I have said this many times: I may like many bands, but I rarely love a band before I have experienced them live. So here are a few clips of live performances, some by bands I have seen live before, the others bands I am itching to see! Enjoy!
Kyte’s “Boundaries” from their YouTube Channel: kytetheband.
Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Closer” from the VariousArtistsVEVO YouTube Channel.
Delphic’s “Doubt” from their YouTube Channel: delphicmusic.
The Editors’ “Papillon” from their MySpace Videos page.
Editors - Papillon Live at Fabric
EDITORS | Myspace Music Videos
Villagers’ “Ship of Promises” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
The Pinker Tones’ “Tokyo” from the EristoffTV YouTube Channel.
Shakespears Sister’s “You’re History” from their YouTube Channel: ShakespearsSisterTV.
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Showing posts with label Corinne Bailey Rae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corinne Bailey Rae. Show all posts
02 November 2010
08 August 2010
Vocalists
This one has been long in coming….
Anyone (other than me) can carry a tune and some can even show off an amazing range in the last thirty seconds of a song, but singing is another story altogether. A few months back, a friend asked me who were my favorite female and male vocalists: who would I consider to be a great vocalist? Immediately, I started scratching my head, because I really had never thought about this in any serious way. So I started compiling a list of criteria of what would make a great vocalist – in that sort of classical sense of singing, sans the rappers, screams, sprechgesang, etc… I immediately dismissed two factors: popularity and range. Popularity, generally, is the measure of corporate sponsorship, and range only indicates what notes you can hit, but that does not indicate if the singer uses his/her voice to maximum capacity. So amongst my criteria was the ability to be emotive – can the singer make me feel? Also, does the singer sell the lyrics, making them believable? And does the singer have a distinct style?
At first I felt a bit inundated: Was I considering the entire range of singers out there? Did I forget anyone? I started asking around, trying to get people’s opinion, and it was funny how no one could agree on five; I goggled a few lists, and they could not agree with one another either. But the one common trend I found is that most of these personal and media lists were not broad in scope (and some of the people included had no business being called a great vocalist – for some, entertainer would be a better term). I started then to compile my own list (sifting through my iTunes collection and the vinyls and CDs that have yet to make their way into the external hard dive), and became frustrated once again when many of the older, classic, and foreign singers were not officially available to embed from YouTube, Vimeo, or other video sources. I did not just want to compile a list of ten female and male vocalists; I wanted to be able to give you something to listen as well. (I know that YouTube is only five years old, but I think it is time that labels and artists start making back catalogues available in this VEVO revolution.) So, instead of compiling my favorite vocalists of all time, I decided on compile my favorite five female and male vocalists who are currently active and relevant to the music scene. Relevant is always the hard part; many older bands are still releasing albums, but how influential are they? Take a band like Depeche Mode; when they release, till today, people listen, both audiences and other musicians, but countless of others do not fall into this category, no matter how much I love the new music.
I want to pay some respect to the classics, which have helped develop my ear and musical taste. Amongst these vocalists are Bobby Darin, Julie London, Peggy Lee, and Dinah Washington – four incredible vocalists whose legacies continue to influence singers today. Not limiting myself to English, I would also like to include Rocio Jurado, the singer of the Spanish Chanson, in this list of classics. Her name and voice is synonymous with traditional Spanish music, full of drama and power, it is impossible not to hang on to her every word. As for the lists that follow, these artists have either established themselves or on the road to do so if they keep their heads screwed on right. Enjoy these vocalists, for they not only prove their abilities as singers, these are artists that continue to define, challenge, and redefine trends, music, and, in some cases, what it means to be great.
The namesake of the Spanish band/duo Amaral, Eva Amaral’s voice has a little of that Rocio Jurado; emotive, dramatic, and mesmerizing. Along side Juan Aguirre, they have composed everything from traditional Latin and Spanish music, dance music, pop rock, and some cutting edge indie rock. Taking most cues from the British and Euro-indie scenes, Eva Amaral, album to album, is able to recreate her vocal style, always leaving you wondering just what will come next.
Here is a live performance of “Concorde” from Amaral’s MySpace Video Page.
Amaral: Concorde en directo.
Amaral | MySpace Music Videos
What I love most about Corinne Bailey Rae is just how hard it is to pigeonhole her as a simple soul singer. With a touch of R&B, a dash of pop, and a pinch of indie rock, she composes and performs music that carries visceral power that is universal and infectious. Her angelic, quite soft, voice wisps through songs with general ease, with each note delivering the conviction of her words.
Here is the video for “Like a Star” from her debut album, from her YouTube Channel: CorinneBaileyRae. The second video is from her recent sophomore album, “The Sea,” called “Paris Nights/New York Mornings” from her MySpace Videos page.
Paris Nights/New York Mornings
Corinne Bailey Rae | MySpace Music Videos
Working under the intriguing moniker Bat for Lashes, Natasha Khan (of Pashtun descent) has one of the most distinct sounds in music; combining threads of dream pop, folk, indie pop, and non-Western elements, her music is ambient, soothing, and introspective. And not just audiences have taken notice of her talent, but also peers, including Matt Bellamy (Muse) and Thom Yorke (Radiohead). Her voice is sheer drama – mirroring the mood of the songs, from anguish to despondency, the only comparison I always come back to when listening to her music is Kate Bush, and that says it all.
Here is the video for “Daniel” from Bat For Lashes MySpace Videos page.
Daniel - Bat For Lashes
Bat For Lashes | MySpace Music Videos
There should be no doubt that Annie Lennox is my favorite female vocalist of all time. From glam and punk influenced rock pop band The Tourists to the new wave of the early Eurythmics, from the Motown influenced later Eurythmics to the soul of her solo career, Annie Lennox’s contralto range has proven over and over to ooze as much drama as her ever-changing theatric image. Polymorphic in image as in genre, her voice is perhaps the most distinct female vocalist’s out there, morphing in style as needed for each individual song. And even when being ambiguous, as in “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These),” there is always this connectivity between her singing and the audience.
The first video is The Tourists’ “I Only Want to Be With You” from the DaveStewartOfficial YouTube Channel. The second Eurythmics signature song, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These),” while the third is their video for “Don’t Ask Me Why” from the EurythmicsVEVO YouTube Channel. The last two from her solo career: “Precious” and the amazing The Lover Speaks’ cover “No More ‘I Love You’s’” from the AnnieLennoxVEVO Youtube Channel.
The Georgian born, British raised Katie Melua has mesmerized me completely recently. I have always loved the sound of her voice, even when originally she sang, “How can you make me fall apart, then break my fall with loving lies?” (“The Closest Thing to Crazy.”) Now she takes a different approach: “I’d love to kill you with a kiss…” (I’d Love To Kill You.”) With complete control of her mezzo-soprano range, she uses the entire range of her voice from beginning to end, including live, which proves the staying power of her voice.
Here are the videos for “Closest Thing to Crazy,” “It’s Only Pain,” and “A Happy Place” (I know I recently posted this one, but it is such a great song and video) from the DramaticoMusic YouTube Channel.
In this synthpop revival world, I am amazed that the names Andy Bell and Vincent Clarke, a.k.a. Erasure, have not become household names, considering how they are ripped off left and right. Clarke, the musician, is the quiet presence in the duo; Bell, however, is known for his over-the-top antics on stage, what never gets the credit is his voice. Juggling Erasure with a solo career and Djings, his multi-octave range can get guttural or sing with one of the best, most controlled falsettos, even while prancing around in a dress of the globe.
Here are Erasure’s video for “Chains of Love” and “Always” (amazing background vocals, taken out in the 2009 Mix of the song for some odd reason) from the Erasure MySpace Videos page. Also, his first solo single, “Crazy,” from his MySpace Video page.
Chains Of Love (Video)
Erasure | MySpace Music Videos
Always (Video)
Erasure | MySpace Music Videos
Crazy
Andy Bell | MySpace Music Videos
When I told a fellow Cure-head that I considered Matthew Bellamy the most talented individual in music, I almost got my head ripped off. But he is the total package: phenomenal songwriter, amazing producer, kick ass performer, talented pianist, rocking guitarist, and astounding singer. Sure the technical aspects of his singing are a bit rough around the edges, he still delivers what is needed from song to song, whether he is singing “Microcuts” or “Map of the Problematique.”
Here is a live performances of “Feeling Good” and “Time Is Running Out” and the video for “Undisclosed Desires” from the Muse MySpace Videos page.
Feeling Good [Live From Wembley Stadium]
MUSE | MySpace Music Videos
Time Is Running Out
MUSE | MySpace Music Videos
Undisclosed Desires
MUSE | MySpace Music Videos
Easily this generation’s best vocalist, Tom Chaplin is simply the bee’s knees. You can tell he must have had a few lessons along the way to control is tenor to perfection, but what really comes across is the sincerity in his voice. As humble as his stage persona, his voice has that empathic quality that helps you relate to the song, regardless if he is waxing poetic or being blunt and to the point; I have caught many Keane-haters singing along to a song and hating themselves for it.
Here are the videos for “Bedshapped,” “Is it Any Wonder?” and “The Lovers are Losing” from the KeaneVEVO YouTube Channel.
Perhaps not the most obvious choice, Dave Gahan (pronounced GAN), has proven his chops as a singer, performer/front man, songwriter, and producer over the last thirty years. And when Depeche Mode releases, the world listens. Of the veteran bands of the British 80s, DM remains the most relevant, and perhaps the most influential (contested only by The Cure in that department). Gahan may not have the vocal range of other singers, but he delivers conviction like none other. Whether singing Vince Clarke’s, Martin Gore’s, Alan Wilder’s, or his own lyrics, he is able to suck you right into his world. From getting you ready to dance or rock, to sway to gospel or chill to lounge, Gahan has proven the versatility of his voice and is only second to Freddie Mercury as a front man.
Here are videos for “Just Can’t Get Enough,” “Never Let Me Down Again,” “It’s No Good,” and “I Feel Loved” from Depeche Mode’s MySpace Videos page. Lastly, a solo single, “Kingdom,” from the Dave Gahan MySpace Videos page.
Just Can't Get Enough
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Never Let Me Down Again
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
It's No Good
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Dave Gahan - Kingdom (official music video - album version)
Dave Gahan | MySpace Video
I enjoy this love-hate releationship with (Steven) Morrissey. Introspective, witty, intelligent, and sarcastic, whether with The Smiths or now solo, his songs will either astound you with lyrical savvy, depress the hell out of you, or make you laugh. The dramatic quality of his voice just draws you into his little narratives and vignettes. And nothing is off limits: from smoking in the hopes of an early death to psychotropic drugs, The Smiths brought sophistication to post-punk, while Morrissey continues to bring a twisted, but realistic, outlook on life.
Here is the video for “Ask” (officially The Smith’s MySpace presence, but no page, but here is the direct link). And here is the video for “Something Is Squeezing My Skull” from Morrissey’s MySpace Video page.
Ask
The Smiths | MySpace Music Videos
Morrissey -Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Morrissey | MySpace Music Videos Read more ...
Anyone (other than me) can carry a tune and some can even show off an amazing range in the last thirty seconds of a song, but singing is another story altogether. A few months back, a friend asked me who were my favorite female and male vocalists: who would I consider to be a great vocalist? Immediately, I started scratching my head, because I really had never thought about this in any serious way. So I started compiling a list of criteria of what would make a great vocalist – in that sort of classical sense of singing, sans the rappers, screams, sprechgesang, etc… I immediately dismissed two factors: popularity and range. Popularity, generally, is the measure of corporate sponsorship, and range only indicates what notes you can hit, but that does not indicate if the singer uses his/her voice to maximum capacity. So amongst my criteria was the ability to be emotive – can the singer make me feel? Also, does the singer sell the lyrics, making them believable? And does the singer have a distinct style?
At first I felt a bit inundated: Was I considering the entire range of singers out there? Did I forget anyone? I started asking around, trying to get people’s opinion, and it was funny how no one could agree on five; I goggled a few lists, and they could not agree with one another either. But the one common trend I found is that most of these personal and media lists were not broad in scope (and some of the people included had no business being called a great vocalist – for some, entertainer would be a better term). I started then to compile my own list (sifting through my iTunes collection and the vinyls and CDs that have yet to make their way into the external hard dive), and became frustrated once again when many of the older, classic, and foreign singers were not officially available to embed from YouTube, Vimeo, or other video sources. I did not just want to compile a list of ten female and male vocalists; I wanted to be able to give you something to listen as well. (I know that YouTube is only five years old, but I think it is time that labels and artists start making back catalogues available in this VEVO revolution.) So, instead of compiling my favorite vocalists of all time, I decided on compile my favorite five female and male vocalists who are currently active and relevant to the music scene. Relevant is always the hard part; many older bands are still releasing albums, but how influential are they? Take a band like Depeche Mode; when they release, till today, people listen, both audiences and other musicians, but countless of others do not fall into this category, no matter how much I love the new music.
I want to pay some respect to the classics, which have helped develop my ear and musical taste. Amongst these vocalists are Bobby Darin, Julie London, Peggy Lee, and Dinah Washington – four incredible vocalists whose legacies continue to influence singers today. Not limiting myself to English, I would also like to include Rocio Jurado, the singer of the Spanish Chanson, in this list of classics. Her name and voice is synonymous with traditional Spanish music, full of drama and power, it is impossible not to hang on to her every word. As for the lists that follow, these artists have either established themselves or on the road to do so if they keep their heads screwed on right. Enjoy these vocalists, for they not only prove their abilities as singers, these are artists that continue to define, challenge, and redefine trends, music, and, in some cases, what it means to be great.
Les Chanteuses
Eva Amaral (of Amaral)
The namesake of the Spanish band/duo Amaral, Eva Amaral’s voice has a little of that Rocio Jurado; emotive, dramatic, and mesmerizing. Along side Juan Aguirre, they have composed everything from traditional Latin and Spanish music, dance music, pop rock, and some cutting edge indie rock. Taking most cues from the British and Euro-indie scenes, Eva Amaral, album to album, is able to recreate her vocal style, always leaving you wondering just what will come next.
Here is a live performance of “Concorde” from Amaral’s MySpace Video Page.
Amaral: Concorde en directo.
Amaral | MySpace Music Videos
Corinne Bailey Rae
What I love most about Corinne Bailey Rae is just how hard it is to pigeonhole her as a simple soul singer. With a touch of R&B, a dash of pop, and a pinch of indie rock, she composes and performs music that carries visceral power that is universal and infectious. Her angelic, quite soft, voice wisps through songs with general ease, with each note delivering the conviction of her words.
Here is the video for “Like a Star” from her debut album, from her YouTube Channel: CorinneBaileyRae. The second video is from her recent sophomore album, “The Sea,” called “Paris Nights/New York Mornings” from her MySpace Videos page.
Paris Nights/New York Mornings
Corinne Bailey Rae | MySpace Music Videos
Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes)
Working under the intriguing moniker Bat for Lashes, Natasha Khan (of Pashtun descent) has one of the most distinct sounds in music; combining threads of dream pop, folk, indie pop, and non-Western elements, her music is ambient, soothing, and introspective. And not just audiences have taken notice of her talent, but also peers, including Matt Bellamy (Muse) and Thom Yorke (Radiohead). Her voice is sheer drama – mirroring the mood of the songs, from anguish to despondency, the only comparison I always come back to when listening to her music is Kate Bush, and that says it all.
Here is the video for “Daniel” from Bat For Lashes MySpace Videos page.
Daniel - Bat For Lashes
Bat For Lashes | MySpace Music Videos
Annie Lennox
There should be no doubt that Annie Lennox is my favorite female vocalist of all time. From glam and punk influenced rock pop band The Tourists to the new wave of the early Eurythmics, from the Motown influenced later Eurythmics to the soul of her solo career, Annie Lennox’s contralto range has proven over and over to ooze as much drama as her ever-changing theatric image. Polymorphic in image as in genre, her voice is perhaps the most distinct female vocalist’s out there, morphing in style as needed for each individual song. And even when being ambiguous, as in “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These),” there is always this connectivity between her singing and the audience.
The first video is The Tourists’ “I Only Want to Be With You” from the DaveStewartOfficial YouTube Channel. The second Eurythmics signature song, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These),” while the third is their video for “Don’t Ask Me Why” from the EurythmicsVEVO YouTube Channel. The last two from her solo career: “Precious” and the amazing The Lover Speaks’ cover “No More ‘I Love You’s’” from the AnnieLennoxVEVO Youtube Channel.
Katie Melua
The Georgian born, British raised Katie Melua has mesmerized me completely recently. I have always loved the sound of her voice, even when originally she sang, “How can you make me fall apart, then break my fall with loving lies?” (“The Closest Thing to Crazy.”) Now she takes a different approach: “I’d love to kill you with a kiss…” (I’d Love To Kill You.”) With complete control of her mezzo-soprano range, she uses the entire range of her voice from beginning to end, including live, which proves the staying power of her voice.
Here are the videos for “Closest Thing to Crazy,” “It’s Only Pain,” and “A Happy Place” (I know I recently posted this one, but it is such a great song and video) from the DramaticoMusic YouTube Channel.
Les Chanteurs
Andy Bell (of Erasure)
In this synthpop revival world, I am amazed that the names Andy Bell and Vincent Clarke, a.k.a. Erasure, have not become household names, considering how they are ripped off left and right. Clarke, the musician, is the quiet presence in the duo; Bell, however, is known for his over-the-top antics on stage, what never gets the credit is his voice. Juggling Erasure with a solo career and Djings, his multi-octave range can get guttural or sing with one of the best, most controlled falsettos, even while prancing around in a dress of the globe.
Here are Erasure’s video for “Chains of Love” and “Always” (amazing background vocals, taken out in the 2009 Mix of the song for some odd reason) from the Erasure MySpace Videos page. Also, his first solo single, “Crazy,” from his MySpace Video page.
Chains Of Love (Video)
Erasure | MySpace Music Videos
Always (Video)
Erasure | MySpace Music Videos
Crazy
Andy Bell | MySpace Music Videos
Matthew Bellamy (of Muse)
When I told a fellow Cure-head that I considered Matthew Bellamy the most talented individual in music, I almost got my head ripped off. But he is the total package: phenomenal songwriter, amazing producer, kick ass performer, talented pianist, rocking guitarist, and astounding singer. Sure the technical aspects of his singing are a bit rough around the edges, he still delivers what is needed from song to song, whether he is singing “Microcuts” or “Map of the Problematique.”
Here is a live performances of “Feeling Good” and “Time Is Running Out” and the video for “Undisclosed Desires” from the Muse MySpace Videos page.
Feeling Good [Live From Wembley Stadium]
MUSE | MySpace Music Videos
Time Is Running Out
MUSE | MySpace Music Videos
Undisclosed Desires
MUSE | MySpace Music Videos
Tom Chaplin (of Keane)
Easily this generation’s best vocalist, Tom Chaplin is simply the bee’s knees. You can tell he must have had a few lessons along the way to control is tenor to perfection, but what really comes across is the sincerity in his voice. As humble as his stage persona, his voice has that empathic quality that helps you relate to the song, regardless if he is waxing poetic or being blunt and to the point; I have caught many Keane-haters singing along to a song and hating themselves for it.
Here are the videos for “Bedshapped,” “Is it Any Wonder?” and “The Lovers are Losing” from the KeaneVEVO YouTube Channel.
Dave Gahan (of Depeche Mode)
Perhaps not the most obvious choice, Dave Gahan (pronounced GAN), has proven his chops as a singer, performer/front man, songwriter, and producer over the last thirty years. And when Depeche Mode releases, the world listens. Of the veteran bands of the British 80s, DM remains the most relevant, and perhaps the most influential (contested only by The Cure in that department). Gahan may not have the vocal range of other singers, but he delivers conviction like none other. Whether singing Vince Clarke’s, Martin Gore’s, Alan Wilder’s, or his own lyrics, he is able to suck you right into his world. From getting you ready to dance or rock, to sway to gospel or chill to lounge, Gahan has proven the versatility of his voice and is only second to Freddie Mercury as a front man.
Here are videos for “Just Can’t Get Enough,” “Never Let Me Down Again,” “It’s No Good,” and “I Feel Loved” from Depeche Mode’s MySpace Videos page. Lastly, a solo single, “Kingdom,” from the Dave Gahan MySpace Videos page.
Just Can't Get Enough
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Never Let Me Down Again
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
It's No Good
Depeche Mode | MySpace Music Videos
Dave Gahan - Kingdom (official music video - album version)
Dave Gahan | MySpace Video
Morrissey
I enjoy this love-hate releationship with (Steven) Morrissey. Introspective, witty, intelligent, and sarcastic, whether with The Smiths or now solo, his songs will either astound you with lyrical savvy, depress the hell out of you, or make you laugh. The dramatic quality of his voice just draws you into his little narratives and vignettes. And nothing is off limits: from smoking in the hopes of an early death to psychotropic drugs, The Smiths brought sophistication to post-punk, while Morrissey continues to bring a twisted, but realistic, outlook on life.
Here is the video for “Ask” (officially The Smith’s MySpace presence, but no page, but here is the direct link). And here is the video for “Something Is Squeezing My Skull” from Morrissey’s MySpace Video page.
Ask
The Smiths | MySpace Music Videos
Morrissey -Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Morrissey | MySpace Music Videos Read more ...
04 May 2010
Corinne Bailey Rae Live
After a long day of working (the “nine-to-five,” followed by the part time, and a ton of driving in between), I headed to Manhattan with two of my coworkers; we were off to see Corinne Bailey Rae at Webster Hall (New York, NY USA). It was our first time hanging out together outside of work, and our first time seeing Corinne Bailey Rae… and the night was perfect.
We got to the city, drove directly into a lot, and admittedly went to get a bite to eat, risking the chance of not seeing the opening act, Daniel Merriweather. When we finally arrived at Webster Hall, heading for the bar area on the main floor, I had a bit of regret not catching the entire Merriweather set. His band and he were tight, his demeanor welcoming and amicable, and he even joked about selling CDs at the end of the set “in the back” so that he would be able to pay the rent.
At this pointed we headed up to the balcony, settling into our second of three spots of the night. (Also, at this point, again my camera started acting up again; apologies for the lack of strong photos.) Then the main event started: Corrine Bailey Rae opened with “Are You There,” the opening track of her current album, “The Sea.” (Previously reviewed: link.) The album’s conception predates her husband’s sudden death, as the process of the composition started with him; after months in solitude, Bailey Rae returned to the studio, both as a means of coming to terms with her emotions and life and starting the cathartic process of starting life all over again. And it was with that knowledge that I came to the show, a bit nervous about what exactly to expect. I had no doubt that her performance would be technically spot on, but what I did not know was just how emotionally powerful and positive the show was going to be. After getting comfortable in our second spot, the band came on stage. Backed by a five-piece-band, Bailey Rae strummed her white electric guitar as she soulfully sung, “Are you here? Are you here? Are you here? Cause my heart recalls that… it all seems the same… it all feels the same.” Her voice was simply amazing; thousands of times more soulful live, thousands of times more powerful.
Soon after the first song, we headed back to the main floor, and (politely of course) headed up to get a closer spot. Backing her on the stage were Jennifer Birch on guitar, Steven Brown on keyboards, Luke Flowers on drums, Kenny Higgins on bass, and John Maccalum on guitar, who shared lead vocal duties with Bailey Rae on the final song of the evening, Evans and Livingston’s “Que Sera Sera” – and I assure you there was no hint of Doris Day in this cover version! There was a gospel feel to the end of the show, one that lent so much positively and energy. When she sang “que sera sera” [what will be, will be], there was no sense of resignation or sorrow… there was no sense of ambivalence. Instead, Bailey Rae embraced the words… owned them!… in perhaps the ultimate realization: we must accept life at the moments we most wish to forget it and live on.
As I have admitted in a previous post, though Bailey Rae has been in my radar for quite sometime, it was not till “The Sea” that I really started to listen. This really burns me, as in current days I have become attached to her eponymous debut album. Hence, my favorite moment of the evening was the performance of “Put Your Records On.” And of course, another great moment was “Like a Star”: “You’ve got this look I can’t describe; you make me feel like I’m alive. When everything else is a fade, without a doubt you’re on my side.” Without a doubt, the recorded rendition of the song pales in comparison with the live rendition. (By this time, I realized that I was so swept into the show that I had not written down the complete setlist!)
Other songs from “The Sea” that really hit an emotional spot for the crowd included “Paris Nights/New York Morning” (which she introduced as being inspired by New York City), “Paper Dolls,” and the titular track: “The Sea.” The final song of the main set, she sang, “The sea… takes everything from me.” Again, just like what would follow with “Que Sera Sera,” there was no sign of resignation that you hear on the album… Instead, there was visceral power of acceptance that was overwhelming and quite beautiful. And you realize that Bailey Rae’s ultimate message/example is to live life, to embrace it all, the good and the bad, and grow from it, and ultimately always do something positive with what life has dealt you.
One of the year’s best albums? Check. Great performance? Check. If you get a chance to catch Corrine Bailey Rae live, do not hesitate – she will sing time away as you are trapped in the beauty of her voice.
Keep up with Corinne Bailey Rae at her homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Read more ...
We got to the city, drove directly into a lot, and admittedly went to get a bite to eat, risking the chance of not seeing the opening act, Daniel Merriweather. When we finally arrived at Webster Hall, heading for the bar area on the main floor, I had a bit of regret not catching the entire Merriweather set. His band and he were tight, his demeanor welcoming and amicable, and he even joked about selling CDs at the end of the set “in the back” so that he would be able to pay the rent.
At this pointed we headed up to the balcony, settling into our second of three spots of the night. (Also, at this point, again my camera started acting up again; apologies for the lack of strong photos.) Then the main event started: Corrine Bailey Rae opened with “Are You There,” the opening track of her current album, “The Sea.” (Previously reviewed: link.) The album’s conception predates her husband’s sudden death, as the process of the composition started with him; after months in solitude, Bailey Rae returned to the studio, both as a means of coming to terms with her emotions and life and starting the cathartic process of starting life all over again. And it was with that knowledge that I came to the show, a bit nervous about what exactly to expect. I had no doubt that her performance would be technically spot on, but what I did not know was just how emotionally powerful and positive the show was going to be. After getting comfortable in our second spot, the band came on stage. Backed by a five-piece-band, Bailey Rae strummed her white electric guitar as she soulfully sung, “Are you here? Are you here? Are you here? Cause my heart recalls that… it all seems the same… it all feels the same.” Her voice was simply amazing; thousands of times more soulful live, thousands of times more powerful.
Soon after the first song, we headed back to the main floor, and (politely of course) headed up to get a closer spot. Backing her on the stage were Jennifer Birch on guitar, Steven Brown on keyboards, Luke Flowers on drums, Kenny Higgins on bass, and John Maccalum on guitar, who shared lead vocal duties with Bailey Rae on the final song of the evening, Evans and Livingston’s “Que Sera Sera” – and I assure you there was no hint of Doris Day in this cover version! There was a gospel feel to the end of the show, one that lent so much positively and energy. When she sang “que sera sera” [what will be, will be], there was no sense of resignation or sorrow… there was no sense of ambivalence. Instead, Bailey Rae embraced the words… owned them!… in perhaps the ultimate realization: we must accept life at the moments we most wish to forget it and live on.
As I have admitted in a previous post, though Bailey Rae has been in my radar for quite sometime, it was not till “The Sea” that I really started to listen. This really burns me, as in current days I have become attached to her eponymous debut album. Hence, my favorite moment of the evening was the performance of “Put Your Records On.” And of course, another great moment was “Like a Star”: “You’ve got this look I can’t describe; you make me feel like I’m alive. When everything else is a fade, without a doubt you’re on my side.” Without a doubt, the recorded rendition of the song pales in comparison with the live rendition. (By this time, I realized that I was so swept into the show that I had not written down the complete setlist!)
Other songs from “The Sea” that really hit an emotional spot for the crowd included “Paris Nights/New York Morning” (which she introduced as being inspired by New York City), “Paper Dolls,” and the titular track: “The Sea.” The final song of the main set, she sang, “The sea… takes everything from me.” Again, just like what would follow with “Que Sera Sera,” there was no sign of resignation that you hear on the album… Instead, there was visceral power of acceptance that was overwhelming and quite beautiful. And you realize that Bailey Rae’s ultimate message/example is to live life, to embrace it all, the good and the bad, and grow from it, and ultimately always do something positive with what life has dealt you.
One of the year’s best albums? Check. Great performance? Check. If you get a chance to catch Corrine Bailey Rae live, do not hesitate – she will sing time away as you are trapped in the beauty of her voice.
Keep up with Corinne Bailey Rae at her homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Read more ...
27 February 2010
Catching up with Corinne Bailey Rae and Post Harbor
Being buried under snow has its advantages, for one I got to do a lot of catching up over the past few days, including my music listening and writing. Corinne Bailey Rae is an artist I have known about for the past few years, but never really taken the time to really listen to her music. Post Harbor is a band I was recently introduced to and have been stuck on. Both are releasing their second albums, and both are great. So enough with introductions, I rather just dive headlong into these two albums.
Corinne Bailey Rae: “The Sea”
I heard the voice of an angel, and her name is Corinne Bailey Rae, a neo-soul singer from the United Kingdom. I recently heard “I’d Do It All Again,” and really regretted not making the investment in her debut album: “Corinne Bailey Rae” (24 February 2006). I was conscious of who she was, heard all the singles, saw the videos, and really liked her sound and her voice. But, as I was not blogging then and life was a bit crazy, I never got around to checking out the full album. But history did not repeat itself, Bailey Rae just released her sophomore effort, “The Sea” (20 January 2010 in the Japan, 26 January 2010 in the USA, and 1 February 2010 in the UK), and I am completely enraptured by her voice. Recording this album came to a complete halt after the tragic death of her husband (Justin Rae), and after a year of solitary existence, she revisited her music and this is the final product that captures that era of her life.
This album is all about the journey of genesis: from euphoria to devastation to regaining her strength, this is a personal album full of emotional insights and growth in her musical repertoire. The expected soul and R&B strands are present, but so are strands of jazz, blues, and current indie rock/pop. This is easily achieved because this time around Bailey Rae relied on a live band. And though sometimes the band verges on going through the motions (as they do not have the same emotional connection to the work as she does), just playing the notes, what carries each song is her voice. Whether wailing to a guitar or crooning to strings, her voice imbibes an emotional depth that is warm and inviting.
Bailey Rae’s indie influences are most apparent on the opening track, which I would imagine have thrown off a few people. Starting with the strumming of an electric guitar, she sings, “He’s a real live wire, he’s the best of his kind: wait till you see those eyes. He dresses like this different scene, he’ll kiss you make feel sixteen: what’s it even mean? Are you here? Are you here? Are you here, cause my heart recalls that…” And as her disconsolate vocals fill your ears and pulls on your heartstrings, you can only imagine the personal strength she must have to sing this song. And though the indie rock beat drops, and the song starts inching towards a faster tempo, her voice remains the same. And though the music shifts to neo-soul in the following track, “I’d Do It All Again” (the lead single), the same disconsolate feeling to her voice is ever present, but even more powerful.
The album, however, does not consistently stay in this mood; “The Blackest Lily” brings some funk to the table. And when she sings, “Colour my heart, colour my heart, make it restart, make it restart, colour my heart, I want it more than I ever knew,” it brings a sort of comfort, a mantra for future possibilities. Her voice is most powerful on “Love’s On Its Way.” When she sings against the strings, with such a simple arrangement, it is evident that Bailey Rae knows how to emote her soul. The album closes with the highly dramatic titular track, “The Sea,” her metaphor for life: “The sea, the majestic sea, breaks everything, crushes everything, cleans everything, takes everything from me.” And it is all summed up in these final words that Bailey Rae sings on the album. Life is majestic, it can crush you and it can cleanse you of all your pains and hurts, but one of the main measures we use to judge life is loss. And true loss, loss that cuts into the bones and soul, into your heart and existence, is something we can never forget.
If you have ever loss and felt lost, and if you ever thought that there was no hope left or light at the end of the tunnel, Corinne Bailey Rae’s “The Sea” is for you. This is not just an album about loss; this is about growth, regaining that inner strength, and living. This is a journey that shows the human strength and emotional depth. This is not just an album; this is something that needs to be experienced.
Track Listing:
1. Are You Here
2. I’d Do It All Again
3. Feels Like the First Time
4. The Blackest Lily
5. Closer
6. Love’s on Its Way
7. I Would Like to Call It Beauty
8. Paris Nights / New York Mornings
9. Paper Dolls
10. Diving for Hearts
11. The Sea
12. Little Wing – iTunes exclusive
13. It Be’s That Way Sometimes – iTunes pre-order bonus
Keep up with Corinne Bailey Rae at her homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.
Here is her video for “I’d Do It All Again” from her YouTube Channel: CorinneBaileyRae.
Post Harbor: “They Can’t Hurt You If You Don’t Believe in Them”
I didn’t now anything at all about Post Harbor until the other day, when a friend of mine introduced me them, saying, “If you like Sigur Rós, you’re gonna love this band.” Of course I was game for a new artist in my collection, so I took a listen and was blown away and quickly educated myself. Post Harbor hails from the Pacific Northwest (specifically Seattle, WA USA). They self-released their debut album to little fanfare, but signed to Burning Building Recordings for their sophomore release. With a profound title, “They Can’t Hurt You If You Don’t Believe in Them” (16 February 2010), this sophomore album is easily a measuring rod for what post-rock is all about. Quite often subtly unexpected and other times abrasively grandiose, the album relies on unconventional arrangements and visceral bombast that hooks itself into you and does not let go. (Honestly, I fell in love with post-rock with “Happy Songs for Happy People” (17 June 2003) by Mogwai, and I have rediscovered that love again.)
Most of the songs on the album are of epic proportion, including the lead single, “Shirakashi.” The songs interplay between being soft, almost ethereal, and boomingly hard. And though vocals are occasionally interjected into the songs, unlike the majority of bands, it is not the words that are the focus. Much like dream pop, the vocal arrangements are just another layer of music, and the focus is always on the music, with its highly dramatic shifts and unaffected lows. This constant mountain-valley to the mood of the music is what creates this overwhelming sonic and emotional power that hooks you consistently.
There is a real level of sophistication on how noise is used on the album. From the falling rain in “The End of Something Great Is Coming” to the electronic ostinato of “With a Line Graph I Can Tell the Future,” noise always enhances the emotional urgency of the music. As for the range of sounds, from strings to synthetic electronics, guitars to subtle vocals, each song employs a range of sounds to color the atmosphere and mood of each song. And there is no “structured” was of doing this; the band approached each song as an individual, never having a cookie-cutter format to the songs. The only consistency in the songs is that they are approached minimalist fashion; not one single song is drowned in sound to the point of being overbearing.
Post-rock has yet to make real headway in popular culture, which may be to its advantage. Musicians like Post Harbor are able to continue to experiment with the concept of how “rock” should be put together and not weighed down with extraneous expectations. “They Can’t Hurt You If You Don’t Believe in Them” is a steady step in that direction. If Post Harbor did not generate much fanfare with their freshman release, this album is going to turn quite a few heads. And if you are not a fan of post-rock, or have no clue what it is, then you may want to really listen to this album; you may just fall in love.
Track Listing:
1. Ponaturi
2. Cities of the Interior
3. Shirakashi
4. With a Line Graph I Can Tell the Future
5. The End of Something Great Is Coming
6. Alia’s Fane
7. Augustine
8. Caves, Hallow Trees and Other Dwellings
9. Fore Example, This Is a Corpse
10. Intro
Keep up with Post Harbor at their homepage and MySpace.
Here is their video for “Shirakashi” from their YouTube Channel: postharbor.
Read more ...
Corinne Bailey Rae: “The Sea”
I heard the voice of an angel, and her name is Corinne Bailey Rae, a neo-soul singer from the United Kingdom. I recently heard “I’d Do It All Again,” and really regretted not making the investment in her debut album: “Corinne Bailey Rae” (24 February 2006). I was conscious of who she was, heard all the singles, saw the videos, and really liked her sound and her voice. But, as I was not blogging then and life was a bit crazy, I never got around to checking out the full album. But history did not repeat itself, Bailey Rae just released her sophomore effort, “The Sea” (20 January 2010 in the Japan, 26 January 2010 in the USA, and 1 February 2010 in the UK), and I am completely enraptured by her voice. Recording this album came to a complete halt after the tragic death of her husband (Justin Rae), and after a year of solitary existence, she revisited her music and this is the final product that captures that era of her life.
This album is all about the journey of genesis: from euphoria to devastation to regaining her strength, this is a personal album full of emotional insights and growth in her musical repertoire. The expected soul and R&B strands are present, but so are strands of jazz, blues, and current indie rock/pop. This is easily achieved because this time around Bailey Rae relied on a live band. And though sometimes the band verges on going through the motions (as they do not have the same emotional connection to the work as she does), just playing the notes, what carries each song is her voice. Whether wailing to a guitar or crooning to strings, her voice imbibes an emotional depth that is warm and inviting.
Bailey Rae’s indie influences are most apparent on the opening track, which I would imagine have thrown off a few people. Starting with the strumming of an electric guitar, she sings, “He’s a real live wire, he’s the best of his kind: wait till you see those eyes. He dresses like this different scene, he’ll kiss you make feel sixteen: what’s it even mean? Are you here? Are you here? Are you here, cause my heart recalls that…” And as her disconsolate vocals fill your ears and pulls on your heartstrings, you can only imagine the personal strength she must have to sing this song. And though the indie rock beat drops, and the song starts inching towards a faster tempo, her voice remains the same. And though the music shifts to neo-soul in the following track, “I’d Do It All Again” (the lead single), the same disconsolate feeling to her voice is ever present, but even more powerful.
The album, however, does not consistently stay in this mood; “The Blackest Lily” brings some funk to the table. And when she sings, “Colour my heart, colour my heart, make it restart, make it restart, colour my heart, I want it more than I ever knew,” it brings a sort of comfort, a mantra for future possibilities. Her voice is most powerful on “Love’s On Its Way.” When she sings against the strings, with such a simple arrangement, it is evident that Bailey Rae knows how to emote her soul. The album closes with the highly dramatic titular track, “The Sea,” her metaphor for life: “The sea, the majestic sea, breaks everything, crushes everything, cleans everything, takes everything from me.” And it is all summed up in these final words that Bailey Rae sings on the album. Life is majestic, it can crush you and it can cleanse you of all your pains and hurts, but one of the main measures we use to judge life is loss. And true loss, loss that cuts into the bones and soul, into your heart and existence, is something we can never forget.
If you have ever loss and felt lost, and if you ever thought that there was no hope left or light at the end of the tunnel, Corinne Bailey Rae’s “The Sea” is for you. This is not just an album about loss; this is about growth, regaining that inner strength, and living. This is a journey that shows the human strength and emotional depth. This is not just an album; this is something that needs to be experienced.
Track Listing:
1. Are You Here
2. I’d Do It All Again
3. Feels Like the First Time
4. The Blackest Lily
5. Closer
6. Love’s on Its Way
7. I Would Like to Call It Beauty
8. Paris Nights / New York Mornings
9. Paper Dolls
10. Diving for Hearts
11. The Sea
12. Little Wing – iTunes exclusive
13. It Be’s That Way Sometimes – iTunes pre-order bonus
Keep up with Corinne Bailey Rae at her homepage, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.
Here is her video for “I’d Do It All Again” from her YouTube Channel: CorinneBaileyRae.
Post Harbor: “They Can’t Hurt You If You Don’t Believe in Them”
I didn’t now anything at all about Post Harbor until the other day, when a friend of mine introduced me them, saying, “If you like Sigur Rós, you’re gonna love this band.” Of course I was game for a new artist in my collection, so I took a listen and was blown away and quickly educated myself. Post Harbor hails from the Pacific Northwest (specifically Seattle, WA USA). They self-released their debut album to little fanfare, but signed to Burning Building Recordings for their sophomore release. With a profound title, “They Can’t Hurt You If You Don’t Believe in Them” (16 February 2010), this sophomore album is easily a measuring rod for what post-rock is all about. Quite often subtly unexpected and other times abrasively grandiose, the album relies on unconventional arrangements and visceral bombast that hooks itself into you and does not let go. (Honestly, I fell in love with post-rock with “Happy Songs for Happy People” (17 June 2003) by Mogwai, and I have rediscovered that love again.)
Most of the songs on the album are of epic proportion, including the lead single, “Shirakashi.” The songs interplay between being soft, almost ethereal, and boomingly hard. And though vocals are occasionally interjected into the songs, unlike the majority of bands, it is not the words that are the focus. Much like dream pop, the vocal arrangements are just another layer of music, and the focus is always on the music, with its highly dramatic shifts and unaffected lows. This constant mountain-valley to the mood of the music is what creates this overwhelming sonic and emotional power that hooks you consistently.
There is a real level of sophistication on how noise is used on the album. From the falling rain in “The End of Something Great Is Coming” to the electronic ostinato of “With a Line Graph I Can Tell the Future,” noise always enhances the emotional urgency of the music. As for the range of sounds, from strings to synthetic electronics, guitars to subtle vocals, each song employs a range of sounds to color the atmosphere and mood of each song. And there is no “structured” was of doing this; the band approached each song as an individual, never having a cookie-cutter format to the songs. The only consistency in the songs is that they are approached minimalist fashion; not one single song is drowned in sound to the point of being overbearing.
Post-rock has yet to make real headway in popular culture, which may be to its advantage. Musicians like Post Harbor are able to continue to experiment with the concept of how “rock” should be put together and not weighed down with extraneous expectations. “They Can’t Hurt You If You Don’t Believe in Them” is a steady step in that direction. If Post Harbor did not generate much fanfare with their freshman release, this album is going to turn quite a few heads. And if you are not a fan of post-rock, or have no clue what it is, then you may want to really listen to this album; you may just fall in love.
Track Listing:
1. Ponaturi
2. Cities of the Interior
3. Shirakashi
4. With a Line Graph I Can Tell the Future
5. The End of Something Great Is Coming
6. Alia’s Fane
7. Augustine
8. Caves, Hallow Trees and Other Dwellings
9. Fore Example, This Is a Corpse
10. Intro
Keep up with Post Harbor at their homepage and MySpace.
Here is their video for “Shirakashi” from their YouTube Channel: postharbor.
Read more ...
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