Tag Archive for Folk

9th September 2012

Old Belle* – Canary Jane

I like this for two reasons. First and foremost, the song is really enjoyable. It has the timeless air (there is something about the banjo that gives any song this quality) of a song that could have just as easily been performed 150 years ago. Secondly, the video was recorded in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, one of my favourite cities in the world.

The two ladies in the video, Tonya (Vocals) and Ashley (Mandolin) are college friends of mine and I have to give up to them for putting themselves out there. You can find out more about Old Belle here. Keep it up guys!

/RjK

*Artist #515

The Waterboys – Sweet Thing

I thought of this after posting Paul McCartney earlier in the week. It is a cover of one of my very favourite songs of all time, which I posted last year. Whilst this doesn’t quite hit the same heights and didn’t have the same impact upon me, the refrain of Blackbird (at approx. 4:30) really adds to this version.
Blackbirds singing in the dead of night…
It is taken from Fisherman’s Blues, which is a very enjoyable album with a stellar sleeve (see below).
 
/RjK

3rd June 2012

Foy Vance – Gabriel and the vagabond

I spent some time walking about Belfast this evening before meeting up with a good friend for a beer. I found myself lingering about Queen’s (my alma matter). It made me feel nostalgic for university days free from worries.

This means it feels right to post a favourite from that period. I listened to this song a lot both in Belfast and Berkeley. There is a piercing honesty to it which is quite affecting.

RjK

29th May 2012

Brendan Benson* – Metarie

I really like this simple, pure little song. It feels true to me. Hearing it I am reminded a little of the Ron Sexsmith tune I posted last year.

I don’t know too much about Brendan Benson beyond this song, which was a favourite from my university days. Not sure why, but I was reminded of it over the weekend and it has left me feeling a little wistful.

Met a girl, introduced myself. I asked her go to with me and no one else. She said “I’d really like to see you everyday, but I’m afraid of what my friends might say”…

RjK

*Artist #453

Aside

Willis Earl Beal* – Evening’s Kiss

The weekend’s carousing has left me still feeling pretty delicate (yesterday was a very long day). As such, I needed something quiet and gentle to ease my racing mind and this did the trick. I don’t know too much about this guy, other than he is based in Chicago.

I see from his website that he has some shows coming up in London so I might try to go and check him out in person. I will keep you posted.

RjK

*Artist #439

Aside

Josh Rouse – Winter in The Hamptons

Josh Rouse is an old favourite from university. I hadn’t thought about him in ages until I heard this song on the radio over the weekend. It was probably the first song of his that really grabbed me back what is probably 10 years ago by now. How can it be that long?

It is also fairly apt as today must have been the coldest day of the winter so far in London. It was absolutely frigid. I thought my face was going to fall off on my way home this evening! 

RjK

Horse Feathers – Curs in the weeds


I stumbled across these guys at SXSW festival last year. I was surprised that I like them as they are far from the typical band that usually moves me. However, there is something about this song that speaks to me. It is honest and refreshing un-modern. I usually spend my time chasing things that sound fresh, funky and/or cutting edge so it is nice once in a while to have a change in pace.

/RjK

My Brightest Diamond – Dragonfly


A friend and fellow music fan recommended this a couple of weeks ago and I have been enjoying it since. He suggested that the singer has has a little of Jeff Buckley in her vocal style and I would agree with that assessment. The song veers back and forth between being dreamy and urgent and is perfect for said vocal.