Friday, November 26, 2010

Blake Mills

Besides from having one of the best websites ever, Blake Mills has that "it" factor more than a lot of music I have heard lately. I am absolutely positive that I am a late-comer to the wonder that is Breaking Mirrors but I am ecstatic that I found it. I stumbled across him on the always amazing Daytrotter and, as always, have been stuck listening to his melodies, music, and mumbles all day.

Take a little listening stroll through his album, which is available to stream here, and/or explore the Daytrotter Session. I know you will like it.

Records, Vinyl, Records

Yes, those boxes are full!

As you can see, Christmas came a month early this year as my loving In-Laws gave us their amazing record collection. Yes, this collection was begun when my father-in-law was a young tike and ran until, what looks to be, the eighties. So, if you are a friend and I don't show up for drinks, I don't call back, or just seem to have gone missing in action, I think you should be well aware as to my whereabouts. I am sitting at the record player listening to rebel-rock-n-roll from the fifties and catching up with Fleetwood Mac's masterpiece Rumours.

Not to mention humming along to the recently discovered Canadian icon, Wilf Carter.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

The Power of Vinyl

We finally got our record player up and running again and I am so excited about two recent purchases. There is a fantastic used record/book store (Carson Books & Records) towards the end of Broadway in Vancouver and it is full of incredible rare and wonderful gems. I recently picked up two warming examples of amazing folk music and I wanted to share them here.

Do yourself and favour and have a listen to these two albums should you get the chance:

Alan Mills and Jean Carignan - Songs, Fiddle Tunes and Folktale from Canada

The Fuzzy Mountain String Band - S/T


The Fuzzy Mountain String Band – Shortening Bread

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Kris Ellestad - No Man is Land

I was introduced to Kris Ellestad (by the man himself) last week and I have not stopped listening to his incredible new album, No Man is Land. The timing was perfect. I was stuck moving boxes, cleaning, and sweating my ass off in the act of moving into a new place. I left No Man is Land streaming off of Kris' bandcamp page and I don't think I have listened to anything else since. For the past week, this album has absolutely consumed my listening and I am in shock at how it feels more like a greatest hits album rather than a first effort, which I am unclear as to whether it is or not. Ellestad's exploration through genres, timing, and tempos leaves this gem definitely in my top ten of the year and it really is a masterpiece worth giving every bit of praise I can.

The Calgarian's songs are full of emotion and swagger and I am floored by the incredible depth of the album. I know I will be listening to it for years to come. It provides such a breadth of moods and, quite simply, I just love it.

Take a listen below:

Kris Ellestad - In the Meantime - Removed at Artists Request