So many great ones this year: Beach House, Calexico, Jimmy Cliff, Jonathan Wilson, Jack Johnson |
The Black Swans "Occasion For Song" [Folk/Rock]
I confess, I root for my home town. Most prolly don't think
of Columbus, Ohio as a music town but man back in the day
there were guys/bands that should have rocked the
world...and sure as hell rocked some bars here. Bands like
Great Plains, Gaunt, The New Bomb Turks, Scrawl, Bassholes,
Cheater Slicks, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, The
Haynes Boys. Legendary artists (some still at it well into
their 50's)...Ron House, Don Howland, Marcy Mays, Tim
Easton, Derek Dicenzo just to mention a few. I could write
volumes on those guys both personally and professionally.
Quietly, many of them have been major influences to popular
music today (The White Stripes would not exist if not for
Don and The Bassholes and on and on).
So many late nights at Staches/Little Brothers.....but that
was a long time ago, now. I stopped following local music as
time wore on and staying out till 4am was/is just not
happening anymore. Other than our annual visits to Comfest I
have no idea who the local bands are nor have I for a
decade.
I'd heard of The Black Swans, occasionally written up in the
Dispatch or Other Paper here in town and even on Pitchfork,
Mojo and some other music sites. Recently I came across some
press raving their new record and picked it up on a whim. At
first listen I new this was special. It's simple music with
gentle banjo, warm organ in the background and a solid
country/folk rhythm section. Timeless and American at heart.
But it's Jerry Dicca's words and voice that makes this a
record with depth and soul. I highly recommend this album
and will be off to find their others today. Easily one of
the better records I have heard this year, regardless of
where they hail from.
Link to Portsmouth Ohio from the new album on Soundcloud:
http://soundcloud.com/misrarecords/the-black-swans-
portsmouth
Link to Pitchfork review:
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17091-occasion-for-song/ |
NY Gypsy All-Stars - Romantech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p66kffsA_mQ
Sao Paulo Ska Jazz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBNg5QSLXMA
Arturo Sandoval Big Band - Dear Diz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vXsDAfQzcI
Outstanding records that, while individually the tracks are great, the records are best experienced whole! |
Rok2id...Didn't mean for the thread to be limited to 2012
releases, more just new music to us that we wanted to
recommend to others. I just put a year on it thinking we'd
start one every year. Thanks for the contribution!
Obrown...Hope you enjoy it too, love that record. Also good
to know you're enjoying the music these days:) I think this
forum has helped many of us experience some great new music.
And...another pretty cool album going here. Jason Simon
(S/T} (Folk Rock/Stoner Rock). He's only released one solo
album, this self titled on Tee Pee Records in 2006, the rest
of the time he's with a band called Dead Meadow that I'm not
as fond of. This album is really growing om me. Some of it
reminds me of Jason Pierce with a folk country twang, it's
got that psychedelic vibe to it like Spiritualized. Anyway,
I'm really digging on it so thought I'd post. |
Richard, I have put Your Shadow in my Amazon cart because your 2011 recommendations were so enjoyable once I decided to "listen outside the box" of my historical tastes.
I have really enjoyed music more lately with my new Zu Essence speakers and the collection of 2011 selections. |
Ensemble Caprice -- Telemann & The Baroque Gypsies
Various -- Jazz in an R&B Groove, HighNote HCD 6012
Various -- Rhythm Country and Blues
Anne Akiko Meyers -- AIR, The Bach Album
Some are pre-2012, but all are great. |
Some recommendations above for Damien Jurado's latest, I'd like to also mention his 2006 release And Now I Am In Your Shadow (Folk Rock). This for me is a much better record and what he does best. I appreciate the growth and willingness to expand as an artist, Maraqopa is almost progressive rock but his darker, slow and hazy folk stuff is the guys wheelhouse. Not trying to discourage that record, I actually do like it quite a bit.
I've had Where Shall You Take Me for a few years and always love it. I recently got ...Your Shadow and have to say it's his best work. A great record in every way. It's also a real nice recording as are most of his releases. |
Would people mind adding a genre tag to their recs? If this thread grows long, as I hope it will, it wd make finding new tunes easier.
Cheers,
John |
i have the SACD`S and they are excellent SQ
Al |
|
Wescoman - Can you provide a link where those can be purchased? Thanks in advance. |
I just ordered the Genesis (1970-1975) 180g box set. It includes six albums from the group's early days. Rhino Records remastered/re-issued the albums with excellent results (I'm told). Prior to buying the box set, I purchased a single Genesis (Rhino) LP entitled "Nursery Chryme" just to make sure the reissued/remastered LP meets expectations-it does! I agree with most individuals that Genesis was in rare form in the early days before they went top-40 radio. If you're a Genesis fan and remember the early sessions with Peter Gabriel, this is a must-buy. Enjoy! |
I second the Glen Hansard recommendation. |
This has been a pretty good year for music. Personal favorites:
Rodney Crowell - Kin
Susanna Hoffs - Someday
John Mayer - Born and Raised
Memphis Boys - The Story Of American Studios
Verdi - Complete Ballet Music from the Operas (Naxos)
Rich |
I picked up the 40th Anniversary Edition of Jethro Tull's Aqualung and found it to be much better than the original.
Steve Wilson done an excellent job at remastering this classic. |
+1 for Damien Jurado's Maraqopa.
Glen Hansard - Rhythm and Repose
TV On The Radio - Nine Types Of Light, released in 2011 but I recently got it and enjoy it. |
Here's a few of mine:
Blind Pilot-"We Are The Tide"
Ivy Mairi-"No Talker" (on the Cowboy Junkies Label)
Janie Jones-"Soundtrack to Movie" |
My favorites so far:
Fiona Apple "The Idler..."
Leonard Cohen "Old Ideas"
Dead Kenny Gs "Gorelick" (EP)
Galactic "Carnivale Electrios"
Heartless Bastards "Arrow"
Damien Jurado "Maraqopa"
Winterpills "All My Lovely Goners"
I have high hopes for the new Smoke Fairies LP but haven't received it yet. |
