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Sunday, 31 August 2014

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 31/08/14, Jamie T, Interpol, Leonard Cohen, Roo Panes, Jamie N Commons and X Ambassadors

Interpol Jamie N Commons Jamie T Leonard Cohen Roo Panes Tracks of the Week X Ambassadors

Five tracks to kick back in your Facekini to

Sfw:-
Roo Panes - Tiger Striped Sky (2014)

Singer-songwriter-Burberry Model, Roo Panes seems to have everything. A good looking chap who has a considerable vocal range (He sounds like Scott Matthews) and a talent for well-crafted songs. Roo’s musical education came in part from his grandmother, a classical concert pianist, the hymns of his local church and in part from his parents’ collection of Nick Drake and Bob Dylan records. Hailing from a small town in Dorset, Roo’s surroundings have a strong influence on his music.

“Think I’ll write a tale of my own / I’m going southbound where the ocean is flirting with the coast / And tell me why / I’m underneath a tiger striped sky”.

His debut album, ‘Little Giant’, is avaiable for pre-order exclusively through PledgeMusic or pick it up when it is released in October.

Old Pa's Corner :-
Leonard Cohen - Almost Like the Blues (2014)

This is really exciting, another album of songs by Leonard Cohen. This new song is really just the spoken word with some excellent backing to compliment the dark lyrics (whats new here then). The song is from the new album Popular Problems released on the21st September. Bring it on please.

Shell Hunter:-
Jamie N Commons & X Ambassadors - 'Jungle' (2014)

Each time I hear this song it reminds me of Howlin' Wolf's Smoke Stack Lightnin'. It's the raspy blues voice and raw sparse backing that does it. Looks like I hit the nail on the head with that because Jamie N Commons, although born in Bristol, moved to Chicago with his family when he was 6 and was submerged into all things blues and musical. He later moved back to the UK and began to pursue his career in London when he was 18. He's got a winning voice with dark landscapes comparable to Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Mark Lanegan and Leonard Cohen. X Ambassadors are an alt-rock band from New York and got noticed by the lead singer from Imagine Dragons who insisted they were given a record deal. This track seems like a marriage made in heaven or a jungle even...

London Scouser:-
Interpol - 'All The Rage Back Home' (2014)

Interpol are a band that I really like whilst not seeming to know much about them at all. I thought 'Evil' was brilliant and my other favourite is 'Mammoth'. This track is everything I've come to like about the band, a great dark sound and catchy chorus which gets me singing along and the video reminds me of a Guiness advert. Not much else for me to say really. Maybe this time I will look into them a bit more, especially as they are releasing their 5th album 'El Pintor' on the 08th of September.

Flycasual:-
Jamie T - 'Don't You Find' (2024)

Jamie T has this Marmite-esque musical quality, you either like him or don't but you can't deny his talent. I thought his 2007 debut, Panic Prevention, was good in parts but I thought it a bit gimmicky, like a male version of Kate Nash (a tad harsh maybe, I must listen to it again to see if I can exorcise that) but his second, Kings and Queens was a firm favourite of mine in 2009. 'Don't You Find' snuck up on me after a couple of listens, particularly the poignant lyrics about a love lost. His new album, Carry on the Grudge is due out on September 26th, with 'Zombie' being the second single to be release from it. Click here to hear it.

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 03:18 6 Komentar

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Antony - If it be Your Will/Beth Orton - Sisters of Mercy

Antony Antony and the Johnsons Beth Orton Leonard Cohen Wednesday Club

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

'PRETTY LOOKING PEOPLE'

They used to laugh about dying!

ANTONY - If it be Your Will (2006)

I loved the film Bonnie and Clyde starring Warren Beattie and Faye Dunaway from 1969 and when I heard there was a new TV version over two episodes I was quite looking forward to it.

I am sad to say it was rather disappointing. I could not understand a word they were saying. The Texas drawl was over done and there was no subtitles.

I don't know why I persevered and watched the second episode. I am glad I did as the song over the credits was superb. I new the song but was not sure of the singer. I thought it may be Ray Lamontagne.

After a little internet browse I found it was by Antony from Antony and the Johnsons. It was from a tribute album of Leonard Cohen songs called I'm Your Man (2006). I remember the album but never got round to getting it.

It was most enjoyable especially the Antony cover. I have also added Beth Orton's magnificient live cover of the Sisters Of Mercy, which incidentally was the first LC song I heard and was on the fabulous CBS compilation album 'The Rock Machine Turns you On'

BETH ORTON - Sisters of Mercy (2006)

sfw Pada 01:26 3 Komentar

Sunday, 13 October 2013

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 13/10/13 - Porcelain Raft, Arcade Fire, Cass McCombs, Tindersticks

Arcade Fire Cass McCombs Joy Division Leonard Cohen Porcelain Raft Tindersticks Tracks of the Week

Four tracks that warmed our cockles.....

Old Pa's Corner:-
Tindersticks - Goodbye to the City (2013)

I always get excited when I hear of a new Tindersticks album, even if this one contain only songs from their past, but redone. Not usually keen on this sort of thing. Jeff Lynn did it recently and it did not really work. Chris Rea did it also, but in his case it was a great success. The original track came from their Waiting for the Moon album (2003), not one of their best, but this was one of the standout tracks. Oh! I just love the voice of Stuart Staples, it is so distinctive, like Leonard Cohen or Ian Curtis. I am a great fan of doom and gloom, it makes me happy. If doom is your bag, then Staples is your man.

I think Stuart and the boys do the track justice but but I give the original the edge.

Shell Hunter:-
Arcade Fire - 'Reflektor' (2013)

I love, love, love this song! It has seriously grown on me! At first I thought it sounded a bit like Hercules and Love Affair with it's jiggly danciness but Win Butler, the Fire's lead singers vocals gave it away. I love the addition of the whispy french lyrics, they give it a certain...I don't know what. I read that none other than our mate David Bowie popped by the studio whist the band were mixing to have a listen, liked what he heard so much that he was invited to guest on the single! This track is taken from their fourth album (out on 28th October), also called Reflektor, and was produced by another musical mastermind, James Murphy, the former frontman of LCD Soundsystem. It truly shows that he is definitely not losing his edge!

SFW:-

Cass McCombs - 'There Can Be Only One' (2013)

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Whether or not There Can Be Only One is a reference to Highlander, you'd have to ask Mr McCombs directly. This song features on his latest release, the 2 disc, Big Wheels and Others, which is released tomorrow (October 14th) - a great excuse to visit your local record shop. A relaxed vibe of guitar, bass & bongos. It has the sort of groove that makes you want to bump & grind with the missus. I think he's a genius.

Flycasual:-
Porcelain Raft - 'Lost Connection' (2013)

Oooof, no problem connecting with this beautifully melancholic track that gets under your skin but in a good way. The rolling piano in tandem with the vocal melody makes for a emotional kidney punch of a song which just sounds like it has been written by somebody who's been kicked in the butt by love. It's fo sho the stand out from London based Italian, Mauro Remiddi aka, Porcelain Raft, second album Permanent Signal.

Cheer up by browsing Porcelain Raft's website here...

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 10:11 7 Komentar

Monday, 15 April 2013

GUEST SPOT #59 - Other Lives - 'The Partisan'

Cover Me Guest Spot Leonard Cohen Natcwilson Other Lives

This weeks Guest Spot has been kindly submitted by natcwilson which features the excellent Other Lives covering the wonderful Leonard Cohen

Other Lives - The Partisan

I saw Other Lives last summer at Village Underground in Shoreditch (awesome venue).

They played this cover of Leonard Cohen's The Partisan and I think it could be my favourite ever cover. Their style is perfect for covering Cohen tracks, and dare I say (please don't hate me) I think it's better than the original. Unfortunately I couldn't find a video from the night, but this is close enough.

I also have to admit I felt pretty cool and hip being the only person in the crowd who recognised the song and sang along. That's quite sad isn't it.

Anyway, enjoy! :)

sfw Pada 09:32 2 Komentar

Sunday, 8 January 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/01/2012

Destroyer Jools Holland Leonard Cohen Lianne La Havas Ren Harvieu Tracks of the Week Willy Mason

New year, new you, still holding on to those resolutions? We can't guarantee you keep them but here are four tracks that'll even whip Mr Motivator into shape...

Old Pa's Corner :-
Leonard Cohen - The Darkness

This is a nice preview to Leonard Cohen's new Album 'Old Ideas' which is released on the 30th of January 2012. It has all the hallmarks of LC which I like, a haunting menacing backing and the usual 'interesting' lyrics which you would expect. This is a live take from a concert in November 2009 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. There are several version on You Tube but this is definitely the best quality sound wise. If all the tracks are as good as this, then bring it on.

SFW:-
Lianne La Havas -' No Room for Doubt (feat. Willy Mason)' (2012)

I've been looking forward to new Willy Mason material for a few years, but alas, (due to him 'parting' from his label) nothing is available (just yet) so when I heard this just before Christmas I was pretty excited. Lianne La Havas has been making waves (no she's not a wave machine) over the last few months and she's also nominated for the 2012 'new faces' lists that you'll see scattered on websites & music magazines over the next few weeks/months. She's already appeared on Jools Holland (always a good barometer) and everything I've heard by her has been pretty magnificent. Certainly one to watch!

Shell Hunter:-
Ren Harvieu - 'Through The Night' (2011)

In the middle of my singalong in the shower with BBC6 playing over the iPhone, this little beauty hit me. I loved the drama, the strings, the retro sound and thought it was a golden oldie perhaps from Dusty herself. I discovered, with soap in my eyes when pulling back the shower curtain to hear better, that Ren Harvieu is only 21 years old, with a fabulous voice and was a contender for BBC's Sound of 2012. I have a feeling she is going to be big. Watch out for a rumoured potential collaboration with Johnny Marr!

Download the track free here

Flycasual:-
Destroyer - Kaputt (2011)

I love being musically ambushed! Another victim of those best of 2011 lists which prompts the question, 'where have I been?' It definitely would have been on mine! Kaputt is taken from Destroyer's 9th album of the same name, ninth! Which was also released early last year. It's completely unique in the sense that you're unlikely to hear anything quite like it these days. It instantly reminded me of Prefab Sprout, The Blue Nile and even Swiss behemoths, Double (Captain of Her Heart....love it!!). It's musical transportation, as it took me back to a simpler time of Flux Capacitors, a crush on Michaela Strachan and waiting for the next issue of Smash Hits. More importantly it has a Sax!! And I don't know about you but I always crave a bit of Sax, quite apt following my complaint of a lack thereof in my best of 2011 post!

What's that in your footlocker? A Jelly donut? Drop and give me 20! Or check out more of our Tracks of the Week...

sfw Pada 01:50 4 Komentar