Archive for the 'blues' Category

Song o’ The Day – Kay Pettigrew’s “Adventures In The Rocky Mountains”

Published by smansmith on December 6, 2009 in Folk, Indie, Live Performance, Singer Songwriter, Song o Day and blues. 2 Comments

Kay Pettigrew - photo by Frances Beatty

Song o the day today is selected for two reasons (well three really) and comes from the lovely Kay Pettigrew.

The reasons go something like this: I listened to the Ohbijou live session yesterday via Third Floor Sessions (which was great by the way) and while there I took a look around, as I tend to, and noticed that Kay Pettigrew was the inaugural episode! I did a quick post with a cover Kay did for the theme song of Fresh Prince of Bel Air over on Slowcoustic (click to listen) a while back so I started thinking. The song generated a fair amount of airplay for Kay around the blogosphere and ended up being on the Hype Machine popular charts via myself and a couple other bloggers. So that is a reason isn’t it?

Another reason is I felt I needed to post again as I wanted to make sure that people see her for more than just that cover track. Her Third Floor Session is full of folkish sing-a-longs, bluesy riffs and gritty Canadiana alongside an incredibly mature sound for this young Torontonian. So this is a reason as well isn’t it?

The last reason is simply because I am located in Calgary which is at the base of the Rocky Mountains and this weekend started our “adventure” into winter (see here for a twitted photo from this weekend in Calgary). So this is definitely a reason isn’t it?

Well if none of the above are not enough of a reason, then I don’t know what else is. You can download the entire session from her live session HERE…maybe that is the reason??

“Adventures In The Rocky Mountains” – Kay Pettigrew

Visit and purchase some Kay Pettigrew:


~~~

~Smansmith

 

Curtis Harvey brings old to new again with “Box of Stones”

Published by smansmith on November 14, 2009 in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Folk, New Album Alert, Singer Songwriter and blues. 1 Comment

Box of Stones

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

 

Tom McKean & The Emperors

Published by Geordie on June 1, 2009 in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Alternative, Country, Folk and blues. 0 Comments

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2864972447_3824b76827.jpg?v=0

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.

 
 Fever - Tom McKean & The Emperors [2:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

Sanders Bohlke – The Weight Of Us

Published by Olivier on April 30, 2009 in Gospel, Singer Songwriter, Soul and blues. 2 Comments Tags: .

With a requiem-intro switching fast into a light-chords, drum-buried based symphony, Sanders Bohlke teased our appetite for his upcoming EP on this amazing dual song : The Weight Of Us. For my fellow Ray LaMontagne’s forum members, no surprise at all : Sanders Bohlke is distilling with a surgical precision his melody and orchestration knowledges ;  for you to choose between Trouble and Empty, guess he reached the delicate and beautiful balance !
Find below a  too low 128kbps webrip version of “Somewhere” another masterpiece, don’t be eager, wait for the release of this phenomenal new EP.

 
 Somewhere - Sanders Bohlke [6:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For the best of our world, bless this talented artist buying his music : for yourself, gift it in any occasion.

Artist : Sanders Bohlke
Label : Ampere Records
Where to Buy : The Weight of Us single is available on major digital platforms, choose the least worst.
I’m still starving : you still be hungry visiting is myspace, but don’t miss his first eponymous full length here.
Not enough ? check earlier Ray LaMontagne, Gregory Alan Isakov

 

Tom Waits – Make it Rain

Published by Olivier on April 29, 2009 in Acoustic, Rock, Singer Songwriter, blues and video. 0 Comments Tags: .

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 !

 

Without Words : John Fairhurst – Joys Of Spring

Published by Olivier on April 25, 2009 in Acoustic, Folk, Rock, Without words, World Music and blues. 0 Comments Tags: , .

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 :

 
 Passing Time - John Fairhurst: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

 

Howard Eliott Payne – Bright Light Ballads

Published by Olivier on April 3, 2009 in Acoustic, Alternative, Country, Folk, New Album Alert, Rock, Singer Songwriter and blues. 7 Comments Tags: .

What the common point between :  Robert Johnson, William Shakespeare, Karen Dalton, Jack Kerouac, Astrid Kirchherr , Lead Belly , Alan Lomax , Furry Lewis  and Jacques Brel  ?

No Idea ? They’re all united as e-friends on Howard Eliott Payne myspace page ! Howard Eliott Payne ?

Howard Eliott Payne was formerly the frontman in The Stands but since disbanding a year or back, has become a solo artist to be reckoned with. He has just completed his debut solo album which was recorded and mixed in just seven days on a 8 track tape machine with legendary producer Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams/K.O.L./Ray Lamontagne). It features some of the finest local musicians (including his sister Candie Payne), and self-funded by the sale of “a really nice electric guitar”, Bright Light Ballads is, like Howard Eliott Payne, a unique melting pot of Liverpool melody, New York groove, hip city swagger and the wide sigh soulfulness of the wild open country. Rootsy and unearthly in equal measure, at times raw and visceral, at times startlingly tender. (source SXSW)

This is all i’ve found from a short biography page on last.fm and on its SXSW schedule page. So let the music tell his full story

 
 Come Down Easy - Howard Eliott Payne [4:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I can’t resist evoking the name of The Waterboys lead singer Mike Scott after this Come Down Easy listening. With this first solo release, Howard Eliott Payne explores the potential of his songwriting between folk, blues and country. Not sure a choice has to be made as this 10 tracks collection offers through thoses various musical landscapes a light ballad.

Artist : Howard Eliott Payne
Label : Move City Records
Where to pre-order  ? Tower or check your local Amazon e-shop before the Itunes release date (april 20th)

 

google