Tag Archives: MP3’s

Bonnaroo 2009: Delta Spirit

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(Photo Credit: Jay West 2009)

(Photo Credit: Jay West 2009)

Perhaps my favorite story from this years Bonnaroo happened on the first night. The day, spent obtaining press passes and setting up campsites in the rain, was anything but magical. Nervous faces and knotted stomachs were a sign of the apprehension, but people maintained hope for a positive, pleasant weekend.

Poncho on, we headed in to catch the White Rabbits, Chairlift and Passion Pit. The shows did not disappoint and the crowd was just happy to see some music. I’ll expound on those shows later, but the real treat of the night came in the form of California natives Delta Spirit. Originally set to go on at their 7 p.m. slot, the poor guys were stuck in a Dallas airport as their stage time passed. I can only imagine their shock when they found out that they would be going on after Passion Pit–12:30 a.m, This Tent,  in the pouring rain.

Occasionally clarifying their anxious bewilderment with bits of banter that included “thank you for listening,” and “we definitely aren’t the best band out here,” Delta Spirit exemplified raw, honest energy better than any band I had the pleasure listening to all weekend. Though I didn’t catch the whole show, I was assured that their hour long, last-minute set was full of folk-infused, no frills Delta rock. Lead-singer Matthew Vasquez led the band with authority and an ear-to-ear grin, culminating with “People C’mon,” a call-to-arms for wandering souls. As he screamed, “And I’ll be wondering all, for all my years. What I become no one can say!” I was sold. The crowd cheered and fed off their raw energy. I can say, without a doubt, that whatever was lost in inexperience and nervousness was more than made up for with sheer enthusiasm.

What would have been a normal festival run serendipitously turned into a once-in-a-lifetime, Cinderella-story. I can only hope that the press and attention resulting from such a story will bring Delta Spirit closer to being required listening and competing with the best we have to offer.

MP3: Delta Spirit – “People C’mon”

MP3: Delta Spirit – “Strange Vine”

MP3: Delta Spirit – “Streetwalker”

Home | MySpace | Hype Machine | AllMusic| Wiki

Pick up Ode to Sunshine NOW: iTunes | Amazon | eMusic

The only reason I had even heard about Delta Spirit was from a particularly wonderful “Take-Away Show” at La Blogotheque. As I still know very little about these dudes, the video says more than I ever could about the band and their sound. Check it out the whole article here.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/4077192[/vimeo]

In 2010, Delta Spirit will issue the follow-up to their debut, Ode to Sunshine, with an LP entitled Natalie Portman Says This Album Will Change Your Life. (via)

I’m very very excited. Plus: More Bonnaroo reviews, live tracks and pictures coming this week…

Song of the Day – 3/1/08

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The Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane – At Carnegie Hall still stands as one of my favorite jazz albums of all time. Recorded in ’57 but released in ’05. Monk’s constant redefinition of the logic and pacing of music and Coltrane’s perseverence to discover never lose their brilliance or excitement for me. I finally went out and got the Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane album which was released in ’57 with a relatively short tracklist. A few friends had recommended this and I was not disappointed. It is nothing short of amazing to listen to these two geniuses work together.

Relatively unknown when these were recorded, the two continue to break ground and make some of the most beautiful, original and awe-inspiring music of all time. Subtlety is something that music sorely lacks these days and if some would just take the time to understand the power of rest and comping, music would see a boost in quality for sure… a boost in soul.

This particular set of songs were taken from a special session. Including one 9 minute solo Monk track called “Functional,” this is a spectaular array of talent and concentration for everyone involved. Some major highlights of my listening experience were from “Off Minor” and the ever pleasant “Epistrophy.”

MP3: Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane – “Epistrophy”

MP3: Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane – “Off Minor”

Amazon | iTunes

Here’s a little more Trane

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLlIuhLujvA[/youtube]

Andrew Bird – Soldier On EP

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Andrew Bird is one of today’s most talented musicians. Listening to him makes me feel more intelligent. Right now, he is touring with a new EP entitled, Soldier On, that has only been released at his recent shows. It will be available to everyone soon. If you want to hear some new music from Bird, his Bob Dylan covers, and some reworks of some of the songs you already know, then check it out. I highly recommend this EP.

Soldier On EP:

Andrew Bird – Oh Sister

Andrew Bird – How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm

Armchair Apocrypha (2007):

Andrew Bird – Simple X

The Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005):

Andrew Bird – Measuring Cups

Weather Systems (2003):

Andrew Bird – Don’t Be Scared

Official Web Site

Awesomely Awesome Tapes From Africa…

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First off, I’m not really sure where this site stands, legally, but I’m going to tell you why Awesome Tapes From Africa is more important as a device for the globalization of music than any of us give credit for.

On one side, the ATfA plays a game we know well and good in the blog word. It is a “Full Album Blog” that posts all the tracks from various tapes and albums from that continent across the Atlantic (Ghana, especially). The B-side is a much interesting story. Awesome Tapes From Africa isn’t just another blog that helps the listener bypass the economics of the music industry and “steal” their favorite artists’ music, it’s great publicity for the creator and mind expansion for the usual blog-savvy community.

The artists featured are some of the biggest names around as well as some lesser. Many of the artists featured on the blog would never be heard, never have been heard or at least found it extremely difficult to make their names familiar to a western civilization that holds most of the power in deciding what trends, musical or otherwise, will catch on globally. Musically, African music is ridiculously diverse and original with each group representing strong values and intent–each region yielding a new and particular sound. Our concept of time-signature, key, tempo and very well our entire musical system is only one style to some of these artists. Almost always fusing their traditional (and sometimes extremely local) sound with something that hails to a much greater concept of popular music ends with some of the most lush and complex as well as simple and effective music I’ve heard in a long time. We forget there is a world out there…

In America, a completely networked system, we can obviously spot the difference between East Coast and West Coast rap or share our thoughts on pre- and post-Nirvana grunge bands in Seattle during the 90’s. It is a well documented musicology. So while we have LA, NYC, Miami, Austin, Seattle, Chicago, etc. each with its own musical style and history, then how can we group all of Africa into one stereotypical genre in our minds? We must explore and never has the simple blog community had the chance to open doors this way. This morning I sampled rap from all around the continent. I even found music from my homeland of Kenya. Now, in some small way, I can stay connected and learn about a culture by virtue of spending time with albums from the artists that are popular and influential there. Here are some favorites:

MP3: Wakimbizi – “Hallo Hallo (Radio Edit)” from Nairobi, Kenya

MP3: Mah Damba – “Sosoly” from Mali

MP3: Alhassan Ibrahim – “Zuu Mahamu Akonsi” from Northern Ghana

MP3:  Yoro Diallo – “Kobê Wati Yé” from Mali

Now, I’m not saying that this is the only way to explore the music of the world. In fact, I’d like to find out more about other systems. Finding the sound that shakes you to the core is certainly not impossible, it is a humble joy. And hopefully, with a keener interest in the music of the world, we can expand our interest in the fuel behind the music… the current events. Remember… every city (and every village) has news, even on a slow day.

There is much more to be had at the awesome Awesome Tapes from Africa.

Also, feel free to share your favorite world music. I’m down for everything.

Malcolm Middleton – A Brighter Beat

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I just listened through former Arab Strap member Malcolm Middleton’s 2007 release, A Brighter Beat, and came across some tracks that I really enjoyed. The first few songs on the album were not particularly my favorite, but the album quickly took a turn for the better. Most of the time, you’ll see the best songs of any album strategically placed within the first several tracks, however, I believe the best tracks on this 10 track album were in the middle. Likewise, while artists strategically try to make a track good from start to finish, there are some songs on this album that don’t jump out at you immediately, but halfway through, start to become much better. I noticed this on “Four Cigarettes” and the last song on the album, which is seven minutes long, “Superhero Songwriters.”

My favorite track on the album is “Stay Close Sit Tight.” Even though I said the beginning isn’t as good as the rest of the album, it should be noted that a campaign was started by Manic Pop Thrills, to get the first track, “We’re All Going to Die,” charted as the number one Christmas song in the UK. Through networking, what seemed impossible, became close to reality when the song hit the fourth spot. Read 17 Seconds for more details.

Malcolm Middleton is best known for being half of the Scottish group Arab Strap, along with Aidan Moffat. The band formed in 1995 and just recently broke up before Middleton released A Brighter Beat. Before the break up, Middleton released two solo albums, 5:14 Fluoxytine Seagull Alcohol John Nicotine and Into the Woods. When asked about A Brighter Beat, Middleton responded:

“If I was forced to describe it (which I am) I’d probably say it was ‘a pop album for people who hate pop music’. Or maybe ‘love songs for depressed people who worry too much about dying and the consequences of their daily actions and thoughts to be able to enjoy life fully’. There’s nothing clever, hidden or political in any of the songs, it’s pretty much a ‘me’ album again, although I don’t think there’s as much complaining as on my first two records.”

Malcolm has a new album coming out called Sleight Of Heart that will be released March 3rd on Full Time Hobby Records. “Blue Plastic Bags” is the second track on the album. I’ll keep you posted closer to release.

A Brighter Beat (2007):

Malcolm Middleton – Stay Close Sit Tight

Malcolm Middleton – Four Cigarettes

Sleight of Heart (2008):

Malcolm Middleton – Blue Plastic Bag (Highly recommended)


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Song of the day – 11/7/07

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Hey everyone. This is my first post… enjoy.

Early Kinks

To our generation, the Kinks exist as something outside of the realm of a band. Like many of the mainstay names coming from the 60’s and early 70’s, they’re image is mostly a conglomeration of years and albums as opposed to a group of growing people benchmarking themselves with records. Keeping this in mind, I don’t think that people really see the Kinks second major release, Kinda Kinks, as a statement at all.The album, released in 1965, is often regarded as a poor collection of decent songs… in other words, commercial independent singles with some filler. While this is a justified critique, I don’t think it opens us up to look at the true brilliance and birth of Ray Davies songwriting. From hits to fan favorites, the Kinks start at Kinda Kinks. The musical aspect of the band was picking up, surely, but we wouldn’t hear Dave Davies true genius for another year or two.

My pick for the song of the day exists as a cover to a Kinks song by the lovely Leslie Feist. One of the more famous tunes they “cranked out” was “Nothin’ in the World Can Stop Me Worrying ‘Bout That Girl.” I like to listen to covers just because the spin can be so sincere even if it’s another persons song. Am I really off base here? Let me know. Check it out.

MP3: Feist – “Nothin’ in the World Can Stop Me Worrying ‘Bout That Girl”

Here’s the original

MP3: The Kinks – “Nothin’ in the World Can Stop Me Worrying ‘Bout That Girl”