Songs You May Have Missed #415

17 May 2013 2 Comments

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

tracey

Tracey Ullman: “Long Live Love” (1983)

That Tracey Ullman would take on an old Sandie Shaw chestnut from 1965 seems particularly fitting, as Ullman’s shtick as a short-lived pop star was a revisiting of the sound and image Shaw epitomized 20 years earlier.

The multi-talented Ullman’s foray into retro girl-group pop in the mid ’80’s predated her later popularity as comic TV personality. Her musical legacy in America was that of a one-hit wonder, that one hit being the brilliant throwback pop gem and international hit “They Don’t Know”, a Kirsty MacColl cover.

But in her native UK she charted a total of six songs in the top 100 over a two-year period while recording for the punk Stiff record label. And as the infectious “Long Live Love” proves, Ullman had more than one fine musical moment before giving up her singing career.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/10/23/songs-you-may-have-missed-491/

Songs You May Have Missed #414

11 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

boz

Boz Scaggs: “Sierra” (1994)

In 1994 Boz Scaggs delivered his first album for Virgin Records after nearly two decades with Columbia. The Some Change album sounded like a return to the warm, natural sound of his 70’s work and was arguably his best in years. The haunting “Sierra” is a highlight.

Songs You May Have Missed #413

11 May 2013 1 Comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

adolf

Adolf Fredrik Girls Choir: “Vem Kan Segla (Who Can Sail?)” (2006)

Founded in 1971 by Bo Johansson, the Adolf Fredrik Girls Choir of Stockholm, Sweden is now ranked among the foremost in the world. It represents the Adolf Fredrik Music Classes, Sweden’s oldest specialized school, which dates from 1939 and was founded to allow children ages 11-16 an opportunity to develop their singing talents free of charge.

The results, as you can hear, are angelic.

“Who Can Sail?” is a solemn, dirge-like folk song from Swedish-speaking Finland.

Vem kan segla förutan vind,
vem kan ro utan åror,
vem kan skiljas från vännen sin
utan att fälla tårar?

Jag kan segla förutan vind,
jag kan ro utan åror,
men ej skiljas från vännen min
utan att fälla tårar.

Translation:

Who can sail without wind,
who can row without oars,
who can part from their
friend without shedding tears?

I can sail without wind,
I can row without oars,
but I cannot be separated from my
friend without shedding tears.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2025/04/15/songs-you-may-have-missed-775/

adolf 3

Songs You May Have Missed #412

11 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

pac air

Pacific Air: “Roses” (2012)

Info on this Los Angeles band is pretty scarce other than the following facts: They were formerly known as KO KO. Their 2012 EP is titled Long Live Koko and their full-length debut album is due June 11 of this year.

That and the fact that “Roses” is a catchy tune is all I can tell you. Their story has yet to be written.

Songs You May Have Missed #411

10 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

winterpills

Winterpills: “Rogue Highway” (2012)

On Winterpills’ fifth album the Northampton, Massachusetts band have crafted another winsome batch of indie chamber pop and Shins-style rock. They’ve been at this for a bit now, and still undeservedly under the radar.

The harmony-tinged jangle-pop of “Rogue Highway” might bring Fleetwood Mac to mind just as the album’s gentler acoustic ballads evoke some of Christine McVie or Stevie Nicks’ softer moments. They share with the Mac and the Shins a knack for the less obvious, more insinuative harmony line.

See also: https://edcyphers.com/2012/03/05/recommended-albums-10/

Songs You May Have Missed #410

07 May 2013 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ,

marina

Marina and the Diamonds: “Valley of the Dolls” (2012)

From Marina and the Diamonds’ second album, 2012’s Electra Heart (on Elektra Records no less). Marina and the Diamonds is actually Welsh-born Marina Diamandis who, in an era when “indie pop” is used pretty loosely, is truly a self-made artist whose idiosyncratic style, distinctive voice and quirkily interesting arrangements may bring Regina Spektor to mind.

Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries