"Tonight" ~Lykke Li

A wise man once said "Elegance is simplicity".  Or maybe it was a woman, and maybe it was "Simplicity is elegance".  Or I could be making this up.  At any rate, this song by Lykke Li is beautiful, and the simplicity of it only serves to enhance and emphasize the beauty.  Especially in this one-take acoustic video:

Here's the album version, if you like:

"Watch my back so I'll make sure

You're right behind me as before

Yesterday the night before tomorrow..."

5-19-12 - "Anything Worth Anything" ~ Rachael Johnson

A few weeks ago, my job had me travel to Nashville to work on a prototype system we have set up with a customer.  Same prototype that had my in Tennessee twice last year, but this time I was there all week and had a bit more time to enjoy the city.  Plus, it was spring instead of winter, so the city was coming out of its shell a bit and more lively this time around.


Last year, I stumbled across a girl with some pipes in one of the honky tonk / bar establishments on Broadway (downtown Nashville).  When I found out I'd be back in town, I checked her website, and sure enough, she was playing at a different venue right down the street.  As is the nature of bar entertainment, she and her band were playing a bunch of covers, from Beatles to Bon Jovi.  I put in a request for her original song, "Arizona", which I'd heard her play last year.  Since I already posted that song back then, here's an introspective ballad where Rachael Johnson reflects on the trials of her musical journey and trying to make a living in one of the musical meccas of the world:

And a live performance:

"Anything worth anything don't come easy..."

5-2-12 - "The Affair" ~ Be Honest, Ruth Bryan!

I stumbled upon Be Honest, Ruth Bryan! through The Ballard Sessions, which are Seattle's version of Pittsburgh blog Draw Us Lines' Echo Chambers.  The trio of ladies from the Northwest bring some haunting harmonies and exquisite instrumentation, and in a bipartisan spirit, let a couple of dudes play along as well.


Citing influences like Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Death Cab, Hans Zimmer, and Itzhak Perlman lends credence to my notion that this group of musicians is legit.  If you're into those sorts of things, you just might also like this band.


This track is pretty self-explanatory, but I'll give you a few brief thoughts nonetheless.  The point of view makes for quite the intriguing take on the story.  Dads don't like it when married men fool around with their daughters.  Heck, dads don't like it when any men fool around with their daughters.  And arpeggios in minor keys are a double-edged sword, but when done well, they can really hit the spot:


(Ballard Session)

(recording via Bandcamp)

"In the mornings it's quiet,

I guess even the dead need sleep..."

"And we, oh, we are not free

We are the ties we make...

(...we are the ties we break...)"

1-1-12 - "Riding The Wooly Bug To Dreamland" ~ 1,2,3

Since I just poured my heart out about life, love, and blogging, I'm going to do a quickie post to let you know about some free tunes from Pittsburgh / NYC band 1,2,3 - they just dropped a freebie EP which was originally conceived as a few lullaby tunes for the niece of one of the band members, but they decided to share it with us.


You can read about it and get the download link here; it's definitely some chill but sweet stuff.  Early indicators are that the first track, "Riding The Wooly Bug To Dreamland", is my fave of the five, so we'll call that today's song, but the others ain't half bad either.  I may drop this EP into my iTunes sleep playlist tonight and see if it works better than my standards at putting me out...


Listen on Soundcloud:  "Riding The Wooly Bug To Dreamland"


If you like these tunes, go pick up the band's album and support their future endeavors!  The ever-evolving music industry is using the power of the internet to allow bands to do stuff like this, but those bands still need to pay the bills for studio time and whatnot in order to continue bringing you the tunes.  So, whether it's this band or others, take advantage of the free songs, but also be sure to support bands you love so they can keep making awesome music!

12-25-11 - "O Holy Night" ~ Josh Groban / Il Divo

This Christmas tune is a pretty tough one to pull off properly, but Josh Groban is not half bad at it.  My little brother insisted I consider Il Divo's version as well - the quartet definitely have pipes to pull this off, as does Groban.  Both artists treat the song with respect - not showboating, just hitting the melody smoothly and sweetly, as it was intended (I have the same complaints when people embellish too much on the Star Spangled Banner).  Il Divo does have the benefit of harmonic ability, which Groban of course lacks as a solo artist... but ultimately, both versions pass my rigorous critiquing.  Enjoy, and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joyful Festivus, and all that jazz!

12-14-11 - "Cathedrals" ~ Jump, Little Children

Here's a beautiful track from a group who are no longer together.  The subdued string section is woven together with the guitar for a tapestry to backdrop the powerful lyrics. The intensity of the longing to find meaning in life, and find "home", is staggering.  Probably you've had times when you felt that way; I know I have.  There's a lot about the world that is depressing, and even the masterpieces (man-made, like cathedrals, or natural) are prone to decay into entropy.  Yet, the beauty of these things gives us hope, and a desire to preserve the existing wonders of the world, and perhaps to create some new ones.


There are probably ties to human relationships here as well - home doesn't have to be a a physical location; sometimes it's finding the right group of people who make you feel comfortable and loved.


This unofficial fan-made video has some starkly contrasting visuals:

"In the shadows of tall buildings

Of open arches endlessly kneeling

Sonic landscapes echoing vistas

Someone is listening from a safe distance..."

8-29-11 - "The Parting Glass" ~ The Wailin' Jennys

One of my best friends is embarking on a cross-country journey to start a new job in Tacoma, Washington.  Jake's last night in Pittsburgh was last night, and after countless "guys nites" and hangouts over the past several years, and having him share a house with me and some other great guys for the last year and a half, it's going to be pretty strange not having him around.  We had a big farewell party on Saturday which was well-attended, but perhaps even more special was a more intimate gathering last night, with just a few close friends sharing one last conversation and one last drink.


This song is actually from the point of view of the one leaving friends behind, but it expresses the feelings well.  The Celtic tune and lyric date back to the 1700s, and numerous artists in the modern era have sung it.  I think I like this version best.  The somber tone evokes the sorrow of leaving a loved hometown and cherished friends and family, and the a capella harmonies are exquisite:

Live version:

No matter how sorrowful the parting, however, we can take joy in knowing that our friend is moving to another great place, where he will have a rewarding job and surely make new friends, and that we'll see him again.  Also, we now have an excuse to go to the Pacific Northwest, not that an excuse is needed to go to a place that awesome...


"but since it falls unto my lot
that I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
good night and joy be with you all..." 

6-27-11 - "Samson" ~ Regina Spektor

Here's a pretty awesome song, with beautiful piano and lyrics that are deep and layered.  It's a departure from the other Regina Spektor songs I've posted earlier this year, but it's an example of her range and talent - she can do upbeat poppy songs, and then bring you to tears with a tune like this.

I don't know exactly what this one is about.  According to the internets, it was inspired by a friend who was battling cancer ("not much hair left on his head..."), but it also has some obvious Biblical references and themes of love.  I think it's intentionally weaving all of these concepts together, and leaving some room for interpretation...

"Beneath the stars came falling on our heads
But they're just old light, they're just old light..."

6-22-11 - "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart was a pretty amazing dude.  He was composing music by the time he was five, and is widely regarded to be one of the greatest (if not the greatest) composers in history.  I personally rank Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin right up there with him, and it's a pretty thin margin between them.


You've almost definitely heard this piece.  It's got a pretty recognizable opening that's been used in various movies, TV shows, etc. so it's probably tickled your ears on numerous occasions.


Here's the tune; it's officially known as Serenade No. 13 for Strings in G Major, and the German title translates to "A Little Serenade" or, literally, "A Little Night Music".  The video is actually only the first movement (the most recognizable), but I highly recommend the entire four-movement piece, which you can find in the Grooveshark link below.

Serenade No. 13 for Strings in G Major (Grooveshark)