Listening to update

It's been so long that I updated my "Listening To" section that I've had to wipe out everything that was there before. And what's this? No Andrew Bird? Well, he's between albums so well let it slide this time.

I am sad to see Basia Bulat leave the list, because I still listen to her quite a bit. But out with the old, in with the new!

Here's what I've been listening to in more detail, and each of them has a YouTube video of one of the songs from the album, although not all the videos are "official" or sanctioned by the artists:

R.E.M. - Accelerate
I was going to blog about this album, but instead submitted my thoughts to Nada Mucho who kindly posted them here. As you'll see in the review, I love the album to death and it's got me pretty damned nostalgic.
This here is a video of "Supernatural Superserious."

Sibylle Baier - Colour Green
A german actress who recorded her songs on a reel-to-reel when in the 1970s but had no interest in a musical career. I'm not even sure if you could have found her at a local open mic if you tried.
Her son however digitized the recordings and passed them on to friends and relations, and they eventually found their way to a record label, and these are the results.
She writes beautifully heartfelt songs that seem much more grounded in dealing with the crap in front of her than becoming drowned in maudlin emotions. The love songs seem unusually healthy, singing odes to her husband (?) for listening to her talk about a hard day at work.
These nice folks posted a video on youtube with my favorite Baier song as the soundtrack.

Terry Callier - The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier
Callier is a perfect fit alongside Baier. His "New Folk" sound is about as mellow as her home-recorded sound, and his voice is smooth and deep. He's had a bit of a resurgence in popularity thanks to Beth Orton, who's recorded with him a number if times. I really like listening to this one while driving through the ag side of Skagit Valley.
This is a posting of the opening track on Youtube. The site isn't acting up. It's just the music set to a still photo. If you like that song, check out this dudes spastic version. I don't know who he is, he was just recommended on the sidebar of the Callier video.

Duffy - Rockferry
A coworker at the The Port Orchard Independent thought I might like Duffy, and she couldn't have been more right, which only proves that I really am Starbucks' target demographic. Those jerks, trying to sell me music I like. How I hate 'em!
But Duffy is one of the so-called "New Amy's" but I actually find myself more comfortable with these songs than Amy Winehouse's petulant and alcohol-infused croonings.
Here's a video of the opening track. It reminds me of The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony."

Bo Diddley - The Definitive Collection
I didn't have anything by Bo Diddley, which was inexcusable. But like I said before I don't really have anything to say about Mr. Diddley that hasn't been said already.

Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue
I love Nina Simone, and have a couple CDs, but couldn't resist buying this one after hearing it with some people I kinda know in Köln, Deutschland.
The title track is a simple piano rendition of "Good King Wenceslas" with non-yuletide melody and lyrics laid on top. It's not a Christmas song, but if it was it would be the saddest Christmas song ever.
Here be a video montage of Nina Simone pictures with the song in question in the background. If this song doesn't bring tears to your eyes, see a doctor about that shriveled heart.

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
The new album is at least as good as the last one. I love these guys because they cram more pop brilliance into just a few minutes. The songs are only as long as they ever need to be.
This video from the album is brilliant if only for the hilarious appearance by Justin Timberlake, which looks like it came straight out of that episode of The Cosby Show when Theo wanted to get onto a music dance show.

In The Heights - Broadway Cast Recording
It's pretty rare for me to get into the soundtrack of a musical without seeing the show, but the opening track of this now Tony-winning show had me pretty transfixed. Megan and I have already made a pact to shell out for whatever tickets cost if this show tours to Seattle. It's really an amazing montage of different latin and hip-hop styles, and the protagonist is incredibly endearing, not just because his name is Usnavy. (you've probably never heard is name, reports of his fame are highly exaggerated... ahem...)
Seriously though, I can't recommend this enough. Here's a video of the recording sessions for the song "96,000."