Langhorne Slim - Say Yes

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this guy. He is from Pennsylvania and has been touring with people like Cake, The Avett Brothers, Rocky Votolato, Josh Ritter, The Woes, and The Low Anthem. This last summer he made it to Newport folk festival which is a pretty big deal. He reminds me a bit of Josh Ritter and Mason Jennings. The number of songs I could tell you to listen to are endlesss. They are seriously all good. But his more recognized songs would include: In the midnight, Restless, Diamonds and Gold, Cinderella, and Electric Love Letter. And lastly I wanted to give special attention to my other favorite I love you but goodbye. You can listen to more on his myspace page. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 

The Big Pink - Velvet

I'm backkkkk....I hope everyone had a great Christmas and enjoyed some time off. I was getting tired of posting songs that involved girls and guitars so I decided to go in a different direction. This London band keeps on popping up on playlist on itunes that I have been looking at and I downloaded it a while ago but I never really gave it a chance. I finally listened to it a few times and decided I liked their sound. They play around distorted noise and melodic nuances which sounds unappealing, right? Well, it is actually not all that dissimilar from a less peaceful Moby and also similar to the Pixies (with an all time favorite song "Where is my mind?" which has been covered a billion times and is worth looking into ) crossed with Placebo. Check them out they are kinda fun and I am sure you will hear about them in the future I think they have one of those sneaky cult followings. Definitely check out their other hit song Dominos. 

Jim Croce--Operator, Roller Derby Queen, Don't Mess Around with Jim

Not sure why I am digging in the vault and pulling out older artist right now. Maybe because I've been listening to my IPod on "shuffle" a lot lately, so I'm being reminded of these songs. I've been on a Jim Croce kick for years. Pandora played something and reminded me of him, bought "Have you heard Jim Croce live" album and that was that. I love all his stuff. Add "One Less Set of Footsteps", "NY's not my Home", "Lover's Cross". . .it's endless. Jackie, I'll be shocked if your dad doesn't like him.

The Housemartins--Happy Hour

This song is from 1986. The official video is hysterical. . .the dance moves, everything. Many of the members of The Housemartins are also in The Beautiful South (which I also love.) "A Little Time", "You Keep It All In", "Song For Whoever". When my brother, Anthony, went to college he played soccer with a lot of Brits. That's how we found these bands.

Antje Duvekot--Long Way

This is another favorite, but I'm actually including it because of the story at the beginning. Reminds me a little of a Jessica jet-lag story. =)

Antje Duvekot--Diana's Song

I'm a big Antje fan. Her live shows are very fun because she tells great, awkward stories. This is one of my faves. It's just a cute song about friendship. I can never put it on any mixes because on the CD I have it's part of an interview. Her Big Dream Boulevard album is fantastic!!

Sonya Kitchell - Here to There

So since I am assuming you are all familiar with "Let Me Go", one of my all time favorite songs, I wanted to post a song from her latest album "The Storm". I love how this song makes you sway back and forth. And of course the (annotated) lyrics are simple but great "When your sun rises my sun sets/I promise you I won't forget/ oh oh/ For I believe there's so many years to go...I ask myself do I really care/ Cause life is short and rarely fair/ oh oh/I don't know how we get ourselves from here to there". I like her bluegrassy sound on this new album, its fun to listen to. 

The 88 - Hide Another Mistake

I was boppin' around iTunes and found this little band from SoCal. Most of their music seems pretty fun and upbeat. The first video that I watched was pretty clever and showed how they recorded one of their songs using only the iphone! The other video is something straight out of the 80s...maybe this is why they're the 88? I'll have to do some research.

Redbird--Ships

This is from Signature Sounds 10th anniversary concert. Signature Sounds has put together three of these little trios. Cry, Cry, Cry had an album out in the mid 1990's. Dar Williams, Lucy Kaplansky, and Richard Shindell covered songs from other singer-songwriters. Lori McKenna, Mark Erelli and Jake Armading tour sometimes and also do tributes "A Night Under The Covers". And now Redbird, which is Kris Delmorst, Jeffrey Foulcault and Peter Mulvey. Similar to Jay Nash and company that Jessica posted earlier. It's fun to see three independent artists collaborate on something.

Tristan Prettyman - Hello

The song that I really wanted to post today, I sadly can't find on youtube. It's Tristan Prettyman's "Interview With Who". The lyrics are very fitting today because I have a HUGE interview with the NBC affiliate in Bangor/Portland, Maine. I'm freaking out and these lyrics definitely sum up what I'm trying to convince myself right now!

In the big picture, we're all so small
We get so caught up, forgetting that we fall
Everything about it takes time to grow
So just learn to be loose, and let it all go
'Cause the time goes by, so damn fast
We try to build it all up but is it ever gonna last

But since we all love/know Tristan, this is one of my top faves of hers. I like the interview in the beginning of this video too. Everybody has fat days I guess!

Culcha Candela - Monsta

I had to post a second song today just because I am a spaz before flying and because I plan on listening to this song on repeat the entire time in Zurich today so that I don't look as nervous as I feel getting past customs today. (No cheese in boots this time though, no worries).

This song is totally irresistible even if it is German rap and even if they did blatantly rip off peruvian flute players (I have a video of a group in geneva playing their flute things and it is identical to the one used in this song but I am too lazy to upload it right now). But trust me, they used a sick flute song quite well. I have no idea what this song is about and I don't want to know. All that matters is I get to say "monsta body and monsta blit and monsta boom boom...moooonnnstaaaaa, moooonnnstaaaaa" Freakin awesome.

Rosi Golan - I Don't Wanna Wait

I too recently downloaded "Hazy" from the previous post not so long ago when ransacking limewire for Rosi Golan songs. I was originally searching for her because itunes told me to. So instead of going for anything specific I just downloaded everything that popped up on limewire, because some days I am lazy like that and don't care that my computer is slowly dying because I am sucking every last drop of its memory away with my music downloads. I know this is the case because my mac likes to beep at me in five minute intervals to tell me so. *sigh*


Anyways, back to the song. This song is different from Hazy and is more just a cute little ditty to bop your head along to. Definitely a song for driving by yourself so that you can sing (in my case scream/sing horribly off tune) really loudly "I don't wanna wait, I don't wanna wait" perfect for being stopped a red light eh? She is pretty fantastic like that, which is why you should also check out her more mellow but equally awesome song "Come Around". She is also responsible for the song from the JC Penny commercial called Follow the Arrow. Love it. 

Rosi Golan feat. William Fitzsimmons--Hazy

Found this when I was looking for Jessica's latest post. Rosi Golan is from France (I think) but is now in LA. William Fitzsimmons was raised in Pennsylvania. Both his parents were blind, so he grew up with lots of music. His voice and his looks don't match, in my opinion. But I think this is just a beautiful song. Here are the lyrics:

I watched you sleeping quietly in my bed
You don’t know this now but there’s some things that need to be said
And it’s all that I can hear, It’s more than I can bare

What if I fall and hurt myself? Would you know how to fix me
What if I went and lost myself? Would you know where to find me
If I forgot who I am, would you please remind me oh?
Cause without you things go hazy

Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa

For you fellow Bob Dylan lovers, you will definitely get a chuckle out of this. To help you stay in the holiday spirit this is a pretty entertaining rendition of "Must Be Santa." Now my question to you is, why do we think Dylan felt the need to do this? Is his life that boring right now where he needs to shoot music videos to be entertained? This will absolutely be on my holiday party playlist.

Iris Dement and John Prine--In Spite of Ourselves

Another great John Prine song, but Iris Dement has a beautiful voice and is someone worth investigating more. I had a hard time chosing, so I decided to put them both up.

John Prine--That's The Way That The World Goes Round

John Prine is one of my absolute favorites. (He looks so old in this clip.) He's kind of hard to put on a mix because: 1. I get side tracked and want to listen to more of his songs and 2. it's hard to find a John Prine song that flows into something else smoothly. This is classic Prine. And the story he tells at the end illustrates why I love seeing live music. The stories.

Amber Rubarth - You Will Love This Song

If you are in the mood for an easy going honest song, this one is for you. Amber Rubarth has a unique little voice that can not be mistaken for anyone else. She maybe reminds me a little bit of Jenny Owen Youngs, but still totally unique. The  way she decided to become a songstress makes me admire her "why the hell not?" attitude. She randomly did woodcarving in Reno, Nevada and then one day just five years ago she decided she had always wanted to be a musician so she learned how to play the guitar (for the first time!) and now she has a good little collection of songs under her belt. 


Her songs tend to be mini-story-esque which I just love.  She released her newest album "Good Mystery" this past September and it has some great songs. Just keep in mind its totally about the lyrics. I can't find a song of hers that I don't relate to. From "This is Real" lyrics "You know I love where I'm living/ And where I travel too/But if you asked I'd trade it all for you/ Cause there's something that you give me/ Something that is true/ That all this travelling 'round will never do." To my other favorite "Wish We'd Gotten Drunk" about awkward moments that you wish could be explained away by drunkenness, but alas there you are being awkward and sober. "Its never to late to get tanked, and claim the whole thing was misconstrued....the wine has already been opened and there is whiskey for two, so tomorrow when we wake up we can blame it all on the booze." But here is a really great one by her with an interesting little intro. I hope you appreciate the honesty. 

Jay Nash - Christmas in LA

For the past two weeks I have been oddly blessed with waking up with a song stuck in my head and whatever that song was I was posting it first thing in the morning. Today the magic stopped so I figured I would wait to be influenced or inspired by something. So far the only thing that has happened was that I threw a bible that was kind of a gift out of a 3 story window at said gift giver. Needless to say, there are no songs about throwing bibles out windows at people. Sad day. 


So I guess I can twist my morning experience into the spirit of gift giving, regardless of gifts you like or gifts you would prefer to violently throw, I think it is time for another holiday song. I promise I won't drop it on your head from 3 stories up. I promised you more from Jay Nash and the other two boys so I will start with my favorite. This is a brand new holiday song by him and I love the lyrics "And I wish it would snow, oh the wind would blow, but I know that it wont/ So give me that hallelujah some of that old langsyne/ Hold me close baby and make believe that its cold outside" espeically because until today the weather has come nowhere near resembling winter weather. You should also check out his other songs like Baby Tornado, The places you will go, and Sweet Talking Liar. For a better version I suggest waiting until I come home for me to give it to you, or buying it yourself or at least check out his songs on myspace. I promise its worth it. 

Sara Borges and the Broken Singles--The Day We Met

At work this morning, the song "Around 9" came up on my Pandora and I really liked it. So I looked into the artist for a bit and then I had an interview (and I could see up this girl's short skirt and it was really, really awkward and I was thankful a guy didn't interview her.) ANYWAY--I liked this catchy tune. Originally from Boston and is opening for John Eddie at the Iron Horse next week. It was hard to find a really great quality of any of her recordings, most of them are live and just some dude in the crowd doing the best he can do.

Trevor Hall - The Lime Tree

I forget how I discovered this guy, but I'm glad I did! He reminds me of a more reggae-like DMB. Very relaxing and chill...nothing too complicated, which is sometimes just what I need! His website is fun too, so check that out if you have the time. My favorite lyrics of the song: "So save me love save me all the time. I'll wash you down with a simple sip of wine."

Tony Lucca, Jay Nash, Matt Duke - Pretty Things

Each of these singer/songwriters deserves their own post, which they will get in the following days, however they got together and produced this kick ass EP titled "TFDI" which stands for "Totally F***in doin' it!" and it is one of the better $3.95 I have spent on itunes. There are lots of songs to be shared from each artist but for now I will focus on the EP which nicely fits into this weeks slew of cover songs because they sing "The weight" by The Band as one of their four songs on the EP. You can hear most of the EP on Matt Dukes myspace page; including his original song Sex and Reruns which is greatly improved with the help of the other two guys. Of course the song I really want you to hear is not on that myspace page. You can find the Tony Lucca version on his myspace page though. Just to be fair here is Jay Nash's myspace page. He is my favorite of the three, I love his voice (Bou he will be your favorite too and you already have one of his songs from me). Eeks did I really just choose a favorite? I feel like a mom who just announced that the oldest child is her favorite. Whatever, its music I love them all.

Here is a video which does not do it justice but just had the best song quality I could find. Unfortunately it is sung solo by Tony Lucca. I urge you to find or purchase this song sung by the three of them somewhere else so you can fully appreciate it. Gosh I love it today. P.S. all three of these guys are irresistibly cute. I just want to give them all big hugs.

***Important Update: Jay Nash is playing TONIGHT at Club Passim in Cambridge at 10. GO GO GO!!! and then let me know how it is. (He is playing with Caitlin Crosby and Crosby Loggins and they are both pretty awesome too and yes Crosby Loggins IS Kenny Loggins son. Cool.***

Storm The Ohio--Autumn Maid

This is another western mass band that practices in my brother's basement. I'm less familiar with this band, but always like their stuff when I hear them. This is from a Tuesday night at one of my favorite restaurants in Northampton, Sierra Grille.

Kevin Hammond - Broken Down

Last Friday night I double-dated with Jack and Rita to go see The Script since they are one of my Dad's favorite bands right now. Kevin Hammond opened the concert and my Mom fell in love with him! He clearly isn't very well-known because he was such an awkward kind of cute on stage while he was introducing his songs. When he sang a couple solos, his bandmates poked their heads out from backstage and took pictures of him. It was really cute. He doesn't have an album yet, only an EP on iTunes, but here's his myspace page.

After the concert my Mom fought through the teenage girls to get a picture with him. NO joke. I was getting my jacket at coat check and asked where Mom was....my Dad points to a crowd and says, "I got her in my vision! She's almost there!". So I scurried over and got a picture of her with him...such a funny/strange moment.

This is his most well-known song. His voice is very Jason Mraz/Matt Nathanson-esque, but I still like it.



Other songs: Maybe, The Way That You Move, Let Her Go

And a cover of Crazy, by Gnarls Barkley for your enjoyment since I'm loving all the covers...

Kate Earl - Melody, All I want

I have to give you these two songs. Melody is here because its about loving music "I know that I am never alone/ And I know that my heart is my home/ Every missing piece of me I can find in a melody/". All I ever wanted is here because I woke up with it stuck in my head even though I haven't listened to it in a few weeks. It is so strange how that can happen. While both songs can be a little heavy on the jingling bells (it is holiday season after all) Kate Earl has no shortage of excellent songs to choose from like officer and someone to love.

Kate Earl was raised by her Phillipino mother and Dutch/Welsh father in Alaska of all places and eventually was able to use her music as a means to move somewhere else. On her website she says the following and I couldn't possibly agree more:
"I love it when a song comes on the radio and everyone knows the words. It’s the greatest sensation to completely fall into a moment in time, to be swept up, taken under the spell of a lyric a rhyme a melody. When songs evoke the response of turning them up and singing along, it’s magic." 

The Baseballs - Umbrella (cover)

It is amazing how many umbrella covers there are out there. But The Baseballs version has got to be my favorite. This is a German rock'n'roll cover band. They cover songs like Don't Cha, I kissed a girl, crazy in love, poker face, and bleeding love just to name a few. The best part is that they sing every one of these songs like they are from the 50s and friends with Elvis...and they dress the part too, haircut and all. I am willing to bet they even drive thunderbirds and cars with bench seats.

Of course there is also the Marie Digby version of Umbrella too which I have always liked way better than the Rhianna version. She also covers quite a few other songs that are worth checking out too. 

First Aid Kit--Our Own Pretty Ways

My friend, Annie, posted their version of "Blue Christmas" on her facebook and it's beautiful. So I just looked them up. I liked "You're Not Coming Home Tonight." But there was something about this song that I really liked. Actually, I think it's the title "We all change in our own ways/Our own pretty ways". I love their voices. I like their songs. They will be amazing when they have songs as powerful as their voices.

World Party--Put The Message In The Box

I saw World Party open for Natalie Merchant in the summer of 1993. Show was amazing. But I never heard anything from them again. Until I went to SXSW (when was that 2005?) and they were playing (right before Amos Lee). And I learned then that the lead singer had aneurysm and they stopped preforming. Pretty much the same set from 10 years earlier, which was great. "Sweet Soul Dream" is probably my favorite. Songs are timeless. I wanted to put the clip from the 1990's VMA's because it was just funny to compare then and now. But the sound quality was weak.

The Gourds - Gin and Juice

If we're gonna go with some cover songs, I can't not post this. It's absolutely hysterical! Martha Delay was a DJ in college...did either of you know this? She introduced me to this cover when we were trying to put together a fun playlist for the luau at the reunion. There's something about a country band from Texas that makes me absolutely die laughing when I listen to what they're actually saying.

"Got my mind on my money and my money on my mind" in a thick Texas accent should be just the ticket to brighten up your days!

Anya Marina - Whatever you like (cover)

I was thinking of dedicating a whole week to great cover songs but then I came across this one and I just had to post it! Right. Now. It's that good...plus I realized one could dedicate a whole blog to great cover songs. I think covers are best when the artists take a song from one genre and adapt it to their own genre or style. Anya Marina has done just that with T.I.'s song. You might remember some of her first few songs (move you, miss halfway, clean and sober) from their appearance on Grey's Anatomy a few years back. Her new stuff continues to be great, with that same haunting voice, like in Satellite Heart. But this song, is just fantastic, I just downloaded it and its been on repeat ever since. 

Henning Ohlenbusch--Thinking Of A Time

Henning is the lead singer of School For The Dead. WRSI, the radio station I listen to at home (it's a great station), hosted a singer-songwriter contest many years ago. (Probably 5 years ago). The winner opened for Martin Sexton at The Calvin in Northampton. That first year the finalists were Matt Hebert (Ware River Club, Haunt), Sonia Kitchell (a good friend of my niece), Henning and a couple other people. The show was the night before Thanksgiving and was a BLAST! Henning won. Here's Henning solo at The Iron Horse, singing a School for the Dead song.

Josh Ritter--Snow Is Gone

This is May's (my 6 year old niece) favorite song right now. She loves the "Hello, Blackbird. Hello, Starling. Winter's Over. Be My Darling." She stops whatever she's doing to sing those lines, loudly! (I like "I'd rather be the one who loves than to be loved and never even know".) She's also a big fan of "Kathleen". I don't know that I've heard a Josh Ritter song I don't like. May probably feels the same way.

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek

So I know this is a bit more mainstream than the rest of our blog, but I thought this was interesting...

Jason Derulo's song, "Whatcha Say" has taken off on the charts and is a very popular song on the radio/in bars/in Katie's brother's dorm room. He has surround sound and loves to blast the beginning part of this song at the beginning because it does a fun speaker-hopping thing. (No, speaker-hopping isn't a technical term - I just invented it.) : )

I like to listen to music on Friday mornings as I'm opening the bar at 9 in the morning after a late Thursday night shift. My co-worker Chris is a big fan of music too, so music makes it easier to shake off our sleepy faces and get back to work. He told me that Jason Derulo's song was inspired by Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek" (formerly known as Frou Frou and known for the Garden State track "Let Go"). Maybe this was common knowledge? But I investigated and found this link.

"Let Go" is still one of my favorite songs, even though Garden State is definitely not one of my favorite movies...so here's the video. (Embedding issues.)

God Help the Girl - Funny Little Frog

This is probably one of my favorite finds ever and here is why: God Help the Girl is actually an album that is a musical narrative created by Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian. He started creating these songs and set them aside for this project because they had a different sort of feel from the type of songs that Belle & Sebastian would normally do. In order to find the right vocals that he had envisioned, he posted a contest for singer/songwriters online to enter. He found a variety of singers and eventually started recording all these songs. It is really an incredible album with great talent. It just goes to show what musical magic can be created when artists take their time to produce something with great quality rather than rushing to create some crappy commercial hit. This album incapsulates everything great about indie artists and makes my musical heart happy. Please read more about the project on its website. It is a really cool concept and I wish more artists collaborated like this.

Here is the song Funny Little Frog sung by Brittany Stallings of Washington.

Lykke Li--I'm Good, I'm Gone

This is for Molly, kind of. She suggested "Everyone Bit Me". Gabbie gave me I'm Good, I'm Gone. Atypical for me.

Lissie--Little Lovin

Gabbie's dad wrote a song with Lissie, which Gab's illegally gave me last spring. So I just looked into her again and found this song. Reviews say she's got a great voice, but her lyrics leave something to be desired. She only has an EP out and I don't own it. She did tour with Ray LaMontagne (which is where Brandi Carlisle started.) Anyway--I like this little tune. And I like the one Gabbie gave me too.

La Roux - Bulletproof

Here is some UK electro-pop for your monday morning. I basically like her entire self titled album, especially Colourless Colour, I'm not your toy, and fascination. All worthy of downloading. Great up-beat stuff great for working out or before a night out. 

Devendra Banhart - Little Yellow Spider

I had a seriously hard time choosing which one of his songs to pick. It is especially tricky because his music is considered "freak-folk" which is a fantastic genre but it incorporates a lot of different and unconventional styles. A little like Nick Drake or some Mason Jennings. Devendra Banhart has a quirky voice and in Little Yellow Spider he seems to be purposely lisping some of his words. Instead of my kids listening to Raffi songs or Old McDonald, they will listen to this one about all the animals, even if the information is incorrect. "Well I came upon a dancing crab and I stopped to watch it shake, I said dance for me just one more time before you hibernate and you come out a crab cake." Don't ask me why I like it so much, I just do. Other songs are "The Body Breaks" (first song I had from him and I love it), Baby, 16th & Valencia Roxy Music, Rats, Heard Somebody Say...the list goes on and on. 

David Sedaris--Jesus Shaves

I know this is supposed to expose people to new music. But this will be totally worth it! When the Christmas season rolls around, I like to listen to "Santaland Diaries" and "6 to 8 Black Men". This one is great considering my last two trips were to French speaking countries and I always thought of this Sedaris clip when you just translate exactly what you said, not what you actually meant. (Does that make sense?) Anyway. . .ENJOY!

Passion Pit--Little Secrets

Another post for Molly. She said this song or "Sleepyhead". When I post most of these I just go to You Tube and listen and pick one. But, in general, this band just seems to have a fun, upbeat sound to them. Happy music. Won't go on my "Songs I Love to Sing Poorly" playlist, but not all can.

Son Volt--Windfall

Sticking with the Old 97's, Wilco, Whiskeytown feel. This is one of my favorite songs. It's on a million mixes I have. I also love "Tear Stained Eye", "Looking Through The World", "Mystifies Me". Their music is great, and timeless.

Iration--Falling

This is for Molly. She said to put "Wait and See" or "Falling". But they are both good. And You Tube has a lot of live clips which are great to watch, but the sound isn't as great.

Jupiter One - Flaming Arrows

Leslie just saw this band open for Regina Spektor at Dickinson and she said they were amazing. I'm not a huge fan of these kind of music videos because what I have in my head when I hear this song does not involve animated flames being thrown in the air - it's much more fluffy and carefree than that. They're all about animation though as you can see on their website.

Annie Little - Fly Me Away

This song is currently the song for Amazon's kindle and I smile every time I see the commercial, which must mean I like the song! Cute, happy song that I wanted to share. I definitely plan on looking into more of Annie Little's material since I had never heard of her before. She is actually the actress in the commercial as well which is pretty neat. All 3 of her songs on her website play in full and have catchy little beats.

Gomez--See The World

Another post for Molly Houston. I originally asked her to make me a CD with songs for the Senior Slide Show (always looking for suggestions, by the way). She put this on it. Then she made a CD just for me. And put this on it again. And then put it on her list of songs for me to post. Safe to say, she liked it! And I do too!

Old 97's--Big Brown Eyes

Old 97's and Whiskeytown were playing about the same time. Rhett Miller is the lead singer of Old 97's. I also like "Question" and "Murder (Or a Heart Attack)". I'm putting on "Big Brown Eyes". I love the line "You made a big impression for a girl of your size."

Coeur de Pirate - Comme des enfants

Ok, one more french song. This is a 20 year old Quebecois girl's single from her first album. This one is happier and I love it almost equally. The name of the band is Pirate heart and the song is "like kids". The whole album is really excellent. The lyrics in this one are a little bit more complicated to understand and again the theme is love triangle. The chorus says: "And he still loves me, and I love you a little more strongly."You can check out the official video here. Hope you like it!

Cali - Elle m'a dit

Ok, if we are doing french songs then I am obligated to give you this one. I am obsessed with it. The lyrics are awesome and have greatly aided me in learning important french phrases such as "I don't love you anymore." (Je crois que je ne t'aime plus) It is hard to pick my favorite lyrics out of this song but for now I will choose this: 
Quand je fais l'amour avec toi, je pense à lui
Quand je fais l'amour avec lui, je ne pense plus à toi 

lalala lalalalalala

"When I make love with you I think of him, when I make love with him I no longer think of you lalalala"

You can check out the rest of the lyrics and if you are actually interested I can translate for you. But I think that little tidbit was able to explain the basis of the song. What is even better is that this song and many more like it are from their album called "L'amour parfait" (the perfect love) even though all the songs are about imperfect and falling apart love. Those silly french, they make me rire...I mean laugh. 

Claire Denamur--le Prince Charmant

Passing along one Jessica sent me a while ago. I don't speak ANY French, but this is just a cute song. I thought he was a prince, but he ended up being a frog. More or less. Can't embed the clip, but it's worth watching the video, even if you took Latin and Spanish in high school. There are also a couple clips of her singing songs in English, so if you like her voice, search.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omXM8eq0D3I

Whiskytown--16 Days

And, to build off the post I posted for Molly, Whiskeytown. Ryan Adams' old band. "Houses on The Hill" is absolutely my favorite song. It makes me cry; it's a beuatiful song. I also like "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight". This one seems to go well with Jessica's earlier post "Ghosts" (which I LOVE, by the way) which is how I decided on this one. ("Ghosts have got me running away from you"--may not be exactly the same, but it helped me make a decision.)

Ryan Adams--Two

This is a post for Molly Houston (Govs '10). She can't figure out how to post, so I'm going to help out for a bit. I'm starting with this one because she put it on a CD she made me this fall and I LOVE this song! And she's a big Ryan Adams fan and I thought it was a good start for Molly's posting.

The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

Not very typical Avett Brothers style, their new album shows a very different side but I still like it. Bou, I have been waiting for you to post something about this but I couldn't hold off any longer. I have been playing this song over and over. I especially like the title. Actually this whole album (see the earlier post by sjb with laundry room) is really great. I can definitely see this being their big break. 

Charlie Winston - In Your Hands

Charlie Winston is Irish, I believe, you try and make sense of his website. (you can also listen to all of his songs on his website.) He is a big radio hit over in Europe starting with his first single "Like a Hobo" followed by "In your hands" which I think I like the most. His new single is "Kick the bucket" which I like because in his video he has skeletons playing guitars and it has a kind of reggae beat. Enjoy. 

Samples - Weight of the World

I first heard this song in Ms. Hueber's apartment back in the day and fell in love with The Samples. GDA people were the only ones I could talk to about The Samples up until a month ago when I found out my General Manager at Houston's is obsessed with them. (He went to St. Paul's, so it must be an ISL thing.) This song would be on my lifetime playlist if I ever made one - no particular reason for loving this song, I just find myself a little happier when I listen to it. Kind of a strange/goofy music video....makes me think of Glynnie. You'll see why. : ) Here's a link from their website of them playing at Red Rocks in 2007. I would LOVE to see them live.

Other songs I love: When the Day is Done, Did You Ever Look So Nice

*Their videos have embedding issues, so make sure you click on the link. *

Spouse--Hangover Cure For Humanity

Friends, I've been posting for a few weeks and have yet to put up a Western Mass artist. That changes now. I need to stay true to my roots, and my friends.

The Panics - Don't Fight It

While watching Ugly Betty at 3am last year after a night out, I heard this song and I liked it enough to pick my head up off my pillow and went directly to itunes and purchased the song. It also made it onto last year's Valentines day mix. The Panics are an Australian band and released a new album in the UK called Cruel Guards and is worth checking out. Anyways you gotta love the trumpets in this song, they really make it. You should also check out their other songs Get us Home and Feeling is Gone. 

Brett Dennen - San Francisco

I am definitely going to live in this city within the next few years. Even though I've only been there twice, it's one of those cities that you could spend months and months exploring - it has so much character and depth. I just spent Thanksgiving there and I listened to this on the plane several times to the point where I was humming it as I walked down the streets....yes I'm silly, but it's a great song!

My Dad's favorite lyrics of this song: "It's a great baseball town, but my team is across the bay."
My favorite lyrics: "I'm gonna rent me an old Victorian down in the Lower Haight. I'm gonna find me an old accordion, play for the tourists on the golden gate."

p.s. This video is just the orange picture you see at the beginning, so put this on and then go listen to it on your couch. If you stare at the picture for too long it becomes an optical illusion and you will believe that it is moving....not that it would happen to me or anything...

Joshua Radin - Rather Be With You

I'm shocked that Joshua isn't already on this blog even at it's young age! He's been one of my faves ever since the 5th edition of Boulais' Valentine's Day CD was released. We would all be so lucky to find someone who can be in love with us like the way he describes in this song. He's too cute!

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova--Falling Slowly

This song won an Academy Award last year for Best Song from a movie. "Once" is a really cute, low budget film. But I loved it. Great music and a nice little love story.

Cocoon - On my way

 Here is a French band named Cocoon with some really great songs. And if you are wondering why they are riding a panda in this bizarre music video it has something to do with the fact that their recently released album is called "Back to Panda Mountain." Maybe they just really like pandas? Also make sure you check out their other songs including a cover of Hey Ya, Chupee, Owls, and Hummingbird.

Marit Larsen - If a Song Could Get Me You

This was my song of the summer and is now becoming a big hit over here. The young Norwegian, Marit Larsen, write and sings her own songs. Self-described as "a pop artist without boundries". "If a song could get me you" is a great cutesy, happy go lucky, kind of song. In my opinion, I think it has great potential to be an ipod commercial song. 

Jonathan Richman--I Was Dancing In the Lesbian Bar

Jonathan Richman live is maybe the most fun you can have seeing live music. He dances ridiculously. He tells amazing stories. And his songs celebrate the simple pleasures of life. He's a Boston legend, playing music since the 1970's. He was in There's Something About Mary. (That didn't really work for him. I don't think Jonathan is meant to be popular or mainstream.) This is a clip of him on Cohnan in 1992 and it makes me laugh outloud!

Holiday Playlist...for the lonely

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. While you are all out shopping and getting ready for the next big holiday maybe you would like a playlist. I thought I would make a playlist out of all Christmas/Winter songs I could find on my computer. The ones that came up are all a bit on the sad side. But they are good songs nonetheless just don't expect them to get you into the Christmas spirit. I will give you a video of the first song just because I love this song and Dustin Kensrue has some other pretty good songs too worth checking out.

1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Dustin Kensrue
2. Things we don't need anymore - Jenny Owen Youngs
3. All I want - The Weepies
4. Rudy - The Be Good Tanyas
5. The Heartache can wait - Brandi Carlile
6. Come in from the cold - Marc Broussard
7. The Hat - Ingrid Michaelson
8. Fallen Snow - Au Revoir Simone
9. Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles & Nina Simone
10. Robin in the snow - Sonya Kitchell
11. Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
12. Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat
13. A Christmas to Remember - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
14. Telluride - Tim McGraw
15. Walking in the Air - George Winston
16. Walking in the air with lyrics (from one of my favorite christmas movies, The Snowman)

Ryan Montbleau Band - 75 and Sunny

A truly fantastic song from the Ryan Montbleau Band. These guys are coming to the Paradise in Boston on December 5th. I picked this just for the lyrics:


"I’d had a bad night.  I mean a night so bad, I thought I was king of the world. And I drank ‘til daylight.  I mean I never stopped once until my hands finally fell.  And I fought my daytime self with a mighty dose of, “Hey, look at night time me!”  And I never do win that battle, but I fight it over and over and over and over, it seems.

And I saw an old man smiling on a park bench feeding the pigeons.  And my head was spinning, and as my young body ached I wished for an old man’s vision.  And I watched the way he moved--slow, serene and lucky to be alive.  And I thought to myself, “I’m never gonna make it that far with too many more nights like last night.” This band is really fun and for a different kind of beat from them check out "The Boat Song" and "Already There".

Diane Birch - Rise Up

Like my fellow JW, I too fall in love with songs based on their lyrics. After seeing Sara Bareilles in concert twice, I've also been on a "girl playing piano and singing" kick. Diane Birch is a new singer-songwriter that I can't wait to watch grow. This song, "Rise Up" pretty much sums up the past few years of my life. For those of you who don't know me that well, basically I have semi-strict parents who think I'm a raging liberal with an "extremely independent mind." I can laugh about this now, but it used to really bother me before. The chorus is the best...

"But if it's happiness you want, that's what you'll get
You gotta rise up little sister, turn on the light
Wise up to the stories you've been told
'Cause love don't come in black and white"

Jessica - This is such a great way to keep each other updated on music....why didn't you think of this sooner?! It's so much fun!

Stephanie Heinzmann - No One (can ever change my mind)

Since I am giving you pop-esque songs today here is one you have not heard on the radio, although it is a big radio hit over here. This is a Swiss-German teenager rocking out with a a jazzy-blues kind of style. She has a good voice and I really like most of her songs. Plus she is individual and keeps her german punk style and is still capable of singing with two piercings in her lip. Love those silly Swiss-Germans. (that just means she is Swiss but from the german speaking side not dual nationalities)

Embedding is disabled so here is the link.

Her other song I really like titled "My Man is a Mean Man" is here for your viewing pleasure: 

Train - Hey, Soul Sister

Why do I love this song so much? It is not on the radio here in Europe, so for all I know it could be insanely overplayed on the radio in the states. If that is the case I am truly sorry. But just in case you haven't gotten enough of it here it is again. Can you remember back to some 11 years ago when their first album came out with "Meet Virginia" and later when "Drops of Jupiter" came out in 2001? I can, I played those songs non-stop for months. I have to say that no matter what I always like their singles at least until they get overplayed by the radio. Hope you all are still able to enjoy this one.  

Brooke Waggoner - Hush If You Must

I found Brooke Waggoner two years ago on the SXSW website where it list all the bands that are lined up and usually gives you a sample or two of their songs. This is a tremendously dangerous website if you have a downloading music addiction and take A.D.D. meds. If I look at this sight it is inevitable that I will stay up all night downloading hundreds of songs.

Anyways, back to the artist...this song is from her EP called "Fresh Pair of Eyes". But in the meantime she has released two full length albums that show a wide range of musical skills. But I have not gotten a good chance to listen to them quite yet because I have been too busy loving "Hush if you Must" and "So-So". I was really torn between these two songs because so-so mentions wanting hot cocoa in colorado but I picked Hush if you must because her piano playing rocks, especially at the end. Maybe soon there will be more posts about her newer songs. 

Fred Eaglesmith--Time To Get A Gun

A Canadian artist who is SO great live. He's socially aware and tells hysterical stories to get his point across. (Like how so many Republicans are Catholic and believe in a virgin birth, but the idea, not whether it is happening just the IDEA, of global warming is ridiculous.) His songs range from unrequitted love to one questioning "when exactly did we become White Trash" to the loss of the agricultural industry. This is classic Fred, Time To Get A Gun. My sister laughs everytime she hears the chorus "Time to get a gun/That's what I've been thinking/I could afford one/If I did just a little less drinking" and always comments, "yea, we want a drunk guy with a gun. . .HA!" Everytime. But if you want to see a great live show, check him out. Highly entertaining! (His fans are called FredHeads)

Matt & Kim - Daylight

I love this song. Give it some time to catch because even if you aren't into this type of music the beat becomes addicting. It is a great headphones song, I love hearing this walking around the city. It somehow makes me walk faster, stand taller, and I think I even bounce a little. I love how songs can do that. I even spent an afternoon learning how to play this on the piano, thats how catchy it is. I just learned via their website that Daylight was used for a Bacardi Mojito Commercial so maybe you have already heard this song. I am going to see them on December 1st in Lausanne and I am really excited and will update you on how they are in concert. Their music video is great and you can't help but wonder how he got himself stuck in a freezer while playing the keyboard. Keep an eye on these guys, I think there will be more to come.

Delta Spirit--People C'Mon

Gabbie put "Ode to Sunshine" on a mix she made me last year. I also really like "People, Turn Around". I think they toured with Matt Costa not too long ago. I promised my next post would be more upbeat (music, maybe not the lyrics). If you do like them, also check out Dr. Dog.

Faded Paper Figures - North by North

Ok time for a different direction....In reality, I want to give you the song called "Geneva's Gone". However, I like it less than their other songs, it just happens to be incredibly relevant since I will be leaving here in less than a month. Faded Paper Figures resemble The Postal Service with their electronic beats. This one I think is one of the catchiest and I believe it was on this years season of Grey's Anatomy. 

Wilco - Jesus etc.

It may be an oldie (when I was in high school) but it is my favorite Wilco song of all time. But something about it makes me sway side to side as I sing along in my head and it works like a big musical hug, that sounds stupid but I don't know how else to describe the song. It is a comfort song and it can do the same thing for me that a big bowl of homemade cheddar cheese mashed potatoes can. In fact I will even give you my comfort song playlist in the next post later today. Not only is the picking of violin strings that make this song great but the lyrics, for me at least, are beautiful. In case you haven't noticed, I am a sucker for lyrics. Recently this song has been covered by Norah Jones and there is another version with the collaboration of Andrew Bird who is one of my other favorites. I would give you both but the quality is kind of lame so check out the clips on itunes, you will appreciate it much more. Here is the Norah jones version and the original.

tall buildings shake

voices escape singing sad sad songs

tuned to chords strung down your cheeks

bitter melodies turning your orbit around

Brandi Carlisle--The Heartache Can Wait

I'm piggy-backing Jessica's last post. As I told her, this is going to cost me about $365 a year. But I was wrong. As I went to buy Winter Song, I checked out the whole album and also purchased the Brandi Carlisle song. It's beautiful, I love the cello. I promise my next song will be more upbeat. (I do love a good ballad, though.)

Sara Bareilles/Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song

The days are getting shorter, darker, grayer, the weather is slowly changing you can feel winter coming closer and closer. Things are just becoming dismal. There must be a song to fit the mood. Alas, fret not, I have found one for you. Whoever decided to put Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson in the same studio was a genius. This song is nothing but beautiful. It is simple while still managing to incorporate both of their styles. The official music video is fantastic and incredibly cute but I can not embed it so here is the link. In the meantime you can listen to it here: In other news Ingrid Michaelson has a newly released CD, called Everybody. It is good but becoming more mainstream with heavy pop influences. It is fun to listen to nonetheless. Her first single from the album is "Maybe" which is being played on the radio already. I also like Soldier and Everybody. However if you listen to her old album "Girls and Boys" you would barely be able to tell that this is the same Ingrid Michaelson. If you are looking for more songs like Overboard, The Way I Am, or Breakable you will not find them on this new album. But at least there is this Winter Song to remind you of what Ingrid once sounded like.