Joni Mitchell - Blue (1971)

 

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Joni's 4th release and one of my personal favorites. Her voice is iconic on this record. It rises and falls over each track, like waves on the ocean, and I get lost in it with every spin. It's a short trip, but always a pleasant one. It borders on sad bastard music at times, but damn if she doesn't make it sound sexy. Acid, booze, and ass. Needles, guns, and grass. Lots of laughs.

Blue

The Dodos - Beware of the Maniacs (2006)

 

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San Francisco's The Dodo's debut effort is still my go-to in their catalog. I like the fuller sound they drifted towards in their more recent efforts, however I just love the feel of this set. The music and vocals just blend so well together. It's just these 2 dudes in a room, jamming the fuck out, and occasionally having a guest play the trumpet. Grab this, be kind to your neighbors, and wash you fucking hands. 

Beware of the Maniacs

Vashti Bunyan - Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind – Singles and Demos 1964 to 1967 (2007)

 

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Vashti has a pretty interesting story. She recorded numerous demos and singles, and a debut record in 1970. Sadly, her beautifully haunting voice didn't make that much of an impression on the English folk scene in the 1970's and Vashti willingly faded into obscurity to raise her children and live a pretty normal life. 

Fast-forward nearly 30 years and the world [myself included] discovers Vashti's sweet voice once again. This time it made the impact she was hoping for all those years ago, unbeknownst to her. Here collected are 29 singles and demos recorded during the 1960's, over about 3 years. Stand out track and how I was introduced Train Song really climbed inside me and hasn't left in years. Vashti' popularity has allowed her to record 2 new records since 2005, which will eventually make their way here. Pour a drink and take this for a spin.

Some Things Just Stick in Your Mind – Singles and Demos 1964 to 1967

Shakey Graves - Roll the Bones (2011)

 

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Every few years you'll come across an album that speaks to you on a level that you can't quite explain. You'll carry it around with you, visiting it less and less as time goes on, but it's always there when you need it most. That's how I feel about Roll the Bones. I've been jamming this for the better half of 10 years. It jammed packed full of folksy blues, country tinged almost love songs with just the right amount of cynicism that'll keep pulling you back in for more. Visit his page and explore a bit. He's grown as an artist and musician since this effort, however this is still my all time favorite.

Roll the Bones

Chelsea Wolfe - Unknown Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs (2012)

 

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I discovered Chelsea one night while I was blog surfing and immediately fell in love with the haunting and emotional sound of her voice. That was almost 10 years ago. Damn. Anyway I found her right after she released Ἀποκάλυψις and proceeded to fail miserably for the next decade to see her live. Every time she came to Chicago, which was like almost twice a year for a while, I coincidentally had something happening that same night that couldn't be missed. Once this bullshit year is over and the world starts to see something that resembles normalcy, I will definitely not miss the next occasion to watch her live. 

About the record. This set is a moving collection of mostly acoustic songs from early in her career that were 'orphaned' as she says. Sargent House convinced her to release them as a complication, and hot damn are we lucky she listened.

Unknown Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs

Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man - Out of Season (2002)

 

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I grabbed this album for $1 from the famed Reckless Records in Chicago my freshman year of college. Sadly, it was dumped in the discount bin. I ran back to my apartment and promptly listened to this album 3 times that night. Beth's voice is both sultry and inviting, however on this album it feels to me very mournful. In this collection, her voice very briefly touches on the strength she shows with Portishead,  and often times is low, almost at a whisper. I like how intimate the set feels, like you're there in the room with them. Put this on, dim the lights, roll up, and relax. 

Out of Season

Foy Vance – Live At Bangor Abbey (2014)

 

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Vance has a voice that immediately grew on me. It has a slightly gravel, almost southern vibe. Reminiscent of Tom Waits circa Blue Valentine. I discovered him by chance on a random YouTube suggestion.

This set really shows him in great form, with standout tracks like Make it Rain, and Feel for Me. this is real singer-songwriter stuff here. A very intimate show, and pleasant driving music to boot. Give it a spin and relax. The year is almost over.

Live At Bangor Abbey

Headdress - Turquoise (2008)

 

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About a decade ago I used to carry around one of those 6th Gen iPod Nano's. The little one with the screen and a measly 32gb to cram in all of the necessary records you needed to get through the workweek. So whatever made the cut and sync to the device actually meant something to you. Headdress was the one groups that always made the cut. This is a straight-up hazy ass smoke filled slow burning record. I easily listened to this at least once a day everyday in the summer of 2010. I highly recommend giving Turquoise a spin. Works best at early morning/late evening.

Turquoise