I’ve been on vacation, lethargic and then uninspired for the last few weeks. The Sam Baker post and subsequent CD sales of his new record “cotton” were encouraging though, as were the number of emails that supported the site and the rather odd stunt we pulled.

A tweet by a fellow blogger on news of a new record by Kesang Marstand got my pulse racing again. I wrote about and was enchanted by her last record (here).

Hello Night is a record that is full of lullabies that Kesang says is perfect for children and adults. Buy the pre release of Hello Night here via Kesang’s website.

Cocooned In My Blanket
Rest

I’ve lamented before the unreliability of CD new release lists. Self-released records, despite all the hullabaloo about how that’s the next big thing, are most likely not listed anywhere on the net. That’s the case for the new record by Kesang Marstrand. Her new record Bodega Rose is more accomplished and more enjoyable than the bulk of the music I usually encounter.

Kesang lives and records in Woodstock, NY. So it’s probably been hard not to be influenced by the folk traditions of this now mythic location. But her music, at least lyrically and sometimes musically, is more of a travelogue than an ode to her hippy hometown. There’s an exotic nature to her songs that goes far beyond just her unusual name. She seems as comfortable with jazz as she does with folk, which gives her music an appeal similar to that of Norah Jones. And that’s clearly an appeal that is wide and deep. And I have tremendous respect for music like this; music that is beautiful, delicious, effortless and almost floats on air.

I hope the major media pick up on Kesang. I bet she has an amazing story to go along with her beautiful songs.

Here’s a song off of her debut Bodega Rose. Buy it now though CD Baby here.

Real Boys

Bonus track

Tibet Will Be Free

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P.S. And completely unrelated. Why are critics picking on Quantum of Solace. I thought the pacing and the story was interesting. I love a good tale of revenge and this one had that in spades. I guess because it’s following on the heels of the best Bond film in eons it’s getting a bit shortchanged. But I like it as much or even more than it’s predecessor.