The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion “Freedom Tower No Wave Dance Party 2015″ Mom + Pop Records, green vinyl. Released this week and concluding JSBX week at the Vault. This is probably the most danceable album from JSBX since the 90s’ “Orange” and “Now I Got Worry.” STRONG ass-shaking tracks kick off Side A with “Funeral” (Spencer belts out “C’mon fellas, we got to pay respect!” – and they do!) and “Wax Dummy.” Blues goes funkified with “Do the Get Down” (just try NOT dancing to that one!) and the band showcases its sly humor with “Betty vs. the NYPD” – check out the video.

We’re seeing them play this summer in Madison, WI at the High Noon Saloon and I’m excited to dance my behind off. I’ve seen JSBX perform many times over the years, the first time was in May of ‘93 at O’Cayz Corral, probably days after the release of “Extra Width.” Very small venue and small show: the band wasn’t well-known at this point. Lots of Judah’s family and friends were there, including his brother Donovan, who I hung out with at the bar.  After the show Russell came over by us and was looking for a place to crash for the night so I introduced to him to a friend of mine who had an extra couch (whispering to me the query “Is this guy OK, like not weird?”); he stayed there and I popped over in the morning, I think to bring breakfast and nab a copy of the new album. The other recollections I have from JSBX shows (having a few opportunities to be backstage or in the case of the O’Cayz show – no backstage, just a little recombobulation corner) are noticing Spencer’s extreme quiet and reserve offstage, basically looking exactly like the cover of “Extra Width,” but given the guy’s amazing stage energy and outlandish bravado, I’m guessing he saves it all for the audience. THE BLUES IS #1!