Haydn, who’s played with Herbie Hancock, and shared the stage with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, soloing to “Kashmir,” has combined all of her dazzling talents on Places.
British singer-songwriter David Ford’s last album, I Sincerely Apologise For All The Trouble I’ve Caused, was so inspiring that Neil Young’s longtime manager, Eliot Roberts, asked for two copies—one for him, and one for Neil.
Five albums into her career as a singer-songwriter, Allison Moorer wasn’t sure what to do when number six came-a-callin’. The final decision—an attempt at a cover album, one that focused solely on female singer-songwriters. The result is Mockingbird, which is pure magic.
April carries on the momentum of Ghosts of the Great Highway, leading off with the ambitious nine-minute gem, “Lost Verses,” which ranks with one of the best songs that Mark Kozelek has written.
It’s the simple things that make a Greencards’ show special: gratifying harmonies, stunning solos, and clear vocals. All were on display for this two-set performance on songs like “The Ghost of Who We Were,” “Life’s a Freeway,” “Who Knows,” and “Here You Are.”
On occasion, some of my friends will ask why I listen to such “depressing music,” and I’ve always found that curious. Sure, I see their point, a lot of the stuff I enjoy features subject matter that is dark and gloomy—but, in my opinion, there is a unique kind of hope buried deep within slow, sad songs. I love them.
Produced by Malcom Burn (Patti Smith, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan), Boy for You works well because it never really lets go of its bouncy pace. Not an introspective songwriter, Williamson sings about what is around her — an observant voice that declares: “you look like someone I should love” on the beautiful “Someone.” Williamson, with her buoyant energy, sure sounds like someone a lot of people will love for years to come.
In late 2006, Lost Highway Records dropped Tift Merritt. Her final album with the label, Tambourine, garnered a Grammy nomination and general high praise, but it left Merritt as an independent musician. Clueless by the decision and tapped of her energy, Merritt, who had been living in Paris at the time, still felt one thing to be true: her songs that would eventually become her third album, Another Country, would win out.
“I want to make an impact, I want to make a difference,” Jessica Sonner sings on the title track of her first album, All We Need. At this point in her young career as a singer-songwriter, Sonner is a little bit of everything. And on All We Need, all the goods are on display, and with good reason.
Singer-songwriter Jacob Golden has unleashed his stash of break-up songs, and it appears his heart is still aching. The 11 sad tunes that make up Revenge Songs, Golden’s mighty debut, cover a lot of ground, but mostly lament on a relationship that’s “not around anymore.” And that’s putting it lightly.
