This time no extensive views on the artists and the original song and which version is better.
This time the song "The North Star Grassman and The Ravens" by one of my favourite folk singers, Sandy Denny. I didn't do a very detailed search about other possible cover versions. I'll just post a live and (IMHO) excellent version of the original song by Dutch folk group Ygdrassil. I ran into this version on YouTube. Possibly there are more cover versions, but I'm too lazy to find out
I would say just enjoy both. I wish someone would release a good cover of Sandy Denny's song "The Lady".
Sunday 5 June 2011
Monday 11 April 2011
Jaga Jazzist again
Last week on Saturdaynight April 2nd I went to see Jaga Jazzist, a band from Norway. Had a great night with a great performance. I probably going to buy their latest album "One-Armed Bandit". Before the concert I only saw one YouTube video of this album, so I didn't know much of the other work on the album, but based on the earlier work from previous albums and previous concerts I visited I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. And I was right.
If you asked me to describe the music of Jaga Jazzist I think you can't mention one particular music style or musical influence. Their music has elements of jazz, big band, classical music, electronic music, minimal music and prog rock. The bandmembers often mentions bands like Talk Talk, Soft machine as one of their influences. If you listen to some of the songs from their last album you also can add Frank Zappa, Steve Reich and Phillip Glass to that list.
If you listen to the title song of this album you can probably understand why I added Frank Zappa to the list of musical influences. Some parts reminds me about 'Peaches and Regalia' from Zappa's "Hot Rats"-album and then especially the brass parts from the Saturday Night Live version.
And if you listen to the song 'Tocatta' of their latest album and which was the opening of Jaga Jazzist's concert you can understand why I added Steve Reich and Phikip Glass to the list of musical influences.
But Jaga Jazzist are certainly not clones of the mentioned artists. They mix all these influences into their own unique eclectic music style.
I found three videos on You Tube from the concert at Tivoli, Utrecht. I've embedded them so you can get a bit of an impression. They also played one of my personal favourites 'Oslo Skyline' as an encore. I couldn't find a video from the Tivoli performance of this song, so I've embedded a video from an earlier performance about 4 years ago. I especially like the massive part with the brass section at 2min34.
Enjoy the videos!
If you asked me to describe the music of Jaga Jazzist I think you can't mention one particular music style or musical influence. Their music has elements of jazz, big band, classical music, electronic music, minimal music and prog rock. The bandmembers often mentions bands like Talk Talk, Soft machine as one of their influences. If you listen to some of the songs from their last album you also can add Frank Zappa, Steve Reich and Phillip Glass to that list.
If you listen to the title song of this album you can probably understand why I added Frank Zappa to the list of musical influences. Some parts reminds me about 'Peaches and Regalia' from Zappa's "Hot Rats"-album and then especially the brass parts from the Saturday Night Live version.
And if you listen to the song 'Tocatta' of their latest album and which was the opening of Jaga Jazzist's concert you can understand why I added Steve Reich and Phikip Glass to the list of musical influences.
But Jaga Jazzist are certainly not clones of the mentioned artists. They mix all these influences into their own unique eclectic music style.
I found three videos on You Tube from the concert at Tivoli, Utrecht. I've embedded them so you can get a bit of an impression. They also played one of my personal favourites 'Oslo Skyline' as an encore. I couldn't find a video from the Tivoli performance of this song, so I've embedded a video from an earlier performance about 4 years ago. I especially like the massive part with the brass section at 2min34.
Enjoy the videos!
Saturday 2 April 2011
Jaga Jazzist tonight
I'm going to a concert from Jaga Jazzist tonight with friends. Looking forward to it. Report possibly follows later.
Sunday 20 March 2011
Donation links for relief aid to victims of earthquake/tsunami Japan
This is a repost of the donation URL's from Tokyo Doll Weblog
If you wish to make a donation you can follow one of the URL's below. Thanks!
Red cross England
Red cross America
Red cross Japan
Red cross the Netherlands
International Red cross
Donate for Japan: Important links and information
Lady Gaga : Japan Earthquake Relief Wristband
If you wish to make a donation you can follow one of the URL's below. Thanks!
Red cross England
Red cross America
Red cross Japan
Red cross the Netherlands
International Red cross
Donate for Japan: Important links and information
Lady Gaga : Japan Earthquake Relief Wristband
Sunday 23 January 2011
Cover weekend (Heartbreak Hotel)
I'm not sure if i should make it a weekly, monthly or irregular returning item, but I'm thinking to post on a more or less regular basis about cover versions together with the original. Every now and then I run into cover versions of songs that sometimes brings back interest in the original or shows a complete new perspective on the original. And sometimes there are cover versions that I find better than the original. An example that I always use is Joe Cocker's version of "With a little help from my friends", which I find way better than the Beatles original.
In this post I want to give you another example of a cover version that is IMHO better than the original. It's John Cale's (solo) version of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" Although I consider this song as one of Elvis Presley's better ones and a classic Rock "n Roll song, I think the musical setting of Elvis' original doesn't do justice to the pretty dark lyrics, also when you know that the inspiration for the song came from an article in the newspaper about a lonely man who committed suicide.
John Cale's solo version is way darker, especially his live version with only John Cale singing and playing the piano. The version I'm referring to is the live version from John Cale's 1992 live-album "Fragments of a Rainy Season". Later I found out that John Cale already covered this song in 1975 on his album "Slow Dazzle". From this version there is also a haunting and disturbing live version on YouTube from 1981 where you also can recognize Police guitarist Andy Summer.
I have embedded the original and the different John Cale versions, so you can judge for your self. The sound level on the 1992 live piano version (second embedded video) is unfortunately quite soft, so you have turn up the volume quite a bit to be able to hear it properly. But I think it's worth it. I personally find this the best version of "Heartbreak Hotel".
I finish with another live version that was broadcasted at Night Music, a late night music show that ran for two seasons at the late eighties. In this (also) pretty haunted version John Cale plays with musicians like Richard Thompson, David Sanborn and others. I also can recommend this version.
Below the last video I put a short poll where visitors can vote for their best version of "Heartbreak Hotel". Enjoy the videos and I probably return soon with other cover versions.
In this post I want to give you another example of a cover version that is IMHO better than the original. It's John Cale's (solo) version of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" Although I consider this song as one of Elvis Presley's better ones and a classic Rock "n Roll song, I think the musical setting of Elvis' original doesn't do justice to the pretty dark lyrics, also when you know that the inspiration for the song came from an article in the newspaper about a lonely man who committed suicide.
John Cale's solo version is way darker, especially his live version with only John Cale singing and playing the piano. The version I'm referring to is the live version from John Cale's 1992 live-album "Fragments of a Rainy Season". Later I found out that John Cale already covered this song in 1975 on his album "Slow Dazzle". From this version there is also a haunting and disturbing live version on YouTube from 1981 where you also can recognize Police guitarist Andy Summer.
I have embedded the original and the different John Cale versions, so you can judge for your self. The sound level on the 1992 live piano version (second embedded video) is unfortunately quite soft, so you have turn up the volume quite a bit to be able to hear it properly. But I think it's worth it. I personally find this the best version of "Heartbreak Hotel".
I finish with another live version that was broadcasted at Night Music, a late night music show that ran for two seasons at the late eighties. In this (also) pretty haunted version John Cale plays with musicians like Richard Thompson, David Sanborn and others. I also can recommend this version.
Below the last video I put a short poll where visitors can vote for their best version of "Heartbreak Hotel". Enjoy the videos and I probably return soon with other cover versions.
Which "Heartbreak Hotel" do you like best?
Wednesday 5 January 2011
R.I.P. Gerry Rafferty
Last night I heard the sad news that Gerry Rafferty died at the age of 63. With his decease the world loses a very skillful songwriter with a distinctive slightly hoarse voice which I always easlily recognize during his Stealers Wheel time, but also in his solo work.
I don't like talking about my all time top 10, 25, 100 etc.. music albums, because these list are always under influence of time, my state of mind, and feelings of strong or less stronger nostalgia. These lists change all the time, but Gerry Rafferty's solo album City to City probably would be in my top 10 or 25 music albums. Music wise and production wise I think it's an excellent album.
For the backgroundinformation you can read his Wikipedia page. I think it's better to let the music speak for itself. I leave you with a selection of my favourite Stealers Wheel- and solo Gerry Rafferty-songs.
R.I.P.
I don't like talking about my all time top 10, 25, 100 etc.. music albums, because these list are always under influence of time, my state of mind, and feelings of strong or less stronger nostalgia. These lists change all the time, but Gerry Rafferty's solo album City to City probably would be in my top 10 or 25 music albums. Music wise and production wise I think it's an excellent album.
For the backgroundinformation you can read his Wikipedia page. I think it's better to let the music speak for itself. I leave you with a selection of my favourite Stealers Wheel- and solo Gerry Rafferty-songs.
R.I.P.
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