There’s been excitement round these parts concerning Jon Spencer. Not only is he preparing to unleash The Blues Explosion’s first album in eight years in the shape of the delightfully gnarly Meat And Bone, but also that he’s agreed to take part in The Quietus’ Baker’s Dozen. But more than the taking part, it’s Spencer’s choices that have caused much exhilaration. Very much a man whose formative years were in the 1980s, his selection destroys the notion that this is a man raised on three chords, ramalama and a handful of Brylcreem.
But while much joy is echoed on this side of the Atlantic, Spencer has had a tough time deciding his list.
“It’s hard thing to do, picking a Top 10 or in this case 13,” he tells The Quietus from his Manhattan home. “I initially had more than was needed and had a hard time whittling them down. But I think these are all good records, for sure.”
Explaining his selection criteria, Spencer continues, “I guess I tried to pick things that were very influential for me and really shaped my mind. But I also went for things were I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve enjoyed this recently.’”
And in this respect, Jon Spencer has produced a wonderful and sometimes surprising list of albums. So sit back and read on…
