Midlake: The Trials of Von Occupanther

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The Trials of Von Occupanther by MidlakeSound Opinions interviewed Midlake recently, and I was pleased that the band sounded as smart and creative during their interview as they do on their albums.

Midlake’s sound is a little like Fleetwood Mac, in a good way, but their songs are much more interesting. They can spin a good yarn.

Video after the jump – it’s a good one, with costumes and a story and everything.
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Mavis Staples: We’ll Never Turn Back

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WeMavis Staples has been singing for freedom since the 60s. When in 2007 she crooned/belted/growled “99 and 1/2” out of the radio, I was immobilized and riveted.

Down in Mississippi
Brothers in jail
Uneducated children
It’s the 21st century
It feels like it’s 1960
Broken levees
Lyin politicians
Runnin through hatred
Homeless babies

Freedom now
Freedom now

I’m runnin
Tryin to make a hundred
99 and a half just won’t do

By the time she was well into “In My Own Eyes” I was on my second hanky.

Ry Cooder’s production is just right. The album is in my personal top 5 for 2007. I dearly hope that someday in my lifetime we won’t need songs like this. In the meantime, thank heaven for Mavis.

You can get the CD direct from Mavis.

African chicken

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I can’t guarantee that this is an authentic West African recipe but it captures the basic peanutty tomato-y garlicky flavor of similar dishes I savored in Mauritania. Super easy. Serve over rice and with a salad or your favorite cooked veggies.

African chicken

about 2 lbs skinless chicken
2 Tbsp oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
2-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
15 oz canned tomato sauce
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp ground coriander seeds
1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes
(optional) dash of salt
(optional) few dashes of black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large skillet, heat oil. Saute onions and garlic until soft. Add peanut butter, tomato sauce, vinegar and seasonings and mix well. Turn off the heat.

Arrange chicken in baking dish and pour the sauce over the chicken. Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes.