songs:illinois

I started this review with a little trepidation. While I love Anaïs Mitchell and am practically an Anaïs completest/stalker, I was worried that this record might be a letdown. See I’ve been disappointed before when my hopes were so high. Sometimes it’s that 5th (or 4th or 6th) record where you might notice a dropoff. Maybe an artist has said all she needs to say, or becomes musically stagnant or unnecessarily experimental. That’s often the time an artist puts out the special guest record or the duets record or the inevitable children’s lullabies record or the covers project (I could go on and on). But I worried for naught.

That faint bit of anxiety was probably silly really, especially considering Anais broke the mold of what a folk artist can accomplish on her last record: the folk-rock opera Hadestown. The new record is called Young Man In America and is due out on Feb 21. This is a more independent release than past records (the last couple cds were released on Ani DiFrancos’ label Righteous Babe) but the production gives no indication of any expense being spared. There are orchestral moments, experimental jazz sounds, ambient echos, and dischordant fractured guitars. All these sounds fit in the context of each song and rarely overshadow Anaïs voice and her lyrics.

One of the songs with the most soaring, epic instrumentation is “Ships”; on it Anaïs matches the dynamics of the music with her powerful voice. On the standout track “Tailor” (performed here live on YouTube) Anais describes a character who goes through a litany of changes both physical and mental brought about by a lover’s remarks. The song is performed on a bed of accordion giving it a bit of a ramshackle, gypsy sound. Every nuance of Anais’ voice is present, every whispered phrase, every sigh, all the resentment and all the disappointment. On the song “Shepherd” Anaïs explores a relationship between a shepherd and his wife pregnant with child. Both have their wants and needs and responsibilities and even in the moments before an imminent birth the work of the shepherd takes precedent leading to a tragic result.

“Shepherd” is being given away free to those who sign up for Anaïs’ newsletter so you can go here (scroll down to the bottom of the page) to sign up for the newsletter. Or you can preview the song below (plus there’s a nice live video of it here).

Anaïs has an extensive touring schedule with a April 20 release show here in Chicago at SPACE. Here’s some important upcoming dates:

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Westminster, London, UK – SOLD OUT @ Westminster Reference Library
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Newmarket, NH @ The Stone Church on Zion Hill
Thursday, February 23, 2012 Cambridge, MA @ Club Passim
Friday, February 24, 2012 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Saturday, February 25, 2012 Peacedale, RI @ Music at Lily Pads
Monday, February 27, 2012 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 New York, NYC @ Joe’s Pub
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Annapolis, MD @ Rams Head On Stage
Thursday, March 1, 2012 Philadelphia, PA @ Tin Angel

Young Man In America can be preordered now through Amazon here. This is a great chance to support independent music and come away with what will surely be one of the great records of 2012.

Shepherd

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Trailer for “Wilderland”:

Trailer for “Tailor”

Cooper Thompson sounds a bit like someone from an earlier time. You don’t have to go back too far though. He get’s compared to Springsteen, Waits, and I’d add Buddy Holly to the list. His recording process is simple, organic and analog. As a result his songs are warm and have a glow about them.

The new record is called Outlaw For A Year and was produced by Kevin Augunas. The songs were recorded over 8 days and nights with the help of Richard Swift at his studio.

You can pick up the cd or the digital download here.

The Wind And The Snow

This is a pretty apt record cover for the band Mad Buffalo’s new release wilderness since the record is a throwback both lyrically and musically to an earlier time. Nowhere is this more evident than in the song “Big Joe Walker” which recounts some of the tall tails about this western mountain man.

While I haven’t heard the whole record it also addresses contemporary American problems.

You can preorder the record here.

Big Joe Walker

I stumbled upon the upcoming record by James Low a couple of times in the last few weeks. The latest time was on an indie radio country chart. This Portland based artist has a low key country sound that borders on folk. If you are a fan of artists that straddle those two genres than you should check The James Low Western Front out. You can pre-order the album now here. Catch James Low tonight in Portland with Lewi Longmire (wrote about him here) at the Press Club or tomorrow at Al’s Den with Matt Brown.

Here’s the song “Words” from the new record; it’s got the most lovely pedal steel on it…

PS I’m a sucker for songs about states of the union. Particularly songs about California. Here’s a video off the new record for a song called “Thinking California”.

Marlowe and The Sea is basically one dude from Jackson, Ms. His label and bio claim he plays folk music with bite. That might be catchy but I don’t think it’s true. However the failure to market Marlowe and the Sea as anything but sad sack indie folk doesn’t have any effect on the quality of the tunes and the performances. And in this case both are high.

The production is a bit rough on this ep – the hiss is almost distracting. But the roughness works and the tune “A Second-Chance Love Song” is better for it – makes it seem more intimate like he was burned by some girl and retreated right to the attic to record this take. There’s plans for a debut lp out in 2012 on Elegant Trainwreck Records but until then you can stream/download this ep here via Bandcamp.

A Second-Chance Love Song

Walter Spencer is best known as the bassist of the Water Towert Bucket Boys. While I like the hard country/string band sounds of the bucket boys, I really like the odd timey blend of folk, string band, and country that Walter Spencer brings to his solo efforts (wrote about his debut here). The new record is called Red Romance and is available at iTunes and Amazon.

“Weed” is just what you expect, a song extolling the virtues of pot. It’s funny and surprisingly convincing on the medicinal and psychological benefits of marijuana.

Weed

Finding a record like Josiennne Clarke’s The Seas Are Deep makes me realize I should continue this music blog. Here is something (and someone) that is completely breathtaking and yet is not all over the blogosphere and deserves to be. This new record is a collection of covers of traditional folk songs. She is once again accompanied by Ben Walker on guitar.

The Seas Are Deep is available here via Bandcamp.

Silver Dagger

This video of “You Can Tell By The Light” was uploaded last night!!

Snake Wagon’s bio is much like their music. Half funny, half serious. The problem is that in both cases it’s hard to figure out which half is which. As far as I can tell the band is composed of members of The Barr Brothers and maybe a couple of the guys from The Low Anthem. The record is called Have Fun With Snake Wagon. Here’s a few excerpts from various bios:

“What is Snake Wagon, again? A bunch of jokesters, pranksters, parodists, specialty obscurantist antique humorists, and satirical ironical songsmiths who blasted the sheet rock off the Pasta Sauce Factory walls in a quick, but fruitful, session last year.”

“Born out of twistedness and raised in revelation, the band takes its love of Christmas Caroling, Wall Drug, South Dakota, and Chinese astronomy, and transforms it daily into a truly unique and innovative sound that recalls early Motorhead having a coffee, no cream, with Linda McCartney. As the son of a Wal-Mart Greeter and Youngstown’s first female chair of the Libertarian Committee, Thom Jefferson, along with his childhood friend/violinist Ulf Zarkanius, rebelled against their fore-bearers and formed Snake Wagon in 1985, as a vehicle to spread their anarchistic belief system. In 1986, Daniel Johnston notably stated, “They’re alright.”"

“Snake Wagon is a virus. H14D2S. It came originally from Africa, and is poised to take over all living bodies in a post-DNA era. symptoms of arrest: trance, anxiety, prophylactic shock, reptilian ancestral awareness, defamation of character, certitude, unabashed desire to replicate.”

You’ll draw your own conclusions but I imagine you’ll hear a bit of Daniel Johnston, a little of the wacky solo stuff of Alex Chilton, and a fair share of whatever 60′s era garage psychedelia you became infatuated with in your early twenties. The record is available free via Bandcamp here.

Those Lesbian Blues

I asked Charlie Parr’s people (yes, he has people!!) for a song from his new record. I haven’t heard a lick of it but told them to send any song they wished. Why? Because at this point any song by Charlie Parr is better than almost anything out there.

The “new” record is produced in acssociation with House of Mercy baptist church in St Paul, Minn. and and features Emily Parr, Four Mile Portage, Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker. It was recorded at Sacred Heart Music Center in Duluth on 2″ tape by Tom Herbers and will be released on both cd and vinyl. “Gospel Plow is the title track and is notable for both Charlie’s guitar playing and the call and response gospel vocals of him and the choir. Buy the new record here via Charlie Parr’s website.

Gospel Plow

Bonus, a live song from a solo appearance of Charlie’s:

Jesus On The Main Line

It’s very rare that I write about an artist that is also then written about by other blogs. I’m a bit of an island in that sense. But with Mount Moriah my review was quickly followed up by lots of praise in the music blogosphere. Here’s what I wrote back in March:

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I’ve been checking out the moody americana rock of Mount Moriah. The band’s self titled debut record is due out April 12 on Holiday for Quince Records. The band is from North Carolina and seems to relish it’s connection to rural America. Yet on record the band is not simply acting out some retro fantasy or worse yet becoming some kind of mealy mouthed freak folk outfit (even if the beard suggests otherwise). In fact I hear much more Rilo Kiley in the lead singer’s vocals than say Gilian Welch. And musically the guitars are stiff, the keyboards awash in reverb, and the drumming taught.

Here’s the song “Lament” and below that the video for the song “Old Gowns”.

Lament

Mount Moriah “Old Gowns” from Hueism Pictures on Vimeo.

While I was poking around looking for new Christmas tunes I thought I’d check in on Caleb Groh who released some of my favorite Christmas music of the last couple years and see if he had added a vol. 3 to his carol collection (Vol. 1 and Vol.2 can be found for free here). No such luck but I did notice on his Facebook that The Boston Phoenix released a new song from his forthcoming record Bottomless Coffee. It’s the full band rocker “Catastrophic Culprit”.

I believe Caleb (along with Jeff Pianki, Nathan K, and a few of their mutual friends) is on the cusp of being the next generation of artists to achieve success along the lines of Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, Jens Lekman, etc.

Catastrophic Culprit (Via The Boston Phoenix)

This is a great song off the new album from Austin based singer-songwriter Graham Weber. Graham is a favorite of much more well know Austin singer-songwriters (including Slaid Cleaves who took him under his wing and also recorded one of his songs). In his short time in Austin he’s gone from being the opener to being a headliner (I saw him MC a show at the cactus cafe at SXSW one year). His new record is called Women. I guess it’s in part a celebration and also a condemnation of that word. Graham was going through tough relationship times when he wrote and recorded the songs but also he has enlisted a treasure trove of Austin women to sing on it (Carrie Rodriguez, Amanda Shires, BettySoo, Dana Falconberry, Bonnie Whitmore, Leslie Stevens). I’ve written about Graham here and here.

I asked Graham if I could share the song “Lander, WY.” It’s a gentle song about running from your problems. Pre-order Women by contacting Graham (women@grahamweber.com) or via Bandcamp here.

Lander, WY.

Bonus songs:

Baltimore (Demo) (Via AustinSound)
Candles So Close

PS If you won’t take my word on it check out this review of Women in the Austin Chronicle.

Video for “Unrequited Love”

NATIVE SESSIONS: Graham Weber performs “Unrequited Love” from STUCK Productions on Vimeo.

Alright so yesterday I lied. I said we were going to get on with the best of 2011 type posts. But it turns out that with a little searching around the net I’ve found two more releases to feature this week. Great ones too by the way. The first is the Roy Davies project called The Coloradas. I wrote about Roy Davies here and here and am a big fan of his music.

The Coloradas are Roy Davis and Bernie Nye. They successfully combine bluegrass with americana. I know you’ll love this – contact the band (roygoodale (@) yahoo.com) to purchase their new record. “Misery” is a standout track that while rather miserable lyrically is jaunty and bouncy and it’ll have you singing along and tapping your toe in no time.

Misery

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when new releases dry up and we’ve got to look back and think about the year gone by. I never make a list but I will repost some of my favorites in no particular order.

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I know there’s a lot of music out there. Lots of different genre’s, sub genre’s, and micro sub genre’s. I know we’re all inundated with pr mailings, email submission requests and a stack of cds to plow through. And then we have our favorites that we champion. I have mine and you have yours. But I can’t believe there’s not more consensus on the music of Malcolm Holcombe. The guy is a major talent. Blogs like Nine Bullets, Herohill, Slowcoustic, Here Comes The Flood, and You Crazy Dreamers have all sung his praises and while that’s great I’d like think he could get out of our little rootsy music blog grotto.

Part of the blame rests at the feet of his label that although small, should have the resources to reach out to the music blogs and I think part of the blame rests at the feet of the premier music blog sites who are not open to blues and folk based music (unless it comes in a pre-approved hipster wrapper – Bon Iver, The Tallest Man On Earth). The new record Drink The Rain doesn’t break any new ground. The same could be said for nearly every classic record by Guy Clark, Greg Brown, John Prine, or Ray Willie Hubbard and like those artists Malcolm Holcombe has his own distinctive sound that combines amazing songwriting, a gutteral vocal delivery and a mastery of blues and folk based idioms.

I could link to any of the 12 song on the new record and you’d get my drift. But I think “One Man Singing” expresses some of the feelings I have about the artists we follow and love.

One Man Singin’

I had a couple new things I could write about but nothing struck me as much or as hard as the old stuff from Mike Nicolai. I’ve written about Mike once or twice in the past but as one of the great undiscovered songwriters in the country it won’t hurt to revisit his catalog. Speaking of which Nicolai’s catalog is hard to get a finger on – it shifts wildly from twisted folk to power pop to the occasional hard rocker (in fact the band Grand Champeen often backed up Mike Nicolai).

Mike Nicolai’s solo catalog consists of four full length records released between 2001 and 2005. I have one song from each and a link where you can buy each one on Bandcamp. These are well out of print so this is a good chance to discover or rediscover the work of one of the country’s best songwriters.

The Depths from God Fatigue in the Post Atom Age

Killer Ann from Rooster Nudes

I’m On To You from Woody Allen Stunt Footage

Bonus Christmas song from Mike Nicolai (one of my favorite Christmas songs – seriously)

Christmas Is For Losers

There are only a couple people I am irrationally infatuated with. Ramsay Midwood is at the top of that short list. He’s got a new record out now (probably his fourth or so). Of course it’s called Larry Buys A Lighter (how could it be called anything else?). This record continues the pattern of previous efforts and is a combination of folk, americana, southern gospel, with JJ Cale like guitar picking and a stream of consciousness lyrical style reminiscent of no one.

Here’s “Loopers” from the new record. Buy the whole thing here. You can see Ramsay when he plays his almost weekly shows at Sam’s Town Point in Austin or on Dec. 10 at Poodie’s in Spicewood, Tx.

Loopers

I’ve been sitting on this song for a couple days now, patiently waiting `til honky-tonk Friday when I could post it. This is off the debut album from Minneapolis based country band The Cactus Blossoms. These guys have folks in the band that have played with The Jayhawks and The Gear Daddies and the record was produced by Brent Sigmeth (Haley Bonar, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, The Bad Plus). But the essence of the band is comprised of two brothers who have absorbed plenty of old 78′s and the entirety of The Anthology of American Folk Music. Influences certainly include Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers as well as any/every classic country duo group. You can hear all of these influences on “Lonesome and Blue” as well as some great interplay between the band members. The fiddle, pedal steel and standup bass in particular are stellar.

The band’s self titled debut record is available as either a cd or a download for $10 via Bandcamp. It’s a no brainer if you are a fan of any of the artists I mentioned above.

Catch the band Dec. 7 at Aster Cafe.

Lonesome and Blue

**Dec. 16 Update**

Here’s a couple additions to the ever evolving Christmas mix. First up is something from Michigan indie folker Carter Moulton (friend of Jeff Pianki, Caleb Groh). These two songs are off a free 8 song EP called Scarves and Sweaters.

We Need A Little Christmas
Together On Christmas

Somehow I missed these two songs from S:I favorite Steve Poltz. While both are great, the first one recorded in 2008 is a near classic, talking blues a la Todd Snider that name drops Walmart, Captain Kirk, and Barak Obama.

Christmas 2008
Santa Claus and Prison

**Dec. 6 Update**

If you came of age in the 80′s and listened to college radio than you are probably aware of the band The Windbreakers. They were a Mississippi based duo comprised of Bobbi Sutilff and Time Lee. They had several influential releases produced by Mitch Easter and toured with the likes of the db’s and REM. I’ve tried to keep track of their solo work and as a result just stumbled upon this Tim Lee original Christmas song called “Shiny Red Suit”. It’s a glorious slab of power pop.

Shiny Red Suit

**Dec 5 Update**

Here’s a song off the new For Folk’s Sake Christmas comp. I like this one from Caitlin Rose and Keegan Dewitt. Its downbeat message of loneliness and abandonement fits in nicely with the rest of the tunes on this list. And it beats out that Christmas record from M. Ward and Zoey every day of the week in my book.

You Never Come Home For Christmas

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Here it is the now famous Songs:Illinois Christmas mix for 2011. I’ll be updating this often so just check back or follow me on Twitter for updates.

**Dec. 1, 2011 Update**

I’ve got some great additions to the mix today. The first song is from Josh T. Pearson, who if all was right in the world, would have been nominated for a Grammy last night. It’s courtesy of Aquarium Drunkard (at least that’s where I found it). The second song is from WXPN favorite and Philly native Ben Smith. It’s a bit of a downer so perfect for this mix of increasingly anti-Christmas songs. I’ve also got a song from last year which I didn’t post at the time by the Branches that will get you out of the funk that Josh T Pearson and Ben Smith put you in. Finally there’s a Weepies cover by Americana artist Vanessa Peters.

O Holy Night – Josh T. Pearson
Same Old New Year’s – Ben Smith
Go Tell It On The Mountain – Branches
All That I Want – Vanessa Peters

**Nov. 30, 2011 Update**

Kind of excited about this first update of the year. Here’s two songs from Massachusetts’ based country band Salvation Alley String Band. The first is a cover of “Little Saint Nick” done to perfection and the second is a cover of the Willie Nelson tune “Pretty Paper” The band shows it’s terrific range on these two songs; look for a new album from them some time in 2012.

Little Saint Nick
Pretty Paper

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Here’s the first new stuff I’d like to share. Beta Radio are a Wilmington, NC based duo who excel at vocal harmonies and kind of eclectic americana instrumentation. Here’s their song “The Song The Season Brings”

The Song The Season Brings

Also Inara George and her little duo project The Bird and The Bee have released this little xmas nugget – “Wishes”

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2010 Additions to the mix:

“I’d Like You For Christmas” is an overlooked classic that this Knoxville based roots/swing band takes and makes their own. Order the new album here.

I’d Like You For Christmas

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“Christmas Song” by Adam Remnant of the band Southeast Engine. Its mixture of sad nostalgia, childish wonder and naivite, and the slight hope and “reprieve” that comes from more a adult version of the holiday. This song is part of a compilation called A Very Ohio Christmas put together by the guys at Each Note Secure and Donewaiting with the proceeds going to Gracehaven – “an organization that raises awareness about the issue of domestic minor sex trafficking and also seeks to provide shelter and rehabilitation to girls who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation.” Featured on the disc are original Christmas songs by Megan Palmer, Moviola, You, You’re Awesome and many more. Buy it here via Bandcamp.

Christmas Song
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Here’s a cover of Robert Earl Keen’s “Merry Christmas from The Family” from the Nashville based band Lindley Ruth and Her Tipsy String Band (with Jordan Hull).

Merry Christmas From The Family (that morphs into “Blue Christmas” at the end)
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I’m a big fan of Boston’s Caleb Groh. Whether it’s as a part of his lofi indie pop band Happiest Lion or his Christmas music project Caleb and the Caroling Caravan. So I was thrilled when he sent me a link to his new release – Vol. II of his Christmas music series. It’s available in its entirety on Bandcamp here. But for now check out his original “Christmas is Best” and the cover of the carol “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day”.

Christmas Is Best
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
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Here’s a little indie folk from Nashville via the band Haunting Party (essentially Nathanael Mehrens and Aimee Romero). I like the juxtaposition of vocals on “Baby It’s Cold Out There”. That and the fact that this song, in all it’s variations, has been stuck in my head for the last week makes this an easy pick. There are 5 more songs on their Christmas ep here via Bandcamp.

Baby It’s Cold Outside
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I’ve written about Lisa Cerbone in the past (here). It seems she and I both have kids about the same age. I’m guessing her daughter had at least something to do with this song selection. Here’s “The Chipmunk Song” (or The Chipmunk Christmas song as it’s know in my house).

The Chipmunk Song
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We’ve got an update with songs from two bands that are mining the same territory but searching for different minerals. The west coast folk collective Branches uses traditional Appalachian instruments in their brand of indie folk. You can hear tyhis more on their two eps but a slight presence is present in these two Chrtistmas songs as well (mandolin, banjo).

O Come All Ye Faithful
Silent Night

Travel By Sea play a sleepy version of americana with weepy pedal steel and drowsy Neil Young inclined vocals.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
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Pleased as punch to add this Memphis themed Christmas tune from Star And Micey.

Memphis Christmas
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You might think this is disingenuous but I’m also pleased as punch to offer up this Christmas song from American Gun (love the Social D undertones). This song and the compilation it comes from is available here via the record label Rose and Arrow.

Little Manger
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Slowcoustic and the Yer Bird record label provided me with this gorgeous cover of “Let It Snow” by Greater Pacific. The band has an EP coming out at the end of January. For now enjoy this languid take on “Let It Snow”.

Let It Snow
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Fuzzy garage rock Christmas song from Buffalo Killers.

Secret Santa – Buffalo Killers
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Hard not to add the song “Whore For The Holidays” since I sometimes call this mix the anti-Christmas mix. This is a good slab of piano based pop from The Davenports (who I just wrote about here).

Whore For The Holidays – The Davenports
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Here’s something I missed when it came out in 2009. Don’t blame me though as the artist is as obscure and, in parts, as talented as you can get. I’ve written about his oddball lofi folk before (he performs under the name Happiest Lion). Here he goes by Caleb and Caroling Caravan and his 2009 Christmas release is available here free.

Christmas Don’t Be Late
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Thanks to Herohill for pointint us in the direction of the new Christmas song from OX. I had these guys play a house concert a couple of years back as they were driving through on the way to SXSW. Great guys – great band – great songs!

Xmas in the Jailhouse (via Herohill)
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Here’s a reader’s suggestion of a little more sacrilegious Christmas music; this time from Las Vegas’ best and only Irish folk-punk-rock band. I can’t help but like the line “and Santa Claus and Jesus Christ can kiss my Irish ass”.

Whiskey Christmas – Darby O’Gill and the Little People
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The Holidays Are Here (And We’re Still At War) – Brett Dennen

I Wanna Spend My Xmas Time With You – Phil Lee

Christmastime Blues – Jaimi Shuey (her 2007 debut release Wrong Girl is a must have!)

Bastard Brothers – Chip Taylor

All Alone For Christmas – Danny Barnes

Goodbye England (Covered In Snow) – Laura Marling

Christmas In Paradise – Mary Gauthier

Thanks for the Roses (Merry Christmas) – Antje Duvekot

She’s Underneath the Mistletoe – Antsy McClain

Here comes Christmas – Bill Kelly

Crazy Cool Christmas – Kermit Ruffins

Cold White Christmas – Casiotone For The Painfully Alone

Great Adventure – Dan Byrk

I Want a Hippopotomus For Christmas – Paul Vickers And Leg

Christmas Is Coming Soon – Blitzen Trapper

Christmas Doesn’t Have To Be So Bad – The Backsliders

Christmas Or Columbus (Andy Hong’s Kitchen) – Drew O’Doherty

Christmas Is For Losers – Mike Nicolai

Cosy Evenings – Dan Byrk

All I Ever Get for Christmas Is Blue – Over The Rhine

O Holy Night – Benji Cossa

Darling Christmas Is Coming – Over The Rhine

The Christmas Song – Nourallah Brothers

You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch – Asylum Street Spankers

Christmas At The Trailer Park – Antsy McClain

The Little Baby – Hefner

So this Is Christmas – ? (lost in the shuffle – extra points if you leave the answer in the comments)

Santa’s Hungover – Santa’s Hungover

Christmas In Vermont – Ed’s Redeeming Qualities

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen – Hoax Funeral

Be My Valentine On Christmas – Glenna Bell

The Christmas Song – Mark Jungers

Red Eyed Santa – Dick Smith

Gold Front Tooth – Dick Smith

That Was The Worst Christmas Ever – Sufjan Stevens

I Hate Fucking Christmas – The Rugburns (live)

Christmas Past – Mike Ireland and Holler

Christmas In London – Krista Detour

Christmas In Prison – Emmy the Great and Lightspeed Champion

Christmas In Prison Live – Will Kimbrough

Christmas In Prison – Cristabel and the Jons

Christmas Eve – Salim Nourallah

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – Laura Gibson

It’s Almost Christmas – Chris Garneau

Just Like Christmas – Low

Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis – Neko Case

Christmas Island – Leon Redbone

X-Mas Song – Fireflies

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Rose Polenzani

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Hem

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause – John Prine

Merry Christmas From The Family – Robert Earl Keen

Merry Christmas From The Family – Jill Sobule

Christmas On Ward #7 – Chris Flew

Driving Home, Christmas Eve – Frontier Ruckus

Jewish For Christmas – Coconut and The Duke (from former blogger Duke Of Straw)

What Do You Give A Wookie For Christmas? -Savanteous Q Malmsteen

Christmas Vision – Beau Jennings

Murder By Mistletoe – The Felice Brothers

It Never Snows – The Parson Red Heads

Don’t Want Another Christmas Like Last Christmas – Gentleman Auction House

Christmas Time – The Krayolas With Augie Meyers

Christmas Song – Detroit Junior

It’s Christmas Time Again – Harley Poe

RockABilly Christmas – Michael Bishop

So Much Wine – The Handsome Family

I’m Grateful for Christmas This Year – Hayes Carll

River – Lex Land

Women are outnumbered 5 to 1 on Songs:Illinois. I’m not sure why that exactly is. But I suspect it has something to do with the ratio of male to female singer songwriters, as well as to my very high standards for what constitutes a good song/artist/album. Kim McMechan passes that test. Her new album is called Paper Sun and was produced by Colin Linden. The song “You Sent Me A Letter” features her lovely vocals and lyrics that tell a story and paint a picture (“doesn’t it seem like a lifetime ago when I crashed your car after that show”).

The new record Paper Sun is available now here.

You Sent Me A Letter

I wrote about Fiona Sally Miller earlier this past summer. I was struck by the beauty of what seemed to be her debut EP. At the time I didn’t really appreciate the artistry of her music though. With her new ep out now I see that Fiona is more than just another pretty voice. Fiona has just released a new EP which she recorded, produced, and performed by herself. It’s a conceptual record called The Whale’s Love Life that in lieu of synthesizers, uses found sounds and hydrophone recordings that Fiona made to flesh out the songs. Thematically the songs seem loosely based on the theme of deep sea adventures and “the worlds found beneath the tide, and the riverbed floor, the motion of a wind turbine, the depths of a swimming pool and underneath the covers.”

I’ve linked to the song “I Wade Out” which seems to use the image of wading out into water as a metaphor for trepidation here on land with our everyday lives. Fiona Sally Miller’s new EP is available via Bandcamp here or can be found on iTunes. I highly recommend it.

I Wade Out