Loren Mazzacane-Connors & Alan Licht - Hoffman Estates (1998)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Loren Mazzacane & Kath Bloom - Sing the Children Over (1982)

By request, here's this excellent collection of woozy, avant-jazz-psych-etc. In addition to the two musicians listed on the tin, you get contributions from a bunch of great Chicago musicians, not the least of which are from Jim O'Rourke, who played on the initial sessions, then edited them down and added overdubs.

Track listing:

1. Slowly, Slowly, Slowly

2. Block That Nixon

3. Sad at Times

4. Wisdom Day

5. Peace Scare

6. Turner's Murder

7. And Everyone 'Neath Their Vine and Fig Tree Shall Live in Peace

Moonlight walk of the soothsayer

You should also listen to:

Savant - The Neo-Realist (At Risk) (1983)

Anthony Pateras - Chasms (2007)

Loren Mazzacane & Kath Bloom - Sing the Children Over (1982)

Stoned, bluesy folk rock with a homespun feel that, along with Kath Boom's sweet, quavering voice, manages to elevate even the most played-out of songs, "I've Been Working on the Railroad". The whole record's great, but Bloom's wistful, heartfelt originals are undeniable standouts. I found out about her through Bill Callahan's cover of "The Breeze / My Baby Cries", part of an excellent, indie star-studded Kath Bloom tribute record. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful song -- I actually just teared up listening to it -- and I'm genuinely grateful to Callahan for helping me and hopefully many others to get to know this great, forgotten talent.

Track listing:
1. Last Fair Deal
2. The Breeze / My Baby Cries
3. Can't Nobody Hide
4. Nobody's Fault But Mine
5. All My Trials Here
6. It's So Hard to come Home
7. I've Been Working on the Railroad
8. Moses
9. In the Garden
10. Light in the Lighthouse
11. There Was a Boy
12. Lullaby
13. I Was Wondering

I'd like to touch you
But I've forgotten how
Said I didn't need you
But look at me now
Sometime in the summer
When we're lying in the breeze
The breeze will kill me

You might also dig:

Andy Zwerling - Spiders in the Night (1971)

Muleskinner - Muleskinner (1972)