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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

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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 digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Patrick Sweany – Hotel Women

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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Patrick Sweaney – Hotel Women

 

Patrick Sweaney - Hotel Women

You know, it’s not often that I would find myself comparing anyone to Van Morrison. But Patrick Sweany could be the person to change that.

There’s something about this guy. He delivers his vocals with a quiet power, that sinks under your skin with intimacy and intensity. And he makes you believe.

This track, “Hotel Women“, is taken from his latest album, “Every Hour Is A Dollar Gone“, and it’s perhaps the track that reminds me of classic Van Morrison the most. It’s a song with warm, welcoming vocals, that are somehow drenched in remorse and nostalgia. It’s a ridiculously good track, and one that I hope you give a chance.

Listen. Love. Support.

Listen: Patrick Sweany – Hotel Women

Categories
2008 releases artists digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Jon Foreman – Behind Your Eyes

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:

***

 

Jon Foreman – Behind Your Eyes

 

Jon Foreman - Behind Your Eyes

Better known as frontman for the group “Switchfoot”, Jon Foreman has recently taken some time off to record his solo release, “Fall And Winter”, which is supposed to be followed later this year by another album, titled “Spring and Summer”.


Given the title of the CD, “Fall & Winter” is a largely melancholic effort; reflective, searching songs. As with most of his prior work with Switchfoot, Foreman’s lyrics are often based in Christianity; as mentioned in my Need To Breathe post, however, don’t let this put you off.

Not only is this track, “Behind Your Eyes”, more poetic and whispering than his work with Switchfoot, it recalls shades of Sam Beam-like questioning. While I’m not a huge fan of his full-time band, I think that I might be intrigued by Jon Foreman’s solo stuff; that is, if this track is anything to go by. Time will tell.

 

Listen: Jon Foreman – Behind Your Eyes

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2002 releases artists digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Todd Thibaud – Sacred

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:

***

Todd Thibaud – Sacred

Todd Thibaud - Sacred

Getting a bit nostalgic today, we’re headed back to 2002, and an artist that not many people have heard of: Todd Thibaud.

Thibaud was the frontman for the stellar group, “The Courage Brothers”, who were on the brink of greatness when they broke up in 1994. I was always a fan of the Courage Brothers, and so I followed Todd’s career with interest.


Unfortunately it seemed like, when TCB broke up, a little of Todd broke off with it. With his first two solo albums, the “everyman” voice and lyrics remained, but seemed to be weighed down somehow.

But then Squash came out, with this single, “Sacred”, and it sounded like he was back on track. And he was. There was a freedom in the single that reminded me of TCB, and I knew that Todd Thibaud was still one to watch. A mixture of homegrown, “could-be-anyone’s-life” lyrics – somewhat akin to fellow singer-songwriters who never quite made the big time, Syd and Todd Martin – Todd Thibaud may never make the big show; but maybe that’s the way I like it.


Thibaud hasn’t released a full-length album since 2005’s “Northern Skies”, but I’ve heard rumours he’s planning on going back into studio. I hope it’s true.

Listen. Love. Support.

Todd Thibaud – Sacred

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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:

***

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


Categories
2007 Releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Need to Breathe – More Time (With a side helping of Washed by the Water)

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:

***

Need To Breathe – More Time (With a side helping of Washed by the Water)

Need to Breathe - More Time

Need to Breathe first appeared on my radar with their 2006 release, “Daylight”. While it was certainly an enjoyable album, portions of it seemed too… well, predictable. After all, these boys played mainstream rock, and they were happy to fit the mould. With their latest release, “The Heat”, however, they seem to be stepping back from the preconceived notion of “mainstream rock” and following their own tune.


Don’t get me wrong; Need to Breathe still unabashedly fits into the mainstream rock genre. But that needn’t be an automatic death knell. It seems that songwriter-brothers, Bo and Bear Rinehart have learnt to appreciate the art of restraint more here, and their music is all the better for it.

Nowhere is this shown better than in the breakdown section of the first track below, “More Time”. It’s a great song, and undeniably catchy.

The second track, “Washed by the Water”, shows the band’s Christian roots. Unashamedly a worship song, don’t let that deter you; it’s a rollicking tune that anyone can groove to.

Listen: Need To Breathe – More Time
Listen: Need To Breathe – Washed by the Water

Categories
2007 Releases artists artists to watch for in 2008 digital downloads guitar music post a day week

Post-A-Day Week: Faker – This Heart Attack

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:

***

Faker – This Heart Attack

Faker - This Heart Attack

Showing some love for the Aussie bands, “This Heart Attack by Faker is a ridiculously catchy single from their latest album, “Be The Twilight” (2007). Similar to the Liverpool boys, “The Wombats”, Faker are bringing back that New Order sound and mashing it with a pop-sensibility that should ensure it’s accessibility to the masses.
And the fact that’s catchy as all hell certainly won’t hurt with that.

There’s something intense in lead singer Nathan Hudson’s delivery here, yet at the same time apathetic. It’s an intriguing combination, and if you haven’t heard this track yet, click the damn play button below already!

Listen: Faker – This Heart Attack