Art is the music we make from the bewildered cry of being alive. ~Maria Popova
06 Mar 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: 4 way street, barbed wire
4 Way Street: “Barbed Wire” (2003)
The Philadelphia foursome known as 4 Way Street is comprised of Ben Arnold, Jim Boggia, Scott Bricklin and Joseph Parsons. They’d each achieved a degree of notoriety on their own before forming the folk/country/rock group that recorded one CD in 2003. Their name seems an obvious nod to the CSNY album by the same name. And they do a fair Eagles impersonation (or at least Poco) on this track.
05 Mar 2012 2 Comments
Speaking of Carol Kaye, her bass line from “Good Vibrations” is the first music you hear in this clip.
As Jimmy Webb says of the LA Wrecking Crew, “There may never, ever be a group of Rock n Roll musicians of that caliber again”.
05 Mar 2012 2 Comments
in Recommended Albums Tags: the light divides, Winterpills
Winterpills: The Light Divides (2007)
Northampton, MA Indie/Folk/Pop band Winterpills’ second (and finest) album unfolds its melodic charms with each repeated listen, until it feels as indispensable as any recent pop record. It’s a work of seductive wintry melancholy as the cover suggests.
Acoustic guitar is usually central in the mix, with electric guitar and keyboards texturing the simple yet sophisticated arrangements. But the sound most prominently defined by songwriter Philip Price’s lead vocals and Flora Reed’s complimentary harmonies–a magical male-female vocal mix. A work of gentle sophistication, this is a gem of a record.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2013/05/10/songs-you-may-have-missed-411/
Listen to: “Shameful”
Listen to: “July”
Listen to: “A Ransom”
05 Mar 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: cathedrals, jump little children
Jump, Little Children: “Cathedrals” (1998)
In this Carolina band’s earlier incarnation it had more of an Irish sound, thanks to a trip they took to Ireland to gain first-hand knowledge of Irish music. Upon their return and subsequent time spent busking on street corners, their sound became more of an eclectic mix of Irish and American influences. “Cathedrals” isn’t typical of their generally lively sound. But it is their best-known song and most beautiful ballad.
05 Mar 2012 Leave a comment
in Songs You May Have Missed Tags: ballad of the kingsmen, todd snider
Todd Snider: “The Ballad of the Kingsmen” (2004)
Todd Snider ties it all together: out of control kids, Marilyn Manson, war, teen massacre, the hypocrisy of adult role models, and “Louie, Louie”.
See also: https://edcyphers.com/2017/12/09/songs-you-may-have-missed-623/
Every Moment Has A Song 