For those (like me) who revel in the glory days of The Faces, occasionally 
an album comes along to lift our spirits with some great guitar/piano/B3 
boogie that kickstarts the internal motor. The Crowes did that for years, 
The Breakers probably had the most recent attempt, but usually it's one or 
two albums a year if we're lucky. This year it's the Black Crowes - much 
more like The Band than Rod The Mod (but still a contender for Album of the 
Year) - but now a salvo has just hit like a tidal wave. I am giddy like a 
child.

Quireboys - maybe their best ever. Spike has a rasp that would make Stewart 
sound like Mel Torme but the organic feel of this record reminds me of the 
classic Pugh/Quittenton/Woody era Rod records. Some tracks are funky soul 
like the Crowes, but when they rock, they rock.

Dan Baird - after the recent live release (great stuff) here's a studio 
album with Warner Hodges, Keith Christopher and Mauro Magellan filling out 
the band. Tommy Womack and Terry Anderson, two bonafide killer artists 
themselves, add some songwriting as well. Warner Hodges - wow! Like a 
reunion tour with Jason wasn't enough, he's Baird's partner in crime AND he 
has his own album of greasy geetar wranglin.

Diamond Dogs - I've only heard three tracks but these guys ARE the new Faces 
(yes I have all their prior records) - besides the new album they also 
released an EP of Sam Cooke covers(!); so prolific that lead singer Sulo 
also has two solo efforts (both great) just like Rod used to do.

Those three bands even toured together during May - what a great show that 
must have been. Check out some clips at the Jerkin Crocus MySpace page, the 
label that issued all four of these titles.

http://www.myspace.com/jcplmusic

Also out is a new album from The Refreshments (the Swedish band that Billy 
Bremner used to be in, not Roger Clyne and the Arizona guys). Irresistable 
pub rock boogie from guys who seem to be having as much fun as you are. I do 
miss Bremner's voice and songwriting but the core of the band is still 
intact. More proof I live on the wrong sode of The Big Pond.

that ought to make up for the next post i'm sending.

cheers
b