oops

I miss oohing and aahing about some fabulous song or new band I've discovered, on this here blog. The countdown has begun, we leave Canada in early September. We'll be sailing south to Mexico... After that, we don't know. I have been busy with all it entails to leave the country for an indefinite period of time. It is kind of cool that in all the madness, I managed to discover a lovely singer/songwriter who's name was the only thing I was familiar with, until this past week.

My friends were appalled to find out that somehow, it had escaped their attention that I really didn't know Neko Case's music. (Yes, we're all music nuts.) I got inspired to check her out after a chat my friend D and I had about "must-haves" in one's music collection.  I believe that according to Dana, Neko is a must-have.

And, here is my latest favourite song:

Actually. Allow me my nerdy moment, I'd like to change my mind. Though this next one is written by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Neko Case owns it.

K’s Choice: Echo Mountain tour at Effenaar, Eindhoven (the Netherlands)

Today's guest author,`Lil' G:

Lil' G is a globetrotter, who divides time between East Canada and West Europe. A part time musician (guitar, drums, and some keys) and hobby photographer, Lil' G loves pop quizzes as much as good food. Lil' G has written articles and columns for several websites, with topics ranging from graphic novels, travel to music and eye candy.

K's Choice’s was supposed to play Effenaar shortly before Christmas 2010, but I heard their American record company planned a US promo tour, which took precedence over their European one. Part of their European tour got postponed to a later date. I was informed the Eindhoven date was set for March 2, 2011. That was fine with me until I found out Serena Ryder and Melissa Etheridge were going to play Halifax Metro Centre the exact same day. Well, poop!

I first heard of K’s Choice in the 90s while listening Studio Brussel, a Flemish radio station that used to play alternative rock and pop (these days, they play a lot of mainstream music as well). K’s Choice started out as a Flemish band, hailing from a town near Antwerp, Belgium, and the core basically consists of siblings Gert and Sarah Bettens. At one point Sarah moved to the US, where she now resides with her partner and kids, and their bass player is an American as well.

I can’t recall which song I heard first, but I remember both “The Ballad of Lea and Paul” and “Breakfast”. Given the amount of airplay they were getting I figured they must be the hottest thing happening at that time. What caught my attention was singer Sarah Bettens’s voice: it’s smokey, seductive - the kind I find pleasant to listen to. When it comes to their music I love the harmonies. Speaking of harmonies: back in the 90s, one of the acts K’s Choice opened for was Indigo Girls. (I have a recording somewhere of them performing Neil Young’s “Rocking in a free world”.) They also opened for Alanis Morrisette. So that’s their six degrees to Canada.

They went through a few bass players before settling down with Eric Grossman, for whom “Favorite Adventure” was written. (The band played it on his wedding day.) They kicked off the Eindhoven concert with that song. And it was very clear that this audience showed up to see K’s Choice - even though they gave opening act Arid, fellow Belgians, a shot. I have heard of them, and the one song I recognized off their set list was “Too Late Tonight”, (which they played early on). Judging from the  audience's response, it might have been better if they played it towards the end of their set.

Singer Sarah announced at the start that this show consisted of two parts: An acoustic set and a full on “rock and roll” set. It’s very much like their latest album Echo Mountain of which the first disc contains uptempo songs, and the second one consists of the slower songs and ballads. I was glad they decided to turn that around for the show and start off with the acoustic set first to get everybody warmed up and ready to rock out later.

The acoustic set lasted about half an hour (it seemed shorter), after which the band took a quick break, allowing their roadies to ready the stage for a regular rock concert.

I was pleasantly surprised when the band also played “Virgin State of Mind”: Buffy fans may recognize this song from an episode in which K’s Choice had a cameo. They, of course, played their biggest hit - worldwide - “Not An Addict” as well. (You may recognize that song). Watch this clip, where Skunk Anansie singer, Skin, joins the band at a Dutch festival called Pinkpop. And there’s your link with the band I previously wrote about.

I had a great time people watching: it was almost like Pride. The audience consisted of people of all ages (anything from teenagers to your mom and dad), straight couples, lots of queer women. I eaves-dropped on a conversation happening behind me where a straight guy introduced his lesbian friend to K’s Choice. (He, too, appreciated Sarah Bettens’s singing voice.)

K’s Choice came back for two encores. The first one was kicked off by Gert performing “Shadowman”, a song which (in a past tour) he had paired up with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. It’s a slightly haunting song, and in total contrast to the rest of the show, but a good indicator the show is coming to an end. Both encores consist of songs that are slower and have a more intimate feel to them.

If I remember correctly they ended the show with “God in My Bed”. People in the audience either hummed along, or were silently listening. And I was reminded of the fact there once was a time where smoking at venues and public spaces was still allowed: Moments like these lent themselves to fish out one’s lighter and sway along to the music. Not anymore. People didn’t even take out their cell phones to do something similar.

Lyrically, K’s Choice is nowhere near as political as Skunk Anansie (or Otep). I think they tend to be poetic, but (dare I say it?) a little simplistic at times, and often laced with sarcasm or self-deprecating humor. Singer Sarah, apparently, once replied: “Listening to the lyrics for the first time, you may find it hard to understand their meaning. When you listen to them a second time you may sense a basic truth in these cryptic words. If you do so, please let me know.”

In case you’re interested you can watch a slide show of band pictures taken at the Eindhoven show here.

Skunk Anansie: Wonderlustre tour at HMH, Amsterdam (the Netherlands)

Today's guest author,`Lil' G:

  

Lil' G is a globetrotter, who divides time between East Canada and West Europe. A part time musician (guitar, drums, and some keys) and hobby photographer, Lil' G loves pop quizzes as much as good food. Lil' G has written articles and columns for several websites, with topics ranging from graphic novels, travel to music and eye candy.

Another concert review from across the Atlantic. This time I’m going to introduce you to a British band: Skunk Anansie. Besides Mother’s Finest and Living Color, I don’t know any bands - not at the top of my head anyway - of which (some of) their members are of African descent who rock hard. It shouldn’t matter, but I remember a time, where the number of non Caucasians at a hard rock concert were far and between. (I was usually one of the few.)

You may have heard of them (SA had a cameo in a movie called “Strange days” starring Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett), but I won’t be surprised if you haven’t. This British band is pretty popular in Europe, where numerous dates of the Wonderlustre tour (including the Amsterdam date) have sold out.

Skunk Anansie released their debut album in 1995 (Paranoid & Sunburnt) and turned quite a few heads. It wasn’t just their political and sexually charged lyrics wrapped up in a punk rock jacket, it was also their leading lady Skin. An out and proud woman from the start, and at one point tired of the same old boring questions by journalists (her bisexuality, being a front woman of color etc), she dubbed SA’s music “clit rock”.

Their second album was released in 1996 and was called “Stoosh”. This album definitely showed the band’s more “poppy” side. “Post orgasmic chill” was released in 1999, and (lyrically) saw a darker side of the band. Musically, they mix, punk, rock, pop, reggae, funk, and dance influences.

After the tour that followed the release of their last album, the members took a long break to reform in 2009. They went back into the studio to record a couple of new songs (for a “best of” album) and found the entire process so much fun, they immediately started writing songs for an entirely new album: “Wonderlustre” (2010).

I had seen Skunk Anansie play a European music festival after the release of “Stoosh”, and I had enjoyed their performance immensely. So, while taking a break from The Great Lunenburg Schooner Race last year (I was crew on the Avenger), I received an E-mail from my friend EJ. He informed me that SA was planning to tour Europe, and asked me if I would like to see them. I can assure you I was looking forward to February 25th ever since EJ told me he managed to get tickets to the concert.

The Virgin Marys, fellow Brits, were Skunk Anansie’s opening act. The music was alright, albeit mediocre. The singer’s vocal abilities were pretty much limited to one style of singing, and I was wondering how he could have been performing all this time without completely losing his voice (especially, after noticing how he sounded like towards the end of their set). Anyway, I think the drummer was entertaining to look at for a while (think “Animal” of The Muppets). Right then, it wasn’t really showing the SA concert was sold out: there was plenty of empty space towards the back - in front of the seated area. (Have a behind the scenes peek here, with guitarist Ace joking around a bit at the end.)

Then, finally: Skunk Anansie time! After an intro where the band made a grand entrance, they kicked off with a song off their debut album (check out the Amsterdam set list here). It was obvious Skunk Anansie was ready to blow their audience away, and that they had planned on having a good time. By the time the band finished their first song the venue was packed.

Singer Skin needed about three songs to get her vocal chords properly warmed up. Little time was wasted in between songs for meaningless chit chat, which only added to their high energy performance.

Their second song (“Charlie Big Potato”) is one of my favorites off the “Post Orgasmic Chill” album: after a Drum n’ Bass inspired intro, the song takes you on a little musical roller coaster ride. (If you haven’t checked out the video through the set list, you might want to do that now to get what I mean.)

“I can dream” is another one of my SA favorites (“Selling Jesus” is my other fave off their debut album, but they didn’t play that one) and is blatantly sexual. When I heard the opening riff to “Twisted (Everyday hurts)” I was super thrilled: that bass line still kills in my opinion.

The band made up an excellent set list in my opinion: uptempo rock songs were followed by poppier songs or ballads in an inconspicuous way. The audience was in for the ride and having a great time. Skunk Anansie treated us to a new song (“I don’t want to kill you”), which I found to sound promising (another Skunk Anansie album in progress?).

Even though the sign to NOT crowd surf were clearly visible, Skin had no problem ignoring them, and the audience in the front rows love her for that: they made sure she didn’t fall. She did, however, trip about halfway through the show and came close to landing ungraciously on the floor. But she quickly regained her balance and continued singing.

When it was time to introduce the band, Skin had a little fun with the guys in the band, and they each had their moment in the spotlights. Literally. (I have to admit I was envious of Mark’s drum kit: what a beauty!)

I noticed that the Dutch audience just seem to love their ballads, which I found interesting.

The band came back for two encores, ending the show with an acoustic rendition of “You’ll follow me down”. Again, Skin’s sense of humor shines through, when she made a reference to her  trip earlier that evening.

And just like that, the concert’s over. Skunk Anansie played a great show, and I had an excellent time.

ode to kristian

  "Rumor has it that I wasn’t born/ I just walked in one frosty morn..." 

(on “Burden of Tomorrow”), 

Originally, my goal for today was to write about my love of Canadian music, and truly, there is a great variety of fabulous, uniquely Canadian music here.

Then I got distracted by the gem from Sweden that is The Tallest Man On Earth. That man is Kristian Matssen, a small, wiry, finger-picking genius and poet.

Have a listen:



So beautifully raw. Matsson is a troubadour in the true sense of the word. On stage, it's mostly just him and his guitar. In today's climate of gadgets and flash, he's good enough to command your sustained attention on his own.

English is his second language, perhaps this explains the unusual metaphors. His dream-like imagery combined with an emotionally intense delivery, provoke a strong response in the listener. He plays the guitar beautifully. The finger-picking prowess and unassuming inwardly focused stance make you feel as though you're just hanging out at a jam session when all of a sudden someone begins to play and leaves everyone else slack-jawed... All too often compared to Bob Dylan for his folk sensibilities, Matsson can stand tall on his own.

My friend D introduced me to TTMOE, she told me I would love his music. Of course, she was right. It's partly the simplicity of the delivery, that lack of fear to appear emotionally "naked" while performing. You can't help but feel like a bit of a voyeur into his private world.

Here's another performance. This concert footage is of rather poor quality, but I'm choosing to include it for the quality of the performance:



He's growing musically. I love his earlier works, but the videos I've shared so far are more recent creations... Here's one of the songs that originally stole my heart:




This last offering is the official video for the song "Love is all". As the song progresses, it becomes more hauntingly beautiful, like a long lost memory that resurfaces, and your heart aches.




I dare you not to become smitten with his music. And his voice.

not for the faint at heart

Today's guest author,`Lil' G:

  

Lil' G is a globetrotter, who divides time between East Canada and West Europe. A part time musician (guitar, drums, and some keys) and hobby photographer, Lil' G loves pop quizzes as much as good food. Lil' G has written articles and columns for several websites, with topics ranging from graphic novels, travel to music and eye candy.

With all the singer/songwriter blog posts I suddenly feel the need to stir things up a bit and introduce you to something else. Don’t get me wrong: I love singer/songwriters. My first contribution was about Serena Ryder. Besides Serena Ryder, my music collection includes Bruce Springsteen, Indigo Girls, Sass Jordan, Marvin Gaye, Tool, and Tchaikovsky - to name a few - and I’m hoping to introduce you to some “new” names in due time.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Otep Shamaya. She’s a singer/songwriter, just not the kind that gets on stage with a guitar like Joan Baez or Joni Mitchell. She’s also a spoken word artist. Check out a clip of her appearance at HBO’s Def Poetry Jam here. Not exactly for the faint hearted, eh? Even though the stuff she writes are all pretty intense, she also has another - gentler - side; listen to her recite her poem “My lover”. Otep also draws her own stuff, like this little thing:

Anyway, I’m starting to digress. I’m here to introduce you to her music. Don’t be surprised if, before today, you’ve never heard of her. Metal isn’t exactly a genre embraced by the masses and Otep is, as far as I know, the only out lady in metal. (Holler if you happen to know of other queer ladies in that genre.)

I was fortunate to catch a short performance of her and her band (simply called Otep) at Milwaukee’s PrideFest earlier this year. It was very apparent by the looks on the faces of some bystanders that at PrideFest my friend Stacey and I were two of very few people who are into this genre of music, (it was Stacey’s introduction to Otep). It doesn’t really come as a surprise to me, and truth be told, I’m very happy Otep played PrideFest; not everybody is into the bubblegum pop music many gays and young people seem to like these days. (Listen to a fairly recent radio interview with Otep on SistersTalk Radio in which host Genia Stevens talks about the music genre.)

What I really appreciate about Otep is that she’s involved (she’s created an online safe haven, where people can come together and talk body and self esteem issues on All Shapes and Sizes, and she’s done the same for queer girls who can meet on Girls out now!), she’s highly opinionated (as you can probably tell from her song lyrics) and she likes to keep herself informed. Despite the fact their single "Rise, rebel, resist" was released in 2009, watching the video I couldn’t help but wonder if they had any idea, in light of the huge BP oil spill earlier this year, how prophetic that video would turn out to be.

Did you know Otep was nominated for sexiest vegetarian this year? (Actress Olivia Wilde won, in case you’re wondering.)

At PrideFest Otep kicked off their short setlist with “Smash the control machine”, and Stacey and I rushed to the front (the perimeters of the VIP section) to rock out to the band. When they ended it with their cover of Nirvana’s “Breed”, I thought it was over all too soon. 

 

Photo credit: Tasya Van Ree

Otep Shamaya and girlfriend/model Djosefin Maurer rallying against Prop8 in California earlier this year.

If the music doesn’t appeal to you I invite you to check out her song lyrics, or her poetry. (She’s published 3 books to date.) She also contributes to Blurt. Her articles are funny, interesting, sarcastic, angry... They certainly give you food for thought, just like her songs. And that’s exactly what Otep wants.

song makeovers

You hear a song, it's fabulous. Or it's kinda cool. Then, you hear it again. But this time, it's different. Someone else is singing it. The instrumentation is unlike the original, the pace altered, it's been completely re-worked. That, I believe is when a cover song has the potential of blowing your socks off.

Of course, this isn't always the case. There are exceptions. When the Holly Cole Trio did their version of "Jersey Girl" (by Tom Waits), I was appalled. However, when a song is creatively covered instead of being mere mimicry, it can become iconic in its own right.

This discussion certainly cannot happen without including Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". That particular song has been covered by so many singers. Though, none are as incredibly haunting as Jeff Buckley's rendition. (Yes, K.D. Lang does a rather fabulous version as well.)

Here is Jeff Buckley, with his soulful version of "Hallelujah", (audio only):

Leonard Cohen songs are often covered. And although I'm a big fan of Mr. Cohen, many of his songs are even more beautiful when someone else sings them. "Tonight Will Be Fine" sung by Teddy Thompson, is slower than the original and the ache in his voice is palpable.  I prefer the footage from the rehearsal as seen in the Leonard Cohen documentary "I'm Your Man", but the sound quality was too poor on the Youtube clip available. The live performance is still worth a listen.

So how did I come about writing this blog entry? Why, I came across a cover version of my favourite Bob Dylan song. It's called "One More Cup of Coffee". The person covering it? Jack White. Bloody amazing is what it is!

This is a fan-made video, using footage found in the box set "Under the Great White Northern Lights" from the White Stripes' Canadian tour. (Thank you Kate for pointing that out!)

The White Stripes also cover the song "Jolene", originally written and performed by Dolly Parton. It's another favourite of mine.

David Gray has an excellent album of cover songs called "A Thousand Miles Behind". It's gorgeous, really. I love his original stuff, but he goes somewhere special with this collection. The songs that stand out are "I Tremble for you" by Johnny Cash and the  traditional song "Long Black Veil". Check out the album on his website.

Ah yes, there is Tallest Man on Earth's version of "Graceland". My friend D. introduced me to it - it's so so different from the original. Yet, the simplicity of a man and his guitar just works. I love it. (Audio only).

Then, there's a lovely version of Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" by Serena Ryder. (This one's for you Lil'G!) The language is a little dated, but her rendition is spot on.

One singer who often does beautiful cover songs would have to be Sinéad O'Connor. Her voice is mesmerizing in Elton John's song, "Sacrifice". The song is completely transformed.

This here, is an interesting version of Gnarls Barkley's song "Crazy" by Ray Lamontagne, (sorry, it's audio only). It's more restrained than the original, and in a way this heightens the tension.

 

On a final note, here is a great cover of Tom Waits' Ol' 55. It's by Sarah McLachlan of all people. Apparently, it was recorded during a late night jam session after a few bottles of red had been uncorked. There's is a lazy spontaneity to this version. Enjoy!

Beth Hart: Secret Showcase at Amstelkerk, Amsterdam (the Netherlands)

Today's guest author,`Lil' G:

Lil' G is a globetrotter, who divides time between East Canada and West Europe. A part time musician (guitar, drums, and some keys) and hobby photographer, Lil' G loves pop quizzes as much as good food. Lil' G has written articles and columns for several websites, with topics ranging from graphic novels, travel to music and eye candy.

Singer/songwriter Beth Hart could be the love child of Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge: her vocal chords are certainly a fit. Like Canadian rocker Sass Jordan, Beth also had a part in off-Broadway musical “Love, Janis”, performing songs.

She first caught my ear in 1999 with “LA song” of her sophomore album “Screaming for my supper”. There was a rawness and an honesty that immediately appealed to me. I have attended several concerts over time, and one of my personal highlights is the Paradiso concert (also a former church in Amsterdam) several years ago, which was filmed and released on DVD.
 

I have seen Beth change over the years - from someone living the hard life to someone who finally found happiness, and is growing more into her own skin. 
Beth is the kind of singer/songwriter, who’s heavily influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, and mixes rock, blues, and gospel into her songs. (She does a killer rendition of Led Zep’s Whole Lotta Love  by the way.)

On September 16th, 2010, I got an E-mail informing me I was on the guest list for her album launch in the Netherlands. 8 days later I packed a bag, ran some errands, and caught a train to the Dutch capital city. 
I met up with my friend EJ, whom I had invited to come along as I was allowed to bring one guest. We had a bite to eat, and then walked on to the venue, Amstelkerk, a former church:

At first EJ and I walked past, while looking for a church. EJ thought the people waiting in line were a bunch of tourists, I thought they didn’t look like the fans I’m used to seeing at her concerts. (My bad, indeed.) Amstelkerk turned out a small, intimate place - perfect for the album launch. 
For 15 Euros EJ and I both got the limited edition of her new album “My California” (official release date is in about a week) and a poster. Oh, ya, we both got our copies signed by Beth herself!

I thought I’d share a pre-concert picture with you, with yours truly in the audience. (I’m facing  away, because I was talking to my friend Natasha.)

 “My California” is Beth’s most personal album to date. And I have to confess, apart from “Leave the light on”, her songs have never hit so close to home.

For personal reasons both “Sister Heroine" and “Love is the Hardest” stood out from all the songs in her set list. (Thank you, Beth, for your liner notes.)

Love is the hardest = I struggle with this one. The ability to love beyond conditions has been hard for me. To open my heart & be willing to choose forgiveness, will continue to be a daily practice. Wish me luck!
 

Sister heroine = For my sister Sharon & anyone who thinks they’re no good, you’re always somebody else’s hero.

Anyone who appreciates substance over style should give Beth a chance (if you haven’t already). This lady not only wears her heart on her sleeve (in a good way), she also sings her heart out as if there might not be a tomorrow. Hugely popular in the Netherlands (even though mainstream pop charts don’t show that), Denmark, and Norway, she also does semi regular gigs in the US (mostly in California, where she lives).

Beth played a set consisting of old and new songs, because her audience wanted her to and she was more than happy to oblige. As always there was plenty of interaction with the audience (like you could probably tell by watching the “Love is the hardest” footage where she hugged an audience member who started crying over Beth’s admission and thoughts behind the song).

It was a very inspiring concert, to say the least… I’m off for a drive - with “My California” on my car stereo. Catch ya later!