In every way that the Kelly Clarkson cover of Ray LaMontagne turned me off, this does the exact opposite. Brandi Carlile has such a wrenching and soulful voice, and when you combine that with some of my favorite lyrics, the result is incredible. It literally gives me shivers and this is the sixth time through that I have listened to it.
“Yes and try to ignore All this blood on the floor Just this heart on my sleeve that’s bleeding . . .
So kiss him again Just to prove to me that you can I will stand here and burn in my skin I will stand here and burn in my skin”
Music Will Not Last Jamie Lidell One of THE best recommendations to me last week was to check out an artist named Jamie Lidell, and his new blue-eyed soul disc (after his past history in electronica, which nicely evidences itself in the rich sonic layers here). I give this song my highest recommendation; it weaves together elements that I just can’t get enough of. Sounds like if Ray Charles was practicing in one studio, circa 1965 Atlanta, and The Temptations strolled on through with Prince & Sly on their arms, poked their head in the room. And this goodness commences. The percussion alone is enough reason to listen; the hi-hat just about kills me.
Please check out Jamie’s whole excellent album Multiply (2005, Warp Records). There are several other great tracks on there, it was tough to choose just one for today’s roundup: notably the title track “Multiply” is almost flawless (falsetto harmonies, a kickass bassline, and enough soul to meet your daily quota – and you DO have one), and “You Got Me Up” made me dance around this morning in ways that I half thought white girls couldn’t do.
Unnamed Leona Naess This is my second highest recommendation for download this week – a new one from Leona Naess‘ upcoming unreleased album (Thirteens). This rip is from a track streaming on her MySpace page and is definitely her most singable, radio-friendly, and excellent sounding song in a while. With great couplet lines like “Shake these hips and let them persuade you / Take my songs – they’re always about you,” and a catchy chorus about the perils of loving someone who is also a famous singer (?): “I can hear your songs / Through my radio Singing soft / Singing slow Songs I love / the songs I know“
The lyrical writing style is classic but the sound is uptempo & fresh. I love her voice, and how she can switch from that rich sing-song to the bluesy yowl, which she gives glimpses of on this track, towards the end. Good stuff.
In The Morning The Heavy Blinkers I’ve been reading about Canadian orch-pop quintet The Heavy Blinkers on a few different blogs, and finally downloaded some songs because of the inevitable Beach Boys connection that everyone points out. Listen to this and you will understand why. Bring on the summertime and the sun/sand/surf, which we all know to associate (obviously) with the Heavy Blinkers’ hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their fourth studio album The Night and I Are Still So Young will be released next week in the US on the Cooking Vinyl label. And the link above (on their band name) will lead you to a free mp3 download for the title track.
Rain All Summertime (45 second clip) Darren Hayman One just for fun, and I am posting only a 45 second clip of it – since I can’t find a full-length. I heard it last week, featured by my co-podcaster Mike (from Take Your Medicine, out of Sheffield, UK) on the Best of 2006 So Far show.
From Darren Hayman’s oddly named, limited edition April 2006 EP Ukulele Songs From The North Devon Coast. Lighthearted ukulele joins with fuzzy guitars & synth beats for a feel-good electronica summer song. The clip jumps in at kind of an odd place in the song, so wait until it hits about 20 seconds in to hear the riff that drew me to post this. The sample here is so you can buy it from Static Caravan and enjoy it all summer long. You can also hear the whole song on this video.
Shelter (RAY LAMONTAGNE cover) Kelly Clarkson I . . . I can’t even speak about this one, I just thought you might like to hear it. I will admit that it is better than I had anticipated, but still it feels like an unnecessary affront for some reason. It was marginally okay when Taylor Hicks covered “Trouble” on American Idol. But OHKELLYCLARKSON! Not so much for me.
Phonetic guide: Ray La-Montaine (that’s how you say it, Nathaniel). You could also substitute the words “freaking awesome” or “I can’t believe how good he is” in a pinch. Same effect.
Billboard reports: “Ray LaMontagne is in the midst of finishing his next RCA studio album with hopes to release it in early August. The artist has been recording with producer Ethan Johns at Allaire Studios in Shokan, N.Y. The pair previously worked together on LaMontagne’s 2004 debut, Trouble, which has sold 239,000 copies in the United States.
According to a spokesperson, the as-yet-untitled effort will be preceded by a short North American tour in July, a month after he finishes a stint supporting David Gray in the United Kingdom. As previously reported, LaMontagne released the Live from Bonnaroo 2005 EP last December, which included the previously unreleased song “Empty.”
Because of the goodwill in my heart towards anyone who would also call Ray LaMontagne friend, I am opening my vaults. Here is a slew of unreleased tracks to sate you until the new album is released:
RAY LAMONTAGNE LIVE & UNRELEASED 01. Amy 02. Lesson Learned 03. Until The Sun Turns Black 04. Country Girl 05. Still Can’t Feel The Gin (I love this song, also posted back in December) 06. You Should Belong To Me 07. I Can Get High 08. Life Is Long 09. Can I Stay? – (also posted this as well, absolutely gorgeous) 10. Half Alive 11. Sarah 12. Write You A Letter 13. Lead Me On 14. Stone’s Throw From Lonesome 15. You Got What I Want (So Why Don’t You Give It To Me?) 16. Katie Belle (Gettin’ High) 17. Simple Consolation 18. Three More Days 19. Heaven is a Honky Tonk
THESE LINKS ARE DEAD, but I re-posted most of these (and more) here.
CONCERT ALERT: If you’re in Colorado, consider heading on down to the Springs tonight (Friday night) for the Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers show at the Black Sheep. Absolutely one of my favorite live acts, period – if you come, you will not be disappointed. We’ll all kick back some Mexican Moonshine together. And then tune in this weekend for the results of my first ever real interview for the Fuel blog – I will be talking with Roger Clyne about the future of rock ‘n’ roll and sharing the gems of wisdom with you. Wish me luck, I’m goin’ in!
This is a previously unreleased track from Ray LaMontagne. He started playing it live at several shows last summer, including this version from Bonnaroo 2005. “Empty” has become one of my favorite of his songs (although picking a favorite Ray LaMontagne song is like picking favorite children). I love the rolling folk sound and the beautiful lyrics, with that bittersweet harmonica that just cuts through the middle. Someone compared it to Ryan Adams’ “Winding Wheel” and I do see the grounds for comparison. One thing is for sure, this man knows how to write a song. Take a look at the lyrics, preferably while listening to this gorgeous song.
Empty She lifts her skirt up to her knees walks through the garden rows with her bare feet laughing. I never learned to count my blessings I choose instead to dwell in my disasters
I walk on down the hill through grass grown tall and brown and still it’s hard somehow to let go of my pain
On past the busted backs of old and rusted Cadillacs that sink into this field collecting rain. Will I always feel this way? so empty, and estranged
And of these cutthroat busted sunsets these cold and damp white mornings I have grown weary. If through my cracked and dusty country lips I spoke these words out loud would no one hear me?
Lay your blouse across the chair let fall the flowers from your hair and kiss me with that country mouth so plain
Outside the rain is tapping on the leaves to me it sounds like they’re applauding us the quiet love we make Will it always feel this way? so empty and estranged …
Ray LaMontagne was one of my favorite artists discovered in 2004. I assume many of you have heard of him, being of the excellent-musical-taste variety that you obviously are, but if you haven’t – his debut album Trouble is superb from the first track (Trouble) to the last (the gorgeously sad All The Wild Horses).
Trouble is a standout debut album from one of the most promising new voices in music lately. The album was produced by Ethan Johns, who has also worked with Ryan Adams, Leona Naess, Brendan Benson, Kings of Leon and The Jayhawks. Johns also plays drum, bass, and piano on the release. It is a folk-soul masterpiece.
Even more exceptional than the album, however, is seeing him perform live. I saw him at The Fillmore in San Francisco on April 6, 2005 and was completely, jaw-droppingly blown away. This skinny guy comes walking out on stage, looking as uncomfortable as all get out. Big beard. Quiet voice. Hiding behind his guitar. I almost thought he was going to bolt.
But then he opens his mouth and begins to play.
He has this vulnerable, raspy, velvety, pure voice. He absolutely pours his soul into his music, which is always the most inspiring things you can see in a live show. He feels each word and resonates with each chord.
Here are two non-album tracks that I remember vividly from the show I was at. Both of the recordings are on the quiet side (but not unlistenable by any means), so you may have to turn up the old headphones to maximum. I guarantee it is worth it.
Still Can’t Feel The Gin I love the lyric, “The jukebox was jumpin’ all over those rhythm and blues. She lets down her hair, just as I’m kickin’ off my shoes.” The way he sang this song, you felt the longing.
Can I Stay? He ended with this song. The venue went still, as if we were all transfixed in the moment, like you could almost feel the song hanging there above our heads. The spotlight shone on him, with the dust motes swirling in the heavy air. Absolutely beautiful song. I almost felt like I couldn’t breathe.
[update: these links are dead but you can find these songs and many more here]
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.
In every way that the Kelly Clarkson cover of Ray LaMontagne turned me off, this does the exact opposite. Brandi Carlile has such a wrenching and soulful voice, and when you combine that with some of my favorite lyrics, the result is incredible. It literally gives me shivers and this is the sixth time through that I have listened to it.
Name: Heather Browne
