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Paper Navy - All Grown Up

Marvin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:00:15 +0000

Paper Navy’s style of indie pop mixed with a slight alt. country accent is impossible to resist. Much of it has to do with the Shawn Anfinson’s boyish vocals but the entire band sounds like it is having fun.

The album All Grown Up is a delightful blend of folk rock and innocent sounding pop tunes. For instance, the title tune and “Tongue Tied” reminds me of the 70s anthems by Supertramp and 10CC. But when they visit their Nashville roots on “I Can’t Read The Stars” and “Make Time”, which is my favorite track, they show a country rock style that screams of early Poco. Whatever you hear in this music, it quickly become evident that this music hold up on its own and is all Paper Navy.

Paper Navy is a folk-pop outfit originating on the fringes of Nashville, TN. With musical influences as divergent as classic country and 1970s era pop, you might imagine something like Bakersfield-Bread. Mmm...yes. Yet, in spite of a flavor that certainly ruminates, this doesn't quite sum up the paradoxically spare albeit lush sound of these guitar-based arrangements. Notwithstanding the occasional touch of telecaster-inspired twang and a few train-roll rhythms, the music on this debut release is more cosmic than country, calling on the subtle effects of atmosphere to soften an otherwise dark airing of views.

From the sweetly seductive "Honey Mead" with it's boozy swing to the Queen influenced pomp of "Tongue Tied," Paper Navy aim to persuade a diverse audience that pop isn't so easily classified, and folk is more of an ethic than an aesthetic. This idea can also be heard on tunes like "Swan Song," "Factories," and the title track, "All Grown Up," which delve into the existential misgivings of Everyman while remaining pleasantly listenable and catchy enough to hold on to.

This project was recorded in a ramshackle rehearsal space (that also serves as a laundry room) by Shawn Anfinson (vocals, acoustic guitar), Brandon Harris (guitars, bass) and Simon Lynn (drums, bells). They are now joined by Jim Elrod (bass), and Jeff Weems (keys).

From Press Release

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Sleep.Shy "Galápagos Inn" - unusual mix of sweetness and cynicism

Marvin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:00:41 +0000

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Sleep.Shy’s Galapagos Inn is one of the more unusual online albums to come out of 2009. It is calm, witty and somewhat perplexing in its mix of sweetness and cynicism.

The opening “I nowhere I am” is typical with its switch of upbeat rhythm to classical choir and piano then back. The track “On Why No. 2 Pencils Have Erasers” shows that this band has their hard rock side but when you least expect it…Mood change!

Sleep. Shy may leave you guessing where it is going but there is no question that you will enjoy the relaxing ride.

The album is available in 320kbps MP3 from the Delhotel netlabel. If you enjoy the music, you can buy the CD through CDbaby.

Sleep.Shy on Free Albums Galore

Paolo Pavan "Looking for a Way Out" - CC licensed modern jazz

Marvin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:00:35 +0000

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Pianist Paolo Pavan has been previously reviewed here for his excellent jazz album titled Inside.

The title refers to his fondness for mainstream tonal jazz which he continues to explore on Looking For a Way Out. Yet, as the title implies, Pavan becomes a bit more exploratory. Aside from his rather prodigious talent on keyboards, the musician also displays a gift at arranging.

There is also some impressive soloing by Daniele Arena on trumpet, Davide Marinacci on tenor sax and Michele Villari on alto and soprano saxophones. If you are at all interested in modern jazz, you should like this.

Self-produced Cd: Paolo & Roberto Pavan

Musicians:
Paolo Pavan: piano, keyboards, computer programming;
Stefano Baldasseroni: drums (1, 4);
Fabrizio Boccardelli: drums (2, 3, 5);
Alessandro Cioffi: drums (6);
David Medina: bass and doublebass (1, 4, 6);
Marco Roccuzzo: doublebass (2, 3, 5);
Daniele Arena: trumpet; Davide Marinacci tenor sax;
Michele Villari: alto and soprano sax.

Cover: Bruno Parretti
Cover Painting: Mariarosaria Stigliano.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Dazie Mae "Velvet Dress & Stockings" - jazz & blues the cabaret style

Marvin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:00:58 +0000

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Dazie Mae plays a form of ragtime jazz and blues mixed up in a French cabaret environment. Their full length album titled Velvet Dress and Stockings has a sexy and smoky feel spearheaded by the sultry lead vocalist Jeanne Jattiot.

She reminds me of a jazzy version of Marianne Faithfull. The instrumental backing is almost perfect with snappy keyboards by Mathias Daval, guitars by Tom Lameche and bass by Serge Dejazz.

Lameche’s guitar work is especially good and very different than the jazz fusion albums under his own name. While all the tracks are good, I especially enjoyed “Drink Beer (Till The Day That I Die)” and the Boss Nova influenced “Sofa”. This is a mellow and tasty debut album.

The album is available from Jamendo in 128kbps MP3. There is also a self-titled demo EP available that duplicates many of the songs from the full length album.

James Edwards "Christmas Bells" - free melodic acoustic guitar album

Marvin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:00:15 +0000

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As I was listening to this free and legal seasonal album by guitarist James Edwards, my wife shouted from the other room, “Is That Julian Bream?” I doubt if I can come up with a higher compliment. While Edwards may not be Bream, he is still an accomplished guitarist.

Christmas Bells offers 10 classical guitar renditions of classic Christmas songs.

Beautifully played and easy on the ears, this is a highly recommended download for your seasonal music collection.

Classical guitarist James Edwards has been a performer, teacher, and recording artist for over 25 years. He not only plays the rich and varied traditional repertoire, but his own compositions and contemporary styles as well. James also plays historical instruments of the Renaissance and Baroque periods such as the five-course guitar and ten course lute.

Mr. Edwards' many compact disc recordings feature his arrangements of American, Spanish, and European classics. Many of these have been published by Mel Bay Pub. in several books currently available.

James' performance credits include: the 1999 La Guitarra California Festival, soloist with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Barbara Arts Festival, Richard Schneiders' Lost Mountain Guitar Festival and many collaborations with theatre and dance companies. James also concertizes with flutist Suzanne Duffy as 'Duo Solare.'

James Edwards discovered the guitar at age fourteen, exploring folk, jazz, and pop styles before finding his true musical love, the classical guitar. Inspired by Christopher Parkening, with whom he later studied, James also worked with Ray Reussner, one of Andres Segovia's most devoted pupils. Other teachers have included Manuel Barruecco, and Michael Lorimer. James also plays renaissance lute and baroque guitar; and studied with Toyohiko Satoh, Jurgen Hubscher, and Donna Curry.

In addition to the traditional classical guitar repertoire, James performs his own vibrant arrangements of Handel, Mozart, Puccini, Debussy, Brahms, and many other works by the great composers. He also has created a unique American repertoire with treatments of well known works by Gershwin, Rodgers, Joplin, etc., along with his original compositions; blending his classical background with the earlier influences of folk and jazz.

From jamesedwardsguitar.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License and it's available as a free download from Jamendo.com.

Keith Morris & The Crooked Numbers "Live Candy"

Marvin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

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The neat thing about the net label Clinical Archives is that I never know quite what I am going to hear. After all, who would have thought that mixed in with all the avant-garde, electronica, and experimental music would be this very down-home country EP that reeks of dogwood, cicadas and Hank Williams. Live Candy gives us a very live and very authentic country honky-tonk experience that defines the terms “Alt-country” and “Americana”.

Keith Morris with his back-up band The Crooked Numbers is the real thing. This is evidenced from the first track, “Snowday” which immediately hooked me on the plaintive and somewhat nasal voice of Morris. The instrumental and vocal backing is especially nice. Morris has no problems sharing vocals with Devon Sproule on “Billie Weir’s Dress” and Jen Morris on “Waltzing”. The songs are all Morris originals and all tracks but “Candy Apples” are performed live. The non-live track is a March Rosetta re-mix which is more pop oriented than the rest of the EP but it is still a delight. Alt-country fans need to grab this up quick.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License and is available as a free album download from Archive.com

Claire Hamill "Stage Door Johnnes" - plus ten more of her free albums

Marvin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:11 +0000

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Claire Hamill is a British singer/songwriter that has been composing and recording since the 70s. She has a slew of albums over the decades and most of them can be downloaded with her blessing from her website. If you have heard of this talented musician, it is probably due to the fact that she wrote “You Take My Breath Away”, a song that became a hit for Eva Cassidy. Hamill has a soft voice in which personal intimacy wins out over power.

She has been compared to Joni Mitchell but I hear a tantalizing mix of folk and traditional chanteuses like Judy Collins and Sandy Denny. She is a consummate storyteller in her lyrics. Nine albums are available on her download page and they all have high quality original songs and covers that are worth listening to.

Her first album was One House Left Standing (1971). The first track “Baseball Blues is a raggy affair but most of the songs are steeped in the English folk tradition. I especially like “Urge For Going” which shows that Sandy Denny influence.

The sophomore album October (1973) isn’t all that distinctive. However her third album titled Stage Door Johnnies (1975) is my favorite of her albums. This is the album that includes “You Take My Breath Away” but all the tracks are quite strong. “All The Cakes She Baked Him” is quite Joni Mitchell-like. “Geronimo Cadillac” proved that Hamill can excel on an upbeat song. There are also some nice covers of The Animals’ “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and The Moody Blues’ “Go Now”.

Abracadabra (1975), Touchpaper (1984), and Voices (1984), and Love in The Afternoon (1988) are all good solid performances. However the later albums loses that mellow folk influence and tend toward over-produced pop. I would especially recommend her cover of The Kinks’ “Celluloid Heroes” on Abracadabra. I believe most of these albums were originally released on Ray Davies’ Konk record label.

Summer (1998) and The Lost and The Lovers (2006) are collaborations with Andrew Warren. They are essentially conceptual albums with more hyper-produced studio tricks. The songs are quite catchy, some even gorgeous, but I prefer the earlier efforts.

All albums are available in 128kbps MP3. If you enjoy the music, support the artist by leaving a donation through Paypal or by buying her CDs.

You can download all eight albums from Claire Hamill's website. All albums are free for personal use.

Ray Garrido - "Tropicotrip"

Marvin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:00:40 +0000

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The Breathe compilations have become an anthology series that I look forward to with anticipation. However, the Breathe netlabel is also getting into single artist collections with this luscious album by Mexican multi-instrumentalist Ray Garrido. Tropicotrip is an exotic journey that is part hip-hop, part lounge, and very spacey.

The first track “El Mar” is an instant fix for your nerve, a 12 minute musical vacation which is followed by the equally relaxing “Luna Llena”. The trip get a little heavy with “Satre Trip” but the combination of beats and melodies never bore. From there on, Garrido continues this mix of techno beat and exotic moods through the eight delectable tracks. This is a good relaxing album that can be used for mood music but bears well under attentive listening.

The Leftouts - "Last One Standing"

Marvin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:54 +0000

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Lepork Records is a new net label specializing in South American punk artists. The small offering of online albums is interesting but I was especially drawn to The Leftouts and their free album titled Last One Standing. It is a raucous effort incorporating power pop with punk. I especially like the opening track, “19 Days” and the tense title tune. This album, as well as the albums by other bands on this net label deserve a listen for their inexhaustible energy but also to show how global the punk genre has become.

Track Listing
01. 19 Years
02. Memories, Pain, Scars
03. Broken Heart
04. Last One Standing
05. On My Own
06. Remember
07. Happy Endings Don´t Exist
08. Tell Me
09. Trust

Bam Bam - "Bam Bam"

Marvin — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:15 +0000

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Talk about recording with high expectations…
Their goal was to make an album that would make Pet Sounds seem like a shitty demo tape. But they failed big time and now they have this record on their hands.
Well, it wasn’t a total waste. In fact the self-titled 26 minute EP by Bam Bam is a bit of a thrill to listen to. It sounds like they went into the studio with every trick they had and spared nothing. While Brian Wilson need not worry about losing his throne, this collection of power pop ditties turns how to be immensely creative and listenable. The lyrics are in Spanish yet it is not a problem since it is the infectious spirit and likability of this band that carry the session. “Oro Flash” is the highlight of the set with its slightly psychedelic leanings mixed with enthusiastic vocals but I also enjoyed the Animal Collective sounding “Hi-Q” and the lively “Sin Las Patas Traseras”. No, it’s not Pet Sounds (what is?) but it’s Bam Bam and that’s good enough for a party.

The album is available in 192kbps Mp3.