May 13 - Return of the Memphis Train
Actually, I flew in & out of Memphis last week. You know, it wasn't the current goings-on in that city (aside from the three nights of musical insanity at the Ponderosa Stomp which were the main reason for the trip) that really hit me, but just being in a place where so many great artists cooked up so much incredible music years ago. While they still exist in some form, Beale St - reconstructed as a cheesy tourist trap, way overpriced! - Stax, Sun, WDIA, etc. are more monuments to this past than vital cultural forces today (well, I should mention that Stax does operate a music school as well as a musem). There's still plenty of good barbecue though!

If you go, I advise you to peruse the Kreature Komforts Lowlife Guide to Memphis first. Rule #1: Bring or rent a car! And of course, despite my offhand remarks, there is some culture going on there: check the Memphis Flyer for listings.

Inspired by my trip, the first part of last Saturday's show was a tribute to the music of Memphis. As usual, Shawn contributed some cool eclectic sounds to keep the freeform vibe happening. My other set was devoted to some selections from Sun Ra, whose "arrival day" is coming up on May 22 (his arrival year, by the way, is listed as 1914). The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen is actually coming to Montreal for the Suoni Per Il Popolo festival on June 6 - and I command you to go get your ticket soon! I guarantee you won't regret it.

• Here's a link to a video of the Sun Ra Arkestra on Saturday Night Live way back in the day (once again, courtesy of WFMU's Beware of the Blog site). I remember watching that show - I was just a baby, of course - a total mind#%$^#!

Next show is May 27, 9 - 11 pm eastern, on CKUT 90.3 FM. Bye till then...
Dave