Bearly Rambling

Yori Swart

2012-02-25T14:21:00.000-08:00

So today we have featured singers from Norway and New Zealand, so to round it of we go to Holland.
Yori Swart is a Dutch singer/songwriter. She sings Pop music with a Folk/Alternative edge. Since the age of 10 she has performed with her guitar. Her inspiration comes from guitar virtuosos Ani DiFranco, singer/songwriter Fink, Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple and Walis Bird. Yori’s performances are well known energetic gigs with a lots of intensity, a combination of fierce ad-libs, beautiful guitar playing and a nice warm voice.
Her self titled album was recently released, and it is full of musical goodies.
Check out some of them starting with the first single.

I Say Nothing

I Say Nothing is the first single from Yori's debut album "Yori Swart", which was released February 17th, 2012.
Music & Lyrics: Yori Swart
Director & Camera: Andreas Stillman
(c) YSplaat Recordings 2012

Give you all

Radio 2: Singer-songwriter Yori Swart speelde 'Give you all' in NCRV Music Matters, presentatie Sander Guis

Weeping Willows

Speciaal voor 3FM Serious Talent speelt Yori een speciale sessie op een balkon die haar dierbaar is.

Lydia Cole

2012-02-25T13:07:00.001-08:00

Lydia Cole hails from Auckland, New Zealand. There have been a few really good singer / songwriters emerging from Kiwi land recently. Lydia has such a warm and beautiful voice. Check out her first single from the new album. I think given the right exposure "Blind Boy" could break big around the world.

Blind Boy

This is the first single from Lydia Cole's debut full-length album Me & Moon.
Track produced by Nic Manders.
Art & Direction by Ralph Matthews

Also on the album is this song, although this is a live version.
That Was You

95bFM presents In Session, recorded at Roundhead Studios... a weekly series properly showcasing the best & brightest of New Zealand music today. Airs every week on 95bFM: Saturdays from 11am-12pm and repeated Fridays from 2-3pm.

One more from the same session, also on her debut album.
Drawbridge

Check out the rest of the album here, I'm sure you'll end up ordering it.
&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://lydiacole.bandcamp.com/album/me-moon"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Me &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Moon by Lydia Cole&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Released 27 January 2012
Produced by Nic Manders
Recorded & Mixed by Neil Baldock at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand
Assistant Engineers: Benjamin Knapp, Nathan Tiddy
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound

Jenny Hval

2012-02-25T12:14:00.000-08:00

Jenny Hval (ex-Rockettothesky) is a Norwegian artist and writer. With her background in writing and performance her music is poetic, sensual, challenging, dark and beautiful as well as melodic and spacious.

I'm currently enthralled with her new album with Håvard Volden called Nude on Sand. It is very different to any of her music that is featured on this page. But so far I have not been able to find any of it in an embedding situation. So you have to trust me and go find it and take a listen for yourself.

Now for those of you who don't know Jenny Hval, here's some of her other recent work.
This has to be one of the wildest places I could imagine to see a concert.
I Got No Strings

Jenny Hval and her band (Håvard Volden, Kyrre Laastad) perform the new song I Got No Strings, Live @ Træna festival, July 2011 rockettothesky

Another view from that same concert.

Part of Jenny's performance at Kirkhellaren, the cave next door. Stick's Video

How Gentle

"How Gentle" is taken from the Jenny Hval (ex-Rockettothesky) album Viscera (released last year on Rune Grammofon).
Video by Håvard Volden and Jenny Hval. Filmed in Berlin and Victoria, August and December 2010.

Jenny Hval (født 11. juli 1980 i Oslo) er en norsk vokalist, komponist, tekstforfatter og skribent.

Hun har gitt ut to musikkalbum under navnet Rockettothesky. Hennes tredje album, Viscera (2011) ble utgitt under hennes eget navn.

Jenny Gillespie

2012-02-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

A dash of Joni Mitchell, a dollop of Stevie Nicks, a little helping of Joan Armatrading and a whole heaping of talent and you have Jenny Gillespie. Her smoky voice will send shivers down your spine, and bring on the goose bumps.

Jenny Gillespie’s new EP Belita is an intoxicating blend of folk, indie pop and post-rock, produced by Jenny and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily. Belita features turns by Sam Amidon on vocals and violin and Marc Ribot on electric guitar. A nuanced and modern approach to the folk genre—globally influenced, but intimately rendered, with precise yet imaginative instrumentation.

I am just digging this EP, it sounds superb. But then so does pretty much everything Jenny sings.

Sunshine Blood

"Sunshine Blood" from Belita EP
Live at Joyride Studio, Chicago
Jenny Gillespie + Shahzad Ismaily
Directed by Todd Tue

From that same session, I'm guessing.
Mariposa

Not on the EP, but here's a stripped back cover of a Bon Iver song, performed with the only instrumentation being the dulcimer. A true thing of beauty.
Beth/Rest

Check out the rest of the EP right here.
&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://jennygillespie.bandcamp.com/album/belita-ep"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Belita ep by Jenny Gillespie&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

And finally today, I could not resist this beautiful video with the awesome remix.
The Pierre Pascual Remixes

"Golden Central" (Remixes) + "Hearts for Eyes" (Remixes) by Jenny Gillespie.
Out on June 15 2011 (Madame Visage Records)
Arranged & Produced by Pierre Pascual.
Images by Milk Product.

All Will Be Quiet

2012-02-24T12:35:00.000-08:00

Helsinki-based postrock band All Will Be Quiet will release their debut album on Wednesday 2nd of May. This is preceded by a single release Wide Eyes and Space
Flights, which introduces the band and its way of stretching the borders of this genre. The single and debut album are released by Lionheart Records.

After working for eighteen months on the upcoming album, the band is finally
ready to release it. They waited until they were totally satisfied with the outcome. This can be heard in Wide Eyes and Space Flights, which is truly is a polished piece. Distinctive rhythm patterns, Alex Kauffmann's ethereal voice and the violin and the cello playing in the background make this song particularly interesting and powerful. And we all know how much I love the violin and cello.

The apocalyptic theme and atmosphere in Wide Eyes and Space Flights is a great
foretaste of the upcoming album On the First Day. With their debut album
All Will Be Quiet tells a story of a new beginning, change and opportunities
the humankind will face after everything is lost.

This is almost prog rock. Why do we need tags? But sometimes I hear a little Barclay James Harvest here. All in all I am really digging this band, and can hardly wait for the album to be released in May.

So meantime, in between time check out the aforementioned single.
Wide Eyes And Space Flights

released 24 February 2012
Aleksi Kaufmann - vocals, guitar, cello
Tatu Halonen - bass
Iiro Säynäjärvi - piano, keyboards
Joel Tobias Sädekoski - drums & percussion
Kane Kaspar Heinonen - guitar, sampler
violin: Sofia Kosonen
backing vocals: Tanja Korkka

recorded, mixed and produced by Kane Kaspar Heinonen
mastered by Matias Ahonen / Audiamond

Then I found this really cool live piece
Writing History

All Will Be Quiet live at Torvi, Lahti June 22,2011
produced by Riikka Huuskonen & Kane Heinonen
camera: Riikka Huuskonen, Simo Järvelä, Eeva Ronkainen, Otso Vartiainen
edit: Kane Heinonen, Riikka Huuskonen
music: recorded, mixed and produced by Kane Heinonen
mastered by Matias Ahonen / Audiamond

Also check out their earlier self titled EP
&amp;lt;a href="http://allwillbequiet.bandcamp.com/album/all-will-be-quiet-ep"&amp;gt;All Will Be Quiet EP by All Will Be Quiet&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Soko

2012-02-23T13:13:00.000-08:00

Today we welcome Soko a beautiful young lady who once wanted to quit the music scene, see review below, and just stick to her acting. Boy am I glad she changed her mind. Despite her misgivings I think she has an unusual and beautiful voice.
If you listen to these first three songs, all from Soko's new album, there is a vulnerability about her that is just wonderful to behold.
I am thinking that her album I Thought I Was an Alien will be a permanent resident on my Winamp playlist for some time to come.

I Thought I Was An Alien

Directed by : Soko
With : Alien / Surfer : Maxime Sokolinski
Alien Lovers : Sam Spiegel and Soko
Filmed by: Soko,
Additional Filming : Maxime Sokolinski, Spike Jonze
Edited by : Marie Charlotte Moreau
Alien created by : Alterian ( million thanks to Tony Gardner )
Shot in Echo Park, CA, in august 2011 on my iPhone.

This song could possibly break your heart, achingly beautiful it is.
I've Been Alone Too Long

I've Been Alone Too Long, live //Filmed by: Matthew Gray Gubler, in Nevada in July 2011.

First Love Never Die

Directed by: Soko & Matthew Gray Gubler
Co-Edited by: Matthew Gray Gubler & Soko & Matt Murphy & Laura Gonzalez
First Lovers: Emilia Sterkel & Trip Star Moon.
Shot in Nevada in August 2011.
Big Thank you to everyone at the Ranch ( humans & animals ! ) for letting us have such a wonderful time with you.. Thanks to Derek, Persephonie, Andre and the kiddos for being so great !

Listen to her earlier hit from 2007, when Soko achieved a hit single in Denmark with her song "I'll Kill Her" after the radio program The Black Boy Scouts began to promote it. The song reached number one on the chart of the Danish version of the iTunes Store and was the number one song in rotation on radio.
I'll Kill Her

Stéphanie (Soko) Sokolinski is a César-nominated French actress who had a minor hit in 2007 before announcing that she was “dead” as a musician.
Now “reborn”, any reservations you might have about her debut album are scuppered at the start as she whispers: “You will discover me through my songs…/ Hear all the cracks and the lack of talent/ And I hope that you don’t hate me by then.” Think Daniel Johnston with experience in place of innocence. Touching and strangely beautiful.
Soko started recording in her bedroom, just a girl with an acoustic guitar and GarageBand. But her debut album, recorded with Elliott Smith collaborator Fritz Michaud, looks beyond such puppy-eyed whining. The likes of ‘For Marion’ and ‘I Just Want To Make New With You’ have a knack for making sadness sound sweet, and sweetness sad; and while there are clichés here that love songs struggle to escape from, ‘I Thought I Was An Alien’ dumps twee cold and hard, running into pop’s warm embrace. [Exystence]

Alcoholic Faith Mission

2012-02-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Alcoholic Faith Mission hails from Copenhagen, Denmark. A wonderful place to go on an Alcoholic mission, back in the day a brewery tour of Carlsberg and / or Tuborg was highly recommended. Just don't try to do both on the same day.
Anyhow back to the music.

Alcoholic Faith Mission are:
Sune Sølund
Thorben Seierø Jensen
Kristine Permild
Gustav Rasmussen
Anders Hjort
Morten Hyldahl
And they make amazing indie low-fi music.
And did I mention they are touring the States in April and May including a gig at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco on May 14th.

My Eyes to See

Alcoholic Faith Mission - My Eyes to See, live in Copenhagen, Ofelia Beach

You are going to have to watch this one at least twice, the video is so good it kind of takes you up with it and you miss the music. Amazing.
Legacy

Produced by Paul Ohmert
Directed by Bryn Chainey
Cast | Lea & Line Kolditz
Camera | Anselm Belser & Cate Smierciak
Design | Caroline Ohmert & Marta Mastronardi
Costume | Mareike Bay & Monique Scheibel
Set Management | Rike van Bremen
Prod. Assistant | Arlett Dittmann

They are just so prolific with their amazing videos.
Into Pieces

Cast: Lars Kristian Madsen and Asta Østergaard Thomsen
Camera: Michael Falgren and Carsten Villadsen
Editing: Sune Neye
Stage design, styling and makeup: Allan Bestle
Assistant: Baijie Curdt-Christiansen

And one final one for today.
Running with Insanity

Directed by Kristian Foldager
Cinematographer Mathias Døcker
Production team:
Mikkel Skov Petersen
Magdi El-Thouky
Olivia Rus
Produced by SunScreen Production

In February 2006 the two high school friends Thorben and Sune formed Alcoholic Faith Mission.
Walking through Brooklyn they accidentally stumbled upon the Apostolic Faith Mission. Since they at the time were discussing alcoholism they joked about trading Apostolic out for Alcoholic; alcoholics have faith in booze like the devout have in religion. A band with a name was conceived.

Six months after the conception of AFM they released their debut Misery Loves Company.

All recordings were made with a simple laptop in Thorben’s bedroom along with just a few set of rules: Only record at night. The only light source could be that of candles. Consumption of alcohol was integral. And lastly, once something was recorded it could not be changed.

Brooklyn never quite loosened its grip however, and in spring of 2008 the guys went back to where it all started to record their second album 421 Wythe Avenue – the address where they stayed.

This time the setting was an old rebuilt factory loft next to the Williamsburg Bridge overlooking the East River. And now there was only one rule: everything used to record had to be found in the confines of their dwellings. This is how two dictionaries came to be a kick drum and wailing and screaming came to remedy the lack of synthesizers.

421 Wythe Avenue was released in April 2009 and like its predecessor it received critical acclaim. AFM turned into a collective enrolling Kristine, Gustav, Morten and Anders.

Honeychurch

2012-02-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

Honeychurch hails from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Their music as a mix of indie rock, alt country, and slow core, with a 60's / 70's vibe.

Honeychurch are:
Shilough Hopwood - acoustic guitar, vocals
Larissa Hopwood - bass, vocals
Greg Millward - drums
Alex Yaker - keyboard
Ivan Funk - pedal steel

Here's three great live versions of songs from their new album, Will You Be There With Me.

A Work Suspended

Honeychurch live @ Maxwell's, Hoboken. 2/13/12

In Which

Honeychurch live @ Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia. 2/12/12

Before You Leave

Honeychurch live @ Rockwood Music Hall, New York. 2/15/12

You can listen to the album right here, and I just know you are gonna order your own copy.

&amp;lt;a href="http://honeychurch.bandcamp.com/album/will-you-be-there-with-me"&amp;gt;Will You Be There With Me by Honeychurch&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Swaying Wires

2012-02-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

Swaying Wires is a Turku based lo-fi indie/folk band formed in 2010. The story of Swaying Wires started in the studio apartment of singer-songwriter Tina Kärkinen. The band formed around Tina when guitarist Sami Lehtonen, bass player/ accordionist Nicklas Hägen and drummer Jussi Virkkumaa joined the band.
'Blinding Nights' is one of the earliest recordings of Swaying Wires (fall, 2011), which was later discovered by Jukka Lahtinen from Lionheart Records. Since then they have produced some amazing songs and Tina has a voice to die for.
'Blinding Nights' is a song about those evenings, that turn into nights, that turn into mornings. It's about that surreal feel you get.
It also to a degree explains the bands name, the guitar playing on this track kind of reminds you of big wires, clashing together - but in a good way.

Blinding Nights

Also just found this video from their appearance at Korjaamo last week. February 15, 2012.
Bluebird

One more for the road, just love this young ladies voice.
Never Fade

Lotte Mullan

2012-02-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

Lotte Mullan is not only an amazing singer / songwriter but she has just landed a multi-million dollar film deal from Hollywood producers keen to make a movie of her life.

Dubbed 'The Devil Wears Prada meets Bridget Jones's Diary', the film will be based on blogs written by 25-year old Lotte Mullen while she worked for free for the music giant - parent company of Simon Cowell's label SyCo. [Daily Mail]

So I guess we'll have to wait on the outcome of that, but meantime there is this great album called "Plain Jane", which by the way she isn't. Plus she has a wicked sense of humor, you can just tell by some of her songs. Like this first one, for instance.

Wicked Way

Another great tune, with a cute video.
Would You Be So Kind

And finally today the raw live talent from her release party.
Suzie's Back In Town

Taken from the launch of her album 'Plain Jane'.

The Unthanks

2012-02-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, time to re-visit The Unthanks.
They have this sublime new album currently on release, The Songs of Robert Wyatt and Antony & the Johnsons. Apparently Robert Wyatt was one of the first to hear it, and his comment was:

“Quite simply, Antony & The Johnsons and I have been blessed by angels. If I had to take a single summary of what Alfie and I have being doing over the years to the proverbial desert island I wouldn’t take one of our own records. I’d take the crystal clear interpretations of The Unthanks.” Robert Wyatt

Not from that album, but just to beautiful to pass by is this song.
King of Rome

The Unthanks perform live, along with the The Brighouse and Rastrick Band, at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Personally I can't wait to get my hands on their new album. Check out this promo sampler.
The Songs of Robert Wyatt and Antony & The Johnsons

Here's a live version of one of my favorite Anthony & The Johnsons songs, and they do a wonderful job of it.
You Are My Sister

TV Themes

2012-02-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

Nowadays the cable channels have the best series, and the best series seem to have a stranglehold on great opening themes. So I figured I might string a few together for comparison purposes.

First up the great new HBO series, Luck, starring Dustin Hoffman and Dennis Farina. In addition it features on of my favorite English character actors, Ian Hart, who was so good as the schizophrenic paparazzo Don Konkey in the FX series Dirt in 2007 and 2008.
Luck - Massive Attack

Next up the classic Justified, starring the ever great Timothy Olyphant and a cast to die for. Everyone seems perfect for their part.
Justified - Long Hard Times To Come - Gangstagrass & T.O.N.E.Z.

Another of my favorites is the great Sons of Anarchy, again a terrific cast and this last season was one of the best. FX is doing themselves proud.
Sons of Anarchy - This Life - Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers

fan made video

One of the best surprises in TV series was the US version of Shameless. The US has a bad record at Americanization of British sit-coms. But this one is perfect, maybe because again a wonderful cast. William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, come on. Amazing.
Shameless - The Luck You Got - The High Strung

Sadly the opening credits are Embedding disabled by request

And of course who can forget Southland or Dexter?

Frida Hyvönen

2012-02-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

Frida Hyvönen is known for being a serious indie artist, however her comeback single “Terribly Dark” has more of a feel of another Swedish act ABBA.
More pop / disco than anything she has done before, and I'm liking it.
Once you listen to it you'll be hooked on the chorus.

Terribly Dark

Check out some of her earlier stuff.
Once I Was A Serene Teenage Child

Three years ago at Pildammsteatern, Malmö.

No video, just beautiful sound.
NY

I Drive My Friend

School of Seven Bells

2012-02-19T17:34:00.000-08:00

School of Seven Bells are Alejandra de la Deheza and Benjamin Curtis, and they hail from Brooklyn, New York. Maybe coming to a town near you soon. I know they will be in San Francisco at the Rickshaw Stop on April 20. They have gone from a trio to a duo, not sure of the story behind that but the new album from what I've heard of it so far is glorious. Keep a look out for it.

The Night

The New Album 'Ghostory' Available February 28th, 2012

Something from a previous album when they were a trio.
Windstorm

Another track from the new album, don't let the picture fool you they are now a duo.
Lafaye

Back to the trio days for this amazing video, a single camera captures the action through a fisheye lens.
My Cabal

School Of Seven Bells are back with their third release, Ghostory, out February 28 on Vagrant Records/Ghostly Inernational. The highly-anticipated album finds the band’s lineup has evolved along with the music; formerly a trio, the band is now a duo: guitarist/producer Benjamin Curtis and vocalist Alejandra Deheza.

Recorded in-between tours, Ghostory exemplifies a fervent progression of SVIIB’s growth as artists, preserving the common themes found on their last two releases but exposing them in different fashions. The familiar ethereal and enigmatic tones are omnipresent, surrounded by layers of influences from ’80s pop, shoegaze and ambient electronic sounds. However, Ghostory comes with a story in mind; the tale of a young girl named Lafaye and the ghosts that surround her life.

Annah Mac

2012-02-18T17:10:00.000-08:00

Annah Mac is from Waikawa in New Zealand and she has a terrific voice.
She also has her debut album, "Little Stranger" currently on release.
Not sure if it is to be released in the USA, certainly most of her videos are not allowed to be viewed here. You get the ubiquitous picture........

But I eventually found some, because this young lady is too good to be ignored.
I really would love to see the video for this single, the story line sounds hilarious, we used to have the stuffy bowlers who cherished their greens back in the UK. So the idea of a young lady walking on the hallowed green in stiletto heels would be anathema to them. But not allowed to view it, so instead I used this fan made video fr the single.
Girl in Stilettos

A fan made video

Here's a live performance at the NZ On Air Showcase

Focus

Before the age of nineteen this Southland girl had already been mentored by many of New Zealand’s top producers, opened for Kelly Clarkson and The Script before eighteen, at seventeen honed her songwriting skills on a U.S. scholarship that took her to Nashville and the South By South West festival in Texas, and won the Smokefree Rockquest Female Musician Award and Play It Strange competition at sixteen and fifteen respectively.

Born and raised on a sheep farm in Tokanui - 60 kilometres south east of Invercargill, Annah has fond memories of singing with her two younger sisters at local jam-nights supported by the tight-knit township. Annah’s childhood was also filled with countless family jams on road-trips and Australasian-wide adventures, including annual visits to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in New South Wales. By nine she had already won her first of three Gore Gold Guitar Awards.
[Last.FM]

The Cadillac Kings

2012-02-17T14:29:00.000-08:00

So my old mate, Baz, tells me "Last night at my blues club we had the Cadillac Kings -- a jump jive swing blues band" and that he really enjoyed them. So knowing what an aficionado of the blues Baz is I need no better recommendation to go finding some of their music. Baz, you was right.
Check out these guys, awesome don't quiet cover it.
BTW: this is the UK version of the Cadillac Kings, not to be confused with the band of the same name from Orlando, Florida or the countless car clubs across the USA using that name.

First up check out their recent single.
Betty Lou

The rockin' release from The Cadillac Kings - "Betty Lou" available on vinyl (that's right, we decided wax cylinders are on the way out!), and cd formats here
Featuring Mike Thomas on vocals, Gary Potts on harmonica, Henri Herbert on piano, Mal Barclay on guitar, Paul Cuff on doghouse bass and Roy Webber on drums.
Video brilliantly directed by Perrin Sledge; Camerawork by Faye.
Shot on location at The Soundhouse Studios
Lyrics and music by Mike Thomas
Recorded and mixed by Mal Barclay

8 Ball Jack

'B' side to Flathead single FR45001 "Betty Lou"

Of course this is the type of band that has to be seen live, brings out that "old blues with a feelin'" feeling. Awesome harp warning!!
The Spirit is willing (Pt 1)

T-Bone style blues from the CKs' first album "Lou Ann" (2001). Featuring a great harp solo (electric and acoustic) from Gary Potts. Video'd by Ken Peace at Worthenbury Village Hall, N. Wales.

Of course you got part one, did you think I would forget part two? No way!
The Spirit is willing (Pt 2)

From the very outset The Cadillac Kings became firm favourites on the blues and jump-jive scenes. With stunning musicianship and an exciting stage act, this band knows how to entertain audiences across the board, from arts centres to dance-halls, and from intimate clubs to major festivals, the length and breadth of the UK, Europe and Scandinavia.

The band formed in 2000, around London, from six experienced musicians, whose cvs included James Hunter, Otis Grand, Paul Lamb and Big Joe Louis. Six months later they released their debut cd ‘Lou Ann’. It was picked up right away by radio stations across the world and earned the band a ’finalist’ status in the 2001 USA Swing awards.

Amongst the line-up is the award winning harp player Gary Potts ("a harmonica great in the making" wrote US mag Blues Revue back in 2002). Gary’s awesome tone and power regularly position him in polls for the best UK harmonica player. He was the audience choice as top harp-player for 2004, 2005 and 2006 in Nottingham’s Wychwood Brewery music awards.

The other founder member of the band is vocalist and songwriter Mike Thomas, who writes nearly all the band’s material, combining the sounds and styles of ‘40s and ‘50s r ‘n’ b with an unerring 21st century wit. “Mike’s often hilarious lyrics are right up there with Rick Estrin and Louis Jordan” wrote blues journalist Ken Peace in his northwestblues blog.

Ana Moura

2012-02-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

I was reading in my morning paper about the upcoming "Ana Moura in Berkeley" concert on February 18, 2012 at Zellerbach Auditorium, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. And if you have been here before you would remember how enamored of Fado I am, even though as I've admitted before I don't understand a word of it. But you know you don't have to. It is a feeling. A wonderful feeling that Fado has on one.

Ana Moura (born 1979 in Santarém, Portugal) is an internationally recognized Portuguese fado singer, and the youngest fadista to be nominated for a Dutch Edison Award.

There you go, now you are not going to convince me that everybody in Holland understands Portuguese, yet they have an award for a fadista.

Enough of the chit chat, let's get down to reason you are here, have a listen to the amazing beautiful sounds of Ana Moura.

Leva-me aos Fados

Guittara

Live at Womadelaide 2011

Here's a great song from the first Portimão Fado Festival that was held on December 9 and 10 at Portimão Arena.

And then we have a beautiful pair of videos featuring her marvelous Fado singing.
O Que Foi Que Aconteceu

Os Búzios

Ana Moura it would appear has appeared practically all over the world. And there is just so many many beautiful appearances I could be posting them all day long. So I can only suggest you seek out more of her fantastic stuff on You Tube and elsewhere.
Look out also for her cover of the Rolling Stones Brown Sugar and even her performance with the Rolling Stones singing No Expectations.

Amanda Mair

2012-02-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

Amanda Mair bring ideas of a what a young, Swedish Dusty Springfield produced by Kate Bush might have sounded like if she arrived today. With melodies lit by sunlight and a voice that goes straight to the heart this is nothing less than pure magic.

Only 15 year old from an island outside Stockholm Amanda Mair didn't have any official record as an artist when we discovered her by pure luck in 2010. She had no bandcamp/myspace page, hadn't made any live shows or sent any demos to labels or press. She did however record a few songs with friend of Labrador who - blissed out - later played us the recordings. For that we're thankful! Labrador.se

The first single "House" was released on June 8th.
”The 16 (yes, 16)-year-old Mair sounds more like Kate Bush than Kate Bush does on her gorgeous, grown-up debut track"

WASHINGTON POST

So Amanda is getting older now, she's 17, but all of these superlatives strewn on her young head are well deserved. Listening to these songs it is virtually impossible to believe she is so young. Her voice is just too good.

Sense

Official video for Amanda Mair "Sense". Taken from the album "Amanda Mair" on Labrador.

House

Amanda Mair House @ Debaser Slussen Stockholm
Pity about the audience!

Doubt

Nicole Atkins

2012-02-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

I've been a fan of Nicole Atkins for a while now, and a fan of Leonard Cohen since the seventies. If you haven't heard his new album "Old Ideas" yet, are you living under a rock? This is certainly a great album. Anyhow to celebrate Leonard Cohen’s legendary 40 years in music and his new album “Old Ideas”, a handful of today’s artists have recorded a cover of their favorite Leonard Cohen song, it's on Vimeo and it's called "Old Ideas With New Friends".
And one that caught my ear was this great Nicole Atkins take on "Bird on a Wire".

Nicole Atkins "Bird On A Wire" from Columbia Records on Vimeo.

Some more by Nicole, not Leonard related.
Maybe Tonight

Nicole Atkins is joined by Nick, Helen and the eTones for this rendition of her song "Maybe Tonight."

Another great eTown performance.
Cry, Cry, Cry

AA Bondy

2012-02-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ran across AA Bondy when a friend sent me this first video in an e-mail. The point of the e-mail was the vintage car races, which are very interesting and cool. Those crazy young men in their vintage machines. But what struck me about this was the song being used as background.

Killed Myself When I Was Young

Killed Myself When I Was Young from The Jalopy Journal on Vimeo.

So of course I had to find more music by the aforementioned AA Bondy, to see if it was all up to this fine standard. Of course they are.

I Can See the Pines are Dancing

Here's a marvelous cover of the great Hank Williams tune.
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Bot hof the above two videos were shot at WNRN in Charlottesville, Virginia on November 3, 2009 before his show at The Southern.

Skull and Bones

live at The Idolize Spiegeltent last month.

Paste Magazine has a great review of his last album.
My fellow blogger at Aquarium Drunkard had an interesting interview with him a couple of years ago.

The Kills

2012-02-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

The Kills, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, currently have this great new EP, which certainly demands an appearance on here. Add to that the fact that the title track, The Last Goodbye, is awesome and you know we are in for a party.

The Last Goodbye

OK, so that is sooooo good we have to have a live version somewhere.
The Last Goodbye

The Kills performed "The Last Goodbye" on the Late Show with David Letterman on February 9th, 2012.

Here's another song from the EP.
Pale Blue Eyes

November 12, 2011 live @ Olympia, Paris, France

Another on the EP is this great cover of the Willie Nelson classic.
Crazy

And for a totally different take on the song here they are in San Francisco at the Fillmore.

Wonder which version Willie preferred? Personally I like 'em both.

My Darling Clementine

2012-02-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

Some genuine retro country today, from England.
Named after a 1946 John Ford Western, which had itself borrowed its title from a Nineteenth Century American folk song, My Darling Clementine is a vehicle for the songwriting and vocals talents of Lou Dalgleish and Anglo-Americana stalwart, Michael Weston King. But whilst King’s previous interpretation of country music, both with The Good Sons and as a solo artist, displayed a distinctly alternative edge, the duets here are more George and Tammy than Gram and Emmylou.
Despite some hints of honky-tonk and rockabilly, much of the material on ‘How Do You Plead?’ is pure Nashville Sound.

I guess this album has been around since May last year, my bad I missed it. Gonna catch up on it now.

The Other Half

The Other Half. My Darling Clementine live at St Pancras Old Church 31st October, 2011. Live launch of the album 'How Do You Plead?' (Drumfire Records)

You can listen to some more of the album at Drumfire Records. Just to help you make up your mind that you cannot live without this album.
Some great guitar on this album, just take a look at the pedigree of the members of the band.

Guitar - Martin Belmont (Graham Parker and The Rumour, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Ducks Deluxe)
Piano and Organ – Geraint Watkins (Van Morrison, Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Nick Lowe)
Bass - Kevin Foster (Jackie Leven, Doll By Doll, Los Pistoleros, Michael Weston King)
Drums - Bobby Irwin (Van Morrison, Nick Lowe, Carlene Carter)
Drums - Jim Russell (Scotty Moore, James Burton)
Violin - Bob Loveday (Van Morrison, Nick Lowe, Penguin Cafe Orchestra)
Pedal Steel - Alan Cook (The Charlatans, Chris Hillman, Jackie Leven, Michael Weston King)

Petra Jean Phillipson

2012-02-13T14:44:00.001-08:00

This is just too good not to share it. An amazing voice, great conceptual talent, and perfect packaging of the whole thing. Petra Jean Phillipson is just amazing, totally amazing. The whole being of her is just too sublime. This album is going to be tied to my Winamp player for a long long time.

Ice In June

Bringing together the talents of choreographer Hubert Essakow and director Dan Ayling to stage this event, Petra is joined by a stunning ensemble of dancers and musicians to explore the notion of existence beyond our physical selves.
This special performance challenges the idea of what a gig can be by combining Petra's beautiful vocal talent, with Butoh-inspired dancers and live musicans, performing in and around the audience.

A truly beautiful version of the Nick Cave classic.
Into My Arms

Live in Basel, AVO sessions showcasing Herbert Gronemeyer's Label Gronland Records.

Victorian Worship song from Notes on: Death

Costumes & Direction by Verena Paloma Jabs
Just a taste of the class from her new album "Notes on: Death".

Pyrite

Accompanied by Mr Paul May here, this gem was recorded in Brixton for my Notes on: Death LP. I filmed this on Brighton beach , I couldn't resist trying to capture the colour & the peace of the moment. The song is improvised.
Pyrite meaning fools gold !!!!! Petra Jean Phillipson

My Love Resides in the garden

James Levy And The Blood Red Rose

2012-02-13T14:08:00.000-08:00

James Levy and the Blood Red Rose is James Levy and Allison Pierce. And the blend of orchestral pop, a deep "Cohenesque" voice and a strongly seductive female voice is damn near perfect. Their debut album "Pray To Be Free", produced by Guy Berryman (Coldplay) and arranged by Sammy Oatts and James Levy, will be released in the UK on Heavenly Recordings in February, 2012.
Good stuff it is indeed.

Sneak Into My Room

Replace the orchestra with one acoustic guitar.
Walk Not Run

The Living Room, NYC, 24 January 2012.

Another track from that same night in New York.
Crying To The River

Chelsea Crowell

2012-02-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

The official bio:

Chelsea Crowell was born January 25th in Nashville Tennessee.
It has been rumored that Chelsea is of blood relation to talented people of great interest. No DNA test has been done.

But I believe she will be her own star. She has such a wonderful voice.
Check out her new album if you get a chance, you won't be sorry.

I'm Gonna Freeze

Give My Love To Rose

This is from the Johnny Cash Music Festival in Jonesboro AR on August 4th, 2011. Features Roseanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and daughter Chelsea Crowell. Also, John Leventhal is playing acoustic.

The Run

Video- Features footage from San Francisco earth quake -
Edited by Colm O' Herlihy

Recorded on December 17, 2011 using a Flip Video camera@ Rockwood Music Hall, NYC.