Have found an old album from 30 years ago- only recently made available in the US- Herbie Hancock's The Piano- Piano improvisations created on the spot as this was one of the first albums done to use Direct to disc recording. He reexplores some songs associated with Miles Davis on one side and then totally improvises four originals on the second side. The technique on the piano is astounding and the feel for improvising is impecable. Even my daughter put this one on her computer.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
I am listening to a leaked copy of Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch's new project called God Help The Girl.
Lovely stuff.
And I'm starting to have a bit of a crush on one of the vocalists, Catherine Ireton.
Check the video to the first single from the album. Isn't she sweet ?
If you don't know what is wrong with me
Then you don't know what you've missed
Blimey, can I share your crush? She's like a young Nigella. Wow, and that voice! All three are lovely, but she is especially so. Is the bloke there Stuart? I've never really got Belle and Sebastian. This sounds good, though.
There's more to life than books, you know, but not much more
No wonder that when Stuart was auditioning girl singers for the project, his wife was always following him around with a camera.
Otis Westinghouse wrote:Blimey, can I share your crush? She's like a young Nigella. Wow, and that voice! All three are lovely, but she is especially so. Is the bloke there Stuart? I've never really got Belle and Sebastian. This sounds good, though.
The guy is not Stuart Murdoch. His name's James Anthony Pearson, and if he looks familiar to you, it's because you have probably seen him in "Control" where he plays Bernard Sumner.
If you don't know what is wrong with me
Then you don't know what you've missed
Heart Shaped Bruise
Elvis takes a swing at a musical genre worth billions and hits a grand slam that makes the other country 'hits' seem like novelty songs.
Nothing else to say. Nothing else nees to be said.
"The smarter mysteries are hidden in the light" - Jean Giono (1895-1970)
Straight to the top of my Best of 2009 list - fantastic.
Also listening to this because WSS has pointed me in the direction of more great music than anyone else I know. The only exception being Cat Power, who just doesn't ring my bell.
Not quite into Grizzly Bear yet, but I'll stick at it for a few days.
Give it a few listens. Second half of the album especially I think is oustanding. Lyrical and muscular at the same time. I love how a lot of the songs morph from very simple beginnings into something different. I hear little echoes of CSNY and late period XTC.
It's not the most accessible music in the world but I find it really rewarding. Listened to it several times on my drive up to Boston last Sunday.
Grizzly Bear- VECKATMEST-I am sucked in right from the start-"Southern Point" and it only gets stronger with "Two Weeks" and the remainder of the album- sonic choral riffs with gorgeous harmonic interplay from all band mates-do not know about CS&N- this is way more adventurous nor XTC- I put this on with TV on the Radio's "Dear Science" and I am happy.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
Christopher Sjoholm wrote:do not know about CS&N- this is way more adventurous nor XTC.
Some of the harmonies, especially on side one, reminded me of CSNY. Totally different in terms of songwriting, lyrics and structure however. As to XTC I was thinking specifically of Apple Venus Vol. 1. Maybe you're not hearing it the way I am - fair enough.
But you are right. It's a really adventurous album and comparisons don't mean much.
The reference I would give it is Beach Boys- for the reason that all the bandmembers have great voices and they can use them. This album mirrors for me some of that bands more adventurous vocal efforts. The texture of the voices together is intoxicating and it stays in my ears long after the record is done.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'
Otis and Sam, that is a good connection-Fleet Foxes rely a bit more on popsong structure but the harmonic gorgeousness is definitely there. I used to be a more verbal listener- which is what attracted me to Elvis all those years ago- but over time I have really come to just appreciate the human voice in action-that is what Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, Dirty Projectors do for me.
"....there's a merry song that starts in 'I' and ends in 'You', as many famous pop songs do....'