Greetings Good People,

This is a time of year I love. The south goes lush green again. After several refreshing, pollen washing rains its magic beautiful, awe inspiring green all lit up with blooming colors of life on earth. Equally as refreshing and as full of life affirming colors is the newest re-issue in the rebirth of the long overlooked artist Rodriguez (no, not our favorite, the lovely Texan Carrie Rodriguez, nor to be confused with the supa bad guy from Mars Volta, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez). No, I’m talking about Sixto Rodriguez and his 1971 classic Coming From Reality. A masterpiece and a complete eye-opener just as his 1969 debut classic Cold Fact is and was when re-issued last year making it readily available for the first time in decades. Imagine Dylan, Ritchie Havens, Tim Buckley all stirred into a mellow yet startling folk-funk and occasionally psychedelic audio novel, or was or is it a sonic sixties news report? Either way it’s 35+ years old and killing it as much as anything I’ve heard so far this year.

Ok, In other music news, we are all a-twitter (oops can’t say that the same anymore can one?) in anticipation of our Carolina-Texas pals Belleville Outfit head this way for a CD release party in-store here and concert at The Handlebar Saturday May 16. Speaking of the Handlebar, check out their schedule, particularly Friday when one of my households favorites the amazing Iris Dement hits the stage, details and tickets are available at 864-233-6173 or click above. So much new music coming it’s best to just come by and wander through the aisles and browse. Around town it was a thrill to have the globe trotting world citizen Yo Yo Ma play again with the Greenville Symphony as directed by Edvard Tchivzhel. What an honor! Sadly Mr. Ma didn’t have time to stop by here and discuss Mahler with me or shop for some Brazilian CDs, may be next time. Fortunately though for the folks who were at the sold out concert and for those who weren’t able to be there Horizon has a nice stock of Yo Yo Ma CDs all ready to go home for enjoying in the opening days of screen porch season now officially in full swing as declared by me!

In other sadder news it is with great sorrow and I would like to mention the passing of Duane “DJ” Jarvis, a Carolina musician who was loved and admired by all who knew him. An amazing guitarist, songwriter and performer. He spent time in Lucinda Williams’s band, played here a couple of times and was the walking epitome of gentle southern charm and kindness. As well we are sending our thoughts out to our dear friend Peter Case who is struggling health-wise and financially after some very serious ailments. Peter is the renowned rocker who was in The Nerves, The Plimsouls, and released many extraordinary records as Peter Case. We stock his amazing memoir/journal book “As Far As You Can Get Without a Passport“. He played here twice and is also one of the most real and honest and humble musicians I have had the pleasure of a cup of coffee with. Find out more or make a contribution here hiddenlovemedicalrelief.com

I guess that’s all. Anything else we can discuss when you stop in or call or email or Facebook or Tweet me or…

Come see us.