Black Cab Sessions
When my infatuation with The Felice Brothers peaked a few months back, I came across a precious little project called Black Cab Sessions, for which the brothers performed a haunting true story of a Ruby Mae, a murdered cabaret singer. The song is beautifully heartbreaking to begin with, and the intimacy provided by the close corners of a cab turned makeshift venue, somehow seems strangely appropriate.
The concept of the Black Cab Sessions is the most simplified of formats, "One song. One take. One cab." The project is a Just So Films creation in collaboration with Hidden Fruit, and the goal is to provide a vehicle to promote newly discovered acts. What's neat is that each performance is marked as a chapter, chronologically, and you can literally watch the sessions evolve from a humble and uncertain start in chapter one, to a somewhat established organization at chapter forty-six, which is the present span of their work.
The unique nature of this experiment makes for consistent spontaneity, given the setting. The format itself lacks certainty in it's fundamental elements. For one, the cab drivers don't always seem thrilled by the activities taking place within their ride. Also, in many cases the band has to select which members perform, due to limited space. All sets are acoustic, thus the musicians have to be resourceful and improvise when necessary. Still each performance feels full of energy and possibility. I'm consistently impressed by the wide array of instruments that make their way into the cabs, including fiddles, accordions, casio keyboards, etc.
In addition to the Felice Brothers set, a few other performances really stand out in my opinion. So of course I will share my favorites with you. Here are the Black Cab Sessions of Lykke Li (which Sarah left uncovered in her review of "I'm Good, I'm Gone" acoustic sets), My Morning Jacket, Spoon, and Sunset Rubdown.
Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone
Lykke Li: Youth Novels
I've been in love with Lykke Li ever since I first saw her video for "Little Bit." So it really comes as no surprise that I can't stop listening to what I've tracked down off of her debut album. Youth Novels was released on the other side of the pond January 30th, and I believe it will be released stateside March 4.
My song obsession du jour is undoubtedly, "Let it Fall." It's reached an at-least-five-times-a-day listening necessity level. I think the song is a solid representation of the album with the lyrical focus sensitive but liberated, and the beat undeniably uplifting. While the electro-beats are prevalent in each song, they don't overshadow her delicate little Swedish voice. I guess they call that lo-fi, but all I know is that it's a refreshingly minimalistic balance.
Needless to say I'm beyond ecstatic that Li will be coming to Austin for SXSW next month. Based on YouTube footage I anticipate an intimate venue. I can't wait!
sunday recharge
I know I totally flaked on recapping that last week of my August/September trip east, and I was working on it earlier this week, but find myself all sorts of scatterbrained. My goal is to write something up before this next venture. However, I'm leaving Friday and have a shit ton to do in preparation, so I don't know. Christmas card writing owns me right now.
While it may be nearly 80 degrees outside, INSIDE my house looks like a cozy little winter cottage! Oh, escapism. This house was beginning to frustrate me, which I find happens after a few months, but with the holiday adornment, I've fallen back in love with all the it's quirky charms. We bought the most beautiful Christmas tree yesterday, and I don't know exactly what it is about driving with a tree strapped to the roof of my car, but I like it.
Vinosity 2008. I'm campaigning for a new Saturday tasting tradition. Tastings are from 3pm-5pm, and I highly recommend. Plus they have a food menu each week to accompany the tasting selection. I'm a big fan, especially given the close proximity. I can pretend I live in a city where people walk everywhere.
Paris, Je T'aime. As the year dwindles to an end and "Best of" compilations are sure to dominate and invade media outlets, I'm trying to think of what I've seen this year and what has resonated with me the most. I guess with me, the offbeat usually hits the hardest, and as far as that goes, Paris, Je T'aime is the first to come to mind. Mainly because of the format. It consists of 18 short films by 21 different directors. With the increasing cultural emphasis on instant gratification and short, to the point entertainment, this collection of vignettes delivers. I like the idea of collaborative interpretations on one idea. The film's trailer really just makes me crave another viewing.
The interpretation that I found the most compelling, or that resonates with me the most considering I saw this in the Spring, is True. I like the differences between the couple, and that even without subtitles it's clear what is being expressed.
Feist - We're all in the Dance
Liz Phair - Supernova
Lykke Li - Everybody But Me
Black Kids - Hurricane Jane
Bango - Geninha
The Turtles - You Showed Me
Soko - I'll Kill Her
I'm kind of throwing up this overloaded post since I don't know how much I'll post during the trip. A lot is riding on whether or not I get my camera fixed. If I do, I'd guess it will be mainly photojournalism style. In which case I may just post to fotki. We'll see.
new crushes
I instantly became obsessed with Lykke Li. Swedish pop gets me every freaking time. Try to not love her, it's impossible. I don't know how much of her work is available in the states right now, but I'm fishing for it fo'sho.
Lykke Li - Little Bit
Liam Finn may be on the other side of the spectrum, appealing more to my inner hippie than the previous, but I'm totally feeling this video in all it's artsy fartsy whimsical glory. I'm a sucker for clean editing. Last night I dreamed I was taking polaroid photographs of trees and autumn leaves, I think this video leaked into my subconscious.
Liam Finn - Second Chance
