More Than a Few Things to Get Excited About

After watching two excellent American Masters episodes last night on Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye, we were depressed first off, but knew that we needed to post on the new Sharon Jones record I Learned the Hard Way coming out May 4th on Daptone Records, of course. The press release promises big things, and if it were anyone but Sharon, we wouldn't believe it.

The record drips with warmth and spontaneity rarely found since the golden days of Muscle Shoals and Stax. Sharon's raw power, rhythmic swagger, moaning soulfulness, and melodic command set her firmly alongside Tina Turner, James Brown, Mavis Staples, and Aretha as a fixture in the canon of soul music.

[mp3] Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore: "Something, Somewhere, Sometime"

Vince caught word of Ben Sollee during his Nashville Scene tenure a few years ago. Ben has since made some good decisions, and partnered with Sub Pop's talented Daniel Martin Moore and producer Jim James (yeah that one) to record a stellar new record Dear Companion (Feb 16, Sub Pop). We say "good decisions" as Sollee's solo work showed flashes of Appalachian-style brilliance, but also tended to stray into dangerous Amos Lee territory. Dear Companion focuses on the former songwriting talents, especially as the album is a tribute of sorts to both artists' Kentucky home, and explores the awfulness that is mountaintop removal coal mining. A portion of the proceeds from Dear Companion will benefit Appalachian Voices, "an organization devoted to ending mountaintop removal and finding a better way forward."

Lastly, we have the cover for the new Dum Dum Girls record, which we've been spinning pretty incessantly since it's arrival yesterday afternoon. We caught the new Dum Dum's line-up during CMJ, and take it from us, the Vivian Girls have now become the poor man's Dum Dum Girls. I Will Be comes out March 30th on Sub Pop.

'08 Artists: High, Low and In Between

I can't let '08 go. Not yet. Not before mentioning four bands that danced around the beacon of success, slowly peaking their heads in from time-to-time. These artists are the musical equivalent of the guide in Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark, except they avoided impalement by ancient booby traps. These albums are not deep gems by any means however. They are simply records we spun hard, and forgot about.

As you can see, I am on a bit of a Townes Van Zandt kick (title)...I am still recovering from watching Margaret Brown's, Be Here to Love Me last night. I digress.

The following albums were unintentionally lost amid the piles of '08 music (now being replaced by '09ers.) We've written about most before, but we have unearthed them once again and they are exhibited here.

Poni Hoax: Images of Sigrid
Released: July 22, 2008
French electro-pop rocks 2008. It took some digging to finally get this LP in the states, but we did and love it. "Antibodies," easily the most energetic tune on the album, originally drew us to Poni Hoax and we have been dancing ever since. This is a great record to throw on and wait for everyone at the party to slink up and ask, "Who is this?" Have your coy response at the ready. This album moves and has a mind of its own. Stereolab references come easy, but look for more from these hommes de la France. Ils sont magnifiques.

Ben Sollee: Learning to Bend

Released: June 10, 2008
What more can we say? Ben Sollee blasted on to the scene after smartly joining forces with Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn via the Sparrow Quartet. Sollee's R&B/pop-cello-stylings made him an immediate hit with the Philly radio station WXPN as well as NPR. He's young, Caucasian and wears glasses, but don't let his aesthetics fool you...the man's got soul brother. Sock it to 'em. Lyrically driven by topical issues such as politics and the Iraq war, Sollee is pushing the right buttons. Look for him to push some more in 2009.

Fire on Fire: The Orchard (Young God Records)

Released: Dec. 9, 2008
Give credit where credit is due. Fire on Fire released this album a little late in the 2008 game, but the talent is there. Heavy on The Band influences, Fire on Fire draws from the country side, creating musical soundscapes that bring to mind rural Maine (where they hail from.) Sharing in vocal responsibilities, the album is a hodgepodge of differing tonal harmonies and melodies. Listening to this record is like digging through dirt or rummaging around in a tool shed...something just feels elementally right about it.

De Novo Dahl: Move Every Muscle, Make Every Sound (Road Runner Records)

Released: April 11, 2008

Where has De Novo Dahl been? They are everywhere and no where. These red and yellow stripped, jumper-toting Nashvillians produce pure pop gems. Repeatability doesn't begin to describe this album. Every tune, save two or three, latches on to you. You reek of this album after first listen. You wear it. Tunes like "Shout," "Shakedown," and "New Hero" boast immaculate and perfectly crafted pop choruses. You've heard this album everywhere...you just don't know it yet. MUST BUY!

Ben Sollee Tour Alert + New Two Song EP

Nashville native and Stark favorite Ben Sollee recently released two new songs via an EP titled, Something Worth Keeping. Starting Nov.1, Sollee will embark on a tour of the US behind this short EP and debut album Learning To Bend. Although minimal in length, Sollee seems very adamant about these two new tracks titled, "Only A Song" (feat. Jim James of My Morning Jacket) and "Mute Bullhorn." There is definitely something more personal at play here as reflected in a note Sollee recently wrote in regard to the EP.
He writes,

"....There are many eloquent ideas out there about renewable energy, educational systems, and governing, but realizing them means trying new things; which is daunting at least, and terrifying at most. As my generation takes the reins we should not sacrifice some qualities of this nation and the land in its boundaries to the wayfaring spirit of economy. They are important for Americans, our children, and the rest of the world.

These thoughts inspired these two new songs. But they are only songs…"

Ok Ben. Ok.
Myspace
TOUR DATES AFTER THE JUMP...

BEN SOLLEE TOUR DATES
1 Nov - Louisville KY / 930 Listening Room w/ Bootsie Ann
5 Nov - Nashville TN / The Basement
6 Nov - Atlanta GA / The 5 Spot
7 Nov - Chapel Hill NC / Nightlight
8 Nov - Washington DC / Iota
11 Nov - Brooklyn NY / The Bell House
12 Nov - New York NY / Mercury Lounge
13 Nov - Philadelphia PA / World Cafe Live
17 Nov - Chicago IL / Schuba's
18 Nov - Minneapolis MN / 400 Club
21 Nov - Seattle WA / TBA
22 Nov - Portland OR / Balcony Bar At The Hawthorne Theatre
24 Nov - San Francisco CA / Café Du Nord
25 Nov - Los Angeles CA, Hotel Café

Ben Sollee- Learning to Bend (2008/sonaBLAST!)

Review by Vince Amoroso

Rating: 82

Ben Sollee: Think Chris Wood meets the cello. With a soulful voice beyond his years, and playing abilities to boot, Sollee combines a rustic-country feel with subtle R&B flavor on his debut album Learning to Bend (2008/sonaBLAST!) Hitting stores today, June 10, Sollee's album seems like a clever adaptation of a Wood Brothers record. There is nothing wrong with that. Substituting a cello for Standup bass, the differences are such that Sollee's LP sounds genuine. Using bowing techniques to produce a more percussive feel and fingerpicking reminiscent of Victor Wooten at times, Sollee's cello playing is unconventional to say the least - that’s the draw however.

Comprised of upbeat numbers such as the soon to be NPR stand-by's "A Change is Gonna Come" and "How to See the Sun Rise," Sollee combines with skillful musicians producing rich melodies that beget repeat listens. Bend is full of extremely accessible songs that are porous, easy to grasp and will have a long shelf-life.

Cue cameo appearances by Bela Fleck on track five "It's Not Impossible" and Sollee has crafted quite a mature and established album. The only drawbacks to Bend are the multitude of instruments accompanying Sollee on certain songs. Violins, guitar, banjo, sax, organ, viola, percussion, fiddle, vibes, harp all would be fine if Sollee's cello playing was not the centerpiece. At times, we loose the cello, when we originally bought the album because of the cello. That is what makes Ben Sollee's live performances captivating - he is stripped down, doing what he does best, allowing his renegade cello stylings to drive his music. But for a debut record, Sollee has done well for himself.

Myspace

(Special thanks to Jeff at Crash Avenue Publicity for this one)