There’s something really refreshing about The Dead Weather, the way they perform, the music they sing – kind of a funky punk grunge, different from song to song. Excellent beats, raw vocals and a simple no-frills dedication to the music that I feel like I haven’t seen in awhile. The filming of the live songs is also great – the black & white, high contrast really suits them well.
More videos here.
The Dead Weather
New Stuff from the Preservation Hall Band
Preservation Hall Jazz band has been doing some awesome new collaboration work for a new benefit album, Preservation.
The complete roster of artists includes: Louis Armstrong, Andrew Bird, Terence Blanchard, Pete Seeger, Dr. John, Blind Boys of Alabama, Brandi Carlile, Cory Chisel, Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle, Merle Haggard, Richie Havens, Jason Isbell, Jim James, Angelique Kidjo, Amy LaVere, Del McCoury, Bobby McFerrin, Buddy Miller, Paolo Nutini, and Tom Waits. (link)
All the details of who they’re working with and what songs they’re covering are here and here. You’ll surely be hearing more about this, because it’s some great stuff.
And this here is the song + animated music video to their recent recording of St. James Infirmary with King Britt.
Curumin
Big hiatus, but it’s summer again and we’re back. First order of business is: Curumin. Following much in the tradition of Tropicália, Curumin is a modern Brazilian artist who plays funky jazz-rock with elements of the Brazilian classics, samba and bossa nova. Not only is the music fun and danceable, but the Portuguese words are of course beautiful. Enjoy a few songs!
Guerreiro
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Tudo Bem Malandro
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The Devil Makes Three
This little Santa Cruz trio needs to be better known by all. They have great talent in such a simple form, with guitar, banjo, and double bass. Their music is a modern version of folky bluegrass, so have a listen. The first is one of their most popular songs, Old Number Seven, and the second is another of my favourites, called The Plank.
Old Number Seven
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The Plank
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Pere Ubu
Old stuff, but still not very well-known. Pere Ubu play experimental rock, they call it “Avant Garage”. Some of it’s very experimental, and some of it sounds like surf rock. Their experiments range from mild to bizarre, sometimes sounding along the lines of Captain Beefheart or Frank Zappa. Off of their first album, The Modern Dance, here’s the song Street Waves.
Street Waves
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