bootstraps (still inspired by music)

When I was watching my guilty pleasure, the TV show Parenthood, the closing to season 3 episode 4 played a wonderful song in the background while brothers Crosby and Adam fulfill a dream to opening a recording studio.  When you hear the song "FortyFive" you are instantly inspired and drawn both into the music and into the emotional drama of the scene.

I have not posted but only once on this site in the last year but my interest in music and my ongoing connection to it hasn't faded.  I grew up on music and I continue to have an ongoing emotional connection to songs, lyrics, melodies, rhythms and sound.  Music has impacted my family and is a daily part of our life.  When I was a kid, I attended the symphony concerts of my mom, a cello player and full time teacher and as a parent and adult, I listen to fun kids music and have dance parties in the living room of my 100 year old house with my husband and daughters.

When you hear not only FortyFive but the other tracks from Bootstraps album it is easy to see how the band was commissioned to write for soundtracks and how their emotional sound would be a wonderful background for any emotional scene on a show.  So, even though I don't know much about this band, just perused their website for the first time, I feel connected to their sound and would like to pass on a recommendation to check them out.

So, here is my endorsement, go check out their sound and feel here.

uh yes, I *love* the black keys

Okay, let me just say that I know I haven't written anything on this site for literally a year but my love of music is BACK!!!!

A good album not only helps you appreciate music and contemplate life and sound but it also makes you realize that you have been neglecting MUSIC!  For me the wake up call came over the holidays when I picked up the latest Black Keys album El Camino for my husband as a Christmas Gift.  We have been Black Keys fans for years since their early gritty blues stuff through their new transformation with a little polish and final mixing and production by Danger Mouse.

I remember laying in bed one lazy day listening to an interview on NPR with the Black Keys.  The interviewer said "how do you get that gritty blues sound?" and the response was this: "we turn the amp all the way up."

From their tribute Chulahoma to Junior Kimbrough to their Big Come up, the Black Keys are what modern blues is all about.  They have great licks, great lyrics and are so gosh darn catchy!  The latest album is certainly no exception.

At first listen their 70's throwback of "Sister" will grab you and have you tapping your foot to the beat but as you listen through a second, third and fourth time you will begin to connect with all of their songs.  One of my favorites is a quieter number that has a traditional rock ending: Black Submarines.  It is a mellower piece with a tambourine and gentle lyrics and then at the end a big electric guitar comes smashing onto the scene with chunky chords and a sparkly finish.  And Gold on the Ceiling is another wonderful infectious tune that makes you want to dance even if you don't know how.

Several years ago I had the opportunity to hear the Black Keys in concert and they were totally awesome. It was the basement bar here in Bellingham with awesome acoustics.  They rocked the place and filled it with an energy that only two guys with a bunch of electronic equipment can do.

So, if you are needing inspiration, if you need to be reminded how much music matters or how important music is to your livelihood, check out El Camino, you won't be let down (except perhaps by the art work of ironically a bunch of minivans, hmmmmm.)

good ol' rock & roll

I have been really digging on Social Distortion's new album: Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes. More to come on their new album soon....

the longest hiatus

Friends, if you still read this blog, it has been a very very long time. I'd like to say I am actively searching out new music but since having a baby 8 months ago my life has been a bit busier than normal.

Group I am digging on this December:

*Greg Laswell*

Check it out and post your comments here!

shearwater

 Can I just say, Shearwater is my new favorite band?  I had been in Everyday Music months ago (our local music store) and they cranked out this amazing music on the sound system while I was aimlessly browsing for a new musical selection.  I asked who they were playing and I jotted down in scribbled handwriting: Shearwater.  I stuffed this small business card in a place holder on my desk and just uncovered it amongst the bills and other laid aside paperwork only to find: a treasure.  I immediately plugged them into Pandora and lo and behold my new favorite band appeared.

Their truly eclectic sound is not describable by any means but will be easily loved by all with their mix of instrumentals, lovely and sweet but dark lyrics, soothing guitar riffs and variety of moods.  One of the pieces I particularly enjoy is "On the Death of the Waters" which starts out quietly and slowly and then rips in with heavy thick guitar chords adding another layer of depth to their sound.

Although, admittedly, I know little about this band so far, they appear to have a great variety of music to sample with 7 albums to roll over your pallet.  In addition, what makes me know that they are a great band is that every other music that is played on Pandora which shares some sort of musical "similarity" is really awesome.  So far: DeVotchKa, Elvis Perkins, the Smiths, Ida, Calexico,  and Kahoots have been played and I've enjoyed each song.

Check them out here. 

New Release

I don't know if anyone else has been eagerly anticipating Joe Purdy's new Cd "Last Clock on the Wall" but it was released this morning and it is worth every moments listen.  Click on this link to listen to it online.  He has echoes of Bob Dylan with some gentle fiddling and harmonica with haunting lyrics reminiscent of Bon Iver and a passionate longing in every song.  So far his title track is my favorite.  Check it out!  Oh, and happy St. Patties Day.

Submissions Welcome

Recently I was casually browsing through my cd collection and stumbled upon an oldie but a goody and then I realized how truly amazing this album was.  When it came out I was a bit suspect at its immediate notoriety as a "best hits" album since the group had only had 2 studio albums at the time but I became an even bigger fan of the album once this double live was released.  I have bought no other studio albums by this band in 11 years but this album still remains a favorite of all time.  As I sat and really re listened to favorites such as "Anna Begins" and "Round Here" I was struck by how awesome the lyrics were.  When given more than just a radio play listen, there is much to gleam as to the depth of Counting Crows lyrics and musical genius.  I began to think of this album as starting what I'd like to think of as the top 10 of all time.  I hesitate to place this type of label on albums because it ultimately doesn't leave room for upcoming albums but I do think that this one has earned it spot.  So, without ado, here you are:

(not in a particular order)

1.  Counting Crows: Across a Wire (Double Live CD- 1998)

2.  Sarah McLachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (1993)

What are your ideas.....?  I'm happy to fill in the rest but am curious what comes to mind.

Here are a few other ideas....votes: (I have reasons for each of these but I'm curious if you vote what you reasons might be!)

The Beatles: Revolver or Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

Coldplay: Rush of Blood to the Head

Dave Matthews: Crash

Dixie Chicks: Home

Eva Cassidy: Songbird

Elton John: Honky Chateau

JET: Shine On

U2: Achtung Baby

(just to name a few).

And, I hope it goes without saying, if you don't already own the Counting Crows album, you should have already clicked itunes and started downloading it.