My seven favorite albums of 2013 (so far)

 

 

When you favorite song after song on an album, you know that's going to be a favorite.  I think Kacey is just fresh and fun and so talented.  My favorite songs from this album are "It is What It Is", "Follow Your Arrow" and "Merry Go Round".

 

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is one of my absolute favorite bands and their new album did not disappoint.  I love the title which is from Shakespeare.  They were one of the top shows I've been to this year.  Honestly, they're one of my top shows ever.  My favorite song from this album is "Firewalker".  I also love "Hate the Taste" and "Let the Day Begin".  Also I cannot mention BRMC without mentioning how much I love Peter Hayes!  Peter Hayes, I adore you!

 

 

I just love Dawe's mellow, Americana, folky sound.  I caught a short set from them at the KXT Summer Cut.  I hope to see a whole show from them some day.  I feel like they were just finding their groove when they were cut short.  My favorite songs from this album are "Most People", "Just Beneath the Surface" and "Someone Will".  I also dig "From a Window  Seat" for the Steely Dan sound and the lyric about eating boots. 

 

Ah, a brand new to me band. They are Irish and fabulous.  "The John Wayne", "Harper Lee" and "Big Red Dragon" are my favorites.  I believe they were at SXSW but I don't think they've been to the DFW area yet.  I would love to catch their show. I think you can be Irish and Americana too.

 

 

 

Jason Isbell is such a great song writer.  I love, love, love the song "Live Oak".  My favorite lyric "There's a man who walks beside me, It is who I used to be, I wonder if she sees him and confuses him with me".  It just speaks to me when you are a changed person, a new different person but you look the same to everyone who sees you.  "Traveling Alone", "Elephant" and "Super 8" are all fun songs.

 

 

Another fabulous, I'm using the word fabulous too much.  Another awesome band from Austin, the Wheeler Brothers.  New to me but not new.  I love this album.  My favorite songs "Straight and Steady", "My Time", "You've Got A Lot of Love" and "Cigarette Smoke are some of my favorites.  I am hoping to catch their show at Queen  City Music Hall in Fort Worth. 

 

Vampire Weekend is just some great, chill music.  "Diane Young", "Obvious Believers" and "Step are some of my favorites. 

 

 

Sarah Jarosz - Runaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Jarosz - Runaway with Allison Kraus and Jerry Douglas.  A fabulous song.  The official video is blocked in my country, why? I don't know to irritate me but this is a fabulous version so it's all good.  I thought she was coming to the Kessler but maybe I already missed it.  Boo!  

 

 

Oh how I missed you!

Oh my little bloggity blog with so few readers, I've missed you.  I need a new computer or my old computer fixed.  Until then it will be few random posts.  I think I shall blow you up with lots of fabulous songs today. 

First up Red and White and Blue and Gold by Aoife (say it like eee-fuh) O'Donovan.  I just love it and it's perfect for July 4th.  It's just perfect anyway.   This is a very mellow relaxing song, a perfect chill in the afternoon summer song.

I've already shared Uncle Lucius' Keep the Wolves Away which I still think is a fabulous song but then I saw them live and realized that they have so much more to offer.  This is Pocket Full of Misery.  They are a great live band and I think everyone should catch them if they get a chance.  I really loved their cover of Help Me Make It Through the Night.  Also Kevin Galloway's beard is much more impressive now and I love the fact that all of the band members are songwriters.  That's unusual and fabulous.

Ah Della Mae!  I love discovering new music and Della Mae is a great discovery.  All female, bluegrass, listen and love!  They are from Boston and have a bit of Celtic influence too.  The song is Empire. 

Another new to me band, the Pines.  I don't know much about them other than I like this song.  The are from Minnesota (I can't say that without hearing it in Jesse the Body Ventura's voice).  Minnesota is the land of hot dish and the Pines.  The song is Cry, Cry, Crow.

Don't forget you could be laughing 65% more of the time

 

Meet John Grant.  I discovered him from the NPR music top 50 songs of  2013.  So I love this song GMF and I'm sharing it with you.  I must walk out the door but I will be back with a love letter to Kopecky Family Band shortly. 

 

 

 

KXT Summer Cut 2013

My super quick concert review - I'll add more later (yeah, that might be a lie)

The Avett Brothers - Absolutely one of the best live bands I've ever seen!!!   They are energetic, talented and amazing!!! I don't think anyone could see them perform and not love them.  I just don't think it's possible. 

Set list

Down with the Shine
The Fall
You and I
Go to Sleep
Paul Newman vs. The Demons - the only song that I would lose
Laundry Room
Part from Me
Will You Return?
Distraction #74
At the Beach
Colorshow
Stand by Me
Jack of Diamonds
Gimmeakiss
Slight Figure of Speech
The Once and Future Carpenter
My Heart Like a Kickdrum
I and Love and You

Encore

Yellow Rose of  Texas
Talk on Indolence
Life

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - I think the only song I knew by them going into the show was Stars but she was a good performer. 

Matt and Kim - fun and high energy but not my favorite music

Dawes - fabulous, I would love to see a full set.  They only got thirty minutes which wasn't enough.

Hayes Carll - I don't think he had enough time to find his groove.  I love his music and didn't get to hear some of my favorite songs.  I would like to catch him in a smaller venue for a full set.  Stomp and Holler was fun. 

Me and my guy at the end of the night. 

Stompa - Serena Ryder

 

 

 

Hey friends!  So my son decided to slick our computer and this did not go as planned.  We can't get it to reboot so I have been sadly without a computer for the past few weeks.  So I'm at a friends and decided to share my new favorite song.  Stompa by Serena Ryder.  Have an awesome day!

 

 

Cheerful songs about death

 

I've been reading a book "A Tale for the Time Being"by Ruth Ozeki which has strong elements of life, death, suicide.  I keep hearing "The Great Exhale" by The Great Lake Swimmers in my head.  I wouldn't say that is a cheerful song about death but let's say hopeful.  Maybe I'm morbid but I like thinking about these things.  What comes next?  Will it be better or worse?  Is there even any next?  So here are a few songs to contemplate these questions.  It's an excellent book by the way.  I recommend it and I recommend these songs.  I'm just recommending all over the place this morning. 

By the way, I just love this band and I love the strings in this song. 

"Buried" by Family of the Year is absolutely a cheerful song about death. 

"Travelin' On" by Norah Jane Struthers.  My favorites song from her new album.

 

 



"Everybody you ever know is going to die, that's all right, there's a big white bed up in heaven"

 

"Big White Bed by Guster