“Well it’s been a long time, long time now.” A line that’s been stuck in everyone’s head for the last few month’s. The men that plead guilty for this honorable deed are Beirut. Everyone with a little bit of musical interest probably knows this song by heart already, but the reason I’m letting them stay at the hotel, is their ability to amaze people, by doing what they are good at, performing.
I give you Beirut with Nantes
It’s been a while since I’ve heard this one, just came across it today and got swooped away again by the magical Elliot Smith. This somehow always reminds me of a cheesy Christmas high school movie. I like it though.
Let yourself drown in melancholy and melody here’s;
Miss Misery – Elliot Smith
A gritty dirty young blues genius from Australia. It’s not easy to find some decent footage on this guy, youtube doesn’t have any exceptionally great tunes . But I’ve picked out one of the finest they had, just to give you guys some idea how he sounds like. Take in mind that this is nothing but a fragment from what he is on stage. If you ever have the chance to see this wonderful person on stage, don’t doubt the fact that you’ll have one motherfucker of an evening.
The sounds not great, but you’ll get the idea: Ash Grunwald – 1976 Coaster Van
Yes, my friends, the rockabilly scene is very much alive, everybody is aware of this and so is bluesmachine John Spencer. His new band Heavy Trash influenced by country, blues, rockabilly and traditionals, is the stunning result. My favorite song on their new album is called “way out”, sadly enough there isn’t any footage on youtube, but fear not my friends have I ever let you down in the past? ‘Tis already on the net, especially for you lads;
The video for “Dark haired rider“;
And the link to site, you can listen to the songs here too, if you are willing to spare your bandwidth…
Heavy trash
After an evening of heavy drinking comes that terrible morning after again. Well this is what I listen too, to ease the sickness a bit;
Ryan Adams – Hotel Chelsea nightsÂ
After the song, there seems to be a little excerpt of Ryan goofing around in the studio. Some weird footage during the song too, anyway the sign says music discovery…
These fine young lads from Iowa are probably born a few years to late (i’d say about 40) cuz their sound is as retro as crystal chandeleers.
The long awaited album review;
They start off by introducing themselves with a rock ‘n roll Hendrix-esque vibe. It’s fun and such, but I don’t think you’ll play this particular song quite often. Frustrating sound, their second track on the album, opens with a bass as fat ‘n greasy as a mexican cab-driver. They are known to surprise us with a sudden change of pace now and then and this one is probably their signature song, when it comes to changing the tempo. The following song tries to bring back the spirit of Jimi Hendrix and eerie enough, I think they actually succeeded. Luckydutch shreds all boundaries between blues and rock to pieces. Lickslit, another instrumental, is bayou meets pshycadelic rock, a mixture that seems to work really well. Mistreating Queen and Whatever happened are much alike, same pounding drum beat and shrieking guitar violence. Next in line is Timebomb, a darker sound, here he reminds me a bit of Wolfmother, the guitar almost sings along to the song. Deep blue see is a BB King anthem of some sort, with a classical sticky blues rhythem. The next oriental excerpt is called Ordovician Fauna, a mentally disturbing vibe rings through your head after listening to this reminding you to not do drugs, or is it the other way around? Fuse, again another instrumental powerhouse, concludes this psychadelic journey, suddenly giving me meaning to the statement “Blues Explosion”.
In my humble opinion, the singer could use a little more power or confidence in his singing voice, he’s more of a guitarist then he is a singer, which often takes away the credibility and durability of the songs, but on the otherhand it kind of suits the music as well. You decide…
Former Red Red Meat’s frontman Tim Rutili started a soloproject called Califone, it soon became a full-fledged band, with a fixed line-up.
It’s a mix of experimental blues and rock, with thick basslines and Rutili singing with the least bit of effort, almost humming like a bumblebee. Definitly worth your time;
Play it when it’s dark, dim the lights and sink into oblivion.
(Learn more here: X)
Filed under: Blues
What a performence, what a voice and what and atmosphere he can create. This man’s musical insight is beyond comprehension. He has experimented with tons of styles, but has remained true to his roots at all costs. He still sells out every show he plays, though you never hear him on the radio. Tom waits has class.
Chocolate Jesus;
This song doesn’t really define him, but on the otherhand he hasn’t got a song, that can grasp his greatness. You have to listen to every last one of them.
Definitely one of my favorite Dessert Session songs (A side project of the demonic Josh Homme). The creeping dark voice of Mark Lanegan that flows like a wave on the ocean of music. The angelic, almost child-like voice of PJ Harvey craving to “make it with you” and off course the tight guitarplay of Mr. Homme himself. I’d place somewhere between ambrosia and sex.
Another laid back though very danceable song. You can probably tell by my songpicking alone that i’m enjoying my vacation…
