R.I.P. Aztec Motel

A piece of Americana was lost last week as the Aztec Motel, which once stood at Central and Aliso in Nob Hill, was demolished. According to this KRQE report, owner Jerry Landgraf, said it would have cost too much—an estimated $1 million (which, in the scheme of things, seems like an insignificant amount of money)—to restore the memorabilia-bedecked landmark, built in 1932. Landgraf now intends to erect lofts or shops at the site. On the bright side, the City of Albuquerque owns El Vado and the De Anza, and plans to restore those historic Route 66 motels.

• This is not a loss. (Madmammajamma) [ Wed Jun 15 2011 11:31 AM ]
  
• Peace & Prosperity for Prostitutes (PB5000) [ Wed Jun 15 2011 10:33 PM ]
  
• Saddened by the loss. (madamemadcap) [ Sun Jun 19 2011 10:02 AM ]
  

 

Kate Mann celebrates her one-year repatriation to our state with a mini tour of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. On the itinerary are cafés, coffeehouses, saloons and, um, a wellness and healing center, The Source (3538 Anderson Ave SE). That’s not as odd as it might sound. Mann has a strong spiritual side but she’s no stranger to cold cowboy hearts and lukewarm whiskey. Against a vivid Western setting of blistering sun, dangerous rivers and deadly snake bites (from reptiles or humans), her work is all about redemption, whether freely granted or hard-won—as long as it helps you through one more long night. Joining Mann from her old Portland, Ore. stomping grounds is friend Matt Meighan, a finger-picking, storytelling political poet with a message as upbeat as his voice is down low.

The Jim Sullivan Story

Jim Sullivan was an American musician who in 1975 left his wife and son on the West Coast, striking out for Nashville to find success. He didn’t make it there, though—his car was found abandoned and motel room unused outside of Santa Rosa, N.M. In ‘69 Sullivan had released U.F.O., an album backed by the acclaimed Wrecking Crew—session musicians employed by Phil Spector on numerous hit songs. Sullivan and his psych-folk-rock masterpiece went mostly unnoticed until late last year when crate-diggin’ reissue label Light In The Attic rereleased U.F.O. NPR’s “All Things Considered” did a story on the album—listen here. Find out more about Sullivan, listen to audio samples or buy the record here.

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