At SXSW last week Filter Magazine held a 3-day party of music...one of the acts included Kate Nash who was joined on stage by Billy Bragg for a few songs including Bragg's "A New England"
Who knew Bragg and Nash were friends...it's true
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Five Years of Powerful Songs
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq. Whatever your views are on the war, it's hard to disagree that many talented songwriters have created inspired time capsules that a generation from now will look back on, much the same way we revisit the soundtrack to the Vietnam era.
Here's one from my favorite album last year, SIRENS OF THE DITCH. Jason Isbell has a way with the pen, with words that convey nothing partisan- just evocative phrases that capture life in its purest form- whether the hurt from a divorce, an experience with a Mrs. Robinson-like love, or capturing the hurt and love a small town feels for its fallen soldier. Jason has a way of encapsulating the American experience and DRESS BLUES does that in the most moving and profound of ways (just the line "American boys hate to lose" seems to say it all). It's less a protest than a tribute to a friend, a Marine. The music leaves it to us to interpret whether Matt would do it all over again.
What songs that relate to the war have moved you the past five years?
Here's one from my favorite album last year, SIRENS OF THE DITCH. Jason Isbell has a way with the pen, with words that convey nothing partisan- just evocative phrases that capture life in its purest form- whether the hurt from a divorce, an experience with a Mrs. Robinson-like love, or capturing the hurt and love a small town feels for its fallen soldier. Jason has a way of encapsulating the American experience and DRESS BLUES does that in the most moving and profound of ways (just the line "American boys hate to lose" seems to say it all). It's less a protest than a tribute to a friend, a Marine. The music leaves it to us to interpret whether Matt would do it all over again.
What songs that relate to the war have moved you the past five years?
Two From Tuesday
NOTES FROM THE NEW RELEASE SHOW
It’s another big week in new music. Step inside to check out some new and worthwhile material. It was an interesting show last night. I had music from around the world (France & Malta) and from across the USA. (Plymouth, Maine; Denver, Colorado, Brooklyn, New York) That diversity shows in the varied style and pace of the show. Let’s jump in.
Easily my favorite this week is Devotchka. These guys are fantastic. Their sound moves from gypsy folk to alternative to intellectual rock; resembling the Blue Nile. I was a big fan of their 1984 release A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS. That album had “Stay,” “Tinsel Town In The Rain” and “Heatwave.” I played “The Clockwise Witness” but I had several choices such as: “Basso Profundo” and “Transliterator.” Good Stuff. I really enjoyed the strings and horns along with the cleverly layered arrangements. They will be stopping in at the 930 Club in DC on May 16th. You can check them out for yourself.
A close second is the new one by The Rustic Overtones. They are a rock/jazz/funk septet from Maine active from 1993-2002, that recently reunited. The positive outcome of that reunion is the album LIGHT AT THE END. Sometimes they sound like Dave Mathews; sometimes Brett Dennen, but it is a nice collection of tunes. They have an East Coast tour planned with stops in our area that include the 8x10 on March 27th; The Santa Fe Café, in College Park on the 29th, then over to Arlington, VA for a gig at the Iota on the 31st. Plenty of options. I played “Troublesome.” It’s a great song and download worthy. And check out “Valentine’s Day Massacre,” they changed the album’s pace on this one and added the thoughtful touch of female back up voices. Well done.
Catch it all live Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM on 89.7.
Easily my favorite this week is Devotchka. These guys are fantastic. Their sound moves from gypsy folk to alternative to intellectual rock; resembling the Blue Nile. I was a big fan of their 1984 release A WALK ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS. That album had “Stay,” “Tinsel Town In The Rain” and “Heatwave.” I played “The Clockwise Witness” but I had several choices such as: “Basso Profundo” and “Transliterator.” Good Stuff. I really enjoyed the strings and horns along with the cleverly layered arrangements. They will be stopping in at the 930 Club in DC on May 16th. You can check them out for yourself.
A close second is the new one by The Rustic Overtones. They are a rock/jazz/funk septet from Maine active from 1993-2002, that recently reunited. The positive outcome of that reunion is the album LIGHT AT THE END. Sometimes they sound like Dave Mathews; sometimes Brett Dennen, but it is a nice collection of tunes. They have an East Coast tour planned with stops in our area that include the 8x10 on March 27th; The Santa Fe Café, in College Park on the 29th, then over to Arlington, VA for a gig at the Iota on the 31st. Plenty of options. I played “Troublesome.” It’s a great song and download worthy. And check out “Valentine’s Day Massacre,” they changed the album’s pace on this one and added the thoughtful touch of female back up voices. Well done.
Catch it all live Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM on 89.7.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)