway- Lance Cowan


Home to Our Dreams- Mr. Henry
Vicious Vivian- Soft Hearted Scientists
Faintly Blowing- Dave Mclean


Five On Down- Handsome Jack
Hot Chicory Bop- James Clarke Five
Manhatten Pigeon- James Clarke Five
Riches- John Canning Yates


Sonido Cósmico- Hermanos Gutiérrez

Hunt- Firefriend
Coffer- The Exorzist III
Cheese Lens- Moon Goose
Last Flight of the Moon Goose- Moon Goose

Lessons from Seth James

Texas Bluesman Seth James and his All-Star Grammy ® winning Band celebrate the great American Roots Music of Delbert McClinton. He gathers up eleven “deep cuts” and major hits by the artist Rolling Stone named the “founding father” of Americana Music, and got the band cookin’ just right and you can feel the respect pouring out of the speakers on “Lessons”, out now on Qualified Records. James found Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins––then Booker T. & the MGs, NRBQ, Delbert McClinton, and ultimately, a sound entirely his own. A couple of decades ago, he emerged with an easy voice that can croon and soul-shout, campfire storytelling chops, and moody, virtuosic electric guitar playing capable of blistering rides, New Orleans drama, and roadhouse funk. He ended up really studying Delbert McClinton’s sound and style and songwriting, ended up touring with him and got his blessing on a track for an earlier album, so this was bound to happen…and thankfully, the time was now.

I had a really nice time talking with Seth about the new album, “Lessons”, an album that clearly emphasizes his admiration for and the importance of Delbert McClinton in his desire to be a modern day songwriter, with his own sound. From the get go, we talk about the importance of the eleven songs chosen and the time, you you know, that one time when he sat in front of Mr. McClinton with some raw beGinnings…ya, that time. Seth explains the timing, and how he put aside something he was nearly through to bring this project a heartbeat. And beat it really does. There is a fresh life to these tracks that really lifts the album into a must listen to, there are new old friends, or old new friends definitely hanging out within them. Of course, Seth builds a nice setlist that makes me think he and I should hang out under a tree one day with our collections and trade off.

Oh That Flame

The final part of this week’s proGram kept on dancing with the spirits, a new dance invented.

Juanita- Angélica Garcia
Venezuela- Cotonete
B U Kno- On-Ly
Wait a Minute- King Pari


Sweet Dreams (Bopperson Edit)- George Howard

Medican Blues- Galathea
Ọ̀bẹ́dun (Orlando Voorn Mix)- Bukky Leo
Mellan de sju fjällen- Dina Ögon
Uzi Kinrot- Les Dynamites


Twin Flame- Jahriffe
West Portland Park- The Bandulus
A Sky Full Of Dub- Dubinator vs Kleer

Fire Of Dancing Souls

The middle part of the proGram had the bones brunin’ & shakin’.

Galaxy- Gegè Telesforo
The Perfect Yo- Gegè Telesforo


Piece of Me- Lady Wray
***pre-recorded conversation with Nicole LADY Wray***
Guilty- Lady Wray
Under the Sun (Surprise Chef Remix)- Lady Wray

Brothers and Sisters- Michelle David & The True-Tones
Let It Flow- Nao Yoshioka
The Sweetest Thing- Pajaro Sunrise


Running Low- Orgone Ft. Jamie Allensworth
Funk It Right- Marcus Rezak
Grammys Caddy- Marcus Rezak
Again- Ghost Funk Orchestra
We Got To Change- James Brown

The Ice Smelting

The first part of this week’s proGram went from there to that and here before a drip of that frozen drop.

I Wanna Know Everything- Naomi Ashley
Gadzooks!- Soft Hearted Scientists


Shifting Sky- Yosef Gutman Levitt
Shiva-Loka- Alice Coltrane {Carnegie Hall Concert 1971} (Live)
Dorme Bebé- Sued Nandayapa Bergmann Saunders (live)
equinox- Joel Ross
evidence- Joel Ross


Milo’s Bounce- Jason Anick and Matt DeChamplain
Seguidilla- John Ellis Quartet
Conundrum- Ethan Iverson
Killing Me Softly With His Song- Ethan Iverson

Lady Wray Comes To Play Circle At Wisconsin Union Theater

Like most artists, Nicole Wray’s life in music has always reflected her real life. As a fifteen-year-old in Virginia, she auditioned for Missy Elliot in her mother’s home. Even then, with her voice so full and arresting—Missy signed her on the spot. Later, in 1998, merely two years after that tryout, she had a debut solo album and a single that smashed up radio and TV, quickly going gold. But back then—young and unsure—Nicole was essentially following someone else’s lead, signing the lyrics they wrote for her and in the way they wanted them sung. Fast forward to now, after a few fits and starts with other labels and projects, and you’ll find a very different Nicole Wray. Today, she’s a mother, a wife, and living for herself and her family. So naturally, this evolution followed into her music: she sings how she wants to, expertly writing lyrics for herself and others. To hear her tell it, it’s these things—and most importantly, an unflinching self-belief that help lead a young and raw Virginian singer named Nicole to become Lady Wray. The most recent step for Lady Wray is her latest album, released on Brooklyn’s Big Crown Records. Called ‘Piece Of Me’, the record is on the one hand—a continuation, picking up where Lady Wray and label co-owner/producer Leon Michels left off with her project Queen Alone. But ‘Piece Of Me’ is also a kind of homecoming for Lady Wray. That first record sonically showcased the dexterous range of Lady Wray’s voice and songwriting by leaning toward soul & R&B with tinges of hip-hop. On Piece of Me, it’s still R&B with a heavy dose of soul, but you’ll hear boom-bap-smacked drums and chunky basslines front-and-center, all creating a head-noddingly dense backdrop for Lady Wray to traverse, much like the era in which she was first introduced to us. In some ways, Piece of Me is like a Big-Crown-ification of late 90s R&B and Lady Wray is right at home.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Nicole ahead of the Lady Wray event that is going to provide a much needed soul-lift to the Play Circle at the Wisconsin Union Theater on February 29th. I have long been a fan of Nicole’s powerful and commanding voice. She can control time with this talent. We get to hear from her what she intends to brinG to Madison for a special and intimate evening. We talk heavily about the creation of her album ‘Piece Of Me’ and her wonderful relationship with her label, her family, Big Crown Records, and how much both her ancestors and her in-her-belly baby helped form, shape and gave strength to her. We chat about label mate Suprise Chef‘s remix of one of her tunes and it is a joy to hear her give props to anyone who has ever touched any piece of her project. We talk about late Summer 2024 and a dream event to be, we pinched ourselves and yep it’s still true, and to wrap up the fun time we had toGether, Nicole build a setlist of vocal phenoms, and she sure does slide right in there nicely.

The Waxers Clears

The final part of this week’s proGram was an easy one to melt into a perfect imperfect form.

Hallowed Dreams- ORGÖNE
Burn the House Down- Claudio Corona Ft. Adam Deitch
Sirens’ Glitch- Kolonel Djafaar


Got To B Who You Are- Ibibio Sound Machine
Magical Love- Afro Celt Sound System Ft. Rioghnach Connolly
**pre-recorded conversation with Mohsen Amini of Talisk**
Maverick- Talisk


Morning- Joshua Crumbly Ft. Erik Bodin & Hakan Wirenstrand
Fortify- Nubya Garcia
Third Space (Part A)- Amirtha Kidambi & Elder Ones
Sarava- Francesco Crosara Ft. Osama Afifi & Xavier Lecouturier
One Day Honey One Day Onions- Francesco Crosara Ft. Farko Dosumov & D’vonne Lewis


Gotta Go (Outer Space)- Keyon Harrold
Beautiful Day- Keyon Harrold Ft. PJ Morton

Blue To You

The middle part of the proGram reminded us that the things we see may be different to others.

Yella Alligator- Eddie 9V
**pre-recorded conversation with Eddie 9V**

I Sing Just To Know That I’m Alive- Nina Simone
Catfish Blues- Evan Nicole Bell


Wonderland- JJ Grey & Mofro
Free High- JJ Grey & Mofro
Olustee- JJ Grey & Mofro
Soul Glow- Marcus Rezak


Maybe They’ll Take Your Picture- Liv Warfield
Get To Know- Liv Warfield
Coming For You- Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers
Bang Bang Bang- Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers
Basilisk- ORGÖNE

Ears Waxed

The first part of this week’s proGram pulled itself in and outta ears.

Critterland- Willi Carlisle

What Have You Done- Joe Wong
The Elf Song- Joe Wong
Dead Dog- Joey Joseph


Shoreline- The Do-Goodrs

Nerve- The Flavor That Kills
St. Of Purgatory- Tess & The Details
Loading- Antistatic


Expensive & Dirty- Funky Bluester
Astro Blues- Blue Healers
I Gotta Know- Red Red

Talisk Brings The Energy To Stoughton Opera House

One of the most talked-about folk bands of the 21st century, Talisk have been tearing apart stereotypes and redefining the genre for almost a decade. With over fifteen million streams and ten thousand albums sold worldwide, and sell out shows across five continents – from Paris to New York, London to Tokyo, Glasgow to Vancouver – alongside headline appearances at major festivals across the world, the Scottish trio have amassed a global, die-hard following. I am one of them. Never afraid to push musical boundaries, or test the live production capabilities of just three people, which I am sure is part of the reason why. Wielding instruments that have rarely seen the likes of their music, Mohsen Amini (concertina), Benedict Morris (violin) and Charlie Galloway (guitar) have stacked up major awards for their explosively energetic sound – including five between BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland, and two highly coveted BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. At New Year 2022 they played BBC One’s Hogmanay show to a television audience in excess of one million, and – as the only folk act alongside pop headliners – quickly amassed a vast, mainstream audience that continues to propel the group to some of their largest live shows to date. Headlining Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom in 2024 – during Europe’s largest winter festival, the legendary Celtic Connections…Talisk’s upward motion remains a positive force to be shared.

I had the pleasure of hanging out a bit with Mohsen Amini ahead of Talisk making their way to the Stoughton Opera House on February 17th. We get deep into the live scene that seems to really be the wheelhouse for this power trio. The energy shared and transferred is magical and brinGs people together with such ease. We also make it a point to talk about a new track, ‘Maverick’ and how they tried to bring that live setting feeling into this track, such an hefty goal, but after hearing and airing, perhaps they have gotten close. We talk about how Talisk and it variety of members over the years have come to make music and how this trio, were born to play as one. Mohsen as a great story wen asked if anyone as ever run away form him when he busts out his concertina. Don’t thumb-wrestle this guy!! You can tell wen chatting with Mohsen just why people may be attracted to this guy, this band – real feeling-based people making music that is meant to unite.

Eddie 9V To Charge Up Madison

All his life, Eddie 9V has been acting on instinct. Aged just 15, this old-soul artist turned away from the path of college & jobs to burst all guns blazing onto the roots & blues club circuit of his native Atlanta, Georgia. Eddie 9V specializes in the sounds of the 1960s: he punctuates this sound with live shows that keep people talking. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Eddie 9V (born Brooks Mason in 1996) started playing local blues clubs when he was just 15 years old. Drawn to older blues & soul records, along with such Atlanta players as Mr. Sean Costello, he found a musical partner in his brother Lane Kelly. The pair played a lot of music toGether, especially focused in the blues. After some of these early projects wound down and looking for a place to channel his love for the blues and soul music, Brooks Mason reinvented himself as Eddie 9V, playing most of the instruments on Left My Soul in Memphis, a 2019 debut album recorded in large part in Lane’s bedroom. Within time, Eddie 9V caught the attention of Ruf Records and that contract gave the singer/guitarist the opportunity to hire local blues musicians for ‘Little Black Flies’, which the label released in 2021; the record was produced by Lane Kelly. Eddie 9V headed to the famed Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia to cut his next album. The aptly titled ‘Capricorn’, which was again produced by Kelly, which dropped in early 2023.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Eddie 9V ahead of his February 18th event at The Bur Oak here in Madison. After digging into his catalog over the years, what I always thouGht was ‘this kid has it’, and I’d bet his live shows are something else. The chance in Madison to be proven correct is here and Eddie and I get into what a live event is like once that first note is struck. We dive into the seed to flower of his latest release on Ruf Records, ‘Capricorn’ and how to me sounds like a dream come true time in Macon, GA pitting it together. Eddie and I have more than one person in common when it comes to some of our earlier years of ears, Mr. Sean Costello is one of them so we get into what it is about Sean that we both sorta felt. Before I let Eddie go, he choose one track (same track I’d have chosen) from ‘Capricorn’ and builds a sweet set list. You can thank me later after you catch this cat and his band out in the world live, it’s one of the somethings you are probably looking for.

Intermingled Light

The final part of this week’s proGram had a way of combining that showed off the true colors.

Just a little talk- Soul Sugar Ft. Jolly Joseph
Pamukkalé [Soul Supreme Remix]- Kind & Kinky Zoo
Felantropique- OLUMA
Le Tigre- El Gato Negro Ft. Djeuhdjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson
Mezcal- Wahid Ft. AYAANA


Thinkin’ Bout- Magic Number
Greeting Goodbye (DJ Brahms Remix)- Eccodek
The Sunshine- New Visionaries


A Prayer – Bless- Jung Jaeil
Triana- Gao Hong & Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde
On The Clock- Gao Hong & Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde
Song Of The Nomad- Gao Hong & Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde

Where The Ice Grows

The middle part of the proGram knew the heat would melt the cooth.

Devil In the Room- Tinsley Ellis
Hoochie Mama- Tinsley Ellis
A Change Must Come- Bernard Allison
Too Many Women- Bernard Allison


Another Day to Run- Kevin Burt
Can’t Do That To Her- Thee Sinseers


Sentimental Fool- Lee Fields
*pre-recorded conversation with Jessamyn & Joyce of Lee Field Documentary Faithful Man*
Faithful Man- Lee Fields

Great Divide- Lynn Drury
Turn Again Hourglass- Mama Longhorn
Freedom- London Afrobeat Collective
The Husk- Orgone
SOUL GLIDE- Tony Adamo

The Spots Betweens

The first part of this week’s proGram knew to find a place that wan unoccupied.

Remember Rumsfeld at Abu Ghraib- Ahleuchatistas (Live Saalfelden Jazz Fest 8/27/06)
Extra – Lucide- Forgas Band Phenomena
Déclic- Forgas Band Phenomena Ft. Mirelle Bauer
Processus Mental- Pascal Globensky
Overture / Machu Picchu- Pascal Globensky


Let Go- KMFDM
The Moon Is In The Wrong Place- Shannon & The Clams
Fly- Chicano Batman


War- Paul Reed Smith’s Eightlock
I’m Ready- Paul Reed Smith’ Eightlock
From A Buick 6- Mitch Ryder (live)


Another Year- Hungrytown
For What It’s Worth- Martha And The Muffins
Jungle- Bex Marshall
greenarrowradio promo– Brad Guitar Wilson

Update on Lee Fields: Faithful Man – The Film

Mr. Lee Fields is a funk and soul legend, over fifty years in the making, and family to greenarrowradio. In this feature documentary, his journey through soul music history will take you from vinyl to virtual — and back again. A little over five years aGo, I had the chance to catch up with the folks putting this documentary together. That chat can be found here. Jessamyn Ansary and Joyce Mishaan had a specific target and goal in mind at that point to get this project way off the ground. After our conversation the first time, goals were met and onward and upward. Fast forward until now, after shopping the film, going through the change that is/was COVID, edits and more edits and eventually winning awards and garnishing the type of chatter a great subject and story do. As we sat down to talk this time around I could feel the extra energy within myself as looking to catch up must mean things are in great shape. As it turns out, the film just received great news with an offer for streaming distribution. With that comes new financial hurdles. So with the finish line hanging in the balance, Jessamyn and Joyce are reaching out to our/their amazing community for help getting this film to break the tape and out into the world! Last time, I truly believe greenarrowradio and its reach helped make that part of this dream come true. Come be part of this amazing journey and get the excited feeling I have in my SOUL. Once again there are all sorts of VERY cool premiums to commemorate your part in the success of this film.

Go HERE to see the list of ways you can help, info on a small set of people who assisted in the journey and did I mention ways you can help and cool premiums to take with you?

Here is the pre-sale link so you can get this film in your living room.