“So, if you want something
and you call, call,
then I’ll come running
to fight, and I’ll be at your door
when there’s nothing worth running for…”
I only stumbled upon this video because I was obsessing over the lyrics above. I actually thought this was just a Frames song. I had no idea it was written for the movie.
I appreciate all the people who’ve expressed their sympathies after last week’s auto mishap. Of course, some of the well-wishing emanated from offline contacts of mine, a surprising number of which were folks I didn’t know were reading this site until they shared those wishes.
I’m feeling quite a bit better this week, and I think the worst of the muscle spasms and aches has passed. The car is still awaiting its visit to the auto surgeons, but there’s no desperate hurry.
I attended Marisa’s relatively public birthday celebration last night with many other fascinating folks, a few of whom I didn’t know prior to the big event. It was a lot of fun, even if I was a bit tired throughout most of yesterday.
And this afternoon I’m cleaning, and sneezing, for a few hours before I decide what the rest of the day is going to bring.
Fork You! recently had a musical guest in the form of Raina Rose, who not only performs two songs (including the all-new Fork You! theme), but also cooks.
Click here to view “Quick Fork 10: Rusted Roots.”
Here is where I briefly enlighten readers as to a couple more albums that have joined the fold. This time it’s The Frames and Glen Phillips on the docket. (Clicking on a CD image or title below will take you to a page where you can purchase that disc.)
The Frames: The Cost
I only looked these guys up on emusic.com because Mark practically nagged me about it (or maybe that inference was just some sort of Irish guilt on my part). Believe it or not, I didn’t realize there was more than one talented rock band to come out of Ireland. Or maybe I did, but I didn’t expect them to be this good. Once I got past the creepy similarity to Chris Martin’s bad falsetto that inhabits the first few lines of the album, The Cost was pretty much uniformly impressive to the last note.
First song to reach out and grab me: “True” (I think I have to blame this selection on the female backing vocals toward the end of the track, which I find almost whimsical)
The Frames’ website is here. Their MySpace page is here.
Glen Phillips: Mr. Lemons
During the same visit to emusic during which I picked up my first taste of The Frames, I also noticed Glen Phillips’ latest. Having been a longtime admirer of one of his previous obscure music efforts, I figured chances were better than not I’d find something to like in his latest outing. And I found a lot to like within Mr. Lemons’ confines, which weave from the grateful to the melancholy. Phillips even incorporates a new sound for a Huey Lewis cover.
I must also draw attention to the fact that he has a mostly dormant blog, where his “about” statement reads:
I am a singer/songwriter and father of three daughters. I had a brief moment of mainstream success as a young man which I am still in the process of recovering from. I love my family, friends, music. I think people are basically good but usually broken. I’m trying to learn how to make music for a living without it being at the expense of my family and community. I value simplicity. I create noise.
The last two sentences resonate with me for some strange reason. I don’t quite know why…
First song to reach out and grab me: “The Next Day”
Glen’s website is here. His MySpace page is here.
No time (or expertise) to offer comprehensive reviews right now, but I wanted to mention the following three music offerings I’ve recently acquired. I’ve been enjoying all three over the past couple weeks. All three have been easy to hear, right from the first spin. (Clicking on a CD image or title below will take you to a page where you can purchase that disc.)
In order of acquisition, they are:
Ellipsis: Take What You Will
I didn’t even realize they had an active website until after I started writing a post partly inspired by an earlier song of theirs. This 2004 release is more of everything I loved from the earlier CD I purchased at the Point in Bryn Mawr several years ago, namely, Vale Jokisch’s soothing voice coupled with textured melodies fusing guitar and violin. First song to reach out and grab me: “Shine”
The group’s website is here. Their MySpace is here
John Francis: Strong Wine & Spirits
I first saw John perform at the Point not long after he made his move to Philly in 2003. I bought a copy of his earlier CD Fire in the Marrow after listening to a couple live performances. Strong Wine seems a little more bluesy, but with the same heartwrenching lyrical focus of previous efforts. First song to reach out and grab me: “Love in the Fallout Shelter”
John’s website is here. His MySpace is here.
Raina Rose: The Prophet, the Panhandler & the Moon
I haven’t had as much time with Raina’s latest disc yet, but it takes a slightly more folksy turn than her other solo disc, Despite the Crushing Weight of Gravity. First song to reach out and grab me: An untitled track that follows after the last listed song (I wouldn’t have known to even listen for it had Marisa not tipped me off).
Raina’s website is here. Her MySpace is here.
