Peggy Lee – Why Don’t You Do Right?

Such a shame they only did one recorded release together.
What a great combination.
Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman – Why Don’t You Do Right?
Buy the CD over at Amazon.co.uk

Such a shame they only did one recorded release together.
What a great combination.
Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman – Why Don’t You Do Right?
Buy the CD over at Amazon.co.uk

Twelve tracks oozing in murky Americana. The sounds and images the album creates are like that bit when you are slipping from sleep to awake. Lovely.
Jolie Holland – Crush In the Ghetto (Live) from the album Springtime Can Kill You
Jolies on the same label as Neko Case. Say no more.
http://www.anti.com/artists/view/2/Jolie_Holland
Amazon are doing the album as downloable MP3′s. I must try that out sometime.

I may have done Scout a disservice with my earlier posting about her Kidnapped By Neptune album. As has been pointed out that is a pretty harsh album to start out with by her.
This Fool Can Die Now is a much more accessible, while still wonderfully emotional, set of songs.
Dirty blues.
Four of the tracks are brilliant duets with Will Oldham.
Scout Niblett (and Will Oldham) – Kiss from the album This Fool Can Die Now
http://www.scoutniblett.com/

The Canadian singer/pianist is back with a great album. It did take a few listens to grow on me, but most of her albums do.
Her website has a built in store, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. Pop over and get ordering.
Sarah Slean – ‘Get Home‘ from the album ‘The Baroness’
Click here to buy The Baroness over at Amazon.co.uk

Tina Dico – Live – Photo: Michael Rasmussen
Initial thoughts about Tina Dico are that her music (certainly her official releases, anyway) are somewhat sterilised and have a glossy, lacquered finish. Well, to put things straight, live she is a totally different proposition all together.
The “Jericho” is no more than a room above a pub, however this does lend itself to benefiting the performer by allowing them to see the whites of the audiences eyes, and vice versa. Intimate, it is.
Opening the gig, Tina was cold. No, she really was, explaining she had to blow on her hands to warm her fingers to play. This did not however, extend to the audience, who, whilst not wildly ecstatic (this is good old reserved England, after all) gave a warm and appreciative response throughout her set. Approaching the gig as a Tina “virgin”, it was very quickly apparent that this girl could play, intricate guitar melody lines counterpointing her personal and intimate lyrics.
Confident and cool, she proceeded to wow us with tales of lost love, loneliness on the road, and insights into the female / male psyche that produced knowing smiles from many members of the audience, a sure sign that you really are saying something that connects.
Engaging to the end, Tina Dico is a much more intriguing experience live than on record. Her voice, sometimes pure, sometimes jagged, but always with emotion, augments a captivating personality. Here’s hoping her record company will take note for the next album.
Review by ‘The Oracle’
(the first guest article for NotPop for a gig that I couldn’t get to… Sean)
Tina Dico – ‘You Know Better’ from the current album ‘Count to Ten’
Tina Dico YouTube Channel

I must have played this to death in the 90′s as I haven’t listened to it for years.
Quite refreshing to give it another airing. (Thanks for the reminder R).
It holds up very well indeed.
If you liked this and haven’t tried ‘Jagged Little Pill Acoustic’ you really should.
New album due out May 2008. Cool.
Alanis Morissette – ‘Hand In My Pocket’ from the album ‘Jagged Little Pill’
Alanis over at MySpace

Emma Louise Niblett will not be for everyone, but she fits my mood today.
Minimal nasty guitar and some screaming a bit like early PJ Harvey. Lovely.
Lots of vids over on her funky website to enjoy.
Scout Niblett – ‘Wolfie’ from the album ‘Kidnapped By Neptune’

Possibly one of the most lovely tracks ever.
It appears on the album It’ll end in Tears.
I think I had a 12″ with it on to, but I don’t seem to be able to find that.
http://www.4ad.com/thismortalcoil/releases/itll-end-in-tears-2/

What fun.
I know this should really be filed under Suggestives, but I am just too knackered to do the typing, and I think there is something aesthetically pleasing about these crumpled bits of paper.
But I am weird like that.
(Hazel O’Connor was the forgotten name btw.)

I just love being reminded of past music. Thanks R.
My copy of the Spangle Maker EP on vinyl is pretty much worn out. So thank god 4AD did a digital release.
In my top ten of fav live acts when I was at college.
If you haven’t heard their first release ‘Garlands’ with the totally awesome ‘Wax and Wane’… You really should.
Cocteau Twins – ‘Pearly Dewdrops Drops’ from the 12inch ’The Spangle Maker’
Just the best record label in the UK 4AD

This is about as minimal as it gets. It seems like she is barely breathing at times.
Definitely a contender for the Most Chilled album from 2007.
Very sweet.
Laura Gibson – ‘Hands In Pockets’ (Live) from the album ‘If You Come To Greet Me’
Laura on MySpace
The excellent HUSH Records
(Some lovely MP3′s of her live over at HUSH. What nice people).
Click here to buy If You Come to Greet Me at Amazon.co.uk

Vocals, guitar, native American flutes and percussion, mandolin, bass and cello make for a really interesting debut release from Mariee.
She is supporting Alela Diane on her current European tour. Cool.
Mariee Sioux – ‘Wizard Flurry Home’ from the album ‘Faces In The Rocks’
Mariee Sioux – Performing live on ‘Destination Talkshow’
Mariee on MySpace
Click here to buy Faces in the Rocks at Amazon.co.uk

I had the ticket, my bags were packed the night before. I was even at the station ahead of schedule.
Then a big bastard storm kicked in. Trees on the railway lines.
Great.
No way was I getting to see Tina.
Well, the upside is that Mr T and Mr D managed to sell on my ticket, and they all had a great evening. Bastards.
A full gig review has been promised, and will be posted asap.
Sorry to have missed you Tina.
Is there such a thing a traumatic-not-getting-to-a-gig-disorder?
Well, I have it.

This is a peachy little album. Reminds me of feather filled pillows.
She does some lovely art to. Go check out her website.
Tara Jane O’Neil – ‘A Room For These’ from the album ‘In Circles’
Tara Jane O’Neil – ‘Need No Pony’ from the album ‘In Circles’
Tara Jane on MySpace