Galactic

Another perspective into the pleasantly diverse New Orleans music scene, this time through a contemporary lens. This is a promo for the new Galactic album Ya-Ka-May.

New Orleans

Expect my next few posts to be New Orleans related as I have recently attained a newfound respect, curiosity and appreciation for the music and culture of New Orleans (Thanks in full to David Simon's new HBO series "Treme"). This video encompasses all that it is to be a musician from New Orleans. Dr. John, The Meters, and Professor Longhair playing Earl King's composition and a universally recognized anthem of New Orleans, "Big Chief".

Fleet Foxes

If you're not aware of the Fleet Foxes yet the only explanation is that you've been living on Mars in a cave with your fingers in your ears for the past couple of years. Their thick vocal harmonies and warm melodies muster up images of forests, nymphs, elves and other LOTResque mythical creatures. What better way to capture the magic of this band than to watch two swedish girls sing one of their songs in the woods.

Derek

As arguably the best slide guitarist in the world, no words can do justice to the gift that Derek Trucks was endowed with from a very young age. I've seen him play multiple times and have been blown away every time by his ability to what John Mayer refers to as making "his guitar sound like a female singer from the 50's or 60's just belting it out."

Covers

I've been thoroughly schooled in the diversity of truly great Beatles covers in the last 24 hours. You be the one to judge whether or not these are better than the original. Let me know if there are any good ones out there that I missed.

Credit goes to Micah Dubinsky



Credit goes to Dmitri Cherniak

I need a translator

I thought long and hard before posting this about whether or not there exists any Beatles' covers that surpass the original. This is the only one that came to mind. If you can think of any others please comment and let me know. Joe Cocker is one of my top four white/male singers along with Robert Plant, Jeff Buckley and Freddy Mercury. It sounds like he just ate a carton of cigarettes but it works magnificently. Enjoy.

Joe Cocker (Live Woodstock 1969) from David Lee on Vimeo.

J-Noz

I don't know if this will compromise my integrity as a blogger or if it's a breach of music blogging etiquette but I'd like to imagine that even if I didn't know the guys in this band, they have such a great sound I'd be compelled to put it up anyways. I have seen this band grow from being an infant into the full blown force it is today. Getting the chance to see friends play on Letterman was a rush and I can't express how proud I am of these guys. If you didn't catch it last night here's your chance. And trust me, Letterman was just the beginning for these four...by the way, that's Paul Shaffer playing B3 organ with them.