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2008 releases artists covers digital downloads guitar music

Later with Jools Holland celebrates in style…

One of my favourite music shows, “Later… with Jools Holland“, has just reached a milestone this month, broadcasting it’s 200th episode.
Times Online has a great article about the night in question, and also a bit of background information on the show:

The cake has been sitting all day in the middle of Studio 1 at BBC Television Centre. But only ten minutes before the 200th episode of Later with Jools Holland is due to be recorded does someone realise that lighting 200 candles – and keeping them lit while the studio audience sings Happy Birthday – is easier said than done. The urbane ringmaster of terrestrial music television doesn’t fancy his chances of blowing them out either, at least not without singeing his trademark dapper suit.

Fire extinguishers are mentioned before someone authorised to pronounce on these things decides that “it would be too dangerous”. Top rock combo Radiohead confer in a manner that suggests they didn’t get to where they are today without learning a thing or two about health and safety. Soul diva Mary J. Blige, obviously nonplussed by the drama, walks over to Holland – with whom she appears to be very friendly – and engages him in intense conversation. Meanwhile, in the far corner, two poster girls of alternative America – Cat Power and Leslie Feist – guffaw long and hard at something on Feist’s phone.

And what a cracking guest list they put together for the big occasion. Performances were given by Radiohead, Mary J Blige, Robyn Hitchcock, Cat Power and Feist. The good news is, we’ve managed to snag some of the performances. The bad news? Due to the embedding nature of the BBC videos, if causing some problems with my post. As such, I’ll have to release the videos is separate posts each.

First up will be Radiohead‘s performance of “House of Cards” (from their In Rainbows album) – which only actually happened after the recording of the show had wrapped – is absolutely scintillating.

Radiohead - House of Cards
Radiohead performed “House of Cards” live.

Secondly, Cat Power‘s cover version of “Silver Stallion” is another clip that didn’t actually feature on the main show. Instead, this clip was filmed during a break in rehearsals. Every time I hear her voice, I fall in love with Chan Marshall all over again.

Cat Power - Silver Stallions
Cat Power performed “Silver Stallion” live.

While I would love to include an mp3 of Cat Power’s “Silver Stallion” (which appears on her Jukebox album), her record label is fully against this, which is unfortunate as it’s a cracking tune.
However, I have managed to locate an mp3 version of Radiohead’s live video, “House of Cards”, and you can get this below.

Listen: Radiohead – House of Cards (Live, “Later… with Jools Holland, 1/2/08)

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And don’t forget… the videos will be following as two separate posts!!

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Categories
2006 releases artists covers digital downloads guitar music

Ray Lamontagne – Crazy (Cover)

So, following on from yesterday’s post, there are two more quasi-hip-hop songs that I think you should hear. The first of those was here, and now the second (pushing the bounds of the term “quasi-hip-hop songs”), is:

Ray Lamontage – Crazy (Gnarls Barkley Cover)

Ray Lamontagne - Crazy

Ok ok… it may not be a strictly hip-hop song, but I had to include this here. Ray Lamontagne is a ridiculously talented artist, yet one that still seems to be criminally underrated outside of the “music critic” scene.

He has a soft, raspy voice, but one that still cuts like a razor. And, backed just by an acoustic guitar here, that voice is able to shine.

As with any great cover, it’s not simply a remake; it’s a retelling, with different ingredients.

Listen. Love. Support.

Listen: Ray Lamontagne – Crazy (Cover)

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2005 releases artists covers digital downloads guitar music

Nina Gordon – Straight Outta Compton (Cover)

So, following on from yesterday’s post, there are two more quasi-hip-hop songs that I think you should hear. And the first of those is this one:

Nina Gordon – Straight Outta Compton (NWA cover)

Nina Gordon - Straight Outta Compton

Nina Gordon may still be most well known for her days with Veruca Salt, but since leaving the band in the 90s, she’s had a string of great releases.

One of my favourites was a stripped-down, acoustic version of “Straight Outta Compton“, originally by NWA. It’s weird. At first, it seems funny… hearing those lyrics, with that voice. But, as that wears off, it just becomes beautiful.

This song, and many others, are made freely available on Nina Gordon’s site, in her “Sights and Sounds” section. You really should check it out, and support artists who take this route.

Below; the mp3. Obviously, explicit lyrics follow. Please tell me you knew that, right?

Listen: Nina Gordon – Straight Outta Compton

Categories
2007 Releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 covers digital downloads guitar music

Hey Ya (Cover) – Obadiah Parker

Obadiah Parker - Hey Ya

This may spawn a week of quasi-hip-hop cover posts; I’m not too sure yet. But ever since I heard this cover by Obadiah Parker of Outkast’s “Hey Ya” last month, it’s been playing on a pretty much non-stop repeat.

The cover has become something of a Youtube phenomenon, with lead singer Matt Weddle’s free voice opening the song up to interpretations that may have been overshadowed by Andre 3000’s bombastic performance. It was through this song that I stumbled upon their myspace page; most of the tunes on their page are live recordings, but the soul they play with is clearly audible. With hints of DMB, Counting Crows and even Bill Withers, it’s clear to me that Obadiah Parker are a band that are sure to hit things big soon.

Listen. Love. Support.

Listen: Obadiah Parker – Hey Ya (cover)

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2008 releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 covers digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Samamidon – Saro

Post-A-Day Week: It’s not often over a weekend that I’ll be sent enough songs to make up a week of posts. So, this week, I’ve decided to put up a post a day, as opposed to lumping them all into one confusing mess, as I am wont to do.

If you prefer the big mass posts, then let me know; but I think this might be easier to digest. Today’s aural treat is:

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Samamidon – Saro

Samamidon - Saro

Sam Amidon, aka Samamidon, is a product of the quintessential folk-band family, the Amidons. And on this track, “Saro”, Sam proves that he certainly deserves a place in the First Family of Folk.

Saro, like the majority of the songs on Samamidon’s upcoming new album, “All Is Well”, is actually a retelling of a traditional folk song, “Pretty Saro”. There are countless covers of this song, performed by such great names and Judy Collins, Bert Jansch, and Doc Watson, among others; Samamidon’s version is the most haunting and beautiful I have heard.


Although the song has been set with different melodies, and different characters, and even in different times – some songs start off in 1749, others in 1849 – the central story remains the same: An immigrant, alone and flailing in a strange country, misses his true love back home.

This version by Sam is sung in a resigned, yet achingly beautiful voice, and is accompanied by composer-friend, Nico Mulhy’s amazing string and wood instrument arrangements.

There truly is nothing else to say, except that Samamidon is on the cusp of greatness. Without question, his will be the definitive version of this song.

Below I’ve included both the music video for the single, “Saro”, and, of course, the song itself.

Listen. Love. Support.

 

 

Listen: Samamidon – Saro


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artists covers digital downloads guitar music

Stereophonics – Best of You Cover


Stereophonics - Live Lounge Tour

Anyone who hasn’t heard of the BBC’s Live Lounge Tour, you’re too late. It just ended. But while it ran, it was one of my favourite stops online. Basically, the show was exactly as the title suggested; getting together with artists, in an informal setting, such as their home lounge, and then get them to play songs (originals and covers)… live. There was an amazing intimacy and warmth that came across on these episodes, and I’m still extremely jealous of Jo Whiley for getting to host it.

While it has drawn to a close now, I think that possibly one of the best shows of the season was saved ’til last, when the Live Lounge Tour chatted to the Stereophonics.

The Stereophonics have had their ups and downs, and their hits and misses, but I’ve always been a big fan of Kelly Jones and the boys. Strangely, while most people were turned off by their seemingly more morose phase, I thought that the “Maybe Tomorrow” times were some of their best. Regardless, I’m sure that this appearance on the Live Lounge may have swung more hearts their way.
The show started off with an interview at Kelly’s childhood home in Wales, and was then followed by an acoustic set at the Cwmaman Men’s Club, where the band had played their first show back when they were 13.

The highlight of the show, and the reason for this very post though, was their cover version of the Foo Fighters “Best of You“. Kelly’s voice has never sounded better. It has the perfect blend of world-weariness and hurt; and of hope.
You may not have the blatant Grohl anger here… but Kelly delivers this song in no less a forceful version. It’s as if he approaches it from the other side; a lonely, broken voice calling out in the darkness.

It’s one of the most haunting covers I’ve heard in ages. Good on ya boys.

Listen. Love. Support.

Listen: Stereophonics – Best of You (Foo Fighters Cover)

Update: I’ve finally managed to source this clip on youtube. Watch it, and feel the goosebumps…

Stereophonics – Best Of You (Foo Fighters) – Live Lounge Clip

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artists christmas covers digital downloads guitar music

Jack Johnson’s New Album. And, another Christmas Cover.


Jack Johnson - Sleep Through The Static

So it appears that Jack Johnson’s new album, “Sleep Through The Static” should be ready for release by February, 2008. For this, his 5th album, Johnson worked with his usual rhythm section – bassist Merlo Podlewski and drummer Adam Topol – plus Zach Gill (frequent collaborater and frontman of ALO) on piano and accordion.

Jack has said of the album:

“Some of the songs on this album are about making babies. Some of the songs are about raising them. Some of the songs are about the world that these children will grow up in; a world of war and love, and hate, and time and space. Some of the songs are about saying goodbye to people I love and will miss.”

Jack’s had an amazing couple of years. From Brushfire Fairytales to the Curious George: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies soundtrack, Jackie J seems to be on a winning streak. I have the feeling though, that this album will be his toughest yet.
The population is becoming harder to please, and the problem with gaining popularity is that – even for a surfer/singer/songwriter like Jack Johnson – a certain amount of innocence is lost. I’m hoping for a feeling like the one I had when I first heard “Flake”. That innocent joy that ran through you. Time will tell.

In the meantime, Jack has released two of the singles from the forthcoming album on his myspace page. Here is the title track, “Sleep through the Static“, below (again, for new visitors, just click on the “play” icon to listen).

Listen: Jack Johnson – Sleep Through the Static

And, continuing on from our Christmas Cover love, Jack Johnson has also released a cover of a Stevie Wonder song, “Someday at Christmas“, on his website. As Jack says:

Here is a home recording i did of a Stevie Wonder song. My parents used to play this song at our house when we were kids.

Pray for peace.

Please visit The Peace Alliance at thepeacealliance.org.

Sentiments after our own heart.
Listen. Love. Support.

Listen: Jack Johnson – Someday at Christmas (Stevie Wonder cover)

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artists christmas covers digital downloads music

It’s a Coldplay Christmas – 2000 miles. And, a side order of The Pogues.

Coldplay Christmas Message

In preparation for the Yuletide season, Coldplay is streaming a cover version of the Pretenders song, “2000 miles” on their website, along with the above note.
While Chris Martin might not be as attractive as Chrissie Hynde, they do a great version. Normally, I’m not a fan of Christmas songs (apart from exceptions such as The Pogues “Fairytale of New York”, and possibly the Killers “A Big Sled”) but when you have Pretenders material to work with, you already have a great start.

Listen: Coldplay – 2000 miles (Pretenders cover)
Website: http://www.coldplay.com

Speaking of The Pogues, in case you can’t read ol’ Chris’s writing up there, it says:
“Dec, 2003 – Christmas cover of 2000 miles by The Pretenders (wonderful band with fringes/bangs)
We love Christmas songs, but everytime we try and write one it’s awful. So we often cover them, well once or twice actually.
In fact, the song I would most like to have written is “Fairytale of New York” by de bloody Pogues of Ireland.”

Aah, The Pogues. I reckon almost everyone wishes they could have written that song Chris. Voted “Best Christmas Song Ever” in a VH1 poll, I don’t think it will ever be topped.
A song of youthful hopes and dreams, crushed over the span of successive Christmas Eve’s…

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can’t make it all alone
I’ve built my dreams around you

Cheers, Shane and Kirsty.

The Pogues - Fairytale of New York

Listen: The Pogues – Fairytale of New York

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