William Tyler?
― just sayin, Sunday, 19 March 2017 08:27 (seven years ago) link
earth - hex was my second thought
my first thought was the track 'despite the roar' by bardo pond
― an uptempo Pop/Hip Hop mentality (imago), Sunday, 19 March 2017 09:55 (seven years ago) link
black sun ensemble - the self-titled one on reckless with a goldfish flying thru space on the cover
― Benylin Ascent (NickB), Sunday, 19 March 2017 10:09 (seven years ago) link
Yeah was going to mention Mr Acedo and folks. 1st lp got a cd reissue a few years ago but not sure fi it's still around.I came in via Lambent Flame and wasn't sure what track was very deserty but since Acedo came from the desert region I think it is heavily reflected in the music.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 19 March 2017 10:14 (seven years ago) link
gosh lambent flame, that record was not kind to my ears. 2nd s/t is just lovely the whole way through
― Benylin Ascent (NickB), Sunday, 19 March 2017 10:17 (seven years ago) link
Neil Young's Dead Man soundtrack.
― MikoMcha, Sunday, 19 March 2017 11:07 (seven years ago) link
This is magnificent. A day imagining the loneliness, the wind a fibrous wall... I keep thinking of a line from the Monkey Wrench Gang: 'the desert eased his vague anger'.
I know vocals and drums wreck the spirit of this kind of stuff, but Whitewater by Kyuss is pure desert.
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Sunday, 19 March 2017 11:10 (seven years ago) link
I bought a Scenic record once just because of the impressive brown paper packaging. I didn't go back to the music inside very much though.
The Bruce Kaphan slide guitar thing sounds cool
― calstars, Sunday, 19 March 2017 11:17 (seven years ago) link
Probably goes without saying but the new Hired Hand tribute record on Scissor Tail is beautiful and is wide open space music all the way. It's on Spotify if that's your thing.
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Sunday, 19 March 2017 11:30 (seven years ago) link
african desert music (made by people who grew up in and live in deserts!) like BARGOU 08, TAMIKREST, TINARIWEN, and BOMBINO isn't half bad, either
― reggie (qualmsley), Sunday, 19 March 2017 15:52 (seven years ago) link
Six Organs of Admittance (especially the albums The Sun Awakens and Shelter From the Ash)
― bernard snowy, Sunday, 19 March 2017 16:18 (seven years ago) link
Would including Gil Evans's arrangements be too much of a stretch? Sketches of Spain and parts of Out of the Cool and Indvidualism of... always evoke the desert for me.
Western Skies Motel are good at this stuff. Settlers from last year is great.
Cheers for the Slim Westerns recommendation.
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Sunday, 19 March 2017 16:25 (seven years ago) link
A couple other aesthetics that are distinct but related: I see Dead Texan has been mentioned already, but I want to put in a plug for "Sun Drugs" off the underrated Stars of the Lid release The Ballasted Orchestra, as it totally nails the feeling of laying in a wide-open field under a cloudless sky listening to the rumble of distant jet aircraft. Also, the recent GYBE album with the title beginning Asunder, Sweet... gives me a very strong out-of-the-blistering-midday-heat, into-the-cool-shade-of-the-suq vibe
― bernard snowy, Sunday, 19 March 2017 16:28 (seven years ago) link
Labradford - Mi Media Naranja
^ good twangy morricone vibes, but also twinkly electronics that make me think of satellites flying across a vast starry sky
― Benylin Ascent (NickB), Sunday, 19 March 2017 18:24 (seven years ago) link
^ a midway point between eno and morricone, a desert drifter looking up into the night sky and seeing twinkling satellites sailing across the vastness overhead
― Benylin Ascent (NickB), Sunday, 19 March 2017 18:32 (seven years ago) link
Lol fucking phone playing tricks on me
― Benylin Ascent (NickB), Sunday, 19 March 2017 18:33 (seven years ago) link
thanks in advance thread
― example (crüt), Sunday, March 19, 2017 1:30 AM (twelve hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Sunday, 19 March 2017 18:34 (seven years ago) link
Should add for anyone who missed it on the Steve Roach thread that the Dust to Dust mentioned up top which started this is his collaborative album with Roger King:
https://projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dust-to-dust
It is and remains one of my all time favorite albums.
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 19 March 2017 18:36 (seven years ago) link
If people have mentioned Sketches of Spain the Grateful Dead's lift as Spanish Jam should also fit as should other of their stuff.
I was thinking bits of QMS too especially Calvary.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 19 March 2017 18:41 (seven years ago) link
oh yeah and on the QMS tip there are some longer Rangda pieces ("Plain Of Jars", "...Hermetic Museum") that fit in here, and Sun City Girls' Funeral Mariachi album (but not much else of theirs imo)
― sleeve, Sunday, 19 March 2017 19:09 (seven years ago) link
this thread was better when it was a little more specialized and not "this drone band used clean guitars and a slide once"
― Wimmels, Sunday, 19 March 2017 19:45 (seven years ago) link
ah yes the long 13hr lifespan of this thread
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Sunday, 19 March 2017 19:48 (seven years ago) link
Brokeback, Brokeback and the Black Rock
― Wozniak on Kimye's Baby (jaymc), Sunday, 19 March 2017 19:52 (seven years ago) link
― just sayin, Sunday, March 19, 2017 4:27 AM (eleven hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Absolutely William Tyler!
― Evan, Sunday, 19 March 2017 19:57 (seven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRGns0huaCM
This is my favorite kind of Calexico and as mentioned above it fits the thread theme very well.
― Evan, Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:01 (seven years ago) link
I could certainly recommend the proper instrumental/experimental Calexico stuff if anyone was actually interested.
― Evan, Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:08 (seven years ago) link
Train Songs by Two Dollar Guitar.
― heaven parker (anagram), Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:13 (seven years ago) link
Brian Grainger – Blue Wheatfield: https://wil-ru.bandcamp.com/album/blue-wheatfieldlots of stuff by Expo '70; e.g., Inaudible Bicoastal Trajectory: https://aguirrerecords.bandcamp.com/album/inaudible-bicoastal-trajectory
― example (crüt), Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:19 (seven years ago) link
https://www.discogs.com/Garlo-Vent-De-Guitares/release/1575820
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jjIhVE7ek4
― Milton Parker, Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:29 (seven years ago) link
man I had forgotten about that Two Dollar Guitar album
thanks to crut for those last two as well
probably everyone here has heard Brightblack Morning Light but they definitely fit
Brightblack Morning Light ... WTF?
― sleeve, Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:50 (seven years ago) link
"Susan Alcorn - And i await the Resurrection (maybe not her best, but its what I have)"
you need to get her extremely lovely Soledad album, Sanpaku or anyone who digs this aesthetic.
― calzino, Sunday, 19 March 2017 20:56 (seven years ago) link
I'd take a more desert-focussed Calexcio primer, Evan. Cheers. 'Hot Rail' is fantastic.
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Sunday, 19 March 2017 21:10 (seven years ago) link
Date Palms "Dusted Sessions"
― daily growing, Sunday, 19 March 2017 21:39 (seven years ago) link
re: Calexico, The Black Light and Spoke are both great for winding/long stretches, southern Utah driving. also, seconding Dirty Three and Tren Brothers. Whatever You Love You Are is a beauty, though it's less propulsive. Bad Timing by Jim O'Rourke is an absolute slam dunk.
― braunld (Lowell N. Behold'n), Sunday, 19 March 2017 21:47 (seven years ago) link
I recall Lanterna, who incidentally did a split release with Scenic, being described as "atmospheric desert music" or some such
― a but (brimstead), Sunday, 19 March 2017 22:22 (seven years ago) link
I loved all the Yo La Tengo music in Old Joy--not sure if that fits your definition, but it does recall the Paris, Texas soundtrack, I think, and they do do a lot of driving in the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcuXOtwZSiw
― clemenza, Sunday, 19 March 2017 22:27 (seven years ago) link
Yawning Man
Meat Puppets debut and second
― Jessie Fer Ark (Mobbed Up Ping Pong Psychos), Sunday, 19 March 2017 22:58 (seven years ago) link
http://www.bendingcorners.com/2005/desert_moments/ is a good mix of this sort of thing
― I hear from this arsehole again, he's going in the river (James Morrison), Sunday, 19 March 2017 23:33 (seven years ago) link
The Bruce Kaphan is nice as expected. Wide open chords
― calstars, Sunday, 19 March 2017 23:39 (seven years ago) link
Some Mazzy Star/Hope Sandoval would probably apply
― Carlotta's Portrait (Ross), Sunday, 19 March 2017 23:47 (seven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAb8NbM8PKU
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Sunday, March 19, 2017 5:10 PM (four hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I would start with both Toolbox and Travelall, as they're both instrumental and have the same vibe as the Hot Rail track. Hot Rail the album however is my favorite straightforward Calexico record (the previous two I recommended were originally tour only CDs). Atmosphere was clearly a number one priority at the time. Later it dropped a little with each subsequent album as they moved closer and closer to more straightforward pop/rock.
Some samples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvv9dQX12kc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQtGHOeflTM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esbtr6LKHdg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxO6kVo5P7E
― Evan, Monday, 20 March 2017 03:06 (seven years ago) link
That being said after driving up and down Arizona this past October I found William Tyler to be the most powerful accompaniment to the sights. I made a desert mix especially for the trip. I should revisit to see what I'm forgetting.
― Evan, Monday, 20 March 2017 03:09 (seven years ago) link
Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger
― that's not my post, Monday, 20 March 2017 03:59 (seven years ago) link
Jimmie Dale Gilmore's singing always makes me think of the desert southwest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGsTrLaDaHQ
― that's not my post, Monday, 20 March 2017 04:12 (seven years ago) link
I think of Scenic as more western tinged instrumental rock. There's an omnipresent drum kit, which keeps it out of ambient territory.
Harold Budd appears on the last Scenic album, which adds +50 to ambient
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 20 March 2017 07:00 (seven years ago) link
Bruce Licher's bandcamp also has this great 45min piece he and his wife put together for an installation of hers:https://brucelicher.bandcamp.com/track/suspension-of-disbelief
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 20 March 2017 07:03 (seven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LGt2N5L4JA
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 20 March 2017 07:04 (seven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6V9vEO76Z8
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 20 March 2017 07:05 (seven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4S-aE879T0
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 20 March 2017 07:07 (seven years ago) link
been lucky to play a handful of times with matt and jen, they are some of nicest people i've ever met and the real deal. happy to see them getting more reknown. true underground stalwarts
― global tetrahedron, Tuesday, 26 May 2020 18:59 (three years ago) link
they've also been putting on shows at a laundromat in cleveland, and i think it might be the coolest venue in the country. well, was, with covid. you get the idea. imagine seeing bitchin bajas at a laundromat!
― global tetrahedron, Tuesday, 26 May 2020 19:10 (three years ago) link
SUSS posted the playlist for their recent Ambient Country mix and it's pretty great:
1. Swimming in a Western Hotel - PanAmerican2. Body in a Room- Bing & Ruth3. Thresholds ( through a hole in the fence) - Walt McClements4. News About Heaven- Marisa Anderson, William Tyler 5. Ending- Bruce Langhorne6. Love Scene - Jerry Garcia7. When You Sleep - Japancakes8. Welcome - Harmonia & Eno9. Desert Rose - Daniel Lanois10. Anteludium - Luke Schneider11. Wichita - SUSS12. Clouds - Bruce Kaphan
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 21 April 2022 06:27 (two years ago) link
Thanks Elvis - this feels right up my alley. Going to check out everything here I've not heard before.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 22 April 2022 20:16 (two years ago) link
Thinking that Bruce Langhorne's Hired Hand soundtrack is to ambient country as Paul Giovanni's Wicker Man soundtrack is to acid folk
― doug watson, Saturday, 23 April 2022 00:04 (two years ago) link
About half of that playlist is new to me and I’m thrilled to find them. Lots to dive into as this is my exact sweet spot these days.
By coincidence I’ve been fiddling around with a playlist to scratch this itch - not just the ambient but also some more traditional songs that rise and fall out of the moodier bits. There is no order to it, and I’m still adding and subtracting as I hone it. But in any case folks on this thread might enjoy this as a kind of radio station. Shuffle away: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hfogoxEEmNfs3b8eG4u3X?si=rJI-IObaShi0kY4KxuXU9A
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Saturday, 23 April 2022 00:25 (two years ago) link
This playlist is great pgwp! Thanks for the share.
― Vanishing Point (Chinaski), Sunday, 24 April 2022 10:34 (one year ago) link
Thank you! Glad you’re enjoying it.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Sunday, 24 April 2022 13:37 (one year ago) link
Cross post from the Fahey thread: the latest Imaginational Anthem compilation, featuring latest pedal steel excursions totally fits this thread's remit: https://tompkinssquare.bandcamp.com/album/luke-schneider-presents-imaginational-anthem-vol-xi-chrome-universal-a-survey-of-modern-pedal-steel (on Spotify too, if that's your thing).
― Shard-borne Beatles with their drowsy hums (Chinaski), Wednesday, 18 January 2023 21:08 (one year ago) link
oo la la, thanks for the cross post
― ꙮ (map), Thursday, 19 January 2023 02:54 (one year ago) link
Speaking of SUSS, the new self-titled one, a compilation of four different EPs, is really incredible. I love the vibe.
― Maxmillion D. Boosted (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Monday, 30 January 2023 22:53 (one year ago) link
seems relevant
https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/ambient-country-list
― broken breakbeat (sleeve), Sunday, 4 June 2023 20:16 (ten months ago) link
so I guess this stuff is called "ambient country" now, ok
Uncut included this Ambient Americana compilation CD with the Velvet Underground issue they put out a couple of years ago, might be relevant:https://www.discogs.com/release/17866393-Various-Ambient-Americana-A-Road-Trip-Across-Psychic-State-Lines
― brimstead, Sunday, 4 June 2023 20:23 (ten months ago) link
There was a nice NTS show back in February: https://www.nts.live/shows/the-nts-guide-to/episodes/the-nts-guide-to-ambient-americana-16th-february-2023
― Stars of the Lidl (Chinaski), Sunday, 4 June 2023 20:33 (ten months ago) link
I've been slowly putting together a playlist of 'wide open desert' and adjacent stuff. It's called Vaulted Ceiling, Vaulted Sky as some of it is in cathedrals and resonating chambers but chambers/canyons who's counting? Fill yer boots if it's your thing.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/504idjJNXjNKl2xajh8Pbv?si=b5fed292a37f4e41
― Stars of the Lidl (Chinaski), Sunday, 4 June 2023 20:41 (ten months ago) link
i know the stuff in this thread is more of an 'ambient' focus, but easter everywhere always sounds great in the desert ime
― ꙮ (map), Sunday, 4 June 2023 20:56 (ten months ago) link
They were mentioned before upthread, but last week I took a road trip through the desert and can confirm that this album is a playlist must.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ZmZd6fRRQ
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 5 June 2023 07:35 (ten months ago) link
New Boxhead Ensemble!
https://boxheadensemble.bandcamp.com/album/ancient-music
― daily growing, Tuesday, 1 August 2023 16:37 (eight months ago) link
This band from Tuscon is on tour and I'm feeling their wide open desert vibe:
https://compersionmusic.bandcamp.com/track/kitchen-mirror
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Wednesday, 2 August 2023 16:05 (eight months ago) link
Swell's 41
― Cow_Art, Wednesday, 2 August 2023 16:33 (eight months ago) link
That's a favorite!
― But his face would not turn into hot Kirby (Evan), Wednesday, 2 August 2023 16:34 (eight months ago) link
This JAB release is very wide, very open
https://johnalsobennett.bandcamp.com/album/out-there-in-the-middle-of-nowhere
― ionjusit (P. Flick), Wednesday, 2 August 2023 18:59 (eight months ago) link
that JAB record is incredible, love it.
w/o being too self-promo here, my band's stuff definitely fits into this zone
https://prairiewolfcf.bandcamp.com/album/prairiewolf
― tylerw, Friday, 4 August 2023 16:55 (eight months ago) link
it does and it's good!
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 4 August 2023 17:30 (eight months ago) link
*looks up a few entries* Steve S I'm seeing that Compersion band playing at a venue called the Warehouse in SF next Wednesday but googling for it is impossible. (They're not talking about the bar out at Port Costa, are they?)
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 5 August 2023 00:13 (eight months ago) link
It is a uh... "low-key venue" that's been shut down a few times for obvious reasons.
I've only been 2x, Spiritual Cramp last year and then Fentanyl last month.
That said: not sure I feel posting the details on this thread, what is the best way to get a hold of you in a private manner?
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Saturday, 5 August 2023 05:20 (eight months ago) link
How did I not hear about a new, 90 minute Boxhead Ensemble album? They strike me as the sweet spot for this thread. Listening now, and it's predictably gorgeous. I had no idea Michael Krassner now runs a pizza restaurant in Phoenix.
― JonR345, Saturday, 5 August 2023 05:31 (eight months ago) link
I live in Phoenix and it is a legitimately great pizza restaurant, I strongly recommend it!
― intheblanks, Saturday, 5 August 2023 22:43 (eight months ago) link
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 6 August 2023 04:28 (eight months ago) link
emailed ya... 🙊
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Monday, 7 August 2023 19:26 (eight months ago) link
Thank ya. In 'well that's irony' territory, though, I've suffered a slight sprain around my left knee so I'm mostly not moving for a few days, so hopefully next time!
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 7 August 2023 20:08 (eight months ago) link
Get well soon Ned. I'd happily wheel you around but the pavement in that neighborhood is particularly jagged.
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Tuesday, 8 August 2023 15:39 (eight months ago) link
I can guess!
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 8 August 2023 16:30 (eight months ago) link
What with one thing and another, I've barely listened to music in the last two weeks. To be a fresh lawn on which the new Boxhead Ensemble falls like the first leaves of autumn makes the whole thing entirely worth it.
― (picnic, lightning) very very frightening (Chinaski), Friday, 11 August 2023 22:34 (eight months ago) link
loving this compersion track
― budo jeru, Friday, 11 August 2023 22:48 (eight months ago) link
Compersion were not only incredible live but were total IRL sweeties. <3
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Friday, 11 August 2023 23:32 (eight months ago) link
Compersion track is lovely. Making me think of 'Constant Craving', played by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. Love the metal shirts, obvs (even if one is a Sade shirt, masquerading as a metal shirt).
― (picnic, lightning) very very frightening (Chinaski), Friday, 11 August 2023 23:39 (eight months ago) link