Sorry I didn't make it out to The Gourds show at the Granada on Saturday; had every intention, as it's been too long. And I was just thinking about the boys -- came across the Picket Line Coyotes' '88 cassette Upholstery Van Songs right before Christmas in a Sound Warehouse crate full of demo tapes (also, available for download right here). Anyway. Reason I mention it is, a good Friend of Unfair Park with whom I was recently discussing the greatness of Kevin Russell sends along this recently uploaded three-"disc," 58-song best-of boot compiled from Gourds '04 performances, including two from the Granada -- both of which are covers ("Take Me Back to Tulsa," "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain"). I will spend the weekend listening to this. You might want to do likewise.
Oh, and speaking of Kevin Russell: Till a few weeks ago, he'd been playing at Smoke solo, under the moniker Shiny Ribs, on the first Thursday of every month. Chris Jeffers says he's put the live performances on hold till the weather warms up. Which means Russell will return, oh, 'round the first week of May.