M. Ward, Migration Stories, 2020 on Anti-.

Tenth studio LP from Portland OR’s M. Ward, released on 2020 as his first on Anti-. (Think of Spring came out at the end of 2020; Migration Stories in April).

Produced by Craig Silvey in Montreal with contributions by Richard Reed Parry and Tim Kingsbury of Arcade Fire (and others). There is a “migration story” here somewhere, based in M. Ward’s grandfather’s journey to the US, but it’s not super literal.

My copy, which I got from the merch table at an M. Ward show in Rockport MA, is on “coke bottle clear” vinyl. Ironically it required multiple rounds of cleaning to get clear sound from it – I should have held out for a black vinyl version. (But it sounds good now).

#2020s #anti_ #ArcadeFire #CraigSilvey #MWard #MontrealQC #RichardReedParry #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds

M. Ward, Supernatural Thing, 2023 on Anti-

M. Ward‘s 12th solo album and followup to his Billy Holiday covers album Think of Spring. He’s joined by First Aid Kit on “Too Young To Die” and “Engine 5,” by Jim James and Kelly Pratt on “For Good”, by Shovels & Rope on “Mr. Dixon,” and by Neko Case on “Dedication Hour.”

Includes a wonderful rendition of Daniel Johnston’s “Story of an Artist”:

Everyone, and friends and family
Saying, “Hey! Get a job!”
“Why do you only do that only?
Why are you so odd?
We don’t like what you do
We don’t think anyone ever will

My copy direct from the merch table at a 2024 M. Ward show in Rockport MA – which included a great piano rendition of that song.

#2020s #2023 #anti_ #FirstAidKit #JimJames #KellyPratt #MWard #NekoCase #ShovelsRope #vinyl #vinylcollection

Tom Waits, Closing Time, 1973 on Asylum

Tom Waits’ debut album, after David Geffen met him performing at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Amazing how fully-formed Waits is here, kicking off his debut album with “Ol’ 55” and “I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You” – all originals.

Tom Waits always feels to me like he could have come from any time – this could come out in 2025 and feel fresh. He’s just in something of a genre all his own.

My copy – via Slipped Disc at a record fair at Mill No. 5 – is a 2018 reissue on Anti-, pressed by Independent Record Pressing (IRP) in New Jersey – original pressings in good shape are nearly impossible to find.

#1970s #1973 #anti_ #Asylum #DavidGeffen #MillNo5 #SlippedDisc #TomWaits #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylfinds