Archive for June, 2010

Black Coyote – “Cigarettes And Dust”

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

There are a couple of sounds that I’m always on the lookout for. One of them is represented by the songs on the new EP by Austin band Black Coyote. The best way to describe it would be “ragged and frayed” (I have a feeling this new genre name is not doing to take off like Chillwave). In essence the bands sound mirrors it’s lyrics and the emotional tenor of the music. That’s a pretty fine description of the songs on the new ep Cigarettes and Dust.

Slightly unrelated but I’m heavy into all four seasons of Friday Night Lights and I’d just like to nominate this song as the new anthem of this Texas based show. “Of Strippers and Cowboys” is a perfect fit as it lays out in compelling detail the realities of life in a small Texas town.

Order the ep now here.

Of Strippers and Cowboys

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Tim O’Brien – Chicken & Egg (Howdy Skies Records, July 13)

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

I’m a big fan of Tim O’Brien and the way he is able to straddle the worlds of traditional bluegrass and modern folk. The new record, his 13th solo record, is called Chicken & Egg. This song is from it and is a bit old timey in both it’s music and its timeless themes of lost love, bad behavior, and remorse.

Preorder here now.

Gonna Try To Make Her Stay

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Loudon Wainwright III – “10 Songs for The New Depression”

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

The old man continues his recent rash of productivity by releasing his new record 10 Songs For The New Depression. If only his offspring were as prolific it’d be great. Loudon Wainwright III’s new song “Cash For Clunkers” is a bit of a silly throwaway (what do you expect from the guy who wrote “Dead Skunk”) with a real message thrown in for good measure.

Get the new record here.

Cash For Clunkers

Bonus – “Dead Skunk”

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Les Shelleys (Tom Brosseau and Angela Correa)

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

I have made it a rule at Songs:Illinois to write about everything Tom Brosseau does. Whether it’s his solo stuff with an indie folk bent, the more full band sound he’s developed over the years or now his duo project with Angela Correa called Les Shelleys.

On “The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise” these two accomplished singer songwriters weave their voices in and around this classic song. You should be able to order the new record soon via Fat Cat Records.

The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise

Bonus:

Les Paul and Mary Ford – “The World Is Waiting For the Sunrise”

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Howe Gelb & Band of Gypsies – “Alegrias” (Eureka Records, May 21)

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Howe Gelb of Giant Sand fame doing Flamenco inspired music makes as much sense as his gospel project Sno Angel. But to some extent Howe Gelb is one of the artists tyhat can simply do no wrong.

In the past Howe’s music has been inspired by the Arizona desert and the rustic sounds that heat combined with despair and a level of remoteness that urban dwellers can only dream of. Now on Alegrias he has joined forces with the members of Band Of Gypsies and several other world renowned Flamenco players to deliver this new record which features older Giant Sand songs along with 4 new songs inspired by the Spanish town of Cordoba.

More info here from Eureka Music.

The Ballad of Lole y Manuel

UNEVEN LIGHT OF DAY. Howe Gelb & A Band of Gypsies [HQ] from eureka music on Vimeo.

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J Shogren – “Bird Bones & Muscle”

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Thanks to songs about Charlie Poole by Loudoun Wainwright III (here) and now J Shogren I have learned quite a bit about this original country music star and hard partying man of all trades (textiles, pro ballplayer, moonshiner). J Shogren is quite a charachter himself. This Wyoming born singer songwriter is a professor of Applied Philosophy and also the King’s Professor to the King of Sweden. He also received the Nobel Piece prize along with Al Gore. But it’s his unique blend of Americana inspired music that lands him on the cover of Songs:Illinois.

His new record is called Bird Bones & Muscle. Here’s the song “Charlie Poole Charlie Poole” off it. Buy it now at CD Baby here.

Charlie Poole, Charlie Poole

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Gwil Owen – “Ahab’s Birthday” (Rambler Records, 2010)

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

It’s been two years since I wrote about Gwil Owens’ debut record Gravy here. I was lucky to stumble upon Gwil’s music two years ago and my luck continues as I just happened to hear about the new record Ahab’s Birthday. Where Gravy was a little funky, Ahab’s Birthday has turned a little twangy. It helps to have first class guests like Will Kimbrough, Jeff Black, and David Olney. Besides the music it’s the songs that Gwil Owen gets right. Here are two from the new record that is for sale now here at Village Records.

Worth Your While
Trainwreck

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Clemence Freschard – “Who The World Belongs To”

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Alright she hangs out with and is discovered by Herman Dune in Paris, moves to Berlin, records/produces David Tattersall’s newish record, and has the voice of an angel. That’s enough for me. Clemence Freschard.

It’s no surprise that something like this is only available in Europe. But you could try to order it here or download it from Bandcamp here. This came out in 2006 but for some reason has started turning up again this year.

Who The World Belongs To

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“Lesbian Sushi”

Monday, June 7th, 2010

OK, that should get me some hits. This song by Marshmallow Staircase is available on their new limited edition LP Terror De Lune. This might not be what you’d expect from me here at Songs:Illinois but like every red blooded American I’ve got a place in my heart for The Velvet Underground and wild sixties garage rock. Available now on Summersteps Records.

Lesbian Sushi

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