Thank You

I just want to take the time to say thank you to Josh and Doug for letting me be a part of this blog. It has been a lot of fun. I've learned a lot. I tend to take a hiatus from internet use every now and then and I'm feeling like now is the time. I've been working on my project, The Preeminence, since last June. I have written 65 poems, 21 songs and have almost finished my first art pieace for the book (1 of 14) since I started. Please pray for me. I feel that this is the best offering I can give at this point in my life to God and humanity. I am looking to see just how far this will go. Josh has my email address in case anyone is curious about what's going on from here on out. Again, I want to say thank you for letting me put my pen to the page and for being "far-away" friends. Blessings.

James Blake

So I've been jamming to James Blake's album all weekend and the song "Unluck" is definitely my favorite. I fell for it the moment I heard it. But I've been going over the lyrics in my mind and I wanted to see what some of you all thought. I have some thoughts of my own but I was curious to hear what you guys think. Here they go:

Treated walls
care for me
When crossings call out
one of three

Only child take good care
I wouldn't like you
playing, falling there

...Mix Worthy Songs...

I really enjoy making music mixes, but as of late, I have been too busy to. This may clue you into why I've been posting so much about artists that I've been listening to as opposed to putting up my own artwork . As I listen to albums, I'm constantly coming across songs that make me think, "This would sound great on a mix". Here are a few of those kind of songs.

"Donovan: Get Thy Bearings"
This song is off Donovan's Hurdy Gurdy album. I picked this record up at a library booksale a couple of weeks back, and this song really stood out to me.

"Led Zepplin: Bron y aur Stomp"
I'm impressed with how this song sounds separated from the rest of its album. This track is from Led Zepplin III, of course, but I have a new found appreciation for it thanks to a fashion show video that used this song as part of its music selection. I found the video after checking out some Turquoise Wisdom mixes and then peeping Rodarte, a fashion design group that TW often collaborates with. This song has new life to me.

"Pink Floyd: Fearless"
This song was also in the Rodarte fashion show video. You don't hear Pink Floyd stuff
like this that often. In fact, this is really the only song on their Meddle album that sounds anything like this. Really nice tune.

...A Few New...

These are a few songs/albums that I've been groovin on lately.

(((((((((((The Peoples Temple))))))))))))
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I just found out about these guys through Insound's mp3 of the day. This album, "Sons of Stone", is full of great sounds. There's stuff that ranges from sounding like the Rolling Stones to early psychedelic garage, all with a lo-fi feel reminiscent of Ty Segall. Just some good tunes to jam out to. I love this stuff!!!!

"The Peoples Temple: Where You Gonna Go"


((((((((((((((Luke Roberts))))))))))))))))
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This album came out in April of 2010, but somehow I missed it until just the other day when I was browsing around Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace Records + Tapes. I really like the sound that Mr. Roberts has on this album- nice and laid back. Give it an ear and check out the video for another one of his songs, below.

"Luke Roberts: Somewhere To Run"

"Luke Roberts: Unspotted Clothes"

(((((((((((((((My Morning Jacket))))))))))))))))))
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It's been a long time since My Morning Jacket has put out something that I've been interested in hearing, but after reading a few reviews of their forthcoming album, Circuital, and after hearing the two songs below, there may be hope for them yet. I enjoy the mellow sound of these tunes, but I have also heard some other numbers from this album which have not impressed me quite as much. Either way, check out the tracks and make your own decision, and then listen to the whole album when it comes out on the 31st.

"My Morning Jacket: Movin Away"

"My Morning Jacket: Wonderful (The Way I Feel)"

...Malvina Reynolds/ Connie Converse...

For one reason or another, springtime always injects me with a craving for whimsical and melancholy, vintage folk songs. In fact, even though I'm beginning to despise the rain, one of my most enjoyable times this season was last week when I put on some records, laid on the living room floor with my children, stared out the large window, and watched the rain drip off the eaves and the verdant green leaves. It felt pretty magical. So, quite a bit of my listening time has been consumed with music by Vashti Bunyan, Sibylle Baier, Marianne Faithfull, Nico, and others.




Two other artists that I have been listening to are Malvina Reynolds and Connie Converse.
Let's first start with a double dose of Malvina.

"Malvina Reynolds: The Worlds Gone Beautiful"
I recently picked up this self titled record over at Angry Mom Records. The album was recorded in 1970, when Reynolds was 70 years of age. The thing that caught my eye was that the Byrds and the Dillards (as well as others) make up her backing band. Anytime members of the Byrds and the Dillards got together, magic was made (reference the Dillard and Clark post over at Aquarium Drunkard). This album is not my favorite of hers, but it definitely has some shining moments on it. Simple and sometimes childish, the record is redeemed by the backing band.

"Malvina Reynolds: Singing Jesus"
"Malvina Reynolds: God Bless The Grass"
This is an earlier record of hers, and my favorite. Recorded in 1967, "Malvina Reynolds Sings The Truth" has one of the songwriter's most recognized compositions on it- "Little Boxes". These are still some simple, yet beautiful, songs focusing on Reynolds' activist views and they remain a little more "bare-bones" than her later recordings.

Next up, is Connie Converse.

"Connie Converse: Talkin Like You (Two Tall Mountains)"
"Connie Converse: How Sad, How Lovely"
Connie Converse's record "How Sad, How Lovely" is actually comprised of recordings that she taped in the kitchen of recording engineer Gene Deitch back in the mid 50s. It's very interesting stuff. What is even more curious is her intentional disappearance in 1974. After writing letters to her friends and family of a desire to anonymously have a new start, Elizabeth Eaton "Connie" Converse packed up her VW Beetle and disappeared forever. If this mysterious story intrigues you, then you should definitely listen to this radio program that WNYC out of New York put together. Very interesting listen with some commentary from family and various recordings of Connie.

...Terry Callier/ Bill Withers...

This post is to piggy back on Doug's Michael Kiwanuka post. While checking out write ups on Kiwanuka's sound, I kept coming across references to a similarities between him and Terry Callier, as well as Bill Withers comparisons. While I don't see perfectly reflective similarities between these artists, I do feel that their over all feel has some common threads. Either way, the organic soulfulness of these artists is a real breath of fresh air. I've been trying to find a good time to post some Callier and Withers, so this provided the perfect opportunity. I hope these tunes help float you along through rainy spring days.

"Terry Callier: Promenade In Green"

"Terry Callier: It's About Time"

"Bill Withers: Hope She'll Be Happier"

"Bill Withers: In My Heart"

"Bill Withers: Let Me In Your Life"

Fashionistas

i asked for a hole in the sky
and the clouds parted long enough
the sun was a welcomed visitor

visiting in our way
from days and days of rain
the girls poured out into its gaze

fashionistas in the field
wet grass sucking on their toes
you never know how the story goes
until you've lived it, done it, believed

fashionistas take their photos now
anyone of them could be my daughter
as beautiful as the day is long
and longer even after its close

i harbor the love of a father
i'm anxious for my second son
i will accompany, with fights, my daughter
eager for my day to be done

i asked for a hole in the sky
the clouds did a funnel thing
"Thank You" i said in your name
and i was enveloped by the moment, enraptured by the date

{michael kiwanuka}-{tell me a tale}

Once again, thank you to Aquarium Drunkard for the fresh tips - this time on Michael Kiwanuka (i swear AD's got a deal w/ the devil). AD recently put up the official video for this number, so shoot over there to hear the studio cut w/ some absolutely stunning musicianship across the board. I don't know what else Mr. Kiwanuka has up his sleeve, but this one is dead-on. Can't wait to hear more. The above video comes via Black Cab Sessions. If you haven't already, check them out for certain, cause they're got a treasure trove of goodness (be sure to see Bill Callahan, Fleet Foxes & Damien Jurado). Sorry for the lag & tiny output here at !!crescere!! as of late - the weather is fine, life is busy & the personal creative processes are at work! Wishing everyone the best ~ Dougie F.

...How Old Are You...

Some of you may already have seen this, but due to the excitement and anticipation of receiving my 2xLP of Helplessness Blues, I thought that I would post this. This is a pretty endearing view of Robin Pecknold. I hope you enjoy it and can pick yourself up a copy of the new record on Tuesday (May 3, 2011).

How Old Are You? from Fleet Foxes on Vimeo.