Emotional Weather Report

things are tough all over; when the thunder storms start
Tom Waits' writing always transports me, and what I hope will never change is my absolute willingness to follow him.

My music listening has been quite sporadic the past few weeks. I went on vacation to Regina/Moose Jaw, SK and while I loved the trip, my discovery of talk radio sidelined my hopes at listening to a bunch of new music. What a first world problem, huh? I also have been under the weather for weeks, and am slowly seeing the light. Let's hope I am back to my "old self" again soon.

Some new music that I have been listening to, has really derailed me. I cannot decide if I love it or if it's completely annoying. The 2 albums I am specifically thinking of are Colin Stetson's New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light and Darcy James Argue's Brooklyn Babylon.

Colin Stetson is a Canadian saxophonist, and has this terrifically unique way of playing that I find quite intriguing. Circular breathing and other techniques have given him this reputation and has made him a highly in demand collaborator. This solo effort is okay, but for me I think it's repetitive. That being said though, I would love the chance to see him live. Something tells me it would be fascinating. I may need to make a trip to Calgary to see him perform at Sled Island. I was already thinking of going because of some of the other great artists involved (hello, Jesus & Mary Chain).

Darcy James Argue is also Canadian, but his niche is Eastern European brass band carnival chaos. Now Brooklyn based Darcy James straddles the line between tradition and innovation pushing boundaries for himself and the listener. It's not often you find sheet music for sale on an artists website, but this just goes to show that his music is a passion that is sadly rather uncommon these days.

I am not officially recommending these as - "Holy Crap, wonderful", rather "Holy Crap, what the hell did I just hear"

A few other interesting projects recently would be:
Nomad by Bambino. World-rock with an excellent guitar driven sound. Sound somewhat trademarked by Dan Auerbach's production.
Walkin On a Pretty Daze by Kurt Vile. Cynical arrangements, not as experimental as I'd like, but I am certainly looking forward to seeing him this summer at the Interstellar Rodeo (amazing festival in it's 2nd year and awesome line up).
The Terror by The Flaming Lips. Completely distracting in a good way. They never disappoint me and I was intrigued by the occasional ominous sidestep.
Ghost on Ghost by Iron + Wine. Vulnerable and joyous with intricate layering. I loved it.
Grownass Man by The Shouting Matches. Lightly noted collaboration between Justin Vernon and his childhood friends easily comfortable and as comfortable as any old friend hang time should be.

Finally can I just say how much I enjoyed the Juno's this year. I made a point of driving down to Regina and took in the festivities with my sister and her family. The Juno Cup was an absolute blast:

The exhibit at the MacKenzie Art Gallery was incredible. They have Greatest Hits: The JUNO Tour of Canadian Art from April 12 - November 24, 2013. I highly recommend taking it in, if you find yourself in Regina. The exhibition features works by Canadian artists from the Permanent Collection that have been selected by past JUNO Award winner and nominees - as well as current nominees. This is the piece Sarah Slean chose.  

And finally the Juno's themselves. It was incredible to be there and an experience I won't soon forget. Partially because it celebrates great Canadian talent but mostly because I got to share the experience with my sister.

Looking For Space

and am I ever. It's been a long time friends, and slowly I am coming out of this funk I've been in.

I have happily found a new site I can stream music from - and thank god. I work in a new office space and this is day 3. It's early days, and I am sure I will get used to it, but I feel I need to be quiet, and I feel myself wanting to isolate. It's a very odd reality. So I am hunkered down with my headphones and really enjoying what I am hearing.

There are a few singles that have caught my ears recently:

Woodpile from Frightened Rabbit. Scottish rock band kept going back to this in a playlist one day recently and the more I listened the more I liked it. Take a look at the video, I think you'll like it:

The next group is Chvrches (yes the v is supposed to be there) the song is called Recover, and it's pure synth-pop goodness:

Oh and when looking for the video I found out they are from Glasgow. I swear I didn't purposely choose two Scottish tracks, but there you have it.



Now on to the full length albums I have recently listened to:

Bloodsports by Suede. This is exactly how Suede sounds. Truly it sounds like a long lost recording, and I for one am comforted by that. When I saw this selection I suspected what I would hear and that's exactly what was delivered. It transported me back to the mid 90's.

The Chronicles of Marnia by Marnie Stern. I am really not sure what to say. Some of it was good, but mostly I just wanted it to end. Quirky, is not always good. The best part of this album was the pun title.

Muchacho by Phosphorescent. This is a beautiful soaring record. Vocals and arrangements would likely appeal to Fleet Foxes or My Morning Jackets fans but this is strong enough to stand on it's own and draw in it's own fans with ease. There is beauty in simplicity. I highly recommend taking a listen.

Dormarion by Telekinesis. I was listening to this record, and was reminded of Sloan, whom I love by with a stronger edge to it and a broader perspective of sound. I really liked this album, and instantly wanted to know more about this band. Telekinesis is Michael Benjamin Lerner, an indie rocker based out of Seattle and from what I can tell has been consumed with recording and releasing music since 2009.

The Music is You: Tribute to John Denver by Various Artists. Wow, I was surprised at how much I liked this recording. I knew it would be good based on the artist line-up, but instantly I was reminded that John was an incredible song-writer. You can order the record here and all proceeds go to the Wildlife Fund.

Official Tracklist:
1. Leaving on a Jet Plane by My Morning Jacket
2. Take Me To Tomorrow by Dave Matthews
3. All Of My Memories by Kathleen Edwards
4. Prisoners by J Mascis and Sharon Van Etten
5. Sunshine on My Shoulders by Train
6. Back Home Again by Old Crow Medicine Show
7. This Old Guitar by Lucinda Williams
8. Some Days Are Diamonds by Amos Lee
9. Rocky Mountain High by Allen Stone
10. Annie’s Song by Brett Dennen and Milow
11. Looking For Space by Evan Dando
12. Take Me Home, Country Roads by Brandi Carlile and Emmylou Harris
13. The Eagle and The Hawk by Blind Pilot
14. I Guess He’d Rather Be In Colorado by Mary Chapin Carpenter
15. Darcy Farrow by Josh Ritter and Barnstar!
16. Wooden Indian by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Seriously I have listened to this 3 times today. It's worth seeking out.

That's all for now. Go listen to music and then go shop in a real record store. There are still some out there.

It's Not For Me...

...to say you'll always care.
Well thank you Johnny Mathis, just go ahead and break my heart.... and just in time for Valentine's Day.

I am officially annoyed. Work has blocked my streaming site, so I am forced to listen to my ipod instead of constant new releases. Damn it. I will try to find a way around this, perhaps I will have to start going through my phone.....god I just don't know.

Needless to say I haven't been listening to much new music this week or for the past few weeks for that matter. It doesn't help that work has been insanely chaotic.

I have stumbled on a few things that I adore, so I thought I would share.

First off (and rightfully so) Motorhead makes wine. i was going to try to describe it, but I'll let Lemmy take care of this.

My advise is — approach it with caution. I mean, wine is deceptive, anything can happen.

 - Lemmy

 

Looks like they have a whole line of liquor, and why shouldn't they. Plus I don't think you'll find better packaging. Click on the image to go to the website:

Good News for Juno fans, Michael Buble is hosting. Say what you will about his music, but the guy is funny. I think he'll be a great host. I am even considering going this year. Even the creepy image of him sandwiched between Chavril isn't enough to distract me.

Tickets are on sale on Feb 22, so I have to decide sooner than later. 

New Canadian "supergroup" (yeah the quote are on purpose, because I just don't know if we can legitimately call them a super group) The Mounties have appeared on the scene. Hawksley Workman, Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat) and Ryan Dahle (Limblifter/Age of Electric). I really dig the single Headphones, and can hear each of their influences, which in my opinion is the way a merging of talent should be.

Check it out:



No offence to the guy who is blogging about the new Queens of the Stone Age being star studded. Other than Sir (or Dame) Elton John, I don't see how it should be news that Dave Grohl is on the album.

Insert sarcasm) What? Dave Grohl? Seriously? Cool, I totally have to check that out. Wow, I never dreamt they'd work together. What? That's not all, seriously...Nick Oliveri? Really? He's on there two, that's just crazy. 

Piss off.

 

I cannot give my opinion on all of these but here are some CD's coming out this week. I say some because the whole list is not great, but these are a few I think you should give a try either because I know they're good (Ron Sexsmith & Coheed and Cambria) or I have read good things about them (Richard Thompson & Eels):

• Boats – Cannonballs
• The Bronx – The Bronx IV
• Coheed and Cambria – The Afterman: Descension
• Eels – Wonderful, Glorious
• Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian Verse 
• Guards – In Guards We Trust 
• Jim James (of My Morning Jacket) – Regions of Light and Sound of God 
• Misfits – DEA.D. ALIVE! 
• Richard Thompson – Electric 
• Ron Sexsmith – Forever Endeavor 
• The Shilohs – So Wild 
• Sigur Rós – Valtari Mystery Film Project
• Thao & the Get Down Stay Down – We the Common 
• Thomas D’Arcy – What We Want

I seriously hope I can get back onto the listening wagon. Keep your fingers crossed for me. In the meantime, listen to some old music. I heard some Johnny Mathis last night, and it reminded me of the beauty in his voice.

 

 

 

Any thought could be the begining of

the brand new tangled web you're spinning.
Thanks Sebadoh. It's been a long time since I have blogged and even longer since I paid attention to you - I apologise for both.

2013 has begun, and before I look forward I feel like looking back. 2012 was a strange year, and I feel like 2013 is my year to put puzzle pieces together, and challenge myself. I am not a resolution maker, but I do traditionally take a week off in January and purge my home of junk and my life of nonsense.

2012, was a weird year for music for me. I felt so distracted for most of the year that really this list is not entirely indicative of my whole year rather one tiny snapshot of many. I would like to see other lists, so drop me a line or tag me.

Alright then in no particular order here are 13 CD’s I really enjoyed:
Dent May – Do Things

Grizzly Bear – Shields

Avett Brothers – The Carpenter

Ben Folds – The Sound of the Life of the Mind

Coheed and Cambria – The Aftermath: Ascension

The Illegitimate Sons – American Music

The Lumineers – The Lumineers

Bloc Party - Four

Milo Greene – Milo Greene

Whitehorse – The Fate of the World Depends on This Kiss
Danny Michel – Black Birds are Dancing Over Me

Ben Kweller – Go Fly a Kite

Gary Clark Jr - Blak and Blu

There was another CD I really liked, it was a compilation from my friend Andy called Big Bearded Brute, it was so great. Based on that compilation, seeing others’ top lists and hopefully a few future suggestions; I have some listening homework to do - but who's complaining.
I guess it’s handy that I am off work next week.

I will be back in a few weeks to resume my regular reviews, until then happy 2013!


...ps I am really annoyed that I cannot upload pictures on this blog today and the formatting has been pissing me off. I think it's a sign that it's time for me to go home.

Hello, is it me you're looking for?

'Cause I wonder where you are..or in my case, where you've been.

Sorry folks, it's been a while since I've posted. It's been a chaotic few weeks in my life, but I am slowly getting back on track.

So first off Happy Black Friday to my American friends. You know what you should be thankful for? Not voting in Mitt. Yep, that would have been terrible. So now that the world has collectively exhaled, we can let you folks start getting stuff done.

I don't really have reviews for today. I will get back into that next week. I would however, like to mention one thing:

This year Stevie Wonder's Talking Book is 40 years old.

Originally released after Stevie was on tour with the Rolling Stones this amazing record hit the shelves on October 28. It's sort of alarming to associate albums I know with milestones like this, but facts are facts. This was also the first record of his, to reach the top of the R&B charts, and it stayed there for 3 weeks. I know that's not a long time, but the influence of this record cannot be denied.
Original pressings contain Braille lettering of Wonder's name and the album title, along with this message: 
Here is my music. It is all I have to tell you how I feel. Know that your love keeps my love strong. - Stevie

Here is a video I found on You Tube: I cannot help myself, I think the 3:18 mark is my favourite:

I  know there is no way for you to know this, but this blog has taken a while to write, I have just freed myself from a soul/funk You Tube trap. I will admit however, that I did not struggle, and went there willingly - do not blame the funk.

I watched some Soul Train footage and instantly I am transported to Memphis, and memories of my trip last March. One of the many highlights was my trip to Stax Records.

There is a spot in the museum area, where there is a big dance floor with Soul Train on a loop. Way too awesome. I have always loved R&B and Stax just happens to be the label of the great group, and one of my favourites, The Bar Kays. In fact when a Soul compilation came out while I was still at HMV, in Saskatoon, I made my staff listen to this song, probably a bit too much: 

But really after seeing that, can you really deny how awesome it is.... no I'm right.

Anyways I digress. Honestly, I could post video after video, but even I would get tired of that plus I only really wanted to talk about Stevie Wonder, and his greatness.

It's my goal for 2013 to see Stevie Wonder with my best friend Darin - that's all we ask. Please Stevie, go back out on tour, we'll even come to you.



You've got to pick up every stitch

It must be the season of the witch......

And so it is. I love Halloween, I think it's even better than Christmas, and people give me stuff at Christmas. Now for a scary holiday to be my favourite is odd, because if you know me, you know I am a fraidy cat. Seriously wimpy when it comes to scary. I couldn't even get through the opening of American Horror Story. But that being said I have come to love a few classic horror movies (tame by today's standard) but you cannot deny the classics like Dracula, Frankenstein and gems like that but my two favourites are the cheesy classics; Halloween and Sleep Away Camp. Halloween, I love this movie, I still have my VHS copy, and I even have a Michael Myers doll that when you press his belly it plays the theme song - it rocks. I even like the franchise (or at least try to like the franchise). Sleep Away Camp, probably the most ridiculous thing but man, it was shocking to see when I first watched it. Plus it's camp in more ways than location.

There is something about the mystery of Halloween that I love, also people are generally happy. You're not dressing as a smurf because your angry and you hate going out. Your dressing up because it's fun, people will usually give you candy, and it's fun to see what crazy carving people can come up with on a pumpkin.
These two particularly ROCK:

I try each year and am getting better, but those are WAY out of my league

An definately no blog would be complete without some song mention, so here is Season of the Witch by Donovan. 

Happy Halloween!

Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.

and so it does and has.

I do not have an actual review planned for today, instead I just want to wish Yep Roc Records a Happy 15th Birthday. Perhaps one of my favourite labels for music, Yep Roc was Founded in 1997 by Glenn Dicker and Tor Hansen, and this label is home to several well recognised and highly revered artists; including Nick Lowe, Fountains of Wayne, John Doe, Pall Weller, Southern Culture on the Skids, and Tift Merritt, to name just a few. Seriously this is the tip of the iceberg. This label is amazing.

Having worked in music retail for a good chunk of my life I appreciate a label that still believes in what they are doing and why they began this journey and why they continue doing what they do.

I highly recommend you go to their website buy their pint glass, and listen to you 14 digital download tracks from their awesome roster of artists.