I was a little confused when I read in the slew of new releases today that 23 year-old acoustic songster Matt Costa was listed as releasing his “new” album Songs We Sing, since this is, in fact, the same title & cover art as his mellow & pleasant independent 2005 release.
So, after some investigative sleuthing I have deduced that this is the re-release of his first album on Brushfire Records. It is apparently remastered, partially re-mixed and with a new track listing. So, if you’ve never checked him out before, now you can get the new improved version (and who, in today’s consumer culture, doesn’t like that?). See, you never even knew what you were missing.
One reviewer wrote, “Costa’s songs hark back to an age when singer-songwriters were happy to perform, bare their souls and if anyone bought their records, well, that was jolly nice. Costa’s output is emotive without being too… emotional, as on the heart-achingly beautiful ‘Astair.’ His layered vocal harmonies on tracks such as ‘Sunshine’ recall the halcyon days of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and the boy can also rock, as on ‘Sweet Thursday’ or the mid-tempo’d and haunting ‘Yellow Taxi.’”
I like his bright, sincere acoustic vibe. I featured “Sunshine” on a Monday Music Round-Up back in January.
Here are live versions of 3 of the four new songs that are on the new release. These are from a great show at El Cid in Los Angeles on 8/7/05. It is soundboard quality, I do believe.
It’s Monday, time again for me to open wide the vast musical archives (which are actually quickly filling up my 30GB iPod – I think I need a new 60. Your favorite friendly music blogger is currently accepting donations) to pull out some selections for y’all. And today’s caveat is that EZArchive (which stores the songs) may be acting weird. If you can’t get the tunes, stop back by later.
In the meantime I will give EZArchive a stern talking-to.
Satisfied Mind Johnny Cash I first heard this song done by Jeff Buckley on his Sketches (For My Sweetheart The Drunk). His version is saturated with a gorgeous and rich beauty (and was, incidentally, played at his memorial service – side note). Ben Harper also does a bluesy-gospel version with the Blind Boys of Alabama. But Johnny Cash, as always, puts his signature desolate and wind-blown sound to this song (from the Kill Bill 2 Soundtrack of all places) and it makes me feel all nostalgic and Grapes-of-Wrath-ish just to listen to it. God bless Johnny Cash.
Cayman Islands Kings of Convenience featuring Feist I posted on Norway’s Kings of Convenience before, but never about the lovely Canadian songstress Feist, who I have been hearing more and more professions of love for from the mouths of my musical friends. Feist paired with Kings for a few tracks on their album Riot On An Empty Street, released in 2004. This is a very mellow song with a nice blending of voices, with folksy finger-picking simple melody and lilting vocals. Check out “Homesick” from the same album for a straight up Simon & Garfunkel reunion.
Hard Times Eastmountainsouth This duo has now broken up, but Eastmountainsouth was a lovely surprise discovery that I made in 2004, scoring free tickets to go see them in a small club in San Francisco. Kat Maslich is from Clinch Mountain, Virginia, and she joins Alabama/Tennessee native Peter Adams on their evocative eponymous 2000 release. Maslich’s warm and powerful alto voice leads the album, alternating and meshing seamlessly with Adams. The organic and rural-sounding album employs a variety of styles of music, mostly centering around folk and acoustic melody, but incorporating hints of plucky bluegrass guitar and resonant piano. I highly recommend the album, and I wish you could still see them live as they were stunning. Oh, and this song was also featured on the Elizabethtown soundtrack last year.
Sunshine (live 11/13/03) Matt Costa I just got reminded (by a little birdie of sorts) of this great track that I’ve had sitting in my “To Blog” playlist for about three months now. Matt Costa was was number three on Fader Magazine’s “Top Ten Things You Didn’t Appreciate Enough In 2005,” -an acoustic singer-songwriter in the vein of pal (and informal promoter) Jack Johnson. Costa has toured with Jack, as well as Donavon Frankenreiter (and probably G. Love), so you get a sense of his vibe. Costa also collaborates with Jack on the new Curious George soundtrack, which I buckled and pre-ordered on iTunes so I could get the excellent track “Upside Down,” which makes we want to swing in a hammock somewhere. But, again, that’s sort of off-topic. Sorry. “Sunshine” is from the 2005 album Songs We Sing. Check it out, you flip-flop-wearing surfer, you.
Reach Down Pearl Jam with Chris Cornell Once again, I had something else here in the number 5 spot, but then I realized today’s line-up was waaay too sparse and mellow and I am feeling a bit rockin’ today myself. So let’s rock a bit. I am getting all excited to receive the 2005 Pearl Jam Christmas Single vinyl. ‘But it is January,’ you say, ‘not Christmas.’ Well, in the 12 or 13 years as I have been in the Ten Club (the Pearl Jam fanclub), I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the annual record before February. This song was featured on the 2003 Christmas single, and this Temple of the Dog “reunion” took place October 28th of that year at a star-studded evening of music.
Thanks to Franz pointing this out: You can download this entire show at http://www.glidemagazine.com/downloads25.html. This amazing evening featured an acoustic set, and electric set, and three encores – filled with gems. Collaborating musicians include Jack Irons, Chris Cornell (also did 2 solo songs, one of his own and one Audioslave), John Frusciante (RHCP), Jack Johnson, and Lyle Workman. Grab the show for download before it is gone!
Name: Heather Browne Location: Colorado, originally by way of California Giving context to the torrent since 2005.
"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel." —Hunter S. Thompson
Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. Rock on.
I was a little confused when I read in the slew of new releases today that 23 year-old acoustic songster Matt Costa was listed as releasing his “new” album Songs We Sing, since this is, in fact, the same title & cover art as his mellow & pleasant independent 2005 release.
I like his bright, sincere acoustic vibe. I featured “Sunshine” on a Monday Music Round-Up back in January.
Name: Heather Browne
