Kristian Matsson, better known by his stage name, The Tallest Man on Earth, is an absolutely outstanding songwriter and performer. The Tallest Man on Earth comes to us from Sweden. On first instinct one would compare him to Bob Dylan. He has the unconventional voice, he has the outstanding lyrics. The comparison is one thrown about more often than it should, and The Tallest Man on Earth is one of the rare performers who is worthy of such a comparison. However, I think The Tallest Man on Earth will be carving out his own little place in history.
NPR's Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton both listed The Tallest Man on Earth's 2010 release The Wild Hunt on their lists of 2010's best music. The Tallest Man on Earth is also known for his mesmerizing live performances.
Here's The Tallest Man on Earth performing "Where Do My Bluebird Fly" off 2008's Shallow Grave.
Thao Nguyen grew up and started her music career in Fall Church, Virginia, just outside DC. She sites the Lilith Fair as her her musical inspiration at the age of 12. She is also the Thao in the band Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, who are now housed out of San Francisco. A few months back I came across one of NPR's "Tiny Desk Concerts" featuring Thao Nguyen. I was easily taken by her creativity and energy. She's also got some great beat box skills. Last year Thao toured with Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn (better known as Mirah) as the two provided backing vocals for each other's songs.
She's Thao Nguyen performing "Bag of Hammers" off her 2008 solo release We Brave Bee Stings and All.
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down will be touring with the Head and the Heart starting in September. I happen to be lucky enough to be attending their concert at the 9:30 Club. You can check out more tour dates and news right here.
J Mascis is best known as a founding member and guitarist of Dinosaur Jr., a band formed in 1984 that recently experienced a resurgence after reforming in 2005. After Dinosaur Jr. originally disbanded, J Mascis started another band entitled J Mascis + The Fog. Most recently J Mascis released a solo album entitled Several Shades of Why in March of this year. J Mascis is a truly talented guitar player, who even has a Fender guitar names after him.
Check out J Mascis with a solo performance of "Ammaring" off the J Mascis + The Fog 2000 record More Light. The guitar alone is worth the listen.
You can find more J Mascis info on his website, such as his scheduled tour date in DC in September!
There are some songs, that just sound better when in the hands of someone else. That's not to say that the band or artist who originally wrote and performed those songs are bad. It just means that those songs were meant for someone else's voice or creative outlook. Bob Dylan himself admitted that he preferred Jimi Hendrix's version of "All Along the Watchtower." Noel Gallagher of Oasis confessed that Ryan Adams version of "Wonderwall" is superior to Oasis' version saying "I think Ryan Adams is the only person her who ever got that song right." I think the same is true of Joshua James' cover Modest Mouse's "Custom Concern." The stripped down version has so much more emotion. It's almost like that song was meant for James.
Take a listen. Here's Joshua James performing the Modest Mouse song "Custom Concern."
The uniquely named and punctuated band, Portugal. The Man, originated way out in Wasilla, Alaska. After moving to Portland, Oregon and releasing a few independent records, they recently signed on with Atlantic Records. Just a few weeks ago Portugal. The Man released In the Mountain Inthe Cloud. They're an exciting new band, who is heading out on tour this September. Go check them out!
Here's Portugal. The Man performing "Got It All (This Can't Be Living)" off In the Mountain In the Cloud.
Here in US, most people know David Gray for his hit 2000 single "Babylon." Unfortunately, what they don't realize, is that David Gray has a catalog of music spanning back to 1993, and that he's absolutely a top notch live performer. The English singer/songwriter slowly gained popularity through the mid 90's in the UK. In 1998 David Gray released his breakthrough album White Ladder. While White Ladder experienced critical and commercial success back home, it wasn't until White Ladder was released as the first album on Dave Matthews' ATO label, that David Gray experienced success stateside. In the decade since, Gray has continued to turn out excellent records.
Besides studio albums, David Gray is a fantastic live entertainer. He has an amazingly strong voice, and brings great stage energy. I saw David Gray for the first time last year at Merriweather Post Pavilion, and then again just over a month ago in Atlantic City and DMB Caravan. Both crowds were absolutely captivated as he played.
There's a very special reason why David Gray is featured in today's post. Today is my best friend Jan's birthday! Jan is pretty fond of David Gray, and we're pretty sure some of David Gray's songs are actually about Jan. We haven't confirmed this, but we have a strong suspicion. So for Jan's birthday, here are a bunch of David Gray videos. Happy birthday Jan!
David Gray- "The One I Love"
"The Other Side"
"Lately"
Hope you enjoyed the videos! Find more from David Gray on his website.
Black Dub is a collaborative project dreamt up by legendary songwriter and producer Daneil Lanois. Their self-titled album was released in November 2010. Besides one song that was written as a group, all the songs on the album were written by Lanois. However, it's Trixie Whitely's vocals that steal the show here. Her voice is tremendously soulful, and it appears that there is no boundary for her talent.
"I'd Rather Go Blind" doesn't appear on the Black Dub album, but the performance is spellbinding. Between, Whitely's vocals and Brian Blades rhythmic drumming you can't help but listen.
