Clifton Chenier: “Allons a Grand Coteau” (1975)
While I enjoy the sound, I don’t own much Zydeco. But I’m pretty happy to have the Bogalusa Boogie album, by the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. And this is my favorite song, a classic of the genre.
Songs You May Have Missed #239
16 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: allons a grand coteau, clifton chenier
Songs You May Have Missed #238
16 Nov 2012 1 Comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: big star, september gurls
Big Star: “September Gurls” (1974)
From Radio City, Big Star’s second album. The ill-fated band led by Alex Chilton (The Box Tops) and Chris Bell were already crumbling here, and record distribution problems didn’t help matters. If talent alone dictated such things, they might have been big stars indeed. But instead their 3 album output was fated for cult classic status, revered and often covered by other musicians but never racking up the sales numbers the music deserved.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/03/25/songs-you-may-have-missed-372/
Songs You May Have Missed #237
15 Nov 2012 1 Comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: isn't life strange, the clientele
The Clientele: “Isn’t Life Strange” (2007)
Alasdair MacLean has one of my favorite names and one of my favorite voices. His London band, The Clientele, have a wistful and evocative sound that perfectly complements a contemplative mood and a cloudy day. Violins, cello and occasional gentle tremelo guitar punctuate a reverb-laced sound that always hints at heartbreak just around the next corner. The album, God Save the Clientele, is a thing of sad beauty, a quietly devastating record.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/04/12/songs-you-may-have-missed-388/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/10/29/songs-you-may-have-missed-495/
Songs You May Have Missed #236
14 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: aviv geffen, blackfield, pain, steven wilson
Blackfield: “Pain” (2005)
I gushed about these guys on other occasions so there’s no reason to repeat all the reasons I think they’re great. But I do want to share another of my favorite Blackfield songs so…feel my “Pain”.
When modern-day prog rock’s leading light, Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson, and Israeli pop rock legend Aviv Geffen get together they make a mesmerizing brand of shoegazing catharsis. As I’ve said before, if you can appreciate this kind of thing, you can appreciate that no one does this kind of thing better. Blackfield’s first two albums should be considered classics of their time.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/10/01/recommended-albums-24/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/02/11/songs-you-may-have-missed-329/
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/10/04/songs-you-may-have-missed-483/
Songs You May Have Missed #235
14 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: plume giant, we got it made
Plume Giant: “We Got it Made” (2012)
It’s easy to let yourself get caught up in the happy vibe of this one. Plume Giant came together as students at Yale University and began making a fresh sound built on harmonies, whimsical humor and a willingness to play an unusual array of instruments (viola, harmonium, melodica). They graduated in May and released their first full length CD, Callithump in August. “We Got it Made” has a dash of dixieland, a pinch of Pink Martini, and loads of simple joy.
Here they actually bring something new and pleasant to “Strawberry Fields Forever”, although it looks like they picked a crappy spot for busking.
Songs You May Have Missed #234
14 Nov 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: hapa, olinda road
Hapa: “Olinda Road” (1997)
From the acoustic duo known as Hapa. The original version of “Olinda Road” appeared on their 1995 debut album. This slightly reworked version is from a Putumayo compilation of a couple years later.
These guys play an interesting mix of contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music alongside covers of artists such as John Lennon, U2, Santana and Santo & Johnny, as well as instrumentals that stretch the Hawaiian guitar pop sound a dozen different, appealing ways.
(I bet you can guess which Santo & Johnny song they covered)
