Shannon Wright - Remain In Light

...When I think about this record, I think about that Bob Dylan song...Sara... He always wrote cryptic and poetic lyrics, but on the song... Sara... it’s just plain and to the point. He’s got nothing to hide behind, and you can hear the humanity in his voice... the triumph of living, the loneliness, eagerness, and all that’s in between... not the rational or the stagnant. I feel that this record is just that..... Shannon Wright

I had the chance to see Shannon Wright (Atlanta) twice on stage, both in Paris, the first time late 2001 and the second one six months later, she was on the same bill than Cat Power. Each time it was an experience. Shannon Wright like Chan Marshall is alone on stage (guitar and piano). Shannon is totally Yang, active, furious, electric; Chan is more Yin, quiet, introspective and softly electric. But both of them are equally expressive and impressive - two talented singer-songwriters the same evening, what a chance!
Now “they” say that with her new record Shannon Wright is more peaceful. What I heard on MySpace make me think of a female Tom Waits but that’s only my first feeling. Let in the light, her fifth solo record is out now in France since the end of March on Vicious Circle. The album will only be available in the States in May 8 (Touch and Go / Quarterstick Records). Meanwhile, Shannon Wright will cross France and part of Europe.

Web: knowwave.com/shannonwright
MySpace: myspace.com/shannonwright
MySpace: myspace.com/shannonwrightmusic

Shannon Wright - Defy This Love .mp3 from Let in the Light via Dreams of Horses.blogspot
Shannon Wright - Hinterland .mp3 from Dyed in the Wool
Shannon Wright - Within the Quilt of Demand .mp3 from Maps of Tacit

Eluvium - Piano Works

Sitting in a quiet French Café on a raining morning… watching the sightseeing from a train window... reading Herman Hesse sitting on a chair in a public garden on a sunny afternoon… all you need is downtempo, pop electronica arrangements that develop into intimate epics and, most of all, haunting and beautifully rendered piano pieces. That’s what Craig Armstrong gave with his Piano Works opus in 2004. That’s what Eluvium (aka Matthew Cooper) offers now with the ambient works of Copia released last February on Temporary Residence.

Web: eluvium.net
MySpace: myspace.com/eluviumtaken

Eluvium - Prelude For Time Feelers .mp3 from Copia (2007)
Eluvium - New Animals from the Air .mp3 from Talk Amongst The Trees (2005)

Eluvium - An Accidental Memory In The Case Of Death .mp3 from An Accidental Memory In The Case Of Death (2004)

Eluvium - Under The Water It Glowed .mp3 from Lambent Material (2003)

Web: craigarmstrong.com/piano

Craig Armstrong - Glasgow Love Theme .mp3 from Piano Works (2004)
Craig Armstrong - Hymn 3 .mp3 from Piano Works (2004)

Bonus: Tindersticks - Trying To Find a Home .mp3 from Waiting for the Moom (2003)

Helpless by Patti Smith

Well, I must tell you that I’ve been waiting for this one. Thanks to you Homo Eclectic.

On Tuesday, April 17, Columbia Records will release Twelve, an album of cover versions of classic popular songs newly interpreted by Patti Smith. Twelve is Patti Smith's first album of new studio recordings since Trampin' (2004), and is the artist's first-ever full-length collection of songs originally created by other performers including Helpless by Neil Young.

Patti Smith - Helpless .mp3 via Homo Eclectic

Also on Twelve, Smith and company - Lenny Kaye (guitar), Jay Dee Daugherty (drums) and Tony Shanahan (bass, keyboards) - interpret songs by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Steve Wonder, Tear for Fears, the Doors, Nirvana, Jefferson Airplane, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Allman Brothers, and Paul Simon.

Web: pattismith.net

Below, you’ll find the original version – from Déjà Vu (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – 1970) - and a selection of covers among many (Cowboy Junkies, K.D. Lang, Jesse Malin, Nazareth, Trip Shakespeare, Jim Barile, Joe Goldmark, etc…)

Neil Young - Helpless .mp3
Nick Cave - Helpless .mp3
Buffy Sainte-Marie - Helpless .mp3
Knuckle Dusters - Helpless .mp3
Over The Rhine - Helpless (live) .mp3
Needle - Helpless .m3u (first two minutes only) via CD Baby

Loney, Dear - Brazil vs Sweden

Loney, Dear is in fact a one-man-band, the one of Emil Svanängen (Sweden). Because of that, Loney, Dear makes me think of Sufjan Stevens and his songwriting could be close to the “Arcade Fire” one. Loney, Dear has already released four records since 2003 – like Sufjan Stevens again, he is very prolific - but, unfortunately, those albums are difficult to find. The last one Loney Noir (2005) got a US released last February and Sologne (2005) will be out in France next April. Loney, Dear will tour the US and Europe in spring (details below).

Web: loneydear.com
MySpace: myspace.com/loneydear

When the Brazilian girls from CSS bring some warmth to Loney, Dear:
Loney, Dear - The City, The Airport (CSS Remix) .mp3
Loney, Dear - The City, The Airport .mp3 from Sologne

July Skies & Epic45 Live In Paris

It was last Thursday and I didn’t want to miss the first Parisian gigs of July Skies and Epic45, two bands from the Make Mine Music catalogue, a collective of musicians and independent label (UK).
I was very much impressed by the music of July Skies (Coventry, UK) who had the task to open the evening in front of a noisy audience (Le Divan du Monde). The music of Anthony Hardin – who formed July Skies in 1997 - is mostly instrumental and invites you in a wistful journey in nostalgia (lost summers of youth and fractured memories of better days, of lazy days of summer). Hardin in a recent interview admit that the music of July Skies “is a continual search and attempt to reach the past, memories, love, longing, childhood, and post-war Britain”. The pictures showed behind the group completed that quest. If you like Slowdive, Durutti Column or Piano Magic, you must go to July Skies's websites and listen to some mp3 samples.
Epic45 came later but unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy the music quite well. The “ambient” style of Epic45 didn’t match with the general "ambiance" of Le Divan du Monde - people were more concerned to talk with the members of the French group (21 Love Hotel) who just played before them - too much noise, too much talking, it was impossible to enjoy the quiet music of Epic45. Next time, I hope.

Web: julyskies.com
MySpace: myspace.com/julyskies

July Skies - Framers and Villagers....mp3
July Skies - Garden Constellations .mp3

Web: goodversusevil.co.uk/epic45
MySpace: myspace.com/epic45

Epic45 - Motorway Journey .mp3

Photo: July Skies – Thanks to Micky. More pictures of the evening in lecargo.org/blog/

Neil Young Live - The Massey Wonder

If it was not because of a back problem, this solo recording shall never have existed. Following the successful CSN&Y tour and the platinum After The Gold Rush who was released late August 1970, Neil Young had to take the road in January 1971 for a one month sold-out only acoustic tour of the United States and Canada due to an incapacitating problem with a deteriorating spinal disc that prevent him to play electric guitar and constrain him to wear a back brace for support.
The tour was a massive critical success where Neil Young was able to develop an intimate rapport and a relaxed atmosphere with his audience. For those of you who didn’t had the chance to listen to side two of 4 Way Street (the LP!) and to possibly the most famous Neil Young bootleg ever called Neil Young At The LA Music Center this is the chance for you to understand why in May 1971 in a New Musical Express pool Neil Young was voted the world’s best singer.
During this Live At Massey Hall 1971 performance (January 19, 1971), Neil Young performed acoustic versions of some long electric songs (Cowgirl In The Sand, Down By The River), of Buffalo Springfield numbers (On The Way Home, I Am A Child), of songs from After The Gold Rush (Tell Me Why, Don’t Let It Bring You Down), of few songs from CSN&Y days (Helpless, Ohio) as well as newer material that will appeared “soon” after on Harvest, Time Fades Away and Zuma (except Bad Fog Of Loneliness never officially released to this day).
To my humble opinion Live At Massey Hall 1971 is probably the best live recording ever. A must.

Two Mp3 from Massey Hall are available here: bornbytheriver.blogspot.com
And all that you need to know is below:
Web: hyfntrak.com/neilyoung3
MySpace: myspace.com/neilyoung
Web: neilyoung.com

Neil Young - Ohio .mp3
Neil Young - Old Man .mp3 (no more available, sorry)
Neil Young - Heart of Gold .mp3

Caricature: Sebastian Kruger (Krugerstars.com)

Jesu - Conqueror

If you like My Bloody Valentine circa Loveless, please do listen to Jesu via this mp3 called Old Year, if not, wait for the next post, I guarantee that I will talk about a music that will sound more acoustic.

Jesu is a trio from Birmingham lead by Justin Broadrick and the music from Jesu is another example of how to blend together metal, ambient and noisy rock. Conqueror is their second album (February 2007 on Hydra Head).

MySpace: myspace.com/officialjesu
Web: avalancheinc.co.uk/jesu

Jesu - Old Year .mp3

Rock and Rôle Women (Part 2)

They come from Romania, France, Italy or USA. They are top-models or actress, occasionally both. But most of all, they are singer/songwriter. Those women got the Rock’n’Rôle vibe!

Carla Bruni is Italian and by 1998 was among the 20 highest-paid fashion models. Four years after her first album Quelqu’un m’a dit (two millions copies sold in Europe), Carla Bruni decided to return with a second opus full of poetries, but this time in English. No Promises was released last January.
Web: carlabruni.com

Carla Bruni - Promises Like Pie Crust .mp3 via micheleacampora.it
Carla Bruni - Le ciel dans une chambre .mp3 via oasi.asti.it

Juliette Lewis appeared in over 40 movies since 1988; she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1992 for Cape Fear. In 2003, as a huge fan of Iggy Pop and the Stooges, she dreamt to be a rock star and launched a career as a solo singer and musician, leading a group called Juliette and the Licks. Four On The Floor (October 2006) is her second recording done with the help of drummer Dave Grohl (Nirvana – Foo Fighters).
Web: julietteandthelicks.com

Juliette & the Licks - Hot Kiss .mp3 via chez.rooroo.online.fr
Juliette Lewis the Licks - Got Love to Kill .mp3 via theprettiestpony

Bonus: Julie Delpy - Time To Wake Up .mp3 from Julie Delpy (2003) via calls-to-nothing

Rock and Rôle Women (Part 1)

They come from Romania, France, Italy or USA. They are top-models or actress, occasionally both. But most of all, they are singer/songwriter. Those women got the Rock’n’Rôle vibe!

Irina Lazareanu, Canadian supermodel born in Romania, played music with Pete Doherty long before he became a tabloid star. Lazareanu even helped Pete Doherty write the song La Belle et la Bête which featured Kate Moss on the Babyshambles' Down in Albion album. She also was the drummer for Babyshambles at one time. With the help of Sean Lennon she recorded last year her debut album - an acoustic one - called Some Place Along The Way (to be released in 2007). No song available for the moment.
Fan web: irinalazareanu.com

Baby Shambles - Merry Go Round .mp3 via andrewkendall.com
Baby Shambles - Fuck Forever .mp3

5.55 was released in UK in September 2006. It’s the result of a long and friendly collaboration between Charlotte Gainsbourg (actress and daughter of Serge Gainsbourg, of course) and the French music duo Air. 5.55 is not her the first recording; she started at the age of 13.
Web: charlottegainsbourg.fr
MySpace: myspace.com/charlottegainsbourg

Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Songs That We Sing .mp3 via kylia.hautetfort

To be continued…

Versari @ La Flèche d'Or, Paris

Versari is a new project lead by Hurleurs' ex-singer Jean-Charles Versari with Cyril Bilbeaud (ex-Sloy), Jason Glasser (ex-Clem Snide) and Laureline Prodhomme (The Dude). Most of them are also active members of Jason Glasser’s band called Fruitkey. They played last Saturday evening at La Flèche d’Or, Paris.
To be honest, I went to La Flèche d’Or just to have a drink or two with a friend. The entrance was free and I knew that three or four “unknown” bands were supposed to play during the evening. It was perfect to have a good time, not more. The surprise came from Versari who make us stop talking for thirty minutes. The band played a solid show, the music made me think of Dominique A, of The Cure and even a (little) bit of The Pink Floyd (the bass on few songs). If the music was worth listening, the weakest part was the singing (I mean, the sound treatment). I wonder why on stage everything is perfectly arranged for the instruments except for the voice. Maybe Jean-Charles Versari doesn’t want us to understand what he has to say (either in French or in English). Anyway, to be complete, they just released their first CD called Jour après jour (recorded and mixed by Ian Caple who works also with The Tindersticks). Shine is the first Single. More information below.

Web: versari.org
MySpace: myspace.com/versari
Versari - Shine .mp3
Clem Snide - Albuquerque .mp3 (Live Neil Young Cover)

Photo: Cathimini

The Field Mice - Sensitive

No special event to mention here, just a little “Tribute” from myself to one of the best English indie-pop band from the end of the eighties.
Long before the Field Music, Elysian Fields, or The Magnetic Fields were The Field Mice. Formed in South London in 1988, three records and eight singles later they disbanded in 1991 after a successful last UK tour. The Field Mice who was one of the best group from the late Sarah Records is mainly known for their classic single Sensitive (1989), a breath-taking guitar race of 5 minutes and 1 second.
In October 1998, Shinkensan Recordings issued a double-album compilation of long-deleted Field Mice releases called Where'd You Learn To Kiss That Way? (quite hard to find now…)
Since 2005, the entire Field Mice catalogue is available on LTM Recordings spread over three remastered CDs with new (and ugly!) artwork.

A fan page: myspace.com/thefieldmicesarah

Here are some tracks you may enjoy:

The Field Mice - Sensitive .mp3 via Skatter Brain
The Field Mice - Let's Kiss and Make Up .mp3 via Fabulist
The Field Mice - You're Kidding Aren't You? .mp3
The Field Mice - Five Moments .mp3
Class - This Love Is Not Wrong .mp3 (Field Mice Cover)