Archive for August 17th, 2008
Grizzly Bear in DC
- filed under Music
Grizzly Bear put on a great show at the fabulously refurbished 6th and I Synagogue last week. The band play a delicate chamber pop — think Simon and Garfunkel times 2 — and their 2 and 3 and 4 part harmonies don’t always come across as well in traditional clubs where crowds have to be shushed from talking. Here, though, we were all on our best behavior, sitting quietly in pews, and the acoustics were wonderful.
They closed with one of the best songs of the year, “While You Wait for the Others,” (below) which should be on their eagerly awaited new album.
Relax, Democrats
- filed under Misc.
Feels like this story is written every four years. Relax, Democrats. Given their successes so far, hasn’t the team running the Obama campaign earned the benefit of the doubt?
Living Colour in New York City
- filed under Misc.
Sad to miss Living Colour reunited with Muzz Skillings in New York City on Sunday. Any one see the show?
Fernhill in Mold
- filed under Music
In a fair world Fernhill would be as big as any “world music” act, and their cds must haves for even casual music fans. The world, alas, is not fair, and in order to hear them live you must take a a three hour train from London to Flint, Wales and then walk 6 miles through the Welsh countryside to the town of Mold (and back) to see them perform as part of a Welsh folk festival. There, in a tent with a couple of hundred folk music fans, next to a truck selling Welsh lamb, I saw one of the great bands on the planet. Their lead singer Julie Murphy has got an unbelievable voice, pure, powerful and evocative. The band, led by Ceri Matthews on guitar and flute, are intimate enough with tradition that they are unafraid to stretch its boundaries. A truly magical evening.
All of the songs on their myspace page are worth savoring.
Glasvegas in London
- filed under Music
Glasvegas is a much touted Glasgow four piece about to release their debut album and embark on their first tour of the states. On Thursday they opened in Brixton for the Kings of Leon, who apparently have a huge following in the U.K. Glasvegas played a short set, but showed why they are headed for much bigger and better things — they succesfully modernize the sweet harmonies of 50s doo-wop with Scottish accents, fuzzed guitars, and a Strummeresque intensity. And since this is 2008, and not 1958, the songs are about social workers, absent fathers, and stabbings rather than unrequited love and a first kiss. Their cover of “Be My Baby” manages to be tough and tender at the same time.
Here they are on Jools Holland’s show.
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