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.
"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.
I'm not sure where to start with this one. It's vast, it's wide.
Tom Waits has a special place in my heart. We have a history. (I became a faithful fan in the early 90's, and still am.) You know how at different times in your life, different music affects you? Whenever you hear it later on, it brings you back to that time? Well, Tom has been a constant. I never get sick of him. His music permeates my life.Yes, I'm a complete nerd and I'm proud.
It was not, however, love at first sight (hear). The first time I was made aware of Tom Waits, was in theatre school. My close friend S. was and is a huge fan. The year was 1994. If you are at all familiar with Mr. Waits' discography, Bone Machine was released in 1992. Two years later, S. would play the album in our set design classroom. (We spent many, many hours drafting in that room.) I couldn't stand the wrenching music and discordant sounds that came out of the player. Lucky for me, S. didn't give up easily. He insisted I first needed to hear his early stuff, build up to the more experimental fare that Waits likes to offer.
It was Summer, I was sitting in S.'s truck. He put the cassette tape Asylum Years in the player. The first song I heard was "Jersey Girl", (originally from the Heartattack and Vine album). I was won over. That's all it took.
Here's another oldie, a true gem:
I did end up liking Bone Machine (in small doses), especially the tracks "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" and "Black Wings". The expanse of Tom Waits style allows for much enjoyment, even if some of his music doesn't speak to you. I have made it my mission to introduce people to his genius. He's clever, he tells a good story. His persona is fascinating, and he's actually very funny. He likes exploring the underside of society, he's also not afraid to express emotions like love, empathy... heartbreak. Yet he's still "cool".
Most of his fans want to be Tom.
Even me.
Tom Waits' discography is huge... He's a very prolific singer/songwriter, and he's been around for a while. To learn more about him, check out his official website: http://www.tomwaits.com/.
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.
When I visited Ottawa, ON, in 2005 "Just Another Day" was one of the songs playing on the radio. It was a simple song and catchy (not in the annoying way) and I liked it, but I didn’t think much of it. Fast forward to late 2008. I find out about an album called “Is it o.k.” by a young lady called Serena Ryder. The first song I hear off it was “Little bit of red”, and I was instantly hooked. Who was she? Apart from a dozen songs or so, for a while I had no idea what she looked like and I could’ve sworn, just listening to her voice while singing, she’s twice her actual age. Needless to say I got the album, and it was in my CD player for the longest time. (And I do mean months.)
I started plugging her with a few European friends, who took to her instantly. A Haligonian friend of mine dubbed her Melissa (Etheridge) Jr. and I guess she has a good point: if Etheridge is your musical cup of tea, I’m sure you’ll dig Serena Ryder as well. The last time she played Halifax, NS, there was a significant amount of lady loving ladies in the audience, prompting some gay guys to wonder if Serena plays the same side of the fence. Not that it matters to me, as long as she keeps writing great songs people can relate to. The songs on her last album (“Is it o.k.”) are all personal songs - half of them inspired by her best friend and manager of six years’ (Bonnie O’Donnell) passing away.
I’m consciously omitting her slow rise to fame (and the fact she already has two Juno Awards under her belt) since it’s been all over the Canadian press, and I don’t feel like rehashing.
One highlight was when she was approached to do a Bruce Springsteen cover. Serena happily jumped at the opportunity and did her version of “Racing in the street”, which was posted on Springsteen’s official website. How awesome is that!
Serena has been touring extensively throughout Canada and the US since the release of her last album in November 2008 (the US followed a year later) and has been gaining new fans with every performance. And her performances are passionate! Serena’s most recent stint was with Lilith Fair, which is a dream come true. (For those who follow her on Twitter: she posted a goofy picture of her and Tegan and Sara during the tour a while ago.)
Speaking of goofy: she’s posted some pretty funny videos of her riding her suitcase. Those crack me up every time I watch them. Watch one here, and another here. (Yup, I’m nerdy enough to think that’s hilarious.)
Anyway, I digress. If you haven’t heard of Serena Ryder I strongly encourage you to check her out. If you’re a fan of singer/songwriters I strongly encourage you to check her out. If you like women who rock... Indeed: check out her music. Enjoy!
I like women songwriters. When they write songs, I often recognize myself in them. There is a sisterhood out there, I don't care what anyone says. Anyway, they have humour, anger, passion - and it's all woman.
Untouchable Face by Ani Difranco... The sweetest "fuck you" in the world. Here is a great live version. I particularly appreciate the fact that she's smiling throughout the song.
It's perfect:
This one is awesome. She is pissed off. And hurt. And she's singing from her guts.
The one and only Martha Wainwright, singing Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole.
The fabulous Kate Reid, once again, with Co-op Girls. This one is not so angry, she sings about trying to pick up women... and what really happens. She makes me laugh, and I recognize my own moments of awkwardness in her song.
Here's one of my favourite songs by this duo...Living Room from the album If It Was You by Tegan and Sara. It's has a great sound and just the right amount of energy...
This following video, is by an indie-folk singer I discovered at Musicfest. She performed with Women in the Round, which included Kate Reid and Joanna Chapman-Smith.
Her name is Sarah MacDougall and this is Crow's Lament.
Music is indeed that. And more. (Yes, someone did watch Juno!)
When I'm having a conversation with someone, inevitably I begin to tell so and so, all about the most amazing song I just heard... Thirty minutes later, after a few veers and turns - we are still talking about music. I can say in all sincerity, music has always been like that for me. I'm a fan. A big fan. An appreciator of music and the musicians who create it.
No, I don't really play an instrument. I can read music... sort of. Occasionally, I clumsily play a handful of tunes on the piano or on the recorder. Yes, the recorder. I imagine it's becoming obvious that I belong in Geekdom.
In light of the fact that I can't quite carry a tune and am devoid of the discipline or natural inclination to be a musician, I get to just relish some damn good music and tell people about it. Hence, this blog.
Today I leave you with a superb songwriter that has emerged from Sweden. I admit, I'm a little behind on this one. But, this is just a teaser. I will tell you more about him soon, I know I won't be able to resist.
I'm in love with his voice... If you haven't heard him before, here is The Tallest Man On Earth, singing Thousand Ways on KCRW Radio's "Morning Becomes Eclectic". (05/7/10)
