Klara and Johanna Soderberg are from Sweden and are the band First Aid Kit. Their album of cute.alt.country.pop came out last May – The Big Black & The Blue. Digging the tune below. Reminds me a little of The Wild Colonials, if there had been two chic singers in that group.
Things are a little hectic around The Family Straw’s house these days. We’re having the homestead painted this week. Duke Jr. has given up his sucker at bedtime. Coconut and The Duke (plus The Duchess) are working on their new Single (due out next Tuesday).
When I get overwhelmed by life, I like to listen to instrumental music. Specifically, acoustic guitar stuff. Yair Yona is a new picker I was emailed about. His album came out last year but has been re-released in the States. It’s a terrific collection of adventurous tunes, perfect for quelling the stress.
Coconut here with some music that inspires by Leni Stern.
First of all here are the musicians in the band:
Leni Stern: guitar, n’goni, vocals
Mamadou Ba: bass
Harouna Samake – camele n’goni
Mamadou Kone “Prince” – calabash, tania
Ami Sacko – vocals
Mah Soumano – vocals
Harvey Wihrt – drums
Tim Keiper – drums
Makane Koyate – calabash
Yacouba Sissoko – kora
Brahim Fribgane – oud, cajon, tarija
Kofu – nigerian talking drum
Toumani Diabate – kora
Zoumana Tareta – soukou, vocals
Bassekou Koyate – n’goni
Bouba Sacko – n’goni
Jazz – rap vocals
Souleyman Doumbia – percussion
Lamin Tounkara – doun doun
Pretty cool huh? Know what an ‘kora’ is? I didnt either until i heard it played at 55 bar. The guy who plays it made his own instrument out of a kind of gord grown in Africa.
Leni has the ability to join nations and i think she would make a good ambassador of peace. She is not from Africa but she can go and bring out the best musicians and make amazing music with them. And this newer African stuff just grooves. It sounds like a single sound to me and not one person. To have a single sound, I think a strong vision is needed. Leni does that without compromising the authenticity of the music based around African claves.
Maybe you have a kid or two (like me). Maybe you watch Yo Gabba Gabba (like me). Maybe you’ve seen The Super Music Friends Show with The Salteens (like me). They play more than just kids’ music. In fact, they have a new album coming out in October – Grey Eyes. Sample below. First album for the large band in 7 years.
But if you only know them as that band from YGG, then you are in luck, because in September they are touring with the show (date below) and releasing a kids music EP.
Kids EP tracklist:
1. I’m So Happy
2. Be Nice To Animals
3. All My Friends Are Different
4. Count On My Hands
5. Have A Nap Mom
6. I Love My Cat
Tour Dates:
9/8/10 – Edmonton, AB @ Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 6:30pm
9/9/10 – Calgary, AB @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 6:30pm
9/11/10 – Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 1:00pm & 4:00pm
9/12/10 – Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 1:00pm & 4:00pm
9/14/10 – Regina , SK @ Brandt Centre, 6:30pm
9/15/10 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre, 6:30pm
9/18/10 – London, ON @ John Labatt Centre, 1:00pm & 4:00pm
9/19/10 – Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place, 1:00pm & 4:00pm
Starting a new weekly feature here at The Late Greats. Albums that have more interesting artwork than music.
B.A. Johnston’s album comes out 9-7. Seems like he has a sense of humor, which is refreshing. Sadly, I didn’t find his music refreshing. B.A. Johnston ∞ Taste The Shame
Now that Farve is back with the Vikings, it must be football season. And if it is football season, it mist mean fall is right around the corner. And if fall is right around the corner, it must mean that there are some impression albums coming out soon.
For my salt, the most exciting album coming soon – Black Dub. Which is Daniel Lanois, Brian Blade, Trixie Whitley, daughter of the late great Chris Whitley and Daryl Johnson. Daniel you all know. Brian is Lanois’ go to drummer for albums by EmmyLou and Willy. Daryl plays the fourstring. And Trixie has more pipes than the Mario Brothers.
The self-titled release hits store 11/2. Add it to your wish light. Watch this video.
Everyone else is going green, so why not the PFF? This year, with help from a grant and “The Greenest Band In The Land”, the Folk Fest is committed to the environment. All food and beverage vendors have to provide 99.9% recycled, biodegradable, or compostable paper goods, plastic cutlery, and cups to all its customers.
The greenest band is from Yorkdale, IL – The Giving Tree Band. Their new album drops next month. It’s a wonderful blend of folk-rock, complete with well-written lyrics and memorable melodies Listen below.
One of the new to me bands I am looking forward to seeing at this year’s fest is Horse Feathers. Their Northwestern chamberfolk has kind of taken me by storm the last few weeks. The new album – Thistled Spring – is a beauty. Horse Feathers ∞ Thistled Spring
My favorite West Chester, PA folk trio will be playing on Saturday – Mason Porter. To celebrate their participation in this year’s Folk Fest, they are releasing a limited edition LP (only 50 copies pressed) – available at the Folk Fest merch tent. The album – The Story Of The Rifle – is a folk covers project. Sample some of the songs below. Read an interview at Philly Weekly.
Music posted here is for evaluation purposes only. The files have been approved by the musicians, the labels and the PR folks. If you like what you hear, buy the album, go to a show or send them a care package full of brownies and old postcards from the ‘50s.
