na: everly brothers, nellie mckay

The Everly Brothers, Nellie McKay, John Fahey and others pace an incredibly strong selection of Thursday new arrivals.

The Everly Brothers: Holy &#*@! So today we got three of the first Everly Brothers records — original recordings and all! — as well as a stellar collection of their greatest hits. Of course the Everlys are a name we hear a lot of — especially in conjunction with the Beatles — but lost in the canonizing is just how gorgeous/exciting/fun/incredible their recordings were. I had a big Beach Boys phase when I was eight or so, and the Everlys soon followed (maybe the only time my mother and I agreed on music). Anyway, this is definitely worth delving into. It’s hard to argue with The Best Of, but I have to argue for The Fabulous Style Of, especially “Since You Broke My Heart,” which has a nice “Rave On” feel to it. Genuinely excited we got this.

Nellie McKay, Obligatory Villagers: I can’t tell you much about McKay other than very smart people seem to like her, and my friends who dig her (and they are numerous) seem to like this album pretty well. It’s in my to-listen pile for today. Still, very cool that this came in; seems like months ago we were promised it. Any McKay devotees want to talk about this album? I’ll paste yr response right here:

THOUGHTS WANTED

John Fahey, The Yellow Princess: Dunno this record either, but I am a big Fahey fan, and I remember this getting some hubbub when it came out (whether this is because it’s John Fucking Fahey or because it’s actually good, I am not sure).

Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, Songs of Angels: Christmas Hymns and Carols: A timely addition from the Telarc catalogue: pristine holiday recordings from the beloved Shaw.

Vanguard & Sugar Hill: A bunch of big-name adds from Vanguard and Sugar Hill beyond McKay and Fahey, including Joan Baez, John Hammond Jr., Ian & Sylvia, Seldom Scene, etc. Lots of strong roots music.