Old 97s Blame it on Gravity

Listening to: Old 97’s, Blame it on Gravity

I love this band. They’ve gone through many changes over the years, but there’s always something musical and inspiring to discover in their records. I’ve never seen them play live, but their 2005 live album, Alive and Wired, suggests they’re … [read more]

International Terminal

Pop in English, from elsewhere

What is it about popular music, sung in English, that originates from outside of the English-speaking world? This is a topic that’s occupied me for a few years now. Not in the least because I didn’t grow up speaking English, … [read more]

The Very Best of Eagles

Listening to: Eagles, The Very Best of

Mirrors on the ceiling | Pink champagne on ice | And she said, “We are all just prisoners here, of our own device.” This is a confession of sorts. I really like the Eagles. I know I’m not supposed to. … [read more]

Candi Staton

Listening to: Candi Staton

Candi Staton is a “southern soul” singer who recorded several albums for Fame Records in famous Muscle Shoals, Alabama (where many others, like Aretha Franklin, recorded with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section). Candi Staton came from a gospel background and … [read more]

Microphone

Suspicious of people who don’t like music

Found this quote from Beverley Knight, while I’m on the topic of Beverley Knight. I’ve often thought that I don’t understand people who don’t like music. She’s talking about singing in front of the G8 leaders in 2006: “Wow! Now, … [read more]

Beverley Knight Voice

Listening to: Beverley Knight

Beverley Knight is an immensely talented R&B singer from the UK who is completely unknown in North America. This is a great shame because she’s incredibly gifted, accomplished and, frankly, as good as or better than Beyoncé and Mary J. … [read more]

Sons and Daughters This Gift

Listening to: Sons & Daughters, This Gift

So I think this is my first album of the year (not that ‘albums of the year’ mean anything around here). But Sons & Daughters‘ new record, This Gift, really resonates with me – and did so right out of … [read more]

Sons & Daughters

New album from Sons & Daughters, an excellent Scottish indie band. Here’s the first video: And while I’m talking about Sons & Daughters, this is a song from their first full-length that I love: