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Winehouse Interview – Fanfarlo New Album – The Haret

25 Jul

Amy Winehouse: In Memoriam

By now, the news of Amy Winehouse’s death has become widespread. Thoughts vary. Some say that her recklessness made this early demise unsurprising and inevitable.  Others remain shocked. Without question, 27-year-old Amy Winehouse was talented and thought-provoking, but, perhaps like so many others, she continued to slip because of the overwhelming pressure to conform to the act that a performer puts on themselves. Think about it. Imagine Lady Gaga without gaudy clothes or make-up. How about a “normal” Charlie Sheen. It simply doesn’t do it. We like our performers how we know them. We don’t want to see them different. Amy Winehouse was hounded by tabloids and labeled a wild soul who scoffed at rehab and said screw you to the world. But in reality, Winehouse did go to rehab because of a serious drug problem spawned by mental health issues and a major self-destructiveness. If you listen to her interviewed it is clear that she was witty, but also insecure. A different picture is painted.

I want to profile a great interview I found while searching this morning. Click here

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Fanfarlo Just Finish Recording New Album

Photo by Deirdre OCallaghan

After Fanfarlo released their first album Reservoir in 2009, the indie scene immediately labeled the act as a “band to look out for.” The title is one that all indie bands would like to be marked with, but it does bring some pressure on the band to create a sophomore release that doesn’t…excuse my French…suck. Well, we are going to find out soon. Fanfarlo has just finished mixing album number two and have set a release date for early 2012. According to the band,  the album is going to explore 70s and 80s experimental pop instead of the indie/folk that was pervasive on the first album. I’m intrigued and a little frightened at this concept. I loved Reservoir. It’s a great album. How this experimental pop is going to sound is a mystery. But I’m looking forward to listening to the album when it is released. No name on the album yet.

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The Traditional Blues of The Haret

I’m a huge fan of traditional blues. If you asked me to pick between the guitar-saturated sounds of the Allman Brothers or the gravelly voice and acoustic splendor of Leadbelly or Robert Johnson, I’d go with the latter all the time. I am not saying that I dislike the Allman Brothers. The Allman Brothers are awesome. I just prefer the old-fashioned blues. So, it goes without saying that I was immediately blown away by The Haret, a folk/blues depression-era-inspired music act that plays the pre-rock n’ roll blues (without the scratchiness of old recordings).

The similarity is striking. The voice is authentic. The harmonica is tasteful. The acoustic is strummed well. There is not much more to say. If you like old blues then you will love the Haret. Now the band just has to distribute their music online because I want it!

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Amy Winehouse Dies At 27

23 Jul

News broke today that singer Amy Winehouse died in her London residence today. At age 27, she joins the ranks of Morrison, Joplin, Hendrix and Cobain, all of who experienced their untimely death at this age. Winehouse was known for her self-destructive persona. Her first major hit single “Rehab” embraced this. For years, her habits and vices were brutally lampooned by the media. Now, the same outlets that celebrated her tragic downfall must gather at least some reverence for Winehouse’s talent.

Though she was popularly chastised as sloppy and implosive, Winehouse made some indisputable contributions to the music scene. In an overwhelming backdrop of pop friendly female artists, she drew upon the classics, helping to bring soul back to mainstream consciousness. During her short moment, Winehouse helped chip away at the mold of what women should look or sound like. Her success was a harbinger for that of Adele, Corrine Baily Rae, Duffy and others.

While the cause of Winehouse’s death is not yet know, it is clear that she was dealing with some heavy demons. Whether her torment was the result of media bullying or bleak insecurity the most tragic aspect of her death is that she will never create new music again.

Here’s my favorite Winehouse song, Tears Dry on Their Own

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Lekman New EP – Albarn in Africa – Commonplace Country

21 Jul

I have been so caught up with my exploration of new talent that I have not posted a version of Music News since July 4, 17 days ago. Some probably thought that I was nixing the entire category. Nope, not quite, perhaps scaling back a bit, but not destroying it as a whole. I still want to provide my take on a few music-related items from the news. Let’s get to it.

Jens Lekman Will Release New EP

It may be safe to say that many readers do not know of 30-year-old Swedish musician Jens Lekman and that is definitely a shame. His blend of old pop, witty lyric and sampled strings/sounds is endearing. While he has only released two full-length LPs, he has released numerous EPs and he will add to his EP list this September with his five-song An Argument With Myself.

Lekman consistently receives good reviews from music writers because his style and voice are infectious. This will be his first release in four years. I’m excited. I have only recently gotten into Lekman, but his style of pop is refreshing. I’d certainly urge you readers to take a listen to Lekman’s music. It is not for everyone, but at least you can appreciate its creativity. Take a listen to “Waiting For Kirsten,” a track off of the upcoming EP. (The song starts at 2:50)

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Damon Albarn to Record New Record in Africa

Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has announced he will record a new album in the Republic of Congo. Gorillaz can meet some actual gorillas. He intends to record the album in a week without contracting malaria or being mauled by…a gorilla. Okay, I added that last part. Joining him on this African album safari are Kwes, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Franz Ferdinand producer Dan The Automator, hip-hop producer Jneiro Jarel, XL Recordings boss Richard Russell, Actress, Marc Antoine and Jo Gunton.

Currently, Albarn is performing in Doctor Dee, an opera he wrote.

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Is Country Music Leveling Out?

Dave Heaton of PopMatters wrote an article yesterday about the lack of major country music released this year. In the article, he claims that Country music, like Hollywood, is recycling old material.

“For the first half of the year, the #1 country songs in Billboard’s charts were from 2010, or older, like Miranda Lambert’s “Heart Like Mine”, from her 2009 album Revolution,” he writes. “The #1 country albums were from last year – by Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts – with only a couple of relatively well-known groups releasing albums this year that made the charts (Sara Evans and Thompson Square, for example). By June we did have new albums from Brad Paisley, Ronnie Dunn and Dolly Parton, and more big-ish albums are on the way this summer… but still, the pickings have been slim.”

The article poses the question, what has happened to country music this year? Why is there a lack quality, new releases for listeners to enjoy? Country itself is a limited genre. What I mean by that is there are only so many changes you can make to a country song to make it original. Eventually, when paired with a lack of creativity, this all leads to a stall in quality releases. I am not implying that today’s country stars are untalented. Currently, they are leaning on old material and popular tours. The releases this year have been hokey and tired. Will this improve? The simple answer is yes. I do not believe Country music is leveling out, but rather taking a break.

Look at American Idol this past season. The winner and runner-up were both Country performers. And since winner Scotty McCreery’s attempts at singing any non-Country song were embarrassing, he perpetuated the message and sound of Country each and every week. And, he won. America loves it’s Country music. If you took a poll it would most likely be considered the “National” sound, which is slightly scary, but true. Country followers are loyal to their music and since there will always be a market, the talent will refresh itself constantly.

Read the article

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Happy Independence Day – – – U2 Class Act, Songs for the Fourth

4 Jul

I don’t talk about U2 much on this blog because I admit I am not the biggest U2 fan. They are just not exactly my cup of tea. That being said, I still recognize them as a fantastic band and lead singer Bono as one of the better frontmen ever. But I feel the need to post about them today after watching an inspirational and extremely heart-warming video from their recent concert in Nashville.

After U2 finished the concert and took a bow, Bono noticed a blind man in the crowd holding up a sign reading that he wanted to play a song for his wife. Many musicians, especially those who can sell out massive arenas, would most likely ignore the sign, throw a piece of memorabilia in the stands and then walk off stage to the catered post-show dinner. But, not Bono. Bono walked to the man and asked him what he would like to play. The blind man’s answer was “All I Want Is You.” Bono preceded to help the man onto the stage and provide him with his custom-made acoustic guitar to play. First Bono, and then all of U2 played “All I Want Is You” as the self-proclaimed nervous fan (I think I understand his jitters) strummed the chords on the acoustic. After the song, the man attempts to give Bono his guitar back, but Bono placed it back into the fan’s hands and told him to keep it. What a special moment.

That is beyond classy, it’s noble. It demonstrates Bono’s level-headed kindness. Star musicians like Bono can provide fans with lifelong stories through small, kind actions. Bono, though, took it a bit further, and for that he gets a standing ovation from me.

Also, since it is the fourth, I thought it would be wise to include a list of solid songs for the holiday. Here is a fun, unconventional list compiled by PopMatters. Enjoy. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/144498-the-fourth-of-july-through-the-years/

The Voice Finale and Rave On Buddy Holly

30 Jun

Javier Colon Wins The Voice

“The Voice” blossomed into a constant show for my sister and I. It also worked as an inside joke because we just could not figure out why we taped and watched every episode. We concluded early on that it was for Cee-Lo Green‘s smooth colloquy and gaudy custom-made outfits. If The Voice did one thing, it proved the verdant creativity of Cee-Lo Green to most of the country. But we both know that it could not have been just Cee-Lo Green.

“The Voice” was the ideal 10-week publicity stunt for all four judges. If you are not familiar with the premise, basically the show saw four celebrity judges (Cee-lo, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton) blindly choose eight singers by voice only for their teams. Then the judges and country narrowed it down to a top four (one from each team) and eventually a winner, Javier Colon, of Team Adam.

The show was awfully predictable, but it’s 10-week format was the correct length and it didn’t give the audience an opportunity to get completely sick of it. The reason we kept watching was the talent. Out of the 32 performers, five had serious, unadulterated talent. Four of those singers made it into the top four. How do you like that? It seems America has finally figured out how to vote in singing competitions. We have had enough practice. The winner, Javier Colon, may not be as quirky and marketable as the runner-up, Dia Frampton (no relation to Peter), but his natural voice is simply better. He was the best singer and he won the money and the recording contract. The show actually worked. I think that is why we kept watching. If the best singers were eliminated early, there would have been no reason to sit through the judge’s specious praise of bad performances. Well, I’ll be honest, we fast-forwarded a lot of the show.

Congrats to Mr. Colon and I wish him well. Unlike the last few years on American Idol, I can actually see myself buying his work and, shockingly, Dia Frampton’s albums as well. Here is Colon’s first performance, a tremendous version of “Time After Time.”

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Modest Mouse Records “That’ll Be The Day”

Buddy Holly is the quintessential example of an artist who was struck down in his prime. The Day The Music Died, the McLean term for the day when Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed in a 1959 Iowa plane crash, took Holly away when he was only 22 years old. I turn 22 in a month and that really gives some perspective. By the time Holly died, he released a good amount of material that would go on to inspire musicians like The Beatles. Holly’s rockabilly music was tinkering with what would become rock n’ roll. Rave On Buddy Holly, sees numerous performers, including Paul McCartney, re-imagine Holly songs. The album makes us ponder what would have happened if Holly did not die.

My favorite song off the album is Modest Mouse’s version of “That’ll Be The Day.” It is low-key and brilliantly original. Take a listen.

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