I’ve been directed to the songs of Grant Olsen by a simple investigation on Utah songwriters and i’ve finally found my way adding ‘Waterland‘ to my cdbaby.com cart… : once again those Utahs are a ruin for your finance. Waterland released in 2006 is Grant Olsen’s sophomore album, a follow-up to 2003’s “Excerpts From a B-Movie”.
Grant Olsen writes all his songs on a guitar given to him by a hermit named Ron, who lives deep in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In his day, Ron had been a stellar musician who’d performed with the likes of John Denver and Willie Nelson, but for one reason or another, he’d given it all up and was living the hermit life when Grant happened to stumble upon his mountain cabin. “Hawley,” the first track on Grant’s new album, is dedicated to Ron. It tells the story of his early life and how he came to be a musician in New York City during the late 1960’s.
And this intro song is a good introduction to Grant Olsen’s storyteller talent and intimate composition. A sweet, almost murmured, voice is guiding you through this smooth 10 tunes filtering each words to delivered an captivating rebound.
Grant granted us a brand new track in 2007 : Carolina. Listen and enjoy.
Rich ! It’s the first word which surfaced from my mind when thinking about sharing with you my emotions after 3 months long of perusing the third collection of my favorite Utah songwriter : Colby Stead.
‘So It Goes‘ is an intense and comfortable patchwork of Colby’s amazing talent. Based on a close canvas than his previous album ‘No’, most of the new tracks are delivering new colors and opening vast territories ; some paths recrossed, some discovered. Rich, I’m rich.
So, in the right catholic path that I’ve been teached ; I’ve spread the word to my dear fellow bloggers and bought them the album : sharing… They’ve granted me those following comments :
Kevin from the closed To The Dogs or Whoever
With the recent influx of male singer-songwriters on the market, breaking through or rising to the froth of the cup, or the cream of the crop as they say, isn’t so easy as those youthful days of Jackson Browne’s and James Taylor’s. One needs a little honesty and a whole heck of lot of luck. Scoring a slot on a recent popular prime time drama would help push things along.
‘So It Goes’ seems to be just that for Colby. Poised for some tastemaker to swipe a track off it and key it in as the backdrop for the lead heroine’s next introspective moment. But that’s the cynic in me folks and Colby maybe a little to good for my smart-assed analogy. There’s a striking sense of honesty in Colby songs and his clever, defiant word play and passion on a track like ‘Haunted Hole’ that breaks the deep sense of optimism, drenched in melancholy, that dominates the albums 11 tracks. This of course isn’t helped by the use of accordion and cello, which only add to the somber tone on most cuts. It borders on sugary sweet depression for me and one would be tempted to drop down and give up if it weren’t for Colby’s hope for the resolve… and I may just be resolved enough on the fact that Colby’s onto some great work here and this is a good start for me.
Key Tracks: Breathe, Haunted Holes, Plastic Poses and Keep Breathing. Kevin
“Breathe”
Maybe it is the slow and conscious delivery or the fact that it comes across naturally - almost like breathing - but I find the song “Breathe” to be the song of songs on Mr. Stead’s latest release “So It Goes”. The blending of Colby’s and Amy’s vocals flow over you like many of the tracks of the album but on this one, they hesitate and ease into you as well. I would feel like this track could make great use of old porch with one of those large two person rocking chairs, but with you draped over it lazily. I especially enjoy the accordion (I think it is an accordion..) that in my mind is the third vocal with it seemingly in the background then coming to the forefront at various times throughout the 4 minutes. Certainly a great way to spend 4 minutes… simply breathing. Smansmith
“Haunted Hole”
I’ve been a fan of Colby’s music from the very first moment Olly introduced me to him. There is something so genuine, real, sincere about his lyrics. Often times I feel as if he knows me and is writing these songs for me. There are so many songs off this album that I love but it’s funny how these things happen and one really strikes out at you. When I heard “Haunted Hole” for the first time I was like “wow” - “the tears that keep falling sideways and always never do they stop” Songs are like horoscopes, everyone can interpret them in a different way, apply it to what is directly happening in their present life or past. The lyrics - “how much can my head and my heart really take? They both are compromising they soon will start rising quickly to the top - *sound pop*” - are so deep. This song really struck a chord with me but there are many, many, many others that you will love. I can’t wait to see Colby perform live. Oh, and the build up in the end of this song, f-ing amazing…. .”please, please, please” you just have to take a listen. Trini.
Me (as a good friend of mine, I can’t resist to share my owns ) from youcrazydreamers.com
“A Thought” (instrumental)
“I like floating in the clouds too much”. I’m sorry Colby to publish once again without your permission some of your words, But it’s exactly the meaning of this thought ! Oh, I love - as far as my english knowledge allow me - all of the words you lay on your music, but I really enjoy this absolute talent you’ve granted me : a track of freedom ; an absolute endless moment. Giving me the opportunity to lay a thought, a life, a whisper or just another breathe. Thank you so much ! “Fatherly Love”.
His previous collection entitled ‘No’ was cradling the fabulous ‘Motherly Love’. ‘Fatherly Love’ song speaks to me in a really personal way : both as a father and a son. “There’s a thin line between a coward and a man”… resounds each time differently depending on which point of view you’re listening to the song. It also reminds me the famous Nick Cave’s ‘Wheeping Song’ and and and, and love … Olivier.
Here is an album that completely passed me by but that’s no surprise seeing it’s made by Frenchman Philippe Cohen, dj, producer and the main man behind The gotan project. I mean why would I look towards an electronic french band when looking for a bit of country? Thing is, this really is a straight up, full on country record with no hint of The Gotan project at all. It’s a bit like Dolly Parton making a drum and bass album, a complete departure from ones comfort zone. Thing is, it works brilliantly. Recorded in Nashville with some of the best musicians they have to offer, Jim lauderdale, David Olney, Sam bush and Melonie Cannon to name but a few it’s an album that is as raw as it is challenging. Co-produced by Bucky Baxter (Bob dylan, Ryan adams) They even throw in two covers but no, not old fashioned classic country covers but Abbas Dancing Queen and the Sex Pistols Pretty Vacant no less. All done in a country style of course, unbelievable ! On the ya basta record label you can download this from emusicor there is a vinyl release of which I’ve just ordered, in my case from HHV but there are other places around. This is my new favourite album of the year because it could easily have gone totally wrong. An electronic/dj/producer going to Nashville to make a record? Now I think that’s pretty challenging and then to make one as brilliant as this I think is a stroke of genius. This isn’t cheesy country, It’s a sad, mournful gospel filled proper country album and every country music fan should own it. Love it !!
What I want to know is why Olly has never mentioned this? Can’t be many frenchmen going to Nashville to make country records, are they?
I’m fully addicted to the beauty of Spain. Living couple miles on the border between France and Spain, I can feel the pulse of this country according to the wind. Throw me few acoustic accords, then turn the trumpet on and I’ll sell my soul for the closest feria. Lucho, second full length, teased me - captivated indeed- with this amazing hymn that such bands as Calexico could envied : “Mercy !”. From what I’ve heard so far, the other new tracks of the album are great balances : ones bluesy, others folk ; all unique sound that engaged me to qualify this collection as a beautiful jewel. No matter what’s your mood is looking for, you’ll find the perfect song. Oups just forget : Lucho is from London !
Band : Lucho Label : none Where to Buy : right from their myspace page nowhere else. First full length and self-titled album is available from cdbaby.com or from emusic.com (if someone want to gifted me, all my September credits are already gone !!!)
Welcome to the third release for this resident of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (my hometown currently) and my opportunity to showcase some “local” talent. While I don’t’ exactly run into CVG along 17th Avenue or stay up jamming with the crew, I still like to think of him as a hometown artist that is out there doing his thing.
If you weren’t completely familiar with Mr. VanGaalen, previous albums “Infiniheart” in 2004 & “Skelliconnection” in 2006 would be where to start. Outside of their titles being quasi-words, they feature tracks that brought CVG to our (my) attention, most notably his welcome to Canadian Indie – “Clinically Dead”. Both links for the albums above include a couple tracks from each album for your listening pleasure. I think Infiniheart got all the press with it being his first release, but I also believe that I liked Skelliconnection more – increased growth to an eclectic sound of more keyboards, reverb (which continues on Soft Airplane as well) and his ever present just slightly too high pitched voice.
While those first paragraphs might leave you confused about who or what is Chad VanGaalen, I want you to know that when he is on, the brother is on. From tracks like “Somewhere I know there is nothing” in ’04 to “Dead Ends” in ’06 to this year’s “Molten Light”, there lies some catchy songwriting, but not too catchy to find itself on a car commercial/teen drama. While I don’t consider him a traditional singer/songwriter, I believe he has the talent for it, but he doesn’t fall into the “guy with a guitar” pigeonhole. His inclusion of keyboards, wailing guitar (at times) and a dab of “instrument unknown” for good measure sets him apart. I think his albums could actually make for an interesting installment at a gallery, and quite possibly have already done so…
Chad has been with Flemish Eye Records for a few years now (label with some other great Canadian acts such as “The Cape May” & “Women” that are worth a few spins to say the least), which is where you can purchase a copy of “Soft Airplane” upon it’s release on September 9th.
I’m sorry for being so late posting about both this album released in 2004 and this news written on Evan’s myspace blog this last January. Better late than never ; if you’re already addicted by Mr Goodberry’s soft-folk, smooth voice, you will surely forgive me !
The Middle of the World - free download (full album)
My full-length record, The Middle of the World, is now available in ZIP format on my website. Recorded in December of 2004 with the help of Mike Odmark, Steve Mason, and Andy Hubbard.
As usual, when an album is so good from start to end, it deserves just your attentive pair of ears ! Here’s the intro song :
Thank you so much Mr Goodberry ! I wish I had some recent information to write down… but nothing for the moment… except that you can browse his myspace page for some unreleased demo.
Formed in Manchester, England by Karl J Hall and Ian Robinson, The Easy Dream draw influence as much from the beat of the American heartlands as the post-industrial rhythm of their hometown. Nestling in Hall’s rough-hewn vocals lie lyrics distilling snatched glimpses of heartbreak, tender flashes of better days and searing social commentary. When matched with the music, The Easy Dream create a blend of troubadour soul, urbane country and bittersweet protest song. In a world where hope is hard to come by, everyone is looking for an Easy Dream.
quoted from their myspace page.. but I hope my friend will have the opportunity to joined those guys somewhere across the chanel, and keep us inform about a gig, an ep : they’re sound so good.
I’m not sure - you know this Manchester accent - that lyrics are recommended for any audience… If you enjoy bands such as Pela, Two Gallants, Okkervil River, Diacon-Panthers and need something that rocks, right-click and download ‘City of Industry’.
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