And, finally, the best info of all I've found on Link Wray, including photos and video clips from his last gig, is here.

http://www.wraysshack3tracks.com/

A little more info on Link Wray:

Blog post with some mp3s

Link's myspace page with some mp3s

English translation of a Danish obit.

Technorati search for Link Wray

A Flickr set


Forum

My review of The Mars Volta's "Scabdates"

The Mars Volta
Scabdates
(GSL/Universal)

I could sit here and write the most detailed review of this CD ever, with discussions about the chaotic soundscapes that bookend the CD, the new "songs," which are essentially extended jams with a little form to them, and even the fact that the liner notes list 21 people in this ever-growing band. Apparently they decided to include all their roadies and techs in the credits as well, which is sure nice on their part, but a bit confusing for the rest of us.

But the fact is, this CD can be broken down thusly: If you worship the group's guitarist/band leader, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, if you hang on vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala's every utterance, and if you think of their marathon jam session concerts as transcendent experiences, you're going to love the hell out of this CD. I would tell you to go buy it now, but you've probably already downloaded it from Soulseek.

There's plenty of spacy, effects-laden noodling, and unlike at many of the band's live performances, you can actually hear and appreciate the contributions of the other band members, notably keyboard player Isaiah Ikey Owens. Also showcased nicely is Bixler-Zavala's well-known penchant for improvising stream-of-consciousness lyrics about lust and loss while the band jams away behind him.

Unlike the band's 2003 live EP, which was a straight-up live version of studio tracks from that year's "De-Loused in the Comatorium," "Scabdates" is essentially an aural collage of stuff you might hear at a Mars Volta concert, along with stuff you might hear if you're traveling with or hanging out backstage with the band (crying babies, voices in Spanish and English, salsa music, individual instruments).

But if you've long ago written off Rodriguez-Lopez and the band as a bunch of pretentious faux-prog wankers who are trying too hard to be artsy, well, you'll probably actually like this CD too because those soundscapes along with some of the extended noodling will give you ample evidence to make your case.

Another sad passing: Link Wray Via Jessica and Greg. I was at that same Cradle show. He was from North Carolina, btw. Will post more info when it becomes available. sad. i got to see Link Wray several years ago at the cradle, it blew my mind and also made me laugh. His wife (or girlfriend) would intermittenly groom his hair while he played. Odd think is, after reading below, I did a search on google news, nothing. Even on Wikipedia, it just says death date "November 2005" If anyone has any info, please post and/or send it my way... off to rock'n'roll myself, rest in peace link. ----------------- Bulletin Message ----------------- From: ggory Date: Nov 19, 2005 9:30 PM R.I.P. - Link Wray It appears as though rockabilly/surf guitar legend Link Wray has passed away. I'm reposting this from Jason's RESTRICTED page ... The American media is so fucktarded you can't find a story on Link Wray's passing even if you use Google! Rest in peace, Link. Rock music would be ball-less if it were not for you. Check out myspace.com/linkwrayrules for a bit of history on this rock 'n' roll legend.

I love discovering new things, especially when I discover them accidentally. Last night I went to Dive Bar in Raleigh (which used to be Mary Lou's) and saw Viva La Venus, which is one of those bands I've heard about for a long time, but never actually seen. It goes without saying that I love female rock bands, but I was surprised to find out how awesome these girls (and guy) really are (they covered both Berlin and Salt 'n' Pepa!). And I was pretty surprised to find out how big Dive Bar really is inside. Here's the Viva La Venus Flickr stream. Viva la Venus from Mann's World on Vimeo.

And here's the movie (not one of my better ones, but you get an idea of what they're like).