Altri Stromenti is a Polish ensemble devoted to the use of period instruments. I encountered their album Italian Music of the 17th Century through Magnatune–an alternative music service that tries to get a fair deal for listeners and artists alike. If you like an album, you can pay what you think it’s worth. I’ve found myself listening to this a great deal when I’m at work on projects.
Take a listen:
NPR did a great a cappella session with Ralph Stanley on his book tour for Man of Constant Sorrow. You can download this mini-concert along with a few others from NPR Music.
Since all that is Southern (both vice and virtue) bears an indelible mark of Irish influence, I think a lifting of the parting glass for Liam Clancy (1935-2009) is in order.
I’ve been a huge fan of Arkansas band Deas Vail since discovering them nearly 2 years ago. The best way to describe them would be this: indie pop-infused rock with soaring and haunting melodies sung by one of the best vocalists in rock. Having seen them three times in concert, I can say that they’re far better live than most bands are in the studio with the benefit of editing, autotune, etc.
As of August 27, their new album “Birds and Cages” is available on Amazon, or Itunes, or through their new record label Mono vs. Stereo (for only $7.00!).
I have to admit, even as much as I loved their first album “All The Houses Look the Same,” I was a little bit nervous last year when they announced that they were recording both a 5-song EP (“White Lights“) and a full-length album, all at the same time. I wondered if maybe they would be stretched too thin.
Boy was I ever wrong. To my ears, it’s one of the best albums I’ve ever bought, let alone in 2009. If anything, they’ve taken their music to a new level. Wes Blaylock (the lead singer) is just as jaw-dropping with his soaring vocal pyrotechnics, and his wife Laura (keyboardist) is featured more often in some quite lovely vocal duos. Andy Moore (guitar) is constantly pushing the envelope with different sounds and effects.
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The tunes are just as full of earworms (i.e., melodic hooks that you can’t get out of your head) as ever, but the music is often adventurous and arresting. “Sunlight” has a progressive rock sound that is hard to place in a single key. The intro to “The Great Physician” has a really nice chord progression that is far different from your traditional I-IV-V. The verses in “Atlantis” are in 5/4 time. “Puzzles and Pieces” is just beautiful — I could easily hear this song featured in one of the many television shows that run out the clock by playing a poignant song while the various characters look pensive.
As another reviewer put it, “Deas Vail is one of the few bands who can take pop/rock music and force the listener to apply ‘beautiful’ to it as an adjective.” If that sounds appealing to you, “Birds and Cages” should be on your purchase list.
In the Pantheon of Rock music Lynyrd Skynyrd reigns supreme. However, running a very close second is AC/DC and Motorhead. I have expounded on the greatness of AC/DC before. Consequently, fairness demands that I give Motorhead their due.
Few bands represent Rock & Roll in its purest form like Motorhead. Their defiant and rebellious damn-the-torpedos attitude grabbed me the first time I heard Killed By Death. I have been a committed fan ever since. In fact, I have always fancied the song my personal anthem. Additionally, you just have to love a video with Lemmy crashing through walls and rising from the grave riding a Harley.
For those of you that appreciate good music check out Motorhead’s latest CD Motorizer. As Lemmy would say, buy it or “forever remain a vagrant on the sidewalk of life.”
As a birthday present to myself, I bought the latest Jars of Clay album yesterday. Over all, it’s pretty good, but I have to say this is one of my new favorite songs (titled “Heart”):
Absolutely hysterical “misheard lyrics” video set to Pearl Jam’s Yellow Ledbetter.
Heh. Potato Wave.
H/t: Scott Keith.
Michael Kinsley says it’s time to ditch the Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem. I would be okay with such a move only if we could switch it to the Battle Hymn of the Republic (ducks). Since I don’t see that happening, I think we ought to stick with what we got.
Kinsley raises some reasonable objections, although his tsk tsking the bravado of “home of the brave” is a bit much to take. But he also notes:
The melody is lifted from an old English drinking song.
Oh no! A drinking song? Surely nothing good has ever been inspired by a drinking song.
(Yeah, the translation is awful and the video and audio are not in sync, but it’s the frakkin’ 9th. Enjoy.)
(Cross–posted at Crankycon)
Jon Foreman – Your Love Is Strong
This from an interview with the ineffable Bob Dylan about his forthcoming album.
Q: What’s your take on politics?A: Politics is entertainment. It’s a sport. It’s for the well groomed and well heeled. The impeccably dressed. Party animals. Politicians are interchangeable.Q: Don’t you believe in the democratic process?A: Yeah, but what’s that got to do with politics? Politics creates more problems than it solves. It can be counter-productive. The real power is in the hands of small groups of people and I don’t think they have titles.
Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has endorsed John McCain.
I especially liked this statement:
“I’ve been a hardcore Republican my whole life,†he told the Herald. “My mother and father drilled into me from the very start that if you work hard and be positive, you’ll get what you’re working for. I guess I’m living proof of that.â€
Well said.
Hat tip to Jonah Goldberg at The Corner.
You can read about it in Rolling Stone Magazine online here. (cross-posted)
Update: USA Today includes a video of one of the album’s live numbers, “Ring Them Bells.” You can see the video on this page (click “Play Video” on the right). Here are the lyrics:
Well, shoot. I wasn’t having such a great day to begin with, and now this news comes across the wire. Bo was 79. You can view an impressive fan site here. He’s well-represented on You Tube, of course; here’s a cool short clip to kick off your viewing.
The prolific pop composer was 88. And, yes, you have heard him perform at least one of his compositions.
More: Much more about Hagen’s career is available on this fan site.
sometime this week, on a PBS station near you (check local listings).
S.T. Karnick is one of the journeyman writers of the conservative-libertarian (or as he would say, classical liberal) movement. His work has appeared just about everywhere. Some of you may remember him from his editorship and co-creation of American Outlook, which was a very good policy and culture magazine put out by the Hudson Institute for several years. He and Wlady gave me my first opportunities in freelance writing a few years ago. (Thanks to both for helping through a couple of lean years in Waco.)
Although Karnick has written about just about everything between his freelance work and his regular editorial pieces for the Hudson magazine, he really shines when opining about popular culture. After years of encouraging him to focus on that area, I am happy to report that Karnick on Culture is now in business. After only a few short days, Karnick has written posts covering Mickey Spillane, Monk, Psych, the Beach Boys, Touching Evil, Nero Wolfe, The Closer, and Superman Returns. Spend a little time with S.T. Karnick before you make another CD, DVD, or fiction purchase. You’ll be glad you did.
Just in case you haven’t heard. Big list of world-wide links here; (disappointing — i.e., no music) Minnesota Public Radio story here (with many links); Bob’s home page here (including all lyrics and many audio clips).
Us younger Boomers have just one question, Bob: How does it feeeeeel?
More: Scott Johnson points to a Times of London article on Martin Scorcese’s Dylan documentary, “No Direction Home,” and a great City Journal article on the “made-up ‘tradition’ of American protest music.”
My tastes in Country Music, as with many other things, tend toward the traditional. I am not a fan of the high gloss suburban pop that currently passes for Country Music on the radio. Consequently, I am always on the lookout for good traditional artists. One such band is the John D Hale Band. Their new CD “One of a Kind†is an absolute must have. Simply put, they play Country Music as it was intended to be played. Their song “Rebel Soldier†is worth the price of the CD alone. However, the whole CD is great.
While I am making music recommendations I will also mention Dale Watson’s newest CD, “Whiskey or God.†This CD is also a must have. This is another CD without a bad song. If you buy this CD you are getting more than your money’s worth.
Do yourself a favor and check out these artists.
The Department of the Interior made it official this morning. There’s currently a photo of Secretary Norton and Priscilla on the DOI homepage. The AP story on the Commerical Appeal’s website is here.
Thankyouverymuch.
The singer and host of Hee Haw (1969-86) died today in Bakersfield, California, age 76. Sing 365 has a big page of Owens’ lyrics, here. His bio at the Country Music Hall of Fame is here.
The public radio program American Routes is focused on Mardi Gras this week. It’s on right now (until 4:00) on Alabama Public Radio, which streams live online. Otherwise, as they say, check your local listings.
you’ll find lots to like at Listen to the Lion, the blog of Aaron Keith Harris, who writes on music matters for NRO.
The soul singer died yesterday in Los Angeles. He was 64.
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