And, a song that Crosby Stills Nash performs on the road these days is one Graham Nash and James Raymond recently wrote in support of Government Whistleblower Bradley/Chelsea Manning. It's one of the most important songs during this time where U.S. led wars are being falsely disguised as benevolence.
Almost Gone (Ballad of Bradley Manning) by Graham Nash and James Raymond
Below is a scene from the French musical-documentary movie "Cuba Feliz", directed by Karim Dridi. It was first released in 2000, but is definitely worth watching if you have not seen it yet. The film follows a 76 year-old Cuban musician known as El Gallo as he travels throughout his country to play music with everyone he can. The doc captured the life of this senior troubadour, as he connects and bathes in Cuba's rich music culture.
February 6, 2013 - Bob Marley is 68 years old today and this is a great reason to enjoy a great show.
After two Bob Marley Santa Barbara Bowl shows in 1976 and 1978, in 1979 they filmed the November 25th event, that was the final time Bob played Santa Barbara.
Bob Marley's music and soul lives on towards peace, love and positive vibrations for all, around the world.
Timeless and powerful music worthy of turning up the volume knob, this Nneka song sounds and feels as fresh today as when it was released several years ago.
Nneka - Africans
At first listen, one may falsely assume these are drama laden love songs, when actually, they are pointed political diatribes. Nneka was heavy. Her music is full of substance. It sometimes take a few spins before fully understanding her lyrics.
Nneka - Heartbeat
This next track was released in 2011. The two songs above were from 2007-2008.
Nneka - Do You Love Me Now (on the street in Paris)
SHEL is a band made up of the four Holbrook sisters from Colorado: Sarah (Violin), Hannah (Piano), Eva (Mandolin) and Liza (Drums). SHEL just completed their latest music video.
SHEL - The Man Who Was The Circus
And below are two recent live TV appearances of SHEL that happen to be fantastic recordings. Turn it up!
Before her career took off, Sara Bareilles was a waitress at my favorite pub, back in a time when you had to have something special to work there. And that she did. But she maintained an understated humble way and she never mentioned to me she was an artist, when so many wannabes had and do, which made it even more refreshing when I eventually did learn about her talents. She not only plays a beautiful piano that is mean when she wants it to be, she sings her heart out to her own well written songs. Songs with that undeniable hit quality! Particularly love this minimalist take of her song titled Gravity, which is not the studio version from her hit record, but a stripped raw version with underproduced audio. It just feels great, like you are sitting in a little bar right across from her :)
Sorry, this video was once available. However, Prince and/or his companies are not allowing this video to be viewed online, at least at this time. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Recorded live and shot by a lone camera operator who shot the footage so well, no edits were necessary. Filmed in what looks like a living room of great old house, these are live takes worth playing again from the debut release of the group known as Black Dub. Black Dub features and old school sound with Trixie Whitley on Vocals and assorted instruments (even playing the drums at one point while singing her ass off), Daniel Lanois on songwriting/guitar/backing vocals, Daryl Johnson on bass and Brian Blade on drums. Sonic bliss from Lanois combined with the deep soul of Whitley with the perfect foundation from Johnson and Blade make for some artists who show their ability to not only make great studio recordings, but fantastic live recordings with little or no pomp & circumstance needed. Just real music all the way.
Black Dub - Nomad
Black Dub - Surely
Black Dub - I Believe in You
Black Dub - Ring The Alarm
Black Dub - Love Lives
And here is another early Black Dub recording, written by Trixie Whitley.
Black Dub - I'd Rather Go Blind
Connect direct with the official Black Dub webpage at BlackDub.Net
This is just Trixie from Ghent, Belgium and her electric guitar playing her her own kind of funk. Trixie is amazing with her full band studio records, but her raw stripped down versions of songs like this one are always a great treat. They give more of a peek into her songwriting genius. This was filmed on January 8, 2013 at Studio Brussel, a Dutch-speaking radio station in Brussels, Belgium.
Lianne La Havas is one of the greatest of the young greats. For those who cannot get enough, here is yet another take and scaled down version of Lianne's song "Is Your Love Big Enough". Just Lianne singing with her guitar and Joss Stone sitting next to her grooving out on the French TV show TARATATA. Lianne La Havas is an inspired artist with "it".
Below is the full studio version of the song and official music video :)
Heard about this artist from a very authentic & beautiful Latina girl from Los Angeles named Stephanie Rivera, who had some rare taste in music. Her dream it is to live in Guadalajara Mexico. Thanks Stephanie!
The artist, Manu Chao, is recording artist of French, Spanish and English heritage who has an unique groove and sound all his own. Stephanie told a story about Manu's father, who angered political forces in his native France, and was forced to flee France and Manu ended up in Spain. Manu Chao sings in multiple languages including but not limited to French, Galician, Spanish, Arabic, English, Italian and Portuguese. Manu Chao combines multiple genres of music and he should not be pigeonholed into any particular genre of music. A true original with that "it" thing.
DIE ANTWOORD is a self proclaimed "rap-rave crew from South Africa" that represents a style called ZEF. They are sort of a freak show backed by some musical, rhythmic and film making substance. Enjoy!
Crosby Stills Nash & Young - Almost Cut My Hair (Live - 1974)
A song that Crosby Stills Nash performs on the road these days is one Graham Nash and James Raymond recently wrote in support of Government Whistleblower Bradley Manning. It's one of the most important songs in this time of so many wars disguised as fake benevolence.
Almost Gone (Ballad of Bradley Manning) by Graham Nash and James Raymond
In 2009, a Swedish recording artist named Karin Dreijer, who had already been in two bands, The Knife and Honey Is Cool, decided to release her own record under a new persona, calling herself Fever Ray. Track #2 off that 2009 debut album was titled When I Grow Up. It has a special mystique that may capitave you. The music video was directed by Martin De Thurah. Enjoy!
A special Holiday 2012 release by Hannah Holbrook of the super sister group known as SHEL. Hannah is on piano and lead vocals with her sister Eva on backing vocals and mandolin and Sarah Holbrook on violin and backing vocals. Enjoy! Merry Christmas! Peace
Early in December, I saw Trixie Whitley at The Satellite in Silverlake California. The show was amazing. She's a great minimalist, who lacks the desire for pomp & circumstance, opting for authenticism that runs deep in her cells. Trixie delivered up music with her sensitive grace and style, with soul so deep.
She thanked the audience several times and meant it, for one could hear a pin drop as the venue fell silent between songs. Quite rare in LA, as all eyes were on Trixie and her every move and word. Near the end, Daniel Lanois stepped in to play along. It was one of the most memorable intimate shows of 2012.
This song below by Trixie is so excellent, it stayed on repeat for too many plays to count. It seems to have some ethereal commentary attached when heard with the video by Anton Coene, which is a nice work of photographic art that seems to touch on the obscure and controversial subject of "chemtrails". Most importantly, Trixie's got soul so deep. Enjoy!
Nobody plays bass quite like her. Nobody sings quite like her. And, NOBODY comes close to singing while playing bass like her. There is nobody that has "it" like Esperanza Spalding.
Inspired by a true story on Christmas Eve in 1914 during World War I. Front-line soldiers peacefully met each other in No Man's Land to share a precious pause in the carnage with a fleeting brotherhood. This film dramatizes one such section as the French, Scottish and German sides partake in the unique event, even though they are aware that their superiors will not tolerate it's occurrence.
"I hear the mountain birds
The sound of rivers singing
A song I've often heard
It flows through me now
So clear and so loud
I stand where I am
And forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home
It's carried in the air
The breeze of early morning
I see the land so fair
My heart opens wide
There's sadness inside
I stand where I am
And forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home
This is no foreign sky
I see no foreign light
But far away am I
From some peaceful land
I'm longing to stand
A hand in my hand
...forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home"
The strong legs of The LA based electronic rock band AWOLNATION's song titled Sail have amazed me. The music and the band has continuously grown it's audience at least partially due to the third party, fan made videos.
Long before ever viewing the official video to Sail by AWOLNATION. I saw the short film "Grinding The Crack" by the flying man known as Jeb Corliss. And no, Grinding The Crack is not pornography. In Corliss' films, he jumps off a cliffs and out of planes to fly through the sky. In Grinding the Crack, he flies through a crack in a mountain top. He can fly and land like Rocky in Rocky & Bullwinkle. Whilst Jeb Corliss' now classic video is my favorite one using the song Sail, other fan made videos are pretty darned cool too, and so is the official band produced video. Enjoy!
Unofficial Music Video by Jeb Corliss and his film Grinding The Crack
Official Music Video by AWOLNATION for their song titled Sail
Unofficial Music Video by Nanalew a.k.a. Shawna using the AWOLNATION song titled Sail
Unofficial Music Video by Alex Yde of France featuring dancer Arthur Cadre
And... typically loathe covers... but Lizzy Land does it cool.
Thanks to Missy B in Venice. These are some tracks that have spun on repeat many times for the last several days.... Go direct to to Tom Odell's page for a free download :)
Tom Odell - Another Love
Tom Odell - Can't Pretend (at Dean Street Studios)
Became a huge fan of Trixie Whitley, who happens to be the daughter of the late Chris Whitley, after hearing her with Daniel Lanois project known as Black Dub. Trixie is a real gem of a soulful girl who has that "it" thing.
She is playing The Satellite in LA/Silverlake on December 1, 2012. Get your tickets by clicking here.
Trixie Whitley - A Thousand Thieves - video directed by Matthu Placek
Trixie Whitley - Pieces
Trixie Whitley plays "Fourth Corner" in the backstage area of Antwerps De Roma.
Trixie Whitley - Undress Your Name (Live at Gent Jazz)
Trixie Whitley - Danger Mind (Live at Gent Jazz)
Trixie Whitley // On The Road (A film short about Trixie with music performances)
Connect direct with Trixie Whitley at TrixieWhitley.Com SUPPORT INDIE MUSIC - BUY MUSIC DIRECT FROM ARTISTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Via one of my favorite artists on the planet, Nicole Renee, heard about Jocelyn Ellis as someone to look out for. These videos below are just a taste. I love her voice in the second song below titled Praying for a Savior, but both videos are worth a watchful listen. I've heard there is more to come from this artist, so stay tuned.
So much great music out there, old classic and new. ALWAYS enjoy the great independent music program that the legendary artist Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates makes in his living room. This week he had Joe Walsh on, and it's another great show. Enjoy!
MusicLoad giving away tickets to sold out Lianne La Havas Show!!!
THIS EVENT IS NOW OVER.Lianne put together a great show and very inspired performance. One of the best shows in LA in recent memory.
THE TICKETS WENT TO R&B SOUL ARTIST KAREN WHITE AND FRIENDS, BRUCE STERLING OF RISE MEDIA. THANK YOU BRUCE FOR REACHING OUT AND SUPPORTING MUSICLOAD :)
The incredible rising star Lianne La Havas is playing at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood tonight, Friday November 16, 2012. Doors Open at 8PM
MusicLoad is giving away two pairs of tickets to this SOLD OUT SHOW! To claim your tickets, call MusicLoad at XXX-XXX-XXXX - This is NOT a text phone, so phone calls only.
This lady is the real deal. If you are not familiar with Lianne La Havas, please enjoy these tracks below :)
Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough?
Lianne La Havas - Tease Me (Live at the Servants Jazz Quarters)
Together or apart, David Crosby, Steven Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young have that "it" thing. Anyone who grew up in the 1970's and remembers having the CSNY's 1970 release Déjà vu on vinyl might say this is one of the greatest records of all time.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Déjà vu (Full Album)
And a classic live performance of a Neil Young song before Déjà vu was released by CSNY
CSNY - Down By The River (Live at Esalen - 1969)
Connect direct with Crosby Stills Nash & Young at CSNY.Com
As human beings and citizens, all members in CSNY are exemplary in their support of good causes and pursuit of peace, love truth and justice. Graham Nash especially comes to mind with his tireless efforts to support Bradley/Chelsea Manning.
Almost Gone - The Ballad of Bradley Manning - By Graham Nash & James Raymond
"Almost Gone" is a very important song. Supporting Bradley Manning means supporting bringing out the truth about atrocities carried out by the U.S. government and military industrial war machine. Also known as the Ballad of Bradley Manning it is one of the most important pro peace or anti-war songs released in 2011/2012 so far. Peace can be achieved through truth.
Below is the story about the song and the video and Bradley Manning
A companion video for "Almost Gone" -- a new song by legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash and musician James Raymond (son of David Crosby) -- was released in December 2011 in support of accused U.S. Army whistleblower Bradley Manning. The release was timed to Manning's first judicial hearing scheduled for December 16th 2011, the day before Bradley Mannings 24th birthday, following his more than 17-months in custody, including a year in solitary confinement that Amnesty International has characterized as "harsh and punitive." Visually, the Almost Gone video is punctuated with bold graphics, disturbing images and harsh facts. The Bradley Manning Support Network has named the following day, December 17, its International Day of Solidarity (http://events.bradleymanning.org/). PFC Manning, an Army intelligence analyst who had been stationed near Baghdad, was arrested in May 2010 under suspicion of leaking classified information, including a video showing the killing of civilians, to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. Nash and Raymond composed the song "Almost Gone (The Ballad of Bradley Manning)" during this spring's US tour of Crosby-Nash, and the new recording serves as the music bed for the video; it features an impassioned lead vocal by Nash, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted (Crosby, Stills & Nash, and The Hollies). "Bradley Manning is a hero to me," he sings, acknowledging Manning's role in making public videos and documents that shed light on such as issues as the true number and cause of civilian casualties in Iraq, human rights abuses by U.S.-funded contractors and foreign militaries, and the role that spying and bribes play in international diplomacy.
Please watch these addition videos to fill in the blanks on Bradley Manning and his predicament.
