DIG IT
DUG THAT?: Feist
Now that you’ve heard a bit more than the Mac commercials featuring her tracks, has this week’s London Live’s featured artist melted you with her velvety crooning? You’re not alone. Neither is she; I’m spreading the word on similar songstresses that carry the same warming effect.
DIG THIS: Emiliana Torrini
Minimalist arrangements and sparse soundscape allow this Icelandic chanteuse’s girlish tones to rightfully lead her intimate compositions. Lend an ear to Fisherman’s Daughter, you’ll be seduced by Emiliana’s simple, impish vocals before the ice melts in your drink. Seduced by an Icelandic femme while sipping a drink? Worse things could happen.
UNEARTH THIS: Mazzy Starr
Glimmering melodies to back singer Hope Sendoval’s preternaturally breathy voice create tracks of beautiful longing with lyrics that say “Wish you hadn’t left, but I had fun”. Take a listen to the track “Halah” from She Hangs Brightly. Be warned, it has been know to have even the strongest man reaching for the phone to call an ex-girlfriend in the middle of the night.
EXHUME THIS: Roberta Flack
You’ll be familiar with at least one of her songs. Lauryn Hill brought the funk to Flack’s “Killing Me Softly”, but her lesser known gems and even b-sides (ask your grandparents what that means) are all keepers. A bit overshadowed in the annals of female singers by the Joni Mitchells and Carole Kings (ask your grandparents) of her time, but Flack’s restrained emotion penetrates every song as only 70’s style heartbreak can buy. Sample pretty much anything she’s ever done, especially her rare live material if you can find it.
To find anything as authentic-cool as this you’ll have to dig out a black turtleneck and head to that jazz club you always say you’ll check out someday. Or close your eyes and let Flack’s voice transport you to your own, sans the second-hand smoke.
Submitted by: Brendan Connors (MOJO Staff)
I Dug? that as well! Actually, my son turned me onto her. He said New Soul was the happiest song he had ever heard. He has always had a discriminating eclectic taste in music. Started as a classical guitar student at an art magnet in middle school after a bout with the piano and clarinet. He was gifted. He loved Johnny Cash, Rodger Miller, Bob Marley, Sublime, Old 97s, Scott Miller, Ryan Adams, Southern Gospel. An honest, weed smokin’, adrenalin junkie (i.e. skate and snow boarding, surfing). The most carefree, openhearted christians I have ever had the pleasure to meet. And G-d picked me to be Sam’s mom for 20 years. You see, I buried him on St. Patrick’s Day. He was killed in a motorcycle accident on the 12th. He was on his way home from work (roofing… yeah, I know… guitar player, right?) happy to be going home to his little family. He dug his life so much! I could not even get him to go see live music unless I could spend enough for his wife to go with us. Her first concert was Lyle Lovett! Ryan would let me sit beside him though. I loved watching his face as he discovered new music experiences. You can only imagine how much that young woman means to me now. I call her my daughter-in-love. All righty then, thanks for letting me gush for a few minutes. This is cathargic. I can definately say that New Soul (Imac Air book commercial) by Yael Naim will always be the happiest song I have ever heard. It is on her self-named CD rocks and is available on Amazon.
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