Karen Black and Cass McCombs

I've been a big fan of Karen Black for years, the actress popping up in literally hundreds of films during her career since the '60s, and i never realized she was also a poet and singer.  The good folks at Anthology Recordings, along with Black's husband and singer/songwriter Cass McCombs have seen fit to comb through old tapes and reels for a compilation of Black's songs.  Included are two tracks written and performed by McCombs and Black before her death in 2013.  It's a really cool collection of Americana, folk, and psych-tinged daydreams.  Check out "I Wish I Knew the Man I Thought You Were" below and get the "Dreaming of You (1971-1976)" LP here.

Cass McCombs

I've never really gotten all that into Cass McCombs, but the folky troubadour may finally have me convinced with his latest track "Opposite House."  The track has a ghostly, watching the rain hit the window kind of vibe, gray clouds looming just behind his gentle voice while Angel Olsen provides soft cooing in the background.  This is rainy day music at its best.  Listen below and look for the upcoming "Mangy Love" LP in August from Anti.

The Skiffle Players

As it's unseasonably warm here in Austin these days, let's all lean back and listen to some breezy, folky Americana from The Skiffle Players, a supergroup of sorts featuring Cass McCombs and members of Beachwood Sparks.  Grab the debut album "Skifflin" from Spiritual Pajamas here and listen to "Til Stone Day Comes" below.