Putting a break on its acoustic noise projects, crossed jazz and experimental electronics, Jim O’Rourke returned to a more conventional format, a pop album, but which is no less fascinating. After the huge Eureka (1999), we got bored of the man on the field of pop. As usual, he made his Simple Songs much more than “just” pop-folk parts, Jim O’Rourke easily deviating from the chorus-verse form with precise guitar playing, subtle arrangements, instrumental flights, the All for a soft rock ambitious and neat.
Jim O’Rourke’s contributions to music the past few decades is substantial, though difficult to pinpoint – mainly because the songwriter/producer has dabbled everywhere from electro-acoustic and ambient works to rock and jazz, and a lot of places in-between. Whether via his contribution to acts like Sonic Youth or Wilco, or O’Rourke’s own extensive discography since the early ’90s, become acquainted with O’Rourke can seem understandably daunting.Simple Songsactually isn’t a bad place to start, as one of his more rock-oriented albums in some time. Conventional song structures and easily identifiable hooks – even on the first listen – provide somewhat of a contrast to other experimental work, but O’Rourke’s orchestral additions and and grimly direct delivery maintain his lovable uniqueness even in the most standard moments. Starting the album in melodically curmudgeon form – “Nice to see you once again/ Been a long time my friends/ Since you crossed my mind at all” – simply adds to his enduring charm.
Glenn Frey, Eagles guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, passed away Monday. He was 67. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder, Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday, January 18th, 2016. Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia,” the Eagles wrote in a statement Monday.
“The Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery,” the statement continued. “Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide.”
In a separate statement, Don Henley said of Frey, “He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction. But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved. We were two young men who made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry — and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, Irving Azoff, we built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed. But, Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan.”
Henley continued, “He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven. He loved is wife and kids more than anything. We are all in a state of shock, disbelief and profound sorrow. We brought our two-year History of theEagles Tour to a triumphant close at the end of July and now he is gone. I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet. It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it. But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life. Rest in peace, my brother. You did what you set out to do, and then some.”
The Detroit-born GlenFrey performed with groups in the Motor City area before relocating to Los Angeles in the late Sixties. Frey would eventually meet and live with J.D. Souther — his partner in the short-lived duo Longbranch Pennywhistle — and singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. It was Souther who encouraged Linda Ronstadt, his girlfriend at the time, to hire Frey and three other artists – drummer Don Henley, bassist Randy Meisner and guitarist Bernie Leadon – to serve as her backing band during a 1971 tour. When the trek concluded, the Eagles were born.
A year later, the Eagles‘ inaugural lineup released their debut 1972 album, featuring the Frey– and Browne-penned “Take It Easy” and the Frey-sung “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” set the band on a trajectory toward being one of the biggest selling acts ever, a reputation cemented the following year with the arrival of Desperado, The latter album featured multiple hit singles co-written by Frey, including “Tequila Sunrise” and the title track.
Frey also had a hand in writing the Eagles’ “One of These Nights,” “Take It to The Limit” and “Lyin’ Eyes,” with the guitarist contributing lead vocals to the latter. The Eagles would reach their peak in 1976 with their landmark album “Hotel California”, with the title track – penned by Frey, Henley and guitarist Don Felder – winning the Grammy for Record of the Year; “Hotel California” .
here is a list of Frey greatest songs
“Take It Easy”: With its glittering guitar opening and touch of country twang, “Take It Easy” was the Eagles’ first single in 1972 and became one of the band’s signature songs. It was mostly written by Jackson Browne, but Frey added a line and sings lead vocals.
“Tequila Sunrise”: Co-written with Henley and sang by Frey, this heartbreaking song was the first single off the band’s 1973 album, “Desperado.” Frey and Henley also co-wrote the album’s equally heartbreaking title track.
“One of These Nights”: Another hit written with Henley, Frey said in 2003 that “One of These Nights” was his favorite Eagles tune, calling it “a breakthrough song.” It was the title track of the band’s 1975 album and its second single.
“New Kid in Town:” The first single off of 1976’s “Hotel California,” ”New Kid in Town” features Frey’s lead vocals and Henley’s harmonies. They co-wrote the song with frequent collaborator J.D. Souther.
“Heartache Tonight”: A late ’70s-early ’80s anthem, “Heartache Tonight” appeared on the 1979 album “TheLong Run” and won a Grammy Award for best rock vocal performance by a duo or group. Frey, Henley and Souther wrote the track with Bob Seger. Freysang lead vocals.
“Hotel California”: Frey wrote the lyrics to what is probably the best known Eagles song. “Hotel California” won the 1977 Grammy Award winner for record of the year
“The First Time” from Donovan’s forthcoming full-length LP: “Hard Settle, Ain’t Troubled” – out February 26, 2016.
We’re excited to finally announce the release of Donovan’s fourth full-length album Hard Settle, Ain’t Troubled. Donovan Woods’ work is guided by a mantra that only sounds simple: Good songs win.
Woods, a Juno Award nominee, was raised in the small city of Sarnia, Ontario, to the sounds of country music, with a healthy dose of folk and pop, a combination that instilled in him a strong belief in the power of a good melody, the importance of everyday language and the potential of a carefully-crafted song. While amassing a catalogue of rousing and acclaimed music of his own, he has worked with some of the top songwriters in North America to craft cuts for performers ranging from Alan Doyle to Billy Currington.
It’s not that Woods makes music that is a product of both country and folk; it’s that he makes music that shows how distracting the line separating the two can be. Like with so many songwriters of note, what matters isn’t what you call it, or where it comes from, but the stories you tell, and the voice you use. And whether it’s Tim McGraw singing from atop a full-throttle stadium-show stage or a line whispered by Woods himself in a more intimate environment, one thing remains clear: Woods’ is a voice that demands attention.
That attention has been quick in coming, bringing international accolades, a growing number of fans inside and outside the music industry, and proclamations like “Canada’s best-kept secret,” “piercingly honest” and “quietly anthemic.” Throughout his work, Woods has remained focused on his one deceptively unassuming intent: crafting good songs – with an emphasis on ‘craft’.
Available on CD and vinyl on February 26th, 2016, but you can head to iTunes to pre-order your copy now, and get two songs .
Kyler Daron is an independent, folk/rock artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally hailing from Boise, Idaho, he quickly relocated to Nashville to study Music Business and Audio at Belmont University while also focusing on writing and performing. His first EP “Ellie” was released earlier this year, but Daron’s most recent EP “Whispers in the Woods,” mixed by Paul Moak of the Smoakstack, has gained the most traction. The EP contains six introspective songs featuring guitar, cello, and soulful vocals. Daron has competed in Belmont University’s famous Rock Showcase series, played several full band shows around town, and has received praise from producers, synch licensing companies, and fans alike.
Noah Gundersen is awesome when he is a tortured crooner. His previous album to Carry the Ghost, Ledges, did almost nothing for me but this album is ace. The song Heartbreaker is a potential song of the year for me.
Noah Gundersen’s new album ‘Carry The Ghost’ is out 21st August 2015.
Slow Dancer was one of the best songs of the year–I’ve been waiting on its release for a little while after seeing it a couple of months ago. it was released late August 2015.
The version I first heard was a stripped down version, Noah just on the piano, that left you mouthing wow because it left you speechless. Just like this one. I’m so happy that the studio version retains its magic.
I encourage you to listen to Slow Dancer repeatedly and I look forward to Noah Gundersen’s release on Dualtone. I really hope he comes over to the UK soon The album “Carry The Ghost” was issued in August.
The glorious antithesis of the contemporary hunger for fast culture and fatuous fleeting music consumption, Glasgow’sC Duncan is a throwback in many ways both vocally and musically. A former student of the city’s renowned Royal Conservatoire, the classicist with a penchant for pop has married the choral harmonies of the Baroque and Gaelic with the hazy afterglow of 60s groups such as Harpers Bizarre and The Beach Boys, then added veiled whispers of Talk Talk, The Cocteau Twins and (stay with me on this one) Sting to craft something magical. Impressive not just on record but pulling it off live with his extended trio touring band (seriously, one of the best performances and talents we’ve ever had the pleasure to witness), Duncan’s soothing venerated tones and musicianship are encapsulating.
But rather then use the grand and extended orchestral tools and acoustic spaces of classical music, Duncan methodically and intricately layers his ethereal, and sometimes transcendental, songs in his bedroom studio. Precise, purposeful and planned to the latter, each note, chime, melodic suffused wave and example of interplay is meticulously placed. Architect is then, perhaps one of the most finely crafted albums of late. Yet, most impressive of all is Duncan’s ability to make this precision sound so dreamily and amorphously lush and drifting.’
Independent record company Milk! Records has had a massive 2015 with their roster of artists (Courtney Barnett, Fraser A Gorman, Jen Cloher and more) buzzing not just in Australia but all around the world.
The label have released four amazing debut albums this year. you can obtain a sampler of a sweet compilation of songs from some of our favourite releases of 2015
In December Milk! Records announced “Good For You”, a collection of six brand new songs from their artists due for release on the 14th February 2016. The first single from the compilation is the Fraser A Gorman track “Skyscraper Skyline Blues” which is available to listen too right here. The Milk! Records compilation album see’s singer songwriter Fraser A. Gorman team up with Ella Thompson from the band Dorsal Fins to deliver a slice of laid back pop perfection. The compilation will be featuring completely new songs from Courtney Barnett, Ouch MyFace, Jen Cloher, East Brunswick All Girls Choir and The Finks. You can pre-order a limited edition signed copy here
Lou Reed – People Who Died – Jim Carroll
Recorded Live: 9/25/1984 – Capitol Theatre – Passaic, NJ
In my life, no one has captured what it was like being raised Catholic better than Jim Carroll. Not Bruce, not Jack, not Billy Joel…Jim Carroll. He wrote great poetry, that should never be forgotten. There was so much anger to lose yourself in that song that it just made sense to play and scream it out on repeat over and over . So if for some odd reason you have not memorized his songs and poems over the years…this is for you ……..
Jim Carroll was born to a working-class family of Irish descent, and grew up on New York City’s Lower East Side, and when he was about eleven (in the sixth grade) his family moved north to Upper Manhattan where he attended Good Shepherd School. He was taught by the LaSalle Christian Brothers, and his brother in the sixth grade noted that he could write and encouraged him to do so. In fall 1963, he entered public school, but was soon awarded a scholarship to the elite Trinity School from 1964–1968.
Apart from being interested in writing, Carroll was an all-star basketball player throughout his grade school and high school career. He entered the “Biddy League” at age 13 and participated in the National High School All StarGame in 1966. During this time, Jim Carroll was living a double life as a heroin addict who prostituted himself to afford his habit but he was also writing poems and attending poetry workshops at the St. Mark’s PoetryProject.
In 1978, Carroll published The Basketball Diaries, an autobiographical book concerning his life as a teenager in New York City and its hard drug culture. The Basketball Diaries was an edited collection of the diaries he kept between the ages of twelve and sixteen, detailing his sexual experiences, high school basketball career, and his addiction to heroin, which began when he was 13.
In 1987, Carroll wrote a second memoir entitled Forced Entries: The Downtown Diaries 1971–1973, continuing his autobiography into his early adulthood in the New York City music and art scene as well as his struggle to kick his drug habit.
After working as a musician, Jim Carroll returned to writing full-time in the mid-1980s and began to appear regularly on the spoken word circuit. Starting in 1991, Carroll performed readings from his then-in-progress first novel, The Petting Zoo
In 1978, after he moved to California to get a fresh start since kicking his heroin addiction, Carroll formed The Jim Carroll Band, a New Wave/punk rock group, with encouragement from Patti Smith, with whom he once shared an apartment in New York City, along with Robert Mapplethorpe. The band was originally called Amsterdam, and was based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The musicians were Steve Linsley (bass), WayneWoods (drums), Brian Linsley and Terrell Winn (guitars). They released a single “People Who Died”, from their 1980 debut album, Catholic Boy. The album featured contributions from Allen Lanier and Bobby Keys. In 1982 the song appeared in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, from which Carroll received royalties until his death in 2009.
The song also appeared in the 1985 Kim Richards vehicle Tuff Turf starring James Spader and Robert Downey Jr., which also featured a cameo appearance by the band, as well as 2004’s Dawn of the Dead. It was featured in the 1995 film The Basketball Diaries (based on Jim Carroll’s autobiography), and was covered by John Cale on his Antártida soundtrack. A condensed, 2-minute, version of the song was made into an animated music video by Daniel D. Cooper, an independent filmmaker/animator, in 2010. The song’s title was based on a poem by Ted Berrigan. Later albums were Dry Dreams (1982) and I Write Your Name (1983), both with contributions from Lenny Kaye and Paul Sanchez. Carroll also collaborated with musicians Lou Reed, Blue Öyster Cult, Boz Scaggs, RayManzarek of The Doors, Pearl Jam, Electric Light Orchestra and Rancid. –
Jim Carroll, 60, died of a heart attack at his Manhattan home on September 11th, 2009. He was reportedly working at his desk when he died.
Macabre millennial nightmares, softened by dream-pop tranquilizers, reverberating from a casket-shaped music box. For Fans of: Lana Del Rey, Elliott Smith, the films of Harmony Korine
Nicole Dollanganger’s gothic folk songs detailing mental illness, guns, sexual violence, poverty and death are as beautiful as they are brutal. After exploring abandoned buildings growing up in Stouffville, Ontario — a small town near Toronto — the taxidermy enthusiast studied film at Ryerson University and started posting her dark, cinematic songs on Bandcamp. Soundbites and grisly themes from horror movies, Welcome to the Dollhouse and school shootings amplify these lo-fi bedroom recordings. Backed by acoustic guitar, Dollanganger’s winsome cover of Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks” off 2013’s Columbine EP strips away the original’s party vibe to its chilling lyrical core. A demo of her latest album, Natural Born Losers, eventually reached her countrywoman Grimes. “It blew up my brain so hard that I literally started Eerie [Organization, a new artist collective] to fucking put it out,” the art-pop experimenter said in a press release. They performed together opening for Lana Del Rey in June and Dollanganger is supporting Grimes’ fall tour.
“I really enjoy hitting record on GarageBand. For an hour and a half I’ll just freestyle. I’ll get a chord progression going and start singing. I’ll record everything. Most of it’s trash, but usually there’s a line at least — like ‘drinking a cup of alligator blood’ — then I’ll build around that.”
Hear for Yourself: Echoing the pulse of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt,” Dollanganger sweetly toes the line of bruised love on “You’re So Cool.” Reed Fischer
The Fat Angel Sings 