Hello all you Crazy Dreamers….haven’t posted in a while as I am pretty much married to my job lately but I have not forgotten about my music buddies here on YCD!! Thought I’d pop my head in and say a few words.
My dream of seeing Jason Molina live was realized last Monday as I got to see Magnolia Electric Co. at the Abbey Pub here in Chicago. I pretty much think Molina is a genius so I was super excited for this show and MECO did not let me down. I was almost in tears when they played “In The Human World” as that is my #1 played song in my iTunes and favorite Mag Elec. song ever. This show will definitely go down as the best I’ve seen all year.
For those of you not familiar with Molina, he recorded under Songs:Ohia with a rotating cast of musicians until 2003 in which he announced on tour the name change to Magnolia Electric Co. You can find his discography here.
Set list:
London Bridge*
Love Letter from the Ace of Spades*
In The Human World
Rock of Ages*
Shiloh Temple Bell
The Farewell Transmission
Oh Grace*
Josephine*
Talk To Me Devil, Again
Thank You’s / Crowd
Whip-poor-wil
Blackbird
I’ve Been Riding With The Ghost
John Henry Split My Heart
Encore
======
There Will Always Be A West*
*titles not confirmed, all new non-album songs
download the whole show: http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=520064
Buy here at Secretly Candian:
Magnolia Electric Co. – Songs:Ohia – Jason Molina
Nothing more to said but the song. Hope Sony didn’t support Mr. McCain.
Footpost notes for the non-american
Impossible to remember the reason why my browser landed on the the home page of Matt Kanelos. Actually, it doesn’t matter. I know now why I keep on returning to it: the piano, a strong sense of melody, an undescribable atmosphere which titillates the imagination, opening the door to fabulous mind blowers.
‘When You Walk It Makes No Sound‘, was the first track I had the opportunity to listen. A delicious suspension, scrolling a full year in a short 5 minutes composition : absolutely gorgeous. It was enough for me already to get addicted. It reminds me of one of those sweet Paolo Conte favourites of mine, floating between folk & jazz. A captivating melody that could simply convert a raging bull into a sweet ballerina…
Then was the time for a second track from this unreleased opus : ‘Peacock Dance‘. It starts like what could have been a Bach Piano partition - or a Chopin Etude – , but then Matt’s sweet voice comes to the front: “We’ll stop in Babylon…” : Absolutely stunning ! And so it goes on for the next song ‘Dying Star’
It took only a couple of minutes to download his first EP ‘Children Love to Dance’ at cdbaby.com, which was already released in 2005, but the time it will take to be sated by this very short collection seems infinite. Time appears to be standing still in the musical universe created by Matt Kanelos. So, if we need to wait untill next February for his new opus to be released… there’s no hurry really.
Artist : Matt Kanelos and the Smooth Maria
Label : none
Where to Buy : cdbaby.com
More appetizers : still on artist’s website / myspace.com
Who else should you enjoy ? Chris Garneau, Ben Sollee, Daisy Chapman.
Scarlatti Tilt is a four-year-old band from Bristol – UK. The band’s name is taken from a very short story by Richard Brautigan (see post footnotes below). The Trio is composed of Daisy Champan (Vox, Piano), Greg Simmons (Bass), Tim Smith (Drums). Last year they released their first full length album, ‘Gathering of the Haunted’. I’m a bit late pointing you on their music but I’m quite sure you’re not addicted to our blog for updates but for unique listening experience. And be sure, this collection is absolutely brilliant.
Imagine a sleazy night out with PJ Harvey and Nick Cave’s Bad Seeds in a dank, underground club where the air hangs heavy with smoke. This is the soundtrack to that night…and its inevitable comedown.
It’s simply impossible to mention this trio without introducing the solo efforts of Scarlatti Tilt’s voice : Daisy Chapman, et quelle voix !
“Stripped down to just piano and voice, Daisy’s songs weigh heavy with a haunting beauty and romantic intensity. “
The latest collection of Miss Chapman ‘And There Shall be None” is as irresistible as her performance with Scarlatti Tilt. Judge for yourself with the following samples.
Artist : Daisy Chapman
Band : Scarlatti Tilt
Label : Dandyland / Simmo Publications Ltd / Oh The Woe
Where to buy : cdbaby.com / emusic.com
More appetizers : on band website, theirspaces here and here
Who else to enjoy ? Hum…. That’s a question that requires your participation. I expect your suggestions in the comments 
.
Post Footnotes : Richard Brautigan, “The Scarlatti Tilt” (the complete short, very short story…)
“It’s very hard to live in a studio apartment in San Jose with a man who’s learning to play the violin.” That’s what she told the police when she handed them the empty revolver.
(from Revenge of the Lawn: Stories 1962-1970)
PS : You might have noticed a slight improvement on syntax and spelling of this post. I admit, I didn’t sign up for an English course… let’s just say I got a little help from a friend, for the benefit of your reading experience.
