On Photography by Susan Sontag (1977) - This book got a lot of attention when new, but seems to have since become the redheaded stepchild of photography commentary. Must have really pissed off the poobahs. And just so we know the terrain, this is a word book, not a picture book. On a thirty year re-read, there’s still plenty here to think about, whether you choose to agree, disagree or reserve judgement. An apt followup to my recent read of Understanding Media, which seemed to remain hovering over this book (as it did over everything for a little while there). I say, give it a go if you’d like to read something on photography other than the usual technical guide or cheerleaderly evangelizing.

Understanding Media: The Extensions Of Man by Marshall McLuhan (1964) - I’ve been giving this a read every decade since the late 1970s, and I still learn something new every time. Some of his contentions haven’t panned out (or at least not yet), but on the whole it remains prescient and surprisingly relevant. So many conflicts — social, political, international — all seem to connect back to the shocks and backlashes set off by the advent of instant electric communications.

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About 60’s Mind Expansive Punkadelic Garage Rock Instrumentals But Were Afraid To Ask by various artists (Arf! Arf!/1993) - Another fully loaded Arf! Arf! comp. This one is filled with rock instrumentals. But rather than covering the usual twang ‘n’ surf era, this covers the mid to late-60s fuzz ‘n’ wah era. The smelly full flowering of psych, the earthy roots of metal and prog to come. Obscure, amazing and fun.

30 Seconds Before The Calico Wall by various artists (Arf! Arf!/1995) - A sequel of sorts to Beyond The Calico Wall, equally packed to capacity with wildly obscure ’60s psych sides, but staying just this side of that wall of insanity. I’ll have a Sound Sandwich on toasted rye to go, please.

Beyond The Calico Wall by various artists (Voxx/1993) - A jam-packed compilation of 1960s US psych that digs way deeper and weirder than the average bear. Terrific stuff — the instant cure for cutesy fake retro psych.

Psychedelic Microdots Of The Sixties by various artists (Sundazed/1989-92) - This was a series of three separate (and now out of print) discs from Sundazed, titled: Orange, Sugar & Chocolate; Texas Twisted and My Rainbow Life. Good, solid compilations of 1960s US psychedelic garage rock, going a little farther than the usual suspects, but a bit sparse with only 18 tracks a piece.

Presenting a freshly baked web album for you. A Fretful Menagerie is my latest batch of solo acoustic guitar pieces. Better recorded, better guitar, better technique (with more truly independent bass and melody), same old stumblebum execution. Well, three out of four ain’t bad. Handmade mood music for worrisome souls. Available free (as always) on its own page, or via the Web Album Dumpster.