Category: Folk

Random Songs From My Phone – KT Tunstall – “Under The Weather”

Cover of "Eye to the Telescope"
Cover of Eye to the Telescope

 

I loved this album.  “Eye To The Telescope” continues to be a regular on my rotation after, what 9 years.  This is one of the great tunes on the disc, “Under The Weather”.  The album, released in 2004, and was her first studio album.  The album gained her multiple Grammy and Brit nominations, winning the 2005 Brit for best female solo artist.  KT Tunstall is Scottish born and plays a mean guitar as well as being a fine singer and songwriter.  Her genre is hard to pin down as she moves effortlessly between rock, pop and folk.  the cut I have selected is a live version, done on Jools Holland in April 2005.  Enjoy, I have many times.

 

 

Song Of The Day – Lissie – “When I’m Alone”

English: Lissie performing at Parkenfestivalen...
English: Lissie performing at Parkenfestivalen 2011, Bodø, Norway (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Today’s tune is by American folk/rock artist, Lissie.  The song, “When I’m Alone” from her 2010 album, “Catching A Tiger”.  The song is more rock than folk and showcases a strong voice and a pretty good band.  The song was getting some major airplay in Canada on CBC2, likely in support of her upcoming album, “Back To Forever”.  It is due to be released in September.  An interesting note, the album reached number 4 in Norway, the featured song, number 2.

 

Lissie Home Page

 

Lissie on iTunes

 

 

 

 

Song of the Day – The Lumineers – “Stubborn Love”

The Lumineers LIVE in Concert Presented By T-M...
The Lumineers LIVE in Concert Presented By T-Mobile Rock4G and Walmart Soundcheck (Photo credit: Lunchbox LP)

I, like a heck of a lot of people, really enjoyed the first single off their self-titled debut. The Lumineers.  Ho Hey is a great song, just as is their follow-up single “Stubborn Love“.  The Denver based folk band exploded onto the scene in 2012 and gathered 4 Grammy nominations in 2013.  Their style melds simple folk lines with a more recent root revival sound.  These sounds could easily be heard in movies or TV as soundtrack, and are destined to have long lives as such.  Enjoy Stubborn Love.

Song Of The Day – Michael Franti and Spearhead – The Sound Of Sunshine

American musician Michael Franti
American musician Michael Franti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s almost summer.  Forget that Calgary was plus 6 yesterday with biblical rainfall and the mountains got a sprucing up with a bunch of new snow.  I am going to call it and say, summer starts now.  To bring it in with some music, I give you Michael Franti and Spearhead with “The Sound of Sunshine”.

California-based, the band, fronted by Michael Franti, plays a great mix of, well, pretty much everything.  I hear funk, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, some folk and lots of fun.  Great tune, and wherever you are, remember Canadians love summer.  It is short and we make the most of every minute.

Michael Franti Home

Michael Franti on iTunes

Michael Franti on Amazon

Michael Franti on CBC

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Song Of The Day – The Wailin’ Jennys

English: Soprano singer-songwriter Ruth Moody,...
English: Soprano singer-songwriter Ruth Moody, a member of the trio ‘The Wailin Jennys’, casts a spell over the audience at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Great news, for me anyway.  My car radio started working again.  Good thing for a few reasons.  First, I have music again (old car – no iPod plug) and second, I get to tap into my favourite music resource again.  Today, we have the Wailin’ Jennys doing a cover of the great one’s (not Gretzky, Neil Young) song “Old Man” off his classic Harvest album.  An outstanding cover with superb 3 part harmonies and some great guitaring.  I am sure Neil would be proud.  The group originated in Winnipeg and has a couple of incarnations over the years.  They have performed since 2002 and have 4 albums to their credit.  This song is off their 2004 album “40 days”.

 

The Wailin’ Jennys Home

 

The Wailin’ Jennys on CBC

 

The Wailin’ Jennys on iTunes

 

The Wailin’ Jennys on Amazon

 

 

Song Of The Day – The Swell Season – “Low Rising”

Swell Season at 92YTribeca
Swell Season at 92YTribeca (Photo credit: 92YTribeca)

Irish (kind of, one is Czech)folk rock duo The Swell Season recorded this gem back in 2009.  Made my drive into work a bit easier the other day.  “Low Rising” is a well constructed song that kind of predates a lot of material we are hearing now.  Their self titled first album was released in 2006.  This is from their 3rd album, “Strict Joy” released in 2009.

Song Of The Day – Frank Turner – “Recovery”

English: Frank Turner at an XFM radio session ...
English: Frank Turner at an XFM radio session in London. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Former punk rocker, Frank Turner (Million Dead was his band in the day), has changed his tune (pun intended) to a folk based acoustic style, one that he is quite proficient with.  I heard this particular song in my regular time and place, the drive to work while listening to CBC2.  It is off his soon to be released album (April 23?), “Tape Deck Heart” and is called Recovery.  Great song, and if the album is this strong, it will promptly become a staple on my iPhone.  As an added bonus, a great video.

Frank Turner on iTunes

 

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Song Of The Day – Brett Dennen – “Comeback Kid”

Back in Cowtown now after a wonderful 2 weeks in the sun.  Been a bit busy but had the urge to pop something up for you to let you know we survived our sailing lessons.  More to come on that, of course.  In the meantime, enjoy the song of the day.

 

Brett Dennen performs at Life is Good Festival...
Brett Dennen performs at Life is Good Festival, Canton, MA 2010-09-12 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Brett Dennen hails from Northern California and plays a nice folk/pop sound.  I had the opportunity to see him at the Calgary Folk Festival a few years back, but made the decision to see Sharon Jones instead.  Couldn’t lose on that one.  This song, “Comeback Kid” is off his 4th album, “Loverboy”, which was released in 2011.

 

 

Song Of The Day – Mo Kenney – “Sucker’

Mo Kenney
Mo Kenney (Photo credit: Mira Shemeikka)

I originally posted this as one of my 2012 favourites and have chosen to go back to it as it deserves its own place here.  Mo Kenney is a rising artist out of Nova Scotia, Canada.  She is but 22, yet has played and recorded since 14.  This song has put her on the map somewhat up here in Canada, and should receive more recognition elsewhere.  The video is a duet with another terrific talent, Joel Plaskett and recorded live at CBC.  The song has an interesting feel to it in my mind.  Very subtle, yet powerful, very simple yet unique.

Mo Kenney Home

Mo Kenney on Twitter

Mo Kenney on iTunes

 

 

Song Of The Day – Civil Wars – “Barton Hollow”

The Civil Wars' Barton Hollow cover
The Civil Wars’ Barton Hollow cover (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

I am thinking this could be my new favourite song, until the next one.  To bad The Civil Wars have broken up, at least they got a Grammy.  Call them folk or country or whatever, good is good.  The song is “Barton Hollow” and is from the album of the same name, released in 2011.

 

 

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