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This Swedes third album is just out, and lovely it is to.
You can grab a signed copy over at her website if you hurry…
Also over at her website are lots of videos and stuff.
Elin Ruth - “How You Dug Your Own Grave” from the album “A Fiction”
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Last heard of in 2004, she is releasing a new album any time now.
I can’t wait.
Rachael Yamagata - “1963” from the album “Happenstance”
Rachael Yamagata - “The Reason Why” from the EP “Rachael Yamagata”
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Recommended to me by The Oracle I have been listening to Anjas’ “Briefly Shaking” and “Ballon Mood“. Both are nicely moody affairs, with some great sound constructions.
All in all good stuff.
Anja Garbarek - “The Last Trick” from the album “Briefly Shaking”
Anja Garbarek - “Stay Tuned” from the album “Smiling & Waving”
You can buy her CDs on ITunes Store or MSN Music.
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I can’t resist doing a second post on this album as I came across this vid on YouTube. She is just genius.
Sia - “Breathe Me” from the album “Colour the Small One”
Comments(0) Without shame I post this B+W video of a Mazzy Star track that I posted a few days ago in colour…
I was just sent the link to this version, and it is lovely.
Mazzy Star - “Fade Into You” from the album “So Tonight That I Might See”
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Edie - “Waves” from the album “Realities”
The third CD from Edie is just wonderful. Very different from your usual.
It is a good thing that I can’t think of anyone to compare her to.
She is in her own space and I love it.
I haven’t got hold of her first two releases yet, but I intend to asap.
You can grab them from the iTunes Store, or through her website, which is probably a better idea.
I think she is still yet to be picked up by a major label, so go support her!
Edie - “Petit a Petit”
Make sure you go visit Edies’ cool Blog to http://www.ediemusic.blogspot.com/
Edit: Just noticed Edies’ “Support Edie- Buy the Song” on her blog.
You choose how much to pay for the track. How cool is that.
Go there and do that.
Now.
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I have always struggled to define a decent playlist of Morricone for my headphones.
A “Fistful of Dollars” on vinyl for my birthday as a young pre punk was a start…
But what about that harmonica music in the other movie…
It was not to be had anywhere.
I even recorded the movies from VHS onto C90 cassettes, and edited them, just to get those luscious Morricone moments.
Much easier now I have some proper full extended soundtrack CD’s tis true.
But god, the extent of his work is stunning.
Give me a three days alone in a room and fine, I might be happy with the selections.
So what do I see today on another of my mentors playlists?
http://www.davidbyrne.com/radio/index.php
Thank you David.
Oh, and a sweet piece from him over at Wired on the future of music.
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The Oracle reminded me that I hadn’t yet posted on the Swedish one…
Stina Nordenstam.
Shame on me.
I still remember being dumbstruck with hearing what came out the speakers when I put on the double vinyl release of her “Memories Of a Color” (1992). Awesome. Definitely Not Pop, but perfect for those moments of quiet reflection on your own. Or with a moment with one that you love.
I have to admit having a hard time getting into “Dynamite”, but various revisits there have rewarded my ears.
And “People Are Strange”, WTF, an album of cover versions that push the envelope into the 9th dimension. Wonderful.
All of her work, is, amazing, but takes some effort on the listeners part.
Stina is the classic example of Not Pop.
Love it.
Stina Nordenstam - “Another Story Girl” from the album “Memories of a Color”
Stina Nordenstam - “Lori Glory” from the album “This is Stina Nordenstam”
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Norwegian Tina Dico did some time with Zero 7, but is now forging ahead with her own beautiful solo work.
She is touring Europe in spring 2008 - Check out her website for the dates.
Edit: Tickets are going fast for her gig in Oxford, see here for the full gig list:
http://www.tinadico.com/tours_dates/upcoming_dates/
She is playing the Union Chapel…OMG, my favourite venue eVer.
Tina Dico - “Room with a View” from the album “In the Red”
Tina Dico (with Karoline Kier) - “Break of Day” from the EP “Far”
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Bluesey, Jazzy, Rockin’ girl from Sweden. Her current album “Sä Speciell” is a much softer affair than some of her previous releases, which have been nicely raw, such as “Knäckebröd Blues”, “From Linköping To Memphis”, “6″, “Beautiful, But Why?” and my all time favourite “Blues”.
She plays a mean harmonica.
Louise Hoffsten - “Slätten” from the album “Sä Speciell”
Louise Hoffsten - “God Don’t Ever Change” from the album “Blues”
(This is a much more laid back version than on the album, but still powerful live. It seems Blues is not available on Amazon. Shame).
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Natacha Atlas - “Hayanti Inta” from the album “Mishmaoul”
A Belgium who grew up in Northampton UK. With a very mixed parental heritage (read the Wiki entry for details).
She is a genius at mixing Easter and Western styles, which can so often go horribly wrong. Natacha fronted Transglobal Underground for a while, and you may also recognise her voice from the theme tune of You Only Live Twice by David Arnold.
Unfortunately there are no decent videos on YouTube of her performing live, which is a shame as her belly dancing is something else. She is also a superb singer.
Although not listed on her official site, she is doing some dates around the UK in the spring (2008).
8 Apr 2008 Jazz Cafe - UK-London
9 Apr 2008 Komedia - UK-Brighton
10 Apr 2008 Westend Centre - UK-Aldershot
7 Jun 2008 Salisbury Festival - UK-Salisbury
Natacha Atlas - “Amulet” from the album “Halim”
Official website: http://www.mish-maoul.com/
http://www.myspace.com/natachaatlasofficial
Buy Mishmaoul at Amazon
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I don’t usually go for country type music, but I just adore Neko Case.
I heard her track Favourite about a year ago on an internet radio stream (David Byrne?) and was hooked. Added to my wish list of artists I want to see live.
Neko Case - “Maybe Sparrow” from the album “Fox Confessor Brings The Flood”
Neko Case - “Favourite” from the album “Canadian Amp”
There is a great downloadable/streaming live set from Neko over at NPR.
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Erin McKeown - “Queen of Quiet” from the album “Distillation”
Rockin’-Folkin’-Punkin’-Popin’-Swingin’-Jazzin’ gurl. There is even some caberet in Erins’ mixed around sound.
All of her albums are full of musical surprises, I thoroughly recommend. Check out her website for lots of media.
Erin McKeown and her Little Big Band - “You Were Right About Everything” from the live album “Lafayette”
Watch this vid clip through for one of the tightest live finishes to a track ever.
http://www.erinmckeown.com/
(another autoplay the music website… boo hiss)
She is also cool about fans sharing bootlegs over at archive.org, hooray!
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Canadian Leslie Feist is your Alt-folk kinda girl. Her current CD “The Reminder” is a bit more upbeat than her 2004 “Let It Die” which I love. Her 2006 remix album “Open Season” is also worth checking out.
Feist - “My Moon My Man” from the album “The Reminder”
Feist - “Gatekeeper - Live, Paris” from the album “Let It Die”
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Mazzy Star - “Into Dust” from the album “So Tonight That I Might See”
Hope Sandoval, the voice of Mazzy Star, has such a laid back dreamy voice it’s all too easy to float away. Fabulous.
Disclaimer: It may be illegal in some countries to operate heavy machinery or drive a car after listening to a complete Mazzy Star CD.
Mazzy Star - “Fade Into You” from the album “So Tonight That I Might See”
Some other yummy YouTubes
Mazzy Star - “I’ve Been Let Down” from the album “Among My Swan”
Mazzy Star - “Flowers In December” from the album “Among My Swan”
Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions - “Suzanne” from the album “Bavarian Fruit Bread”