First Aid Kit: “Emmylou” (Live on KCRW)
“I’ll be your Emmylou and I’ll be your June / You’ll be my Gram and my Johnny, too,” sing the Söderberg sisters in the latest taste of their upcoming album, The Lion’s Roar — a fitting tribute to a few greats whom they’ve honored with cover songs in the past. While the title track followed First Aid Kit as they explore darker territory, this understated ditty finds the duo settling comfortably into the well-honed, ’70s Laurel Canyon-worthy craftsmanship of their other heroes. In short: just another promising track from one of next year’s most anticipated folk records. Watch the pair unveil a cut off their Mike Mogis-produced LP, live from KCRW’s studio, above.
Iron & Wine
“Me and Lazarus”
Live on KCRW, 2011
Though Lazarus is a name with some very specific associations, it’s not entirely clear to me why Sam Beam is using it in this song. The best I can come up with is that the singer is envious of his friend’s ability to redefine and transform himself — in a sense, resurrected like the Biblical Lazarus. It could just be something that sounds nice in the melody, which is fine by me, especially since the main feature of the song is it gorgeous melody and relaxed arrangement. The sound is rich and comforting without seeming heavy, smothering or overdone. The emotional tone is muted and polite, but there’s a complex set of mixed feelings being articulated in the melody and texture. I hear bemusement in the way the melody climbs upward at the end of the verses, resignation in his wordless “oh-oh-ohs,” caution in the slow walk of the bass and assertiveness in the saxophone leads that weave in and out of the composition. (Originally posted 1/31/2011)
(Source: youtube.com)
There is some mean melodica playing in this video. The Middle Brother album may be my favorite of 2011.
Amy Winehouse - Our Day Will Come
I was excited to learn that there is a posthumous Amy Winehouse album coming out on Dec. 6th. What talent.
Crock - Eat Your Hat Out
Crock is Sam Coones from Quasi and Spencer Seim from Hella. So yeah, it’s pretty awesome. The video is a little hard to watch in places which is fitting.
Toro y Moi - Light Black
Jimmy Fallon as Jim Morrison singing the Reading Rainbow theme
fun.: We Are Young ft. Janelle Monáe (ACOUSTIC)
Heartless Bastards - Hold Your Head High
Real Estate - It’s Real
