Music From 2009

Part 1



So here's part 1. Click on the picture of the tape to go to the mix.

Below are details of the tracks.

 

All For The Best - Thom Yorke

 

 

This track by Radiohead's Thom Yorke is a cover. The song was originally written by a guy called Mark Mulcahy. Unfortunately Mark's wife recently died leaving him with two kids to bring up. The album 'Ciao My Shining Star' is a group of artists covering his songs to raise money. Its in a good cause and the guy is a class songwriter and with the likes of Yorke, Dinosaur Jr, the National and others on board its well worth looking out and purchasing. Or even buy one of Mulcahy's own albums. I had the good fortune to catch him live in the nineties (in Reading or Oxford) supporting Thom Yorke's brother's band and he blew them off the stage.

 

 Without You - Ellen & the Escapades

 

One of the good things at the moment is that there are a number of people out there promoting gigs and organising regular nights where people can play. Gary Stewart runs the Gaslight Club in Leeds. I've seen many good acts down there. Case in point Ellen & the Escapades play frighteningly mature country rock for a bunch of kids. I particularly love the way she sings 'What goes around cooms around' in a natural Yorkshire accent.

 

Crystallised - the XX

 

 

The XX are trendy name to drop at the moment. Their album is up there in a lot of people's end of year's list. There is a lot to like in their music, the tunes, the minimalist instrumentation and the boy/girl duetting.

Not Bad Just Different - March of Dimes

 

 

March of Dimes are another Leeds band with more than their fair share of get up and go. Having already set up their own record label and released their album 'All Intents and Purposes'; they have recently started their own night 'Foxes and Convicts' at Milo in Leeds.

Under The Pavement (live acoustic) - The Travelling Band

 

Without a doubt one of my favourite live bands of the last couple of years are the Travelling Band. I saw them many times in 2009 but you'll be hard pressed to beat the time they played without a PA in a cafe in Haworth. A magic night.

Almost inevitably these guys also run their own night 'Sideways Saloon' in Manchester. I've had several great nights out there. 

Champion Angel - The Low Anthem

 

 

I know very little about the Low Anthem but I highly recommend getting their album 'Oh My God, Charlie Darwin'. Full of good stuff.

Coast - Blue Roses

 

I saw Laura Groves a couple of times last year supporting Johnny Flynn. And a very acomplished singer-songwriter she seemed to be. But I wasn't ready for an album as good as Blue Roses (which is also the name she records under). There's a windswept romance and ethereal beauty about it all.

 

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear

Yet another trendy band in everybody's end of year's list. In all honesty I'm not completely convinced by Grizzly Bear yet. Undoubtedly talented performers but a lot of their songs don't grab me. This song though 'Two Weeks' is an absolute gem.