Teddy Thompson at the North Star Bar - Philadelphia

A few pics from yesterday's concert.


He has a really intense gaze and a very interesting face (which doesn't necessarily mean he's interesting, but in this case I think he is -which doesn't mean much since I've lately been proven quite wrong at reading people -but still...).And these are silly remarks but it's something that really catches your eye when you see him. Someone who keeps his distance too (understandable). What I should talk about is his deep great voice and his performance, which was really good (despite there being few people attending). And about the band, specially Jon Darling and Jeff Hill (bass), whom I finally got to meet and had the chance to clarify my doubts (see A Fine Frenzy's and Chris Stills post in March): so I was right, I've also seen him playing bass for Rufus Wainwright and Chris Stills. Pretty good (and an extremely cultured guy, and that's a fact. The things he remarked about my country were spot on).
Back to Teddy, he wore red shoes!! (he has no clue, but that makes him one of us -I got me a pair this winter- not everybody feels like red shoes!!). Here are his:

And these are mines, not so cool but...
(see also sidebar photo in Brooklyn)
I wasn't wearing them though. Anyway, his new album "A piece of what you need" came out on June 17th, may upload a vid and more stuff but I won't be able to do it for a while. I'm all summery-diffuse at present time (not focusing, will try and trim this post, they deserve a better one). Do check out this song of his, "What's This?!!", kinda rocks.
Oh, and he's been added last -minute to the Xponential festival lineup on Saturday 12th July!

Yael Naim and Carly Simon at the World Cafe, XPN

Pics from today's performances. Will add some notes later.

A vid of Yael performing "Too long". Afraid that both vids are in pretty bad shape as the lighting makes them look like faceless ghosts but ...

Yael did a very nice 4 song set, it's hard not to compare her to Noa, even in her looks, but her music is somehow more innovative and fresher. Her version of Britney Spears' "Toxic" (I confess I do really like that song) was really cool.

...And a vid of Carly's "You're so vain" reinterpreted, as she put it (ie., being an effing lot more sick of the guy in question...!!). She had 8 more people onstage (9 at some points). She did a great version of that song, sounded much better there.

Other than that song, her other songs were sung in too low a key and it didn't do anything for them. There was a big emotional moment when she sung a song she composed for her son and daughter (to sing those lyrics with her son there has to be ...). When she finished she looked at her son, he made a cute face to her and then she went on to hug other members of her band as she cried. Last person to hold was her son again. A song later she was still wiping tears away from her face with the back of her hand (though you'd never guess it if you only listen to the audio).

Just the day before she had done this impressive interview (go to Bill's blog for the link).
To hear both shows go to XPN's archives here!.

So

Posted 19/07/08
So yesterday I did my first interview ever, which I will post soon, I'll have to tidy this blog up quite a bit before that. I'm on it.
Great new music in my hands, amongst them the mainstream Colplay's new cd, Brandi Carlile (who I've just discovered) and Alanis Morisette's "Flavors of entanglement". I thought this last cd would be a weak one, based on what I had overheard, but while it's not as refreshing or innovative as others of hers were, she's still got it, specially as far as lyrics go. "Straitjacket" is one of the most agressive-electronica tracks, and "Not as we" is another one of the songs that trap you the quickest, capturing the most painful moments after a breakup: the first steps forward (only she comes up with lines as "I'm faking it 'til I'm pseudo making it"...). She's really brave to put herself on the line like that, specially considering the circumstances. & She's not the only one, I've just discovered Juliana Hatfield's myspace and she really opens herself up too in her blog, if you don't believe me read this -and while you're there, listen to "Shining on", great song on, let's say, one of the last steps of most break-ups: giving up on trying to understand why-. Brandi, on the other hand, gives estranged relationships (ex-friends, family...) a poignant spin in songs like Wasted or Turpentine. Tons of honesty, for a change.

Sharleen Spiteri - New album "Melody" + "All the times I cried" lyrics

For "All the times I cried" lyrics click here (was sort of tricky for me to find them -I hate not to understand all the words- and people looking for them are ending up in my blog so...)

Just a heads up on Sharleen Spiteri's (Texas) solo album out next month. Bill, from Music & More, has already written a great post in his blog here (youtube video incl.), so little more to add. Her first single "All the times I cried", is really lovely and touching. A 50's-60's dreamy air, Sharleen's voice, lyrics anyone can relate to and a very catchy tune, it works (ok, she uses all the old tricks to make this a hit but this is no fake). Anyway, I love it, was clueless about it, a really nice surprise.
And you can download a new song here for free ("That was a lie", a not so good song, but...).
As for the inspiration for this record and some interesting reflections on honesty from Sharleen herself go here.
Summer holidays around the corner now, last time I had proper holidays (Europe- Christmas) I posted some cool pics, don't know if I'll leave the blogger behind this time though.
Labels: Sharleen spiteri "All the times I cried" lyrics