Directed by Joey Garfield. From My Heart, out October 7 on Pravda.
Was Nora O’Connor’s last solo album really 2004’s Til the Dawn on Bloodshot? And was that really 18 years ago? Yes, yes it was. How time flies…
Since then, O’Connor has kept herself busy touring and recording with the Decemberists, Neko Case, Kelly Hogan, Mavis Staples, the New Pornographers, the Flat Five, and more. But it’s nice to hear her voice all up front and on its own. “My Heart” has a Badfingery vibe where the heartache lurks just underneath the bouncy melody.
Check out the charming video for cameos from legendary Chicago musicians John Langford, Janet Bean, and Jason Narducy.
Lyric video by Max Crawford and the Flat Five. From Another World, due November 13 on Pravda/Augiedisc.
Oh this is good. “Drip a Drop” is exactly what we need right now!
America, we’re giving you a warning:
We’re making love, not no stinking civil war!
If you’re not familiar, the Flat Five is basically all your favorite bartenders from the Hideout together in a band that emphasizes dreamy harmonies and effortless pop hooks. Actually, I don’t know if the three dudes in the group (Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough, Alex Hall) ever served drinks, but Kelly Hogan and Nora O’Connor sure did. Hogan and O’Connor, of course, appear in the liner notes of half your record collection, contributing vocals alongside powerhouse singers Neko Case and Mavis Staples as well as clever songwriterly folks like Andrew Bird, Robbie Fulks and the Decemberists.
The Five released their debut album on Bloodshot in 2016 and now Pravda is putting out their new one. Keeping it all very Chicago!
Directed by Melissa Thornley. From The New AM out August 31st on Pravda Records.
The Imperial Sound is a new band made up of a bunch of Chicago music veterans including Frederick Mosher and Kenn Goodman of the New Duncan Imperials, the Service, and Pravda Records. For The New AM they’ve recruited some legendary Chicago singers, like Kelly Hogan and Nora O’Conner. “A Man Like You” features Robert Cornelius of Poi Dog Pondering on lead vocals.
It’s got stax of horns and an irresistibly funky guitar part and the chorus will get stuck in your head. I’ve heard the album and a lot of it is more classic pop and less classic soul than “A Man Like You.” It’s all good though.
Matt “Sal” Favazza of my beloved Krinkles plays drums and contributes vocals.
I first got into the New Duncan Imperials back in college. Songs like “Pensacola 99,” “Feelin’ Sexy,” and “I’m Schizophrenic (No I’m Not)” made it onto many a mixtape. I’ve always been impressed that the guys have managed to keep a small, independent label like Pravda afloat since the 80s.
Pravda’s 1991 compilation 20 Explosive Dynamic Super Smash Hit Explosions! featured early appearances of the Smashing Pumpkins and my pals the Sinatras. And it’s still in print! Buy it now!
Twenty-seven years later and Pravda is still releasing quality material. The Imperial Sound continues that tradition.
