So I have been a bit MIA around here lately, so long time no chat?  I thought I would put down some tunes here based on a referral from fellow blogger Tart over at Love Shack, Baby.  Tart was watching The Wailing Wall playing in Chicago and immediately tweeted that I needed to listen & pick up the new album.

Who is “The Wailing Wall”?  Well it is 23 year old multi instrumentalist Jesse Rifkin.  Again, it always makes me feel old when you find someone so young that seems so talented.  But I digress.

So…the new album “The Low Hanging Fruit” is from JDub Records (see here) but alas, it is sold out currently from the site (but pre-order the bonus track version on iTunes).  Good sign I think.  So…what do you do now?  Well you listen to the numerous available free downloads from the label of course!  Well with that thought I have been listening to this fringe folk artist’s demos and earlier works and they indeed deserve a shout out for purchase.  I have included a favourite track “Dear Mother” with the demo and final version from the Hospital Blossoms album.  Its a great little diddy, especially the uber lo-fi start to the final version – frickin’ good.  Also attached is the album title track for juxtapose (or not) to the remainder of the songs.

“Dear Mother (demo)”
“Dear Mother”
“Hospital Blossoms”

Find the remainder of the downloads on his artist page over on JDub (here) along with some bonus tracks from Archive.org (here).  You can also find all the links in one convenient location on his MySpace page, along with a crap load of other info (here).

~Smansmith

A special tip for Laura, who asked us, some of our favorite banjo songs, few days ago. I forget to mention in my top list these days : Pieces from Danny Leggett.

Ante Scriptum : I’m currently deleting all audio files posted on this site before 2009. It’s seems that our little place on the web is consuming to much bandwidth… Jumping from a post to another, it’s always tempting to visit every artist website and check what’s new ! This is the reason that land me on Trappers Cabin brand new website.

“- Hey What Time is it ?”
“- Shhhh I can’t hear the radio ”
“- In the deep dark woods of the North Georgia Mountains there’s only one man you’ve got to hear : Trappers Cabin !”

Not yet familiar to this jingle ? Connect this page and grab your first episode !
But if Trappers Cabin website is reduced to this single show counting 5 episodes so far,  there’s a brand new myspace page where four brand new tracks  (as far as I know) are published. Immerse yourself in this mix of 1970’s british psychedelic with tones of folk ! Awesome. Hope an album will be soon released !!!

Artist : Trappers Cabin.

Although the The North Farm Sessions EP by Jonny & Lucy came out in February it’s only now i’ve been able to find time to post about it. Just finished wowing audiences supporting the magnificent Unthanks on a european tour they are now lined up to play some major festivals, namely Larmer tree, Green man and the best festival in the uk, The End Of The Road Festival. As an added bonus they will also be playing for us here in Brighton as part of a drifter promotions show straight after the end of the road gig, come along.

Even Jonny & Lucy can’t agree on how they would describe their music, Jonny say’s melancholic Lucy say’s thoughtful. Either way, it’s folk music drenched in an old traditional sound, it could easily be music from 100 years ago, however, apart from hares on the mountain, all other tracks on this six track EP are all their own. Jonny sings and plays guitar very sensitively to support Lucy’s fabulous voice and fiddle.It’s also nice to hear jonny sing in his accent (Geordie, like me) and along with Lucy’s sweeter, southern perhaps posher tone it works amazingly well. It’s all the things you’d expect, delicate, sparse, even  mournful but together they create something really quite wondrous. None of them are trying to take the limelight, the balance is perfect, when they sing together  it’s a combination that feels totally organic. So now the secret’s out, they are being haled in some press as the next big thing to hit the REAL folk scene, one word describes them for me, genuine.

Try and see them play if they come by your town but if this is too long a wait you can buy their debut EP here. Enjoy.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich by http://www.photographybypip.co.uk/

I landed on Benjamin Francis Leftwich myspace page while listening to his song “More than Letters”definitely one of the most brilliant track on  the Communion compilation record.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a 20 year old talented english songwriter from York. He’s first EP “A Million Miles Out” will be released in the early days of this fall produced by Ian Grimble (Manic Street Preachers, Travis, Texas). It will be followed by a full length on March 2011. Yes, I know, I’m not late on this one… but pay attention to the following songs, and I guess you’ll add those two dates on your own calendar.

Artist : Benjamin Francis Leftwich.
Photography :
Who else to enjoy ? Andy Whittle

Lindsay Phillips by Charlie Jeffs

Seduced by a beautiful single “Legion” then by a second one “O’ Deceit”, it’s been couple months i’m eagerly awaiting for Melbourne songwriter Lindsay Phillips first solo album ‘Varning’ to be released. Patience has been rewarded. “Varning” is a superb collection of acoustic guitar driven ballads enhanced by  Lindsay Phillips singular dark voice.
As usual when an album is so good from start to end, there’s no hesitation giving you the first track as an appetizer for your ears.

Artist : Lindsay Phillips
Where to buy : Departed Sounds

Greg Mullen by MangoNebula

“I make music with a guitar and hands and a mouth. Sometimes those hands and mouth and guitar are joined by keys, bass, trumpets and drums and friends. My first record, “The Hungry Ocean” was released at the beginning of Spring 2010. It is the culmination of twenty-four years of looking at light.”

Here is Greg Mullen self-introduction from his website. Forgive me the easiness of this copy/paste  using his own words. But after listening to this album for couple weeks, i’ve found the last sentence is just perfect.  I hope, this young Massachussets songwriter will find in this first release enough rebound (with your support) to feed some new songs. As usual when an album is so good from start to end, let’s tease you with the first track.

Artist : Greg Mullen
Where to buy ? Bandcamp (for both limited cd or digital version).

Hello dreamers.

It’s been a long long time since I have posted anything. Never enough hours in the day it seems…work, eat, listen to music, sleep. Repeat…..but I had to make a little time to tell you all Nathaniel Rateliff’s new album “In Memory of Loss” was released today…and trust me, it is a stunner. I purchased it this morning and I have been obsessively playing it over and over. Love at first listen.

I have Olly to thank for sharing this wonderfully talented artist with me. He blogged about Nathaniel on YCD here last year.

I had the pleasure of seeing Nathaniel live a few weeks back opening for The Low Anthem here in Chicago and I was completely blown away. My only complaint was that the set was too short. I wanted him to play all night! I’m pretty excited I will get to see him again so soon opening for The Tallest Man On Earth in May. Do check out his tour dates and see if he is in your town. Really, you have to see this guy live. His band is amazing too.

Below is a video of Nathaniel performing “Boil & Fight” which is on his new album. I’ve watched this one at least 15 times in the last few days. Yep, I’m hooked.

Nathaniel Rateliff “Boil & Fight” from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Purchase In Memory of Loss: iTunes – Amazon

Purchase Desire and Dissolving Men: iTunes – Amazon

(Also check out his wonderful Daytrotter Session)

Below I have uploaded one track from his new album, and one from “Desire and Dissolving Men”

For the regular readers of YCD, this name may ring you a bell but the picture. Yop, Ben Rogers is a new member in the bearded songwriter family. But far beyond this pilosity detail, Ben Rogers got 2 new tracks which both are on a heavy rotation in my itunes library : the really catchy ‘Criminals’ & the Dylan-like ‘Born to Move’. This guy is as discrete as talented ; I hope the canadian music blog squad could catch him live and grab some more information about an upcoming release… In the meantime enjoy the tunes…

Artist : Ben Rogers

The most dense 2010 EPs so far.

Wise Children is  a musical project from the South Coast of England created by multi-instrumentist Robin Warren-Adamson. He released couple days ago (on April 7th)  his second ep “Absence & Reunion” a stunning 6 tracks collection. Don’t miss his previous one available as a free download on his bandcamp site ; this guy is gold.

Band : Wise Children (myspace / facebook)
Where to Buy : bandcamp
Who else to enjoy : Hey Marseilles, Ravens & Chimes, Matt Kanelos

Here’s a quick post but a delicious collection of songs in the slowcoustic genre that my fellow blogger Sandy is cherishing ! I didn’t have enough time to merge more information about Drew Gatlin. But don’t hesitate to use the comments and share more about this Mississippi band.

More songs deserve your attention on The Bear Creeks bandcamp site.

I first wrote about Essie here and have been keeping a close eye on her career since then. I recently contacted her in regards to playing a show for us here in Brighton (Drifter Promotions) and we got talking about her new album, Until The Light Of Morning which she then kindly sent me. To quote Essie from her liner notes she writes “This record is made for every parent and every baby(and anyone else) who needs to rest and head off into the land of sleep. The record is designed to unwind itself as it goes along, as the music becomes softer and more relaxed, eventually becoming as instrumental as the heartbeat”

It’s easy to think having read that this album is perhaps one dimensional with regard to it’s target audience, but I have no children, am single yet find myself completely submerged in it. It leaves me with a feeling of complete safety, of comfort, of peace. It’s as though when I play it, it wraps it’s arms around me and lets me into it’s mystical world, leaving me with a sense of wonder and hope . There is an ethereal quality to all of Essie’s music, so delicate and fragile that you don’t want to even move when you’re listening to it in case you break the magical spell it seems to cast upon you. It’s stunning! Her voice alone is enough to keep you enthralled, it’s so controlled and intimate with long, drawn out notes reaching right inside of you. As I say, it’s stunning, it’s a beautiful gift that she shares with us all.

To me, you have to listen to this whole album in one sitting and in the correct running order because it flows into one body of work rather than eight separate lullabies. Not only that but your day’s ill’s and woes will have been completely washed away for another time, this is therapy of the very best kind. Buy it!

No mp3 to download as yet because as I said, there is no single release from it, it’s one body of work and so one single track wouldn’t do it justice. However, her amazing daytrotter session has just been uploaded and I urge you to go and download it immediately and you can also listen to a couple of tracks here too.

03 – Essie Jain – Falling Asleep by The Lonesome Drifter

Enjoy.

The first thing I look for in music regardless of genre or mainstream popularity, is honesty. If I feel that the music is coming from the heart and it’s sincere then I will respect it. I may not always like it but I will at least applaud it for it’s earnestness. This is why I like Elephant Micah, the alter-ego of Joe O’connell.  I first wrote about him here where he was kind of enough to grant us an interview and a couple of mp3’s. Since that interview he still hasn’t created a myspace or facebook page and is still intent of getting his music heard by the old fashioned method of word of mouth. Well, this seems to be working as he has an abundance of live dates from now up until at least May.

His latest offerings really show his versatility as a songwriter but also his various musical styles.With Echoer’s intent we have an album which was recorded using  more traditional recording methods and is eight tracks of sparse, intense beauty. During the interview Joe did with us I mentioned he reminded me of Low, early Smog and J.Tillman. Well out of those three this album has a definite J.Tillman ring to it although with a  less whispery vocal style, especially on the stand out track for me, field notes, but there is definitely elements throughout the whole album, still life blues is another really beautifully written and composed song, you find yourself falling into it and then pressing the rewind button a few times.  Personally, I think this is Joe’s best work yet mainly because I think each song flows into each other brilliantly, you hardley notice the gaps in between but you will have to decide for yourself because even at such a young age he has released umpteen albums.

Then we have The songs of bible birds which (and stick with me here) is, or at least was meant to be an album of bible bird covers, bible birds being a band that Joe himself invented when asked once if he had ever seen the bible bird man in Indiana. So in other words he’s covering his own songs, or at least that was the plan. Full story here. Eventually though what we do get though is an album that Joe in his own words says was produced using ‘weird recording methods’ originally back in 2006 but has only become avialable now after some tinkering which Joe is finally happy with. I perhaps should have listened to this album first and then Echoer’s Intent because the final products are very very different, especially in the sound which has some hissing in the background, sometimes distant vocals which are hard to pick out but after i played it first time I immediately played it again and then again and now I’m loving every pop, crackle and hiss. In fact, after a while you just hear the music, Joe with some female backing vocals (Beth Remis),odd sounds bellowing from a pump organ and although a very challenging album to listen to, it improves more and more with each hearing, I’m loving it. As I said, it’s honest to a fault but it’s  also trying something different which I think is rather refreshing as well as challenging, both for the listener and the creator. I admit though, I would love to hear these songs live and get another take on them.

As both albums are only 8 tracks long I am only putting up the mp3’s that Joe himself offers on his website because if I was to put up a different one and then another blog does the same there could be half the album across the internet and for someone who is completely D.I.Y, this would be unfair. So please, if you like this then go and buy the album or if you buy both together you get them for cheaper. Please, enjoy and go see him play at any one of these shows. By doing so you will be supporting a totally independant artist and a really talented one at that.

March 2010.

26 Louisville, KY at the Lounge w/ Joe Manning

27 Nashville, TN at Betty’s w/ Kelli Hix

28 Memphis, TN at the Buccaneer w/ the Warble

29 Oxford, MS at TBA

APRIL

1 New Orleans, LA at Sidearm Gallery w/ Hurray for the Riff Raff

3 Athens, GA at TBA w/ Bubbly Mommy Gun, Steven Trimmer

4 Chattanooga, TN at JJ’s

6 Somewhere, TN at Ida

7 Asheville, NC at Harvest Records

8 Knoxville, TN at the Pilot Light

9 Lexington, KY at the Hive

III. ROUGH ROUTING

All shows with Mark Trecka except where noted (*)

13 Grinnell, IA at Grinnell College

15 North Manchester, IN at the Firehouse

16 Buffalo, NY at Sugar City

17 Rochester, NY at Casa Del Awesome

18 Montague, MA at the Book Mill w/ Oweihops

19 Portland, ME at TBA

21 Boston, MA at TBA

22 New Paltz, NY at the Inn

23 Purchase, NY at SUNY Purchase

24 New York, NY at TBA

26 New York, NY at Bruar Falls w/ P.G. Six*

28 Philadelphia, PA at Robin’s w/ Strand of Oaks

29 Baltimore, MD at 2640 Space w/ Small Sur

30 Columbus, OH at TBA w/ Time & Temperature, Deadsea

MAY

1 Chicago, IL at TBA

Where: Art Theater of Long Beach
Who: Tadhg Cooke, Jay Buchanan, Shane Alexander and The Guggenheim Grotto
When: Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Fingerprints mailer:
“Our friend Trini, who first introduced us to the boys in Guggenheim Grotto, is stepping up to the “Make a beautiful racket – Long Beach” initiative (which I just invented, but in my mind it’s an umbrella of everyone who’s working to bring more music to our humble, but quiet, little town.) Anyway, Trini is hosting Nozzafest at the Art and it’s a night of fantastic music, great community, and well, it’s going to be a good party. The bands are Tadhg Cooke, Jay Buchanan, Shane Alexander, and The Guggenheim Grotto.

A bit about the bands:

Tadhg Cooke
The Irish Times said, “Tadhg Cooke’s solo debut crisscrosses so many terrains that your musical compass may quiver with the sheer magnetic challenge of Wax & Seal” and, giving it 4 stars, described the record as “eminently likeable, utterly enviable”.

Jay Buchanan
Jay is a local, who’s done a lot with SAM, and whose new album is an absolute killer (it’s not out yet, so you’ll have to trust me, but it’s great); think of the tempestuousness of Jeff Buckley, combined with the reflection of Ray Lamontagne, and the bare-boned soul of Marc Broussard and you’re in the right neighborhood.

Shane Alexander
Shane is an LA based songwriter who says he “strive(s) to have my music to connect on a spiritual level the way classic writers like Neil Young, Paul Simon, and Bruce Springsteen do. I don’t know I’ll get there, but I’m definitely getting closer.”

Guggenheim Grotto
The Guggenheim Grotto have twice filled the house at Fingerprints with their wonderful take on pop music with a folkish flair, so it’s no wonder that we’ve kept an eye on them, and over the past couple of years their star seems to have been on the rise. They’ve had songs feature prominently on KCRW and WXPN, they’ve had their songs play on the TV shows Brothers and Sisters and One Tree Hill, and StereoSubversion said “…if you are a fan of great harmonies, melodic arrangements, and intelligent folk rock sound then this album belongs in your collection”

Twitter
RSVP Facebook
Purchase Tickets Direct

I don’t remember who sent me this “blast from the past” album from FatCat Recording artist Curtis Harvey.  It might have been one of these You Crazy Dreamers bloggers, so I thought I would put a bit of finger to keyboard for it.

The album “Box of Stones” is a new release (Nov. 3rd here in North America, rest of planet still pending I think) and is choke full of acoustic country folk that is just a bit more country than folk.  Almost like the album cover, I believe it speaks to another time of sephia toned whiskey joints and live roots music.  The sound created seems both personal and full of energy (even if it is a bit down tempo at times) with Harvey’s blood and guts built right in.  It is said that he recorded the entire album in his basement with few takes – just took it as it was.  I think that is why it seems full of that energy – it is really him, not his recording mixed and reproduced 50 times till it’s a fraction of the sound it once was.    A song like “Borrowed Time” has a straight forward structure but seems like was put together like it was happening all at once.  It might be the collection of sounds in the background, but I don’t know – it just sounds that way.  You can also have a songs like “Joking” or “Words” which are more in the vein of a back porch tribute to a previous time while at the same time being quite beautiful.

Another great track I found on the album is the sing a long “Oldertoo” which is a bit up tempo and brings a bit of kick to the step of this sad bastard.  It brings in banjo and an easy sound…I think it could just be the leg slapping (or what is reminiscent of a lite version of “foot stompin’ honky tonk”) – that track is included below, see for yourself!

Sidenote and recommendation: I do know I have kind of beat the vibe of “Americana past” into the ground for this post.  I have noticed with today’s indie music landscape where there is a country folk artist on every indie label’s roster (and maybe Harvey is FatCat’s resident guy with a guitar), Harvey brings a country worth considering.  With that, Curtis Harvey’s album is definitely worth a few spins, especially while sitting back with a favourite beverage of choice.

Curtis Harvey
“Oldertoo” (mp3)
from “Box Of Stones”
(Fat Cat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic Delivery
More On This Album

~Smansmith

I know I know,  it came out in September and yes I am aware other blogs may have written about it, am I bothered? Not in the least, this blog has never been about being the first to post about someone although many times we have been but in the case of Mr Bondy I feel his new album, When the devil’s loose, deserves to be blogged about by as many people as possible as it’s an amazing piece of work. Recorded mostly in Mississippi by Bruce Watson of Fat possum records who has produced for the likes of Andrew Bird and the Black Keys as well as others and partly in New York by Jeremy ’searcher’ Backofen (The Felice Brothers). In fact the brilliant Felice Brothers make an appearance on two tracks, namely When the devil’s loose and the final track of the album The coal hits the fire and you could argue they are the two stand out tracks on the album but that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of it as it’s full of acoustic gems. From the gentle opening track  The mightiest of guns where his slightly croaked voice telling you to see the stars falling down like burning rain that were fired by the mightiest of guns, to the above mentioned final track bringing this fine album to a brilliant end. Of course with the Felice brothers connection there is some of their trademark sound to be heard here but I also hear in his voice similarities to Justin Rutledge and also just hear a later Josh Ritter singing I can see the pines are dancing. This is a must have album in my opinion by a singer/songwriter on the up who I think can only get better and better.

I saw Mr Bondy support the Felice brothers recently here in the UK and I urge you to go and see him on his current U.S tour as he’s a must see live act that will leave you astounded. Also, his new album is available on vinyl and it comes with a free mp3 download so please, without going into how right now,  you are supporting these smaller artists by buying their vinyl so do it.

He has also done another session for hearya which is going to be up soon but you can still grab his previous one here. Enjoy.

Another installment of the Song o’ Day series I have been indulging in this last couple of months, hope you all like the fast blast of one track hits.  Well, hits in my books…

Today we have Mason Lindahl and his incredible guitar work.  He just happens to craft a song around his display of delicate acoustic guitar playing.  He is new to me but apparently well known for being quite the “finger picker” and I am inclined to agree.  There is a juxtaposition in this track though – you have delicate fretwork, but you also get coiled energy – this isn’t your daddy’s classically trained guitar work friends.  I guess this is why the words Alternative and Folk were used by IODA (even if both words are bastardized versions of what they once were, but I digress…).  There is just something about this track, I get the feeling there is more than just a song in this song…ya know?

Enjoy the title track from the recently released “Serrated Man Sound” album, it is worth multiple spins folks.

~~~

Mason Lindahl
“Serrated Man Sound” (mp3)
from “Serrated Man Sound”
(Porter Records)

More On This Album

Visit Mason Lindhal on MySpace below

~Smansmith

]]> http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/10/24/song-o-day-serrated-man-sound-by-mason-lindahl/feed/ 4 http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/10/06/jack-savoretti/ http://youcrazydreamers.com/2009/10/06/jack-savoretti/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:20:47 +0000 Trini http://youcrazydreamers.com/?p=2517
With a voice and a face like that who can deny Jack Savoretti. He had me at “Harder than Easy” you can buy his album on iTunes Martin sent me the “Between the Minds” unplugged album and boy does it pull at my heart strings. This song “Without” has been playing non-stop on my [...]]]>

With a voice and a face like that who can deny Jack Savoretti. He had me at “Harder than Easy” you can buy his album on iTunes

Martin sent me the “Between the Minds” unplugged album and boy does it pull at my heart strings. This song “Without” has been playing non-stop on my iTunes today. I always find the words in songs that I can’t express myself. Sometimes I wish there was a rewind button and we could just start all over. Still learning to move forward without looking back. Hope you enjoy this album as much as I do. Ah, music the healer.

I was watching that new tv show “Bored To Death” on HBO and this song “Fucked Me Right Up” came on by Sean Hayes. Reminded me about him and what do you know he’s going to be playing nearby next week. So this is definitely going on the calendar. Smansmith posted about him a while back you can check out some of his music here

Catch him next week on October 4th at Saint Rocke

142 Pacific coast Hwy
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 372-0035

Fucked Me Right Up

I’ve googled the web for two days trying to find an album, an ep, a single single but I’m empty-handed ! Well, half-empty as I found Kelli Schaefer myspace page which is streaming 4 sublime (awesome, huge, magnifiques, absolutely **** stars) tracks from this beautiful Portland songwriter. That’s it !

You’re just one step away from “Eyes In The Back Of My Head” another stunning song and i’m without word to qualify “Carry us Over” !
Is it the photograph or am I really upside down ? Is this the music or am I really “addicted” (shhhh ).
Count on me for tracking any movement on the web concerning Kelli !

Artist : Kelli Schaefer
Label : Amigo / Amiga (more pearls to be promoted from this small Portland label)
Who else to enjoy ? Samantha Savage Smith

Another installment of “Song o Day” for you folks – and yes, another winner from the Great White North (or Canada as I know it).  This time we have the title track from the upcoming album “Burnout” that is due out on November 10th.

OX’s previous album (American Lo Fi) was considered a bit of a tour de force of the indie stoners – huh?  Yeah, described as “weed infused” it was a pretty decent hit across Canada’s College/University radio scene.  While I tend to shy away from describing music by indicating an intoxicant of sorts is needed to enjoy (because it isn’t) – the new album obviously is following the theme with a title like “Burnout”.  They have brought a bit of country folk into the fold from the sound of the below track and I even though I enjoy the previous work, I like the direction of the mellowed out, day after vibe that this crew are putting forth.

“Burnout” – OX, from 2009’s “Burnout” album – due November 10th

You can always swing by their Website or visit iTunes for a copy of American Lo Fi HERE.

~Smansmith

p.s.  If you like this track, swing on by my Slowcoustic post for a bit of back story on OX!

Another great artist, I ‘ve almost kept for myself all this summer long is Nathaniel Rateliff & The Wheel.

Combining the endearing swagger of Jacques Brel, the moody mysticism of Leonard Cohen and the pastoral plucking of Nick Drake, Rateliff’s potent songs and rich voice grabbed the audience by the heart and the throat.

Any other arguments ? Well, Nick Drake, Nick Drake… Anyway,  I completely agree with the Jacques Brel’s parallel, and I guess most of our fellow Belgian readers will, as soon as they click the play button on this below youtube video !

I’ve been totally bewitched by this awesome song and performance… and I guess a minute after I was downloaded  The Wheel  first and single full length “Desire and Dissolving Men” released in 2007…
And for a mere 7 $, it’s one of the best album i’ve bought this year.

Nathaniel Rateliff is on tour this september, so check his website and myspace page ! If none of his dates is close to you. Thanks in advance Daytrotter.com as The Wheel will record a session, tomorrow  (Sept. 14) !!!

Artist : Nathaniel Rateliff
Where to buy : cdbaby.com
More Appetizers : myspace

FIRST AID KIT | HARD BELIEVER from RADAR MAKER on Vimeo.

My love-lies-bleeding. ~Thomas Campbell {enough said}

A.S : Yes, I’m alive ! But as the sun is still warming our days, many stuff to deal with outside instead of blogging. But i’m going to try to post some short notes at least some good tweets for your ears to enjoy !

Back in the early days of last May, I’ve discovered Kele Goodwin’s music. I’ve grabbed some of his tracks from his unique myspace web presence and since, I cannot stop listen to his beautiful crafted folk songs. And the least I can do is to share one of it with you.

Kele Goodwin self-released in 2007 “The Spider”, a five track ep which is no longer available. According to a short mail exchange, Kele is planning to release a first full length in the coming months. Sure we’ll be back soon on this so underrated Portland poetic songwriter.

See you next fall !
A Kiss for your ears,
Olivier.

So “Song o’ The Day” is kinda my thing around here the last few weeks.  Sorry folks for the sporadic posting, life simply getting in the way for all of us!!

Well being the Canadian around these parts I always seem to be pushing my brethren, but that is because I keep being impressed by the talent from the “Great White North”.  Today’s selection is Matt Epp who I also might be attached to as he is from one of my hometowns of Winnipeg, Manitoba (he’s a “pegger”).  While I  tended to overlook what was in my own backyard while living there, I seem to see more talent now that it is no longer underneath my own nose.  Matt Epp has a new album coming out called “Safe or Free” this November and the track “This Old House” is the lead off single.  It is a bit of singer-songwriter with shavings of Alt-Country adorning his duet with Eliza Gilkyson.  It is also a Ryan Adams’ style ballad including a harmonica feature at midway (love that damn harmonica).  Hope you like as much as I do!

“This Old House” – Matt Epp – from 2009’s “Safe of Free”

~~~

So keep an eye out for the album this November by keeping in touch below:

~Smansmith

P.S.  Maybe pick up an album to listen to during your wait by clicking:

“Song o’ Day” is from the duo Wentworth Kersey’s “(O)” album and is the opening track “Adore”.  It is a track that fits its title very well, it is a pining lament in true troubadour style.

The duo of Joe Kersey Sampson and Jeffrey Wentworth Stevens make up WK and bring an overall Americana tinged psych-folk to the table.  The music is something that would make a great soundtrack for a Quentin Tarantino movie (when he decided to make a serious movie).  While I would say the sound is basically “folk” it is soo much more – it has so many textures, auras of rolling Appalachian valleys and a modern day Mexi-Cali conquistadors – all with a slight bit of ambient flowing through it all (yes, you will get the odd floating DJ scratch in the distance).

Wentworth Kersey also have a bit of an interesting project in the release of their EPs.  The track included is from thier 2nd EP “(O)” which was preceded by “O” and we will (hopefully) soon see the third installment “((O))”.

“Adore” – Wentworth Kersey – from 2009’s “(O)” EP

Visit Wentworth Kersey on their Website or MySpace.  Click the below images to pick up one of the EPs via CD Baby – highly recommended.

~

~Smansmith

So not exactly new news, but just can’t stop listening to that Joe Pug EP that he is offering on his website – for free!!  My song of the day is the magnificent “A Thousand Men”.

The song is timeless and not so simply great, it is pug alone strumming his guitar while singing the fact that “…every good idea, kills at least a thousand men…” – and despite what you may think, the good majority of us all are still in triple digits and are not getting out without a fight.

Enjoy the track – also hit up good friend Adrian over at “I Pick My Nose” Blog for a nice live version HERE.

“A Thousand Men” – Joe Pug – from the “In The Meantime” EP

Visit Joe Pug over on & Or and

~Smansmith

Another great video from Scott Cudmore, this time from the man they call Phosphorescent and an informal SXSW performance of “Heaven Sitting Down”.  Despite the plane circling overhead, another beauty.

Visit Camera Music HERE.  Visit Phosphorescent HERE.  Pick up the most recent Matthew Houck (aka Phosphorescent) album “To Willie” HERE.

~Smansmith

Between hays, woods, training dogs and sheep (!!), few time left for this sharing activity… So it will be really concise and short : I’m looping for couple weeks a bewitching ritornello from Goldfinch … it’s a two tracks medley entitled ‘Hoedown / Pretend Kiss’ and it’s closing their first eponymous album released sooner this April. Check their myspace or facebook page, and if like me you’re falling under their addiction, jump cdbaby.com website and buy a copy of Goldfinch

Very nice find while perusing the “now only legit for music” site, MySpace.  She is a former East Coaster now living in the sun of Los Angeles.  New album is finished and should be out soon, but I am unsure how to purchase unless a link shows up on one of her online pages…  I guess I will have to keep an eye on her MySpace Page or follow her twitter for updates (@jennyomusic).  I did find her on iLike and listened a bit more (click here), but alas no tracks for purchase.

I will update as info comes available folks – anyone has info, post in the comments!

~Smansmith

Photo stolen from sonicallyaltered

Well my affinity for all things bearded and acoustic have lead me to singer songwriter Josh Preston.  There I said it…now did that sound creepy?

Well creepy-ness aside, Josh has recently been kind enough to offer up some free downloads of his material via the his Bandcamp site.  There are five (yes 5!) albums available for download that were released in the last 3 years more or less.  So come on people, head on over for some sampling!

I first came across Josh when I was looking for some acoustic stuff to include over on Slowcoustic for a playlist and picked up his amply titled album “Josh Preston’s Perpetual Bin of Demos and Other Sods You May Have Heard Live But Are Not Live Now” and included his song “Fire”. Josh being the nice guy he is, found me on twitter (follow him @joshpreston) and linked me up for the rest of the downloads!  I have picked his EP “The Complex Wooden Heart” as come on, it was labeled as acoustic and sounded like it could be some good old sad bastard music.  If you know me that is a combination I enjoy (yes, I enjoy music that evokes bleak hardships…it is just the type of music that has the ability to move you that much easier).  So I have included the four fully solo acoustic beauties for your listening pleasure – you can visit here to download a zip with it all together as well.  So ease your way into the weekend with some well scripted laments delivered right on cue from Josh.

“Simpler”
“Temptation”
“We Are Alone”
“Safety Feels The Exit”
**all acoustic EP**

Visit Josh on his: Website, MySpace, Bandcamp, Virb and his Blog.

~Smansmith

I just posted another Camera Music feature over on Slowcoustic, and I can’t leave You Crazy Dreamers with no love!!  I am a huge fan of the video series of Scott Cudmore’s Camera Music and above you find a true Canadian acoustic Ghost Bees performance.  Stunning – you have to watch the Halifax twins travel through the cold wilderness with pixie delicate strumming.  There is multiple tracks in the above video so make sure you keep watching!

BONUS:
Ghost Bees
“Vampire of the West Coast” (mp3)
from “Tasseomancy”
(Youth Club Records)

More On This Album

~Smansmith

Well I just got more excited than a 5-year old on Christmas morning. Stalking, err lurking on J. Tillman’s myspace today I was greeted with this news from his blog:

The new record, “Year In The Kingdom”, will be out in Sept. through Western Vinyl and Bella Union.

Well I know my co-blogger Smansmith is thrilled with this news as I am, as we both are a little bit obsessive about this man’s music.

Check out his myspace to preview the songs “Earthly Bodies”, “Year In The Kingdom”, and “Though I Have Wronged You”. I fell right back in love after listening to these tracks just once. Stunning, stunning, stunning….I’m convinced that this man can not create a bad song.

I first wrote about Tom and the boys here. At that point they had only released a single and were about to go off to Dallas and record their new album. Well not’s much changed in terms of releases since then but I have been informed by them that the EP release is imminent with the full album to follow not long afterwards. These are looking like they will be self released on their A little something label via their management team of Autonomy Music Group So to wet your appetite just a little longer here is another mp3 which I have been granted which was recorded in one of the emperor’s (Bobby’s) living room. In his own words,  ” It’s got a great feel, with some clarinet, mandolin and double-bass action going on, Tom in preacher-man mode and a nod or two to James Brown in the chorus. It’s about as close as we get to a fun song”

He has promised me that the Ep and  album has plenty of misery for us to indulge in though so that’s nice.

Please sign up to their webpage here where you can still get a free download and also be told of any further news. They have also granted us here at YCD an interview around the time of the EP release so if you have any questions let us know and I will ask away.

Finally, they have an intimate acoustic gig coming up on the 23rd July at the Hideaway in North London. More deatils of that here. I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing them live but apparantly these intimate shows are exceptional and not to be missed.

My favourite snippet of information is about them is this.

“You really get a sense that the Emperors are seasoned veterans of the London music scene and I can’t believe they won’t be playing much larger venues very soon, like Nick Cave jamming with Tom Waits playing in a Jazz Bar during a Tarantino movie… toe-curlingly good” – livemusic.fm

Watch this space kids.

these songs… are the solo home recordings of Nate Lacy. meanwhile, mimicking birds has acquired the additional live existence of Tim Skellenger on supplementary/lead guitar and Aaron Hanson on drums… Mimicking birds’ first official record will be available via glacial pace recordings hopefully by summer 2009… -MySpace profile

Just a quick note to check out some of the best “unknown to me” Portland talent – the West Coast just is deep with musicians, I can’t keep up.  If you enjoy a slew of free downloads, down-tempo acoustic recordings intertwined with a few quirky indie tracks – you have a new band to check out.  These lo-fi recordings of Lacy came recommended by a friend over on Last.fm and once hitting up their Virb Profile I found myself having MB on the top of my weekly Last.fm charts…for the second week!  Take a listen to a few tracks that just might make it to the new album (expected this summer from Glacial Pace Records – so you know they are in good company).  Also check out their MySpace Page for some upcoming tour stops with Jenny Lewis and even an upcoming gig at Austin City Limits this fall!  Definitely a band I will be keeping my eye on.

“The Chimney Sweep”
“The Loop” (highly recommended)
“Them”
“Whom Who’ve Been”

Enjoy the Saturday!

~Smansmith

Howdy y’all,

Sadly I don’t have time to write a huge article here so will just give you some brief information. This is Miles’ self titled debut album. It was produced by Grizzly Bears Chris Taylor and also features Tv on the radios Kyp Malone.  Songs of drug abuse, redemption and I guess a little hope too,  I believe it was released in the staes last July on Say Hey Records but has only arrived here in the UK via Transgressive Records.  Some tracks are a full reverb folk rock and others are more stripped down to just an acoustic sound with Miles’ almost at times broken vocal being at the forefront of it all. From what I could find online about him it sounds like he’s crammed a fair bit into his young life and he himself admits if he’d carried on the way he was he would probably be dead by now. I’m glad he isn’t as this album is a great piece of work especially the opening track Buriedfed which you can see and hear on the youtube footage below.  The whole album has influences from Neil Young and his voice at times sounds remarkably like Micah P Hinson’s. This is my Bon Iver of 2009 and think it will be for a lot of people. Enjoy.

Lyrics

Buriedfed

This is my last song about myself, about my friends
Found something else to sing
Try and patch it up with tape and twine
Maybe I’ll just break everything that’s mine

They wheeled out my casket,
They said, “Boy, lay down your head”
I said, “Aw shit, man, I ain’t even dead”
I won’t be buried for I’m…

My friend, who’s a real yo-yo
She’s always crying, and no one knows why
She’s gonna be alright
Lost her past in a fuzzy fire
Wasn’t even drunk, just a little tired last night

And they took her to the doctor
To fix her heart, and heal her head
She said, “Goddamn, I’m tired of being polite
Go save somebody else”

Friend of mine drank something fine,
Choked to death before his time, last night
He said, “I found that thing you really need”
Come on, you can’t breathe alright

Everyone’ll be there at the burial in your head
And a tear or two, they shed
Then they’re gonna go digging in your hole
And find someone else instead
Make someone else feel dead instead

Oh, he didn’t like people much at all
Tasted better with alcohol
You know how that one goes
He realized he’d missed his whole life
Kissed his dog and shot his wife last night

And they pulled him to a preacher
He said, “Pray ‘Our Father’ prayers”
He said, “Aw shit, man, I don’t even care
Oh, I ain’t did nothing”

Reckless ruin is killing high
A great, fine victory we’re still alive
My, my, what a surprise
I got home late, I don’t care
Better late than never, dear

They took her to the prison
Sat across from him, and sighed
She said, “Fuck you, I wanted just to die
How come you, baby boy, you
You can’t do a damn thing right
You can’t do any damn thing right”

This is my last song I write inside
Going out, find somewhere else to hide
Late at night on an empty street
Ain’t anyone I know walking beside me

I ain’t done a damn thing right
But oh, I’ll try, before I die
How ’bout tonight

They wheeled out my casket,
They said, “Boy, lay down your head”
I said, “Believe me, I wish that I was dead”
But as long as I’ve been running
While this world exploded in this big hole in my head

But as long as I’ve been running
Well, I might just keep it coming
To someone else instead

Oh, you, baby boy, you
You can’t do a damn thing right
You can’t do any damn thing right

Special Warning to young readers : If you’re under 18 years old, please forget about this post, don’t click the “continue reading” link below !

The Fight is Samantha Savage Smith’s first song : And what a duel !

During the magical yet daunting process of recording, this turned into a 70’s inspired folk rock ballad. It is the first song completed on my upcoming EP. I do hope you enjoy… and possibly start singing along to it.

A unique magnificent voice over an absolute stunning tune ! Without a doubt, this is my first summer hit and to tell you the absolute truth it’s getting on my eros : I’m requesting fire-brigade right now !

I usually don’t post about one-shot-hit but as this is her first irresistible recording, I thought spreading the word could encourage Samantha to keep digging her songwriting in this very own path…

Important Note : This song has been encoded at a very low rate with no other goal than teasing your ears… Samantha is giving it for free from her bandcamp website @ higher rate, so don’t waste your time here ! .While downloading it, don’t hesitate to claim your love : tweet about it as loud as you can !
Artist : Samantha Savage Smith
Label : none yet.
Who Else to Enjoy ? : Jesse Ribeiro & The Bones Collector

Waterfall is another stunning song from Fraser Anderson, beautifully delivered this last summer when supporting Chuck Berry at Sète. Along with Rag and Bones, Photograph Too Hi and Grace, these five tracks preview are already placing his forthcoming third full length album, planned to be release this Autumn, amongst my 2009 favorite.

If like me you’re undergoing a springtime which is not sunny enough to fully charge your battery then you may really be in need of a huge dose of astounding rock… Fully drummed to help you survive this middle tone, middle salty season . On my quest to find some music matching this mood I came across only two albums. According to my full calendar, the second is pretty new, and it’s the perfect great reason to have a start on this devilish mood…

At first glance, I got addicted to Dustin Welch’s music through this catchy One False Move intro track, that many alt-pop-myspace-rock-band would wish to be able to compose. Perfect medication for my previously mentioned disease….

At first glance, Mr Welch could sing any bullshit lyrics, I would still be amazed by his performaces ! Born in the deep tones, raised in the whiskey-like ones, his voice is so distinctive, incisive, he could bring to shivers , a capella, a full monastery of nuns. A nun, me ?

At first glance, Mr Welch is blending a unique banjo picking method with traditional violin to the highest rock level and it just sounds so damned good!

And with a complete panoramic view and review ;  this Whisky Priest, Dustin’s first full length, is by far the best rock album i’ve been grateful to listen to for a long time! Influenced by the music of his elders (If Welch didn’t ring a bell check his bio on his myspace page), anchored in their lower denominator of roots rock and cradled between Country and Americana, his ten song collection is a stunning mature delivery!
Powerfully drummed, most of those 10 tracks are reaching high level beat without neglecting a single minute the almighty songwriting’s melody knowledge. From the clapping voodoo titled track ‘Whisky Priest‘ to the darkest electric march ‘Don’t Tell ‘em Nothing’ (co-written with childhood friend Cary Ann Hearst), Dustin connects his songs without breathing, bringing you to two beautiful masterpieces halfway the album.’Two Horses‘ co-written with Mark Germino and ‘Lower East Side’ giving you time to fully appreciate the young plume of the Tennessee born songwriter.
Some celtic addicts could find in ‘Green Badges‘, some of the finest Pogues tones as those Nick Cave Murders melancholics will find in ‘Empty Parking Lots‘ a new messiah, although the final ‘Poor House‘ is the perfect piace of Dustin’s firsts fingerprints on what we could hope to be a long long career.

Don’t be eager, my second astounding rock will come soon. In the meantime, i’m sure you’ll have to digest this superb collection. I wish you’ll hold that same heavy smile on your face as the one Dustin is gifting us on the above picture !

Artist : Dustin Welch
Label : none
Where to buy : cdbaby.com, itunes
More Appetizers : @myspace

It’s been quite a while since I dwelled upon the French music scene. For no other reason than this: very few finds! I admit that I prefer to encroach the vast territories, be it the Canada of Sandy, Martin’s Great Britain with a London scene bursting with treasures, or those of my accomplices Trini & Laura who must have a terrible task covering the 50 states. Mea culpa, sometimes we only need to open our eyes, or ears for that matter, to discover pure wonders. In other words borrowing this old Tibetan saying : “Often one has to cross the plains to meet the peaks…”
And it’s exactly on the foothills of the mountains facing me – Central Massif,  that I came across St Augustine. St Augustine the blessed ? Well, seriously: let’s leave the Saints in their Kingdom and let’s get on with our vices down here. In 1967, the famous raconteur Bob Dylan was singing “I dreamt I saw St Augustine” dwelling between Saints and Demons and this apparently inspired François-Régis Croisier picking his nom de scène.

Like the beautifully hand-crafted and sewn album cover, the songs from this Clermont songwriter are as much unique pieces overflowing with passion and orchestral precision. A neat production, some might simply say; but it’s a bit short : with every listening the album reveals more and more of its immaculate chamber-folk. Sublime songs as ‘Let it Go’, ‘Icelandic’ and ‘Rainy Country!!!!!’ could have easily been picked out of the repertoire of a Beirut or a Loney, Dear. At one time intimistic, at others lyrical, Mr. Croisier distils songs by songs, as many atmospheres as facets to his composer talent.
The unique timbre of his voice brings us to the other side of contemplation, inviting us sometimes to simply hum along to these subtle but instigating melodies. In sum, a magical voice reminding us of a Teitur, mind you it’s not the title ‘Icelandic’ that leads me to this comparison.
With a single stride St Augustine has joined my list of favourite French artists, arousing me to be more often on the look out for hexagonal (? national) releases.

Artist : St Augustine
Label : Kütu Folk Records
Where to buy : right from the St Augustine myspace page, itunes
More Appetizers : @myspace
Who else to enjoy ? Aaron Espe, Pete Roe, John Goraj

How harsh is it to post about music after such a monument. So, I finally found a perfect transition : Eaglebows.
Jeb Bows is Gregory Alan Isakov’s violin maestro in the Freight Band and partly responsible for “This Northern Hemisphere” strings arrangement along with Phil Parker. He’s also involved in Ramaya & A. Ballad Nightly, The Paper Stars and Gasoline Lollipops to name but a few of his projects..

We hope this guy will find some time one day to record his own album as we’re highly impressed by the songs available on his myspace page. These strings take you to places you never even dreamt of.  Enjoy this track and get carried away.

Artist : Eaglebows

I first wrote about Sam here. Since that time he’s been on a successful UK tour and has also now finished recording his second album, close to home. Not actually out for another couple of months or so on Leeds’ yadig records, it’s an album of original and traditional songs mostly about Yorkshire, Sam’s home county, but unless you know before listening which are the traditional tracks you would never guess as Sam’s music is a complete nod towards that sound . Well, perhaps apart from Lonely night at JoJo’s, a song about wanting to be anywhere but JoJo’s in London’s Soho district where it’s full of posing, coke snorting networking types only there to try and look cool pretending to dig the latest scene. Living in Brighton I know exactly the type he means, they’re normally the ones talking all the way through the gig louder than anyone else.

Lay a white rose, which incidentally is the emblem of Yorkshire is a perfect and brilliant fast paced start to the album all played majestically on his twelve string guitar, Stella, in which Sam tries to sum up what it was like being brought up in Yorkshire and his pride of being so, he succeeds.

The pace slows a little for The Lullaby Of Leeds of which Sam says “As much as I adore folk and roots music I adore Buddy Holly and The Ramones too. I tried to write a pop song that people could sing along to” Well with the extremely catchy chorus “she’s the kinda girl I’d like to sing to, she’s the kinda girl that I’m bound to cling to, she’s the kinda trouble that i like to get into and I hope she’d like to get into me” it definitely has you singing along that’s for sure, great stuff and a highlight of the album for me along with the afore mentioned Lonely night at JoJo’s.

A great fun track on the album is The Yorkshire Tup which is apparantly about a massive sheep that seem to be commonplace in Addingham, the part of Yorkshire where Sam was brought up but please don’t let me give you the impression that you need to be from Yorkshire or even know where Yorkshire is to enjoy these brilliant songs because you don’t. I’m not from the Mississippi delta but can still dig the blues from and about that region. It’s the story’s, the passion and the remarkable playing that brings these songs to life.  Basically, anyone who is a fan of old folk/blues that was made yesteryear like Charlie Patton, any of the blind boys Mctell, Johnson etc, or the skiffle of Lonnie Donegan will love Sam’s music. For a more modern day comparison perhaps look towards the like of Charlie Parr. There’s a late night drinking feel to this album, I could imagine sitting in a remote Yorkshire pub with the huge sheep roaming around, a few locals singing into the early hours drinking some local ale and maintaining all that is traditional about this kind of music, singing and playing the way they are meant to be done so. I love those kind of nights which are sadly less and less frequent now as many of these pubs and areas have become weekend homes for the rich. Perhaps there’s still a few in Yorkshire, who know? Sam? I know there’s still some of these places in Ireland where I’m certain Sam’s music would go down a treat.

There’s enough croakiness in Sam’s voice to suggest he’s drank plenty of whisky in his time and had a few late nights but unlike those fakers at JoJo’s, Sam is the real deal, he’s serious.

Some guest musicians on this album worth checking out are Pistol Pete Carlill and David Broad. Both from Yorkshire and can often be seen playing alongside Sam.

For now no downloads available but you can listen to a couple of tracks in the music player until I get permission to put one or two up perhaps nearer or just after the official release. I will also let you’s know when the album is released but for now there’s a few tracks you can grab from Sam’s website too. Enjoy.

Listening to Gregory Alan Isakov third opus with headphones is like embarking on an emotional roller coaster. Fasten your seatbelt, push the ‘play’ button and don’t forget to breathe.

On his previous album Gregory reached a summit with this purified folk, these hypnotizing tempos, this prose;  I was a bit apprehensive when I received this new collection of songs. But even if The Moon Song seems like a continuation of That Sea, The Gambler, the complete taste of This Empty Northern Hemisphere left me bewildered.
The repertoire of this Boulder composer has definitely grown and gotten richer. With Evelyn, or Big Black Car, he flirts with cheerful rhythms without ever denying his very own self though. And you will have guessed, it’s all about happiness. Happiness, finely mixed with some gravity and melancholy : a true emotional roller coaster !
This Empty Northern Hemisphere already is one of this year’s albums you can’t get around. Enough said, listen and be convinced.

I had the privilege to preview this album a month ago…  and I have been asked to share this single song ‘Evelyn‘. Even if it’s a stunning track, it’s far to be my favorite. All in all, I do thanks the promo-staff from preserving me choosing a favorite…

Artist : Gregory Alan Isakov and the Freight
Label : none.
Where to buy ? Please hold until the release date : May the 15th, don’t miss the cd release party @ boulder.
More Appetizers : @myspace.com
Who else to enjoy : Danny Schmidt (shame on us just mentioning his name…), Elizabeth Cotten

I’ve just started this without words section for writing about instrumental tracks… I was planning to share one of my favorite instrumental track from Colby Stead : A Thought. When by the twit of my fellow Trini, I’ve been directed to Colby’s last video : Purity.  For the reading of one post, you’ll have the best of both worlds : two tracks mightily suggestive.

Artist : Colby Stead
Label : Thoughtfull
More appetizers : on facebook , and full dinner available on his website.

I wish someone could tell me why those duet band are always naming the male artist first … Am I too old-fashion ! Anyway, we’re back in Australia for another great EP debut from Liesl Karlsson and Nick Everitt. The EP title is also the intro track which is just a majestic soft piano-driven blues that deserves to reach our ears.

Artist : Nick & Liesl
Label : Red Shed Records
Where to buy : itunes

Even if our tags cloud is headlining a huge Tom Waits, we had not post a single song about him ! Am I wrong ? Shame on us !

Tobacco Pat is the subject of this episode of “If You Haven’t Heard” and once again, you need to hear – but I guess that is the point of the series.  Well now that we are on subject, I was recently introduced to Tobacco Pat (and have previously mentioned him HERE) and now I hope to introduce you to Tobacco Pat, if you haven’t heard already.

Tobacco Pat, or Logan Farmer, is a Floridian with a sound that speaks from the belly of the South, just maybe not the south of Florida.  Not ever being in Southern Florida, I can’t say for sure, but the dark, foreboding Americana coming from Farmer is both gothic and gorgeous but doesn’t conjure up images of azure ocean and palm trees.

He has a couple of EPs – “The War” and “The Plague” out currently with a full length – “Everything Will Be Oklahoma” on the way.  So far his EP series follows different ways that this very world may end, in 5 storied tracks at a time.  While “The War” is a little more of a fuller sound and “The Plague” a bit more lo-fi, they both find themselves in common territory – downtempo goodness.  I am often biased, I lean towards the troubadour and I never cover artists/bands I don’t like – so this should be no surprise – If you haven’t heard Tobacco Pat, you must.  Head over to the YerBird Aviary of which he is a new resident or his MySpace Page for more info and downloads.  He has lots of additional tracks on his MySpace player including samples from the upcoming album that will be released in September on Feels Like Home Records!

You can also visit my duplicate post over on Slowcoustic that will have a couple other songs for listening and downloading.

~Smansmith

Ante Scriptum : Instrumental tracks are open doors for the dreamers who want to take a step back and get swept away by some infinite readings, or contemplate various horizons. Come to think of it, I would draw the following comparison : an instrumental track is to a song what a book is to a movie. Even if the title of those tracks can give you some clues to walk the artist’s steps : those pieces are wide-open spaces for freedom and dreams. So, from time to time, along with our discoveries, this new Without Words section will tip you and offer you this ultimate vagabondage…

The poetry of Michael Gulezian should have been a royal way to open this section… but it’s been couple weeks, i’m listening to John Fairhurst first effort Joys of Spring ; due to my seasonal aspirations – it’s still snowing around -  there’s no way to avoid this amazing share.
Manchester guitar virtuoso, John Fairhurst merged on his debut album an eclectic collection of songs that preserve every critic to draw any comparison. His musical landscapes will drive you from those wide American spaces with rock and blues to some light British Folk shore for finally reaching some eastern territories.

Ok, I guess some of you would have think it’s a complete non-sense : preaching for imagination and giving you a boundary video. It’s true but, i’m here to tease you and  I guess this short movie is a perfect appetizer for approaching John Fairhurst music.  “Obnox Stomp” is the album intro track, here is the second piece for rocking your sunday without limit :

Artist : John Fairhurst
Label : Humblesoul
Where to buy : Humblesoul – emusic
What else should I enjoy :  John Craigie