Friday 16 August 2013

Matthew E White @ Iveagh Gardens, August

White's debut album brokers both folkrock and soul as he and his band played out a joyful 7 song set.

As a live act the last time I saw Matthew White was at his second ever UK gig at Rough Trade East, but the performance on this dusk lit night in Dublin was streets ahead.

Here he was afforded a big stage and although Rough Trade is more intimate, White and band were able to let loose on the crowd covering the album almost in it's entirety. Finishing off with the 10 minute Opus of 'Brazos' they came, conquered and left the crowd wanting more,and raised the bar for Grizzly Bear who, to their credit, were fantastic as well.

****


From a distance...

I moved forward!

It's obligatory to have a pint of Guinness when in Ireland! (and hairy legs?)     




Nighttime, by this point Grizzly Bear had taken to the stage

Wednesday 14 August 2013

I've Been Life

I'm a big fan of Cody ChesnuTT's album 'Landing On A Hundred' and whilst his voice draws comparisons to the likes of Marvin Gaye, this video for new single 'I've Been Life' proves he's not to bad on the visuals either. On this film shot in Brooklyns historic Bedford Stuyvesant area he showcases the lively stilt-walking group, the Brooklyn Jumbies. 


Saturday 10 August 2013

Honey Ltd


On playing this 'forgotten' Detroit mid 60's girl group to my mum whilst showing her how Spotify worked, she commented that it sounded like the Mama's & Papa's, and there i was decided that i already liked the group based on how they sounded akin to Leonard Chess' group Rotary Connection! Kudos to my mum.

I heard about this timely re-issue through the power of twitter, and a scan & copy machine at SRD, who sent a Mojo review. This is the first time any of the groups material has been made available on CD. Vinyl copies of the original album were trading up to $2000 a piece so parting with £13 in Rise seemed a bargain.

The background to the group is quite interesting, among extensive sleeve note interviews including the group singing in the MD's office and picking up a contract. They penned with Lee Hazlewoods label outlet and went on to cut an album and release several singles alongside some pretty decent TV appearances including the Ed Sullivan show. Unfortunately the story isn't one of glitz and glamour and the band fell on hard times resulting in them splitting,  the record never getting the attention and the group never getting the recognition their music deserved.

These original Sugababes are well worth checking out.

*****