Ahead of Mark Moldre’s last full band show for 2014 at the Petersham Bowling Club this Saturday Nov 29th (presented by Post To Wire) we’ve asked him to be the guest editor of the inaugural edition of Celluloid Jukebox, a new feature where musicians will select and talk about a handful of their favourite clips.
Wilco ~ At Least That’s What You Said
This song hits me like a punch to the gut. Without question my favourite Wilco album is A Ghost A Born. There’s a desperation in Jeff’s writing that seems to have disappeared a little in the albums that followed. The other thing is Jeff’s guitar playing – his soloing is all over that album and it’s just feels and sounds so spontaneous and unconsidered. As much as I love Nels’ playing, and along with Marc Ribot and Bill Frisell he’s one of my favourite modern day guitarists – but Jeff’s playing just seems to move me more in the Wilco setting. Kind of like listening to Neil Young on electric – its jagged and sometimes discordant and not necessarily studious or technical in any way. But it just hits you in exactly the right spot.
C.W Stoneking ~ Bad Luck Everywhere You Go
I was lucky enough to catch C.W on his recent tour at a really small venue in Newcastle. I’ve got to say he absolutely knocked my socks off. This is the first time he’s put down the banjo for a tour and (mostly) played his gold Fender Jazzmaster. I had no idea what a brilliant guitar player he was. There were no need for the usual horn players that he takes with him on the road. He seemed to completely have it covered. His hands were all up and down the neck – with a crazy blend of jazz, blues and ragtime and something else that is completely his own. It seems that he may own a flux capacitor and a DeLorean because there’s no doubt in my mind that he has just stepped out of a 1930’s speakeasy. Unfortunately there are no clips on YouTube yet for anything from the new album – so this one will have to suffice.
Tom Waits and Iggy Pop ~ Coffee and Cigarettes
This is hilarious. I love movies that just seem to eavesdrop on conversations – an idiom that Woody Allen has still not given up on. I’m always looking for song inspiration in movies and Jim Jarmusch always provides plenty. The awkwardness of this particular conversation is just perfect – especially the pregnant pauses and Iggy’s uncomfortable mannerisms. The seemingly endless pedal steel tune playing in the background. Iggy’s nervousness. Tom’s warm old ‘uncle’s’ voice (I could listen to him talk to the early hours of the morning) The suggestion that Iggy is “more of a Taco Bell kinda guy”. The black and white cinematography. If you get a chance to check out my clips for Where Will I Be? and Bone Orchard you’ll see plenty of Jarmusch inspiration there.
Jamie Hutchings ~ Gimme Failure
I’ve known Jamie since before I can remember. His brother Scott made this clip and I liked it so much that I asked him to do one for me (Where Will I Be?). I’ve been listening to Jamie’s voice since we were teens – we were in a band together called The Fallen Scarecrows and Scott played drums. So there’s a huge sense of nostalgia for me that is associated with his voice/lyricism and the sound that he’s carved out so meticulously for himself (which is truly his own). Having Jamie produce An Ear To The Earth – and to have Scott on drums – was like going going full circle, returning home. I’m not sure if I’ll be ever able to make an album any other way from here on. Hopefully we’ll pick up where we left off early in 2015.
Jep and Dep ~ Granted
I’ve been lucky enough to play a few shows with these two. Jess has a sweet, angelic voice whilst Darren brings a certain kind of world weariness that creates a perfect contrast. They’ve made a bunch of clips – all filmed in noir-ish black and white and all produced by Darren himself. Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra eat your heart out. I enjoyed the look of Darren’s clips so much that I also asked him to put one together for me (I Don’t Know What’s Become Of Her). There’s just something about clips filmed in high contrast black and white that really appeal to me. (Actually I’m just realising that even in this small group of clips I’ve chosen here – exactly 1/2 are black & white).
Sam Chatmon – Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor
Local singer/songwriter Mike McCarthy introduced me this song via Mississippi John Hurt. I really took to the song and tried to master Hurt’s fingerpicking – without much success. Then I came across this version. What a character – straight out of a Coen Brothers movie or something. I love the fact that Wikipedia tells us he may have been Charlie Paton’s half brother – I guess Sam himself didn’t even know. It’s a great version of this song – it sounds as though his guitar is tuned quite low. Actually, it’s worth watching just for the preamble.
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