Cultivating Music in 2009
The last two months have been a boon for my musical collection. Typically I purchase quite a bit of music in a year, but for some reason I have added twelve new pieces to my collection in the last two months and I'd like to share my thoughts on 11 of those releases.
In addition to playing my iPod at my desk, I also have a 45-minute commute each direction, which provides plenty of opportunity to listen to music. My musical tastes vary considerably and I hear about music from a few key friends, listening to KEXP, and reading the linear notes of my existing collection. Take for example the new release by Rocco DeLuca and the Burden. Though I've heard of him, and almost went to see him last year, the motivational factor on this purchase was that Daniel Lanois produced Mercy. Dan is one of my top artists and producers, so I usually grab anything related to him. Once again, this is not a disappointment. A great blues release with subtle lyrics and an angelic voice. Clearly a unique sound on an old style. The "Lanois" sound does not come through too strong like it did on the Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, and U2 productions but if you listen closely then you can hear it. You won't be disappointed.
Where was I last year when Bon Iver released For Emma Forever Ago? This is a truly fantastic lo-fi release that I heard on KEXP's "Music That Matters" podcast. Recorded in a hunting cabin during the Wisconsin winter, guitar and voice blend together a stirring story and an enjoyable piece of music. It came out in mid-2008 and if you haven't heard this, you might find it of interest.
I'm still a fan of purchasing an entire release and listening to it from start to finish (and also usually purchase the physical media). After I become a little familiar with the music as it is presented by the artist, I can load it up on my iPod and create a shuffle playlist of all my new material. That's where I've been the last week as I shuffle the songs from the eleven CDs. Here's what else you'll find:
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast. A musician that has been around a while but someone I was not attuned to. When I called my friend Dana for new music suggestions he said this was a winner. It is a nice mixture of pop, low-fi, and folk. It's not very often you will hear whistling on music these days and it works pretty well on Noble Beast.
Alex Cline - Continuation. Who would have thought that a friend of mine was a world-class musician with decades worth of recording material? Alex handed me this new release in January for me to explore. Mostly jazz with some world sound elements. The jazz is a mix of exploratory and traditional. Check out "Nourishing Our Roots" and "Steadfast" on iTunes. By the way, he is playing LA and Oakland this coming week.
Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in Space. What a great, great CD. What more can I say other than I should have bought it 10-years ago when it was released. I have seen this group a couple of times and they are fantastic. Dissonant. Depressing. Expanse. Get it. Listen to "Cop Shoot Cop" for 17-minutes.
Gillian Welch - Revival. I now own about 5 releases from this country singer. Beautiful lyrics and haunting voice. Grabbed this on Amazon.com when it was $1.99. Can't beat that! Guest singer Emmylou Harris on "Orphan Girl" - also covered on Emmylou's own solo release recently.
Beirut - March of the Zapotec & Realpeople. Two themes on this new release from Santa Fe based musician. The first half uses a traditional band from Jalisco, Mexico and the second half is electronica. It works. Reminds me a bit of William Orbit on the electronic pieces; not sure who influence whom. The last two releases were real good and original, so I'm giving this one a try too.
Arvo Pärt - In Principio. New release from modern classical composer Arvo Part with the Estonian Philharmonic. If you enjoy choral music, then this is a winner. Though the choral pieces have a bit more from the horn department than I prefer, I will still listen to this one from time to time for its beauty and quietness. Been buying his choral releases over the years.
Tricky - Puppy Toy. An EP from trip hopper (probably doesn't like this term anymore). Female vocals as usual. Piano. Mumbling lyrics. Smoke filled. A touch of blues. I've been buying his music since Maxinquaye and managed to see him a couple of times in SF clubs. An anomaly with great talent that isn't always utilized.
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion. Electronica with not too heavy a beat. Heard of the band, but had never purchased anything. The band was mentioned on Twitter a couple times so I thought I'd venture out and have a listen. I like it. Love it? Not sure yet, may need to grow on me some. Check out "My Girls."
U2 - No Line on the Horizon. Let me be clear, I'm a U2 fan and I own everything they have released. First heard them with October and saw the Joshua Tree tour. Clearly this is not Joshua Tree or Unforgettable Fire but it is a fine release. My boys Eno and Lanois finally getting writing and music credits with the band - I've always said that Lanois was the 5th member of U2 and now everyone knows. I could be listening to U2, Daniel Lanois solo, or the latest Brian Eno's Last Day on Earth with NLOTH. Favorites so far have to be "Magnificent" (classic U2), "Moment of Surrender," "Fez - Being Born" (Hello Eno!), and "Cedars of Lebanon."
So, there you have it. My current musical playlist. Upcoming releases I'm excited for are the new Bob Dylan and the new PJ Harvey.
What are you listening to these days? Do you have any of these and have additional comments?
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Comments (15)
For fans of Alex Cline / Continuation, check out his twin brother Nels' latest release on Cryptogramophone Records entitled "Coward".
(Many know Nels Cline as the lead guitarist for Wilco, but I'm most fond of his annointment by Jazz Times as "The World's Most Dangerous Guitarist.")
Actually if you're an Alex Cline fan, you'll like pretty much everything from http://www.cryptogramophone.com/ (where I was General Manager for three years).
Comment #1 Posted by: Tyler | March 18, 2009 05:08 PM
KEXP is the best. You should check out the SF band Dodos.
Comment #2 Posted by: spk | March 18, 2009 06:36 PM
i watched the movie "Cadillac Records" this weekend and it was a very touching and informative look at Chess Records, home of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Chuck Berry and Beyonce as Etta James.
Not a bad lil made-for-TV type movie, and my that girl can sing
Comment #3 Posted by: mk | March 18, 2009 07:36 PM
didn't mean to omit Willie Dixon...
Comment #4 Posted by: mk | March 18, 2009 07:57 PM
i just learned that Stephen Stills and Neil Young were both in Buffalo Springfield, whom i love. i have now narrowed it down to either Crosby or Nash who make CSNY suck so badly.
Comment #5 Posted by: evan austin | March 19, 2009 09:09 AM
Evan-
I knew there was something odd about you.
"CSNY suck so badly?".
You really didn't say that, did you?
One thing I will grant.
They could have taken more care in the production value of their first album.
It does sound muddled and "thuddy".
By the way, done without Mr. Young.
But the writing, the harmony, the arrangements are all stellar
Please spend some time at the 4waysite.com website.
You might learn a thing or two and re-evaluate your opinion
Comment #6 Posted by: mk | March 19, 2009 10:15 AM
::smiling broadly::
given that the vast majority of the Ojai Post readership is likely at least one generation more seasoned than myself, i knew i was playing with fire with that comment. i do have a few CSNY songs in my personal playlist, and i own (via garage sale) Neil Young's "Living With War" album.
upon review, there are some great songs penned by each of the four of them. some.
i've further narrowed it down to Mr. Young's voice. i can't stand it. also, "Heart Of Gold" sucks many good songs into its vortex of suckiness. i feel the same about him as i do Dylan: his songs are brilliantly written, but ANYONE can make them sound better than he does himself.
still smiling...
Comment #7 Posted by: evan austin | March 19, 2009 11:13 AM
Evan-
I'm with you.
Mr. Young is an "acquired" taste.
Mr. Dylan, on the other hand, sings his songs more "effectively" than anyone else can.
Keep On Rockin' In The Free World...
Comment #8 Posted by: mk | March 19, 2009 01:36 PM
Oh, man, Evan and MK, them's Young fightin' words, indeed! >;-)
Have you heard his Live at Massey Hall album? It's a slice of absolute perfection and makes you realize nobody sings his songs better than he does.
On a totally different note, I just discovered Mac Benford and the Woodshed All Stars' album "Willow." Title cut is divine...Marie Burns singing lead...haunting stuff!
Am currently listening to another new find, The Wailing Jenny's, on Pandora, a couple of cuts off their album Firecracker...nice stuff.
As an Gillian Welch fan, you'd probably like both of these...
And I'm a big Dave Carter/Tracy Grammer fan -- fave album is Tanglewood Tree. Still seriously bummed that Dave Carter died so young.
This is my 'merican trad/fusion favorite list, along with Nickel Creek and others like it...one mood, at least...
But cast ye not aspersions upon the wondrous Neil!
Shame! Shame!
Best,
Leigh
Comment #9 Posted by: Leigh | March 19, 2009 03:57 PM
Oh -- I completely forgot that typing brackets makes the text go away...there was a (bracket) grin (bracket) in there right after those shames when I hit the old submit button...
Who's sorry now??? Oops! Being a smart ass, not a total contrarian...
:-)
Leigh
Comment #10 Posted by: Leigh | March 19, 2009 04:18 PM
uh-oh, we've angered the Young-heads! ;)
"effectively" is a great way to frame it, mk. that i can appreciate. i don't, by the way, have an illusion about the "traditional" voice being some sort of standard...i mean, obviously there's a low end of listenability somewhere, but i dig The White Stripes and Bright Eyes, and neither of them have traditionally great voices.
(really, this is just fun. musical tastes are diverse and divergent enough - aren't we blessed with such variety?! - that "conflict" is both inevitable, fun, and pointless.)
Comment #11 Posted by: evan austin | March 19, 2009 06:06 PM
Hey E, you are kind of reminding me of children throwing rocks at a hornets' nest, running away and singing (with a big smile) 'uh oh we've angered the hornets'. Next, after his 'all for fun' mudslinging, E. makes a grand show of taking the hight road: 'Aren't we blessed with variety?!' and then '... conflict [that you created] is both inevitable, fun and pointless.'
In conclusion, some unsolicited advice: when you have said something that is obviously designed to create 'conflict' with the elder generation and stupid, simply apologize. You are becoming more Republican every day with this kind of behavior.
Neil Young fracking rocks! CSNY Rock!! Now, go and listen to "Ohio", young man.
Comment #12 Posted by: enigmatic, even | March 19, 2009 07:22 PM
If anyone wants the lowdown on Neil and Stills too, read "Shakey". It is pretty entertaining. It also will give you a sense of who CS&N were with and without Y.
Comment #13 Posted by: dennis | March 19, 2009 08:55 PM
Evan shouldn't have to apologize for having different musical tastes, daring to talk about them, and *gasp* being playful. Get a grip.
Comment #14 Posted by: Tanya | March 19, 2009 09:32 PM
hahaha, really.
i do apologize only for not putting "conflict" in quotation marks, because it's not real. it's barely more than differences of taste and opinion...and completely harmless until someone decides that said difference is an affront to their reality.
i'm glad you like CSNY so much, enigmatic. perhaps this is a great time to restate my adoration of Leigh, too, lest anyone think our divergent opinions of Mr. Young are a friendship-breaker.
i recently made a Pandora station seeded with artists whom are cited as influential to artists whom i consider MY musical influences. (read that again if you need to...it makes sense, i promise). lo and behold: Dylan, Van Morrison, and Springsteen are all there. so i'm grinning and bearing it...there's something to be learned from them, i'm certain.
Comment #15 Posted by: evan austin | March 23, 2009 12:11 PM