29 Results for : harmonicas
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Many Voices
I feel like I was caught between centuries. Those who were my teachers in the 1950's were themselves influenced by educators from the mid nineteenth century. Here I was in 5th grade leaning how to take cover under my desk in the event of a nuclear attack, while my teacher was born before the advent of the automobile. Events were turning over so rapidly. Change was riding a tsunami of technology that would forever change the landscape of civilization. I never quite got on board. I preferred my Grandfather's approach. While Rome was burning and decent men like Martin Luther King Jr and the Kennedys were being killed by the militant arm of the Oligarchy, he would take me out to the countryside to sit for a spell, listen to the American Songbook, and lazily throw stones into a meandering stream. I came to appreciate the natural world around me and decided someday I too would create music. The drone like buzzing of worker bees, the gentle whirring, flapping of a hummingbird's tiny wings, the squawk of the blue jays, the wind whispering through the trees, I heard music everywhere away from city strife. Last Summer I brought my student Yamaha 6 string (I love the antique sound), a couple of old Horner harmonicas, a little bread, a little wine, and a corner of cheese, up to the forest and cliffs of Mount Tom State Reservation in Western Massachusetts. Here at the 1200' level I could simultaneously view majestic hawks and eagles soaring far above sun drenched clouds, yet still see the buildings of Springfield and Hartford far in the distance. At this time I was intent upon listening to life's Many Voices.- Shop: odax
- Price: 14.68 EUR excl. shipping
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Livingston Sessions
A departure from their previous albums, Livingston Sessions is the first batch of recordings by the band done in a professional recording studio, the Livingston Studios in Wood Green, London, with BBC world music engineer guru James Birtwistle at the helm. Recorded completely live, with no overdubs and no edits, the goal of the recording experience was to capture the energy of a live Groanbox performance, but with completely new material meticulously recorded in a studio environment. Featuring 16 original compositions, Groanbox are once again keeping listeners on their toes as they delve into new terrain, mixing genres, flavors, tempos, time signatures, and instruments that cross the spectrum of world folk, contemporary classical, and rock music styles. The album was produced by Groanbox and Oscar Cainer, mastering was done by Myles Clarke, photography by Nick Sinclair, album design by Groanbox, layout by Anna Wolfgang. Groanbox is: Paul Clifford: percussion, vocals Cory Seznec: guitars, banjos, harmonicas, percussion, vocals Michael Ward-Bergeman: accordions, fife, percussion, vocals.- Shop: odax
- Price: 14.38 EUR excl. shipping
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What Is Truth?
Ear Candle Recordings is mighty pleased to present What Is Truth?, the second album by J Neo Marvin & the Content Providers. Expanding on the sparse, minimalist sound of the first Content Providers CD, Slowly I Turned, What Is Truth? takes it's inspiration from psychedelic classics like Their Satanic Majesties Request and Magical Mystery Tour, resulting in an anything-goes approach that stretches the music in whatever direction each song calls for, from the Dylan-goes-to-New-Zealand folk-rock of 'Primate House (1731 11th Ave)', to the darkly sad chamber-punk of 'Ex-Supernova' or 'Stick Figure', to the thumping 'Mark E. Smith in Turkey backed by a jazz combo and a Rasta drum circle' ambiance on 'Fiscal Year Zero (Charge Of The Lite Brigade)', the catchy Celtic Mariachi drone of 'Formerly Boomtown', and the full-on joyful noise of 'Kite Song'. The lyrics of What Is Truth? cover more ground than it's predecessor, too, this time dealing with the state of the country both before and after the recent events that have led us to our current path of destruction, as well as tight-focus portraits of individuals coping (or not coping) with modern life as we know it. All of which leads us back to the title question, which was first posed by Johnny Cash at the beginning of the 1970s. What Is Truth? doesn't offer any easy answers, but might help to get us started asking the hard questions. Out of the 12 songs, 10 are new original numbers by former X-tal frontman and head Content Provider J Neo Marvin, the other two, 'Kite Song' by Yoko Ono and 'Slow Drain' by Mink Deville, though not originally planned as such, function as a small salute to the creativity and resilience of the people of New York City. The expanded Content Providers lineup on What Is Truth? includes Slowly I Turned veterans Alan Korn on bass, Carrie Bradley (100 Watt Smile, Breeders, Ed's Redeeming Qualities) on violin, Rico Bell (Mekons) on accordion and Tim Ennis on percussion, plus newcomers like Diane Wallis (ex-She Mob) and Cynthia Wigginton (ex-Bedlam Rovers and occasional guest Mekon) on violins, Nik Phelps (Sprocket Ensemble, Tom Waits, ex-Club Foot Orchestra) on horns and woodwinds, Jill Fido (Holy Sisters Of The Gaga Dada) on bass, Terri Manning (sister/collaborator of Barbara Manning) on vocal harmonies, flutes and musical saw, and many more. (The total number of contributors is 28!) Recorded exactingly yet spontaneously in good old-fashioned lysergic 16-track analog by the incomparable Wally Sound, What Is Truth? will astonish you with it's musical twists and sharp songwriting. Recommended tracks for radio: 'Formerly Boomtown', 'Fiscal Year Zero', 'Ex-Supernova' Recommended track for DJs who want to get in trouble with the FCC: 'Primate House' WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING: "The former music critic (Puncture) and ex-leader of Bay Area band X-tal, Marvin is a pleasure for those who decry that lyrics are a lost art. On his LPs (see also 2001's Slowly I Turned), Marvin favors light folk-rock with elements of the New Zealand Flying Nun style, only with a chest full of Americana elements, lots of violins, accordion, background horns, tambouras, theremin, wooden flute, slide whistle, and steel drums---even musical saws, and whatever a dumbek, a pandiero, and gongokqui bells are! But it's Marvin's strummy guitar and near-spoken-word writing that's the focal point, delivered tunefully like '60s Byrds or Fairport Convention, telling whole tales in song. The best is "Primate House", with violins jawing against his catchy book-length words, describing the less than desirable behavior by anthropoid ape-like humans in one loony residence. It's the sort of LP where you put it on and hang on every word, wanting to find out what happens next. And good man that he is, Marvin records two New York covers, the dubious Yoko Ono (1973's "Kite Song"), and the unfairly forgotten Mink Deville (1980's "Slow Drain") in sympathy with us for 9/11. Thanks, guy! Now check out his album. It's even better if you listen to it around a campfire." -Jack Rabid, THE BIG TAKEOVER 'Marvin seems to be a journalist who writes for The Village Voice as well as The San Francisco Bay Guardian amongst others, but the thing that makes him hip for me is that he once interviewed Northern English legend Mark E Smith. 'What Is Truth?' is a fairly mellow mix of anti-folk and folk rock and covers the usual subjects such as capitalism, what old punks do when they calm down and why Republicans should never be allowed in Government. All subjects dear to my heart, well put and even better sung and played. Very interesting- has a whiff of old style radical Californian politics.' -AMERICANA UK 'J Neo Marvin sings with a quirky tremor (think the Waterboys), and while his voice requires meat, his lyrics fulfill all expectations. Discover cool political rhetoric and find out why 'I feel like I need to take a shower every time somebody speaks' is only the tip of the iceberg.' -Sonia Pereira, PUNK PLANET 'J Neo Marvin (X-Tal) is an underground indie/folk rock legend. He has been part of the psychedelic, the punk, and the folk rock movements since the early 80's. His sound combines the twisted feel of some Velvet Underground albums with the folk/punk feel of the Mekons, whose Rico Bell plays accordion on some tracks. All of his lyrics are simple yet tell stories with deep and intricate subplots that bring the listener into the entire story that is being told by the music. The accompanying instruments vary from harmonicas to trombones to accordions to any harmonic combination of instruments possible. The entire album has a very choral feel to it as if there is a church choir singing in the background, which there might even be , ). Credits go to Willy Deville on track 4 and Yoko Ono on track 8 Similar bands include: The Replacements, the Only Ones, Velvet Underground' -Boris Fedorov, KCSC radio 'A pretty hip new fusion of folk and indie with a punk feel. I've seen these guys live, and they're pretty good. They have a very unconventional band and sound, with multiple keyboards, hand drums, violins, and the traditional bass and guitar section. The songs are creative and a lot of attention has obviously been paid on lyrical craftsmanship. Most of the songs are very intelligent and cover a range of punk-feeling topics, from dissatisfaction with the current socio-political realities, analysis of failed friendships, to angst and bitterness with consumerism and the 'me, me, me' culture. It's not all down, though, and you may find an upbeat love song hidden in the mix. =) The music itself is often very pleasant, sometimes in stark contrast to the lyrics laid down on top of them. There's a very accoustic and folk-y sound to it. All in all, a great album and an even better live band.' -Anonymous customer review on bookworms.org.- Shop: odax
- Price: 23.81 EUR excl. shipping
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Makin' Tracks
Continuing with the path that The Sidecats ventured on a few years before (with the release of Live at Yankeetown Studios in 2005) we have come up with 'Makin' Tracks', released in 2010. Out of the living room and into the studio. Revisiting some of the classic SideCat tunes such as 'Drop Of Water', 'Before It's Over', as well as some new tunes written and arranged by Shirley Jackson and Dawn Hatfield. Makin' Tracks: release 2010 Shirley Jackson: vocals, acoustic & electric guitars Dawn Hatfield: baritone saxophone, ukulele, banjo ukulele, flute, hand flute & backing vocals Rob MacIntosh: tenor saxophone & backing vocals Jef James Wirchenko: bass & backing vocals Featuring Phil Potvin: harmonicas on 'Before It's Over' & 'Bean Me Up'- Shop: odax
- Price: 28.86 EUR excl. shipping
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Neptune Bay
Neptune Bay, a non-traditional folk, roots and blues band brings Southern style to the North. Their unique sound originates in their contemporary approach to melding lush vocals and soulful harmonica leads within lively, original arrangements. Neptune Bay's originals include songs about the Mississippi river, fictional New York brothels down on the Waterfront and contemplate everyday experiences such as finding your place in the world and of course, love, love and love! Their covers range from classic to contemporary folk, roots and blues. With hints of Alison Krauss, John Hiatt and the 10,000 Maniacs, Neptune Bay is creating their own musical niche with heartfelt songs, catchy melodies and a healthy appetite for having fun. Neptune Bay is made up of Joy Sumberg (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Bob Kramer (lead guitars, mandolin, dobro), Larry Kennedy (harmonicas) and Paul Wadsworth (bass).- Shop: odax
- Price: 22.63 EUR excl. shipping
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Charles Blistin
De la Belgique, on connaissait les poncifs et les clichés, l'image d'un pays plat comme l'horizon et le cul entre plusieurs frontières. Derrière ces images d'Epinal et les paysages vallonnés sur quelques centaines de kilomètres, on n'avait pas encore trouvé la bande-son idéale pour décrire la beauté des voyages en solitaire. Entre folk dépouillé et routes craquelées à la Cormac McCarthy, Charles Blistin fait enfin souffler le vent dans une autre direction. Né en 1986, bien longtemps après ses idoles, le jeune Charles Blistin n'en est pourtant pas à son premier aller-retour. Biberonné - comme beaucoup de bébé rockeurs, au doux son des radios anglaises, Charles s'initie rapidement au rock indie avec The Tellers, signés en 2006 chez 62TV Records (Girls in Hawaii, Malibu Stacy, Austin lace, etc) et auteurs de deux albums remarqués par la presse belge et française. Surement lassé du poum-tchak des batteries et des tournées sans fin, Blistin quitte l'aventure en 2009, et quand son ancien groupe prend l'autoroute, lui s'embarque sur des sentiers plus personnels. ??Le résultat, c'est un premier disque éponyme, une échappée en solo qui brasse mélancolie, spleen et guitares sèches comme un été à Memphis. Enregistré sur un 4-pistes à l'abri des regards, les huit chansons dessinées par Blistin ont aujourd'hui le physique des squelettes : désarticulées, pas toujours justes, écrites en instant writing et loin des poses. Ballades bipolaires alternant chaleur des harmonicas et errances brumeuses en arpèges, la comparaison avec le low-fi de Daniel Johnston est tentante, les visions du mal-être adolescent jamais loin. Plus que jamais, le génie mélodique de Blistin tient à ces petits riens qui font tout, ces harmonies qui tiennent sur le fil d'une corde Dylanienne, toujours prêtes à casser et pourtant solides. Song(e)writer solitaire, Blistin délivre une poignée de chansons à la réverbération naturelle (« Paradis»), d'autres qui feront penser aux panoramas mystique de Vincent Gallo (« Aveu à dieu ») et un tout qui n'est pas sans suggérer un portrait de Syd Barrett, posé sur la table de chevet avec ses yeux troubles levés vers le ciel. ?Album de confessions d'automne, Charles Blistin s'immisce dans le quotidien tourmenté de l'auteur, sans artifices mais pas sans pudeur. Ici, un instrumental (« Accoustine ») qui évoque le folk anglais des sixties, là bas des sursauts plus rythmés (« Le réveil ») : illustrer Kerouac en musique semble ne jamais avoir été aussi simple et abrupte à la fois. Ne reste plus qu'à tourner le bouton de l'autoradio sur la bonne fréquence, puis fermer les yeux en desserrant la ceinture. Mixées par Kramer, le pape de l'underground (Daniel Johnston, Galaxie 500, Will Oldham), les mélodies de Blistin prennent en éclat ce qu'elles cachent en beauté. Signé chez Freaksville par un heureux hasard - Miam Monster Miam cherchait les crédits du film « Story Tellers », il tombera sur le story telling du ténébreux solitaire, Charles Blistin livre un bel album de chansons franco-belges illustré par Jad Fair. Une histoire sans vrais (pré)textes pour de longs voyages, les souvenirs en bandoulière et la tête un peu désaccor.- Shop: odax
- Price: 21.99 EUR excl. shipping
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Ain't Talkin' Religion
If you Love Acoustic Blues this CD is for you! If you don't Donnie V might just change your mind! This is Passionate Blues played with Raw Emotion! Singer Songwriter Donnie V continues to record live in studio on his follow up CD to Hard Rain Fall. With just acoustic and resonator guitars, harmonicas and the tapping of his boots. There are no overdubs or click tracks just great songs sung from the soul! His wife Leonetta joins in on tamborine on Wonderful Healer and I Have Decided which Mel Spinnela accompanies with mallet on bass drum. On Death Letter you can hear hand clapping by Leonetta, Mel and Mark Neil creating a sound reminiscent of the early Chain Gang recordings of Alan Lomax for The Library of Congress. Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around is complicated rhythms as Leonetta pounds a counter beat on the back of Donnie's Guild Acoustic and Donnie slaps the Face if his 1930 National Resonator. Donnie sings passionately about his own life's sorrows and a lonely broken world searching for love. The love Found in Jesus! The CD ends with a solo performance on electric guitar and harmonica. Tears is a song Donnie wrote in the 80's about the loneliness and insecurities experienced by himself as well as so many others! These are Songs with a Message to a Lost and Broken World. Jesus Loves You!!- Shop: odax
- Price: 20.06 EUR excl. shipping
