speaking of reissues and the like, this fall audika put out a collection of gorgeous bedroom-country by the late arthur russell. russell, an iowa native, will forever be associated with an avant-garde strain of disco, and while that’s all well and good, “love is overtaking me” (a title to die for) showcases the auteur’s outstanding talents as a singer and more traditional songwriter. the results are lovely and intimate—somewhere between gram parsons and daniel johnston, with vocals reminiscent of dylan’s “nashville skyline” croon.

the lovesick “i couldn’t say it to your face” is the standout on a disc of standouts, devastating in its simplicity and directness:

mp3: aruthur russell—“i couldn’t say it to your face”