New Music | The Staves - Mexico
The Civil Wars just announced today that The Staves, three sisters from the UK, will be opening for their spring U.S. tour dates. If you haven’t heard of this folk trio with beautiful harmonies, then definitely check them out.
I first heard them sing when they opened for Mt. Desolation in London last fall. It seemed that most of the audience had never heard of them, but we were instantly mesmerized. The three sisters, Emily, Jessica and Camilla Staveley-Taylor have been traveling around the UK opening for James Vincent McMorrow on his recent tour dates. The lineup of The Staves and JVM is pretty great, but the combination of The Civil Wars will be near perfect. I’d love to see all five up on stage. Let’s make that happen, okay Joy and John Paul?
Check out their newly-released video for Mexico, and if they are stopping by a city near you, definitely check them out live!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYV0Wp0MdZ4&noredirect=1
January 13, Louisville, KY, Brown Theater
January 14, Cincinnati, OH, Madison Theater
January 15, St Louis, MO, The Pageant
January 17, Lawrence, KS, Liberty Hall
January 18, Tulsa, OK, Cain’s Ballroom
January 19, Austin, TX, Paramount Theater
January 20, Houston, TX, Cullen Theater
January 21, Dallas, TX, House of Blues
James Vincent McMorrow - Higher Love
I really am pounding the internet with James Vincent McMorrow and for good reason. Everyone should know who this guy is. One of the most fantastic crooning voices I’ve heard, I recently was sent a stunning cover he did of Steve Winwood’s 80s classic, Higher Love.
Give it a listen, read my review of his fantastic album, and check him out on tour.
9/8 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
9/9 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
9/10 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
9/11 Montreal, QC @ Sala
9/13 Toronto, ON @ Elmo
9/15 Chicago, IL @ Hideout
9/16 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
9/17 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
9/20 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
9/21 Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
9/23 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
9/24 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
9/25 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
Video | Tiny Desk Concert - James Vincent McMorrow
Check out Dublin’s James Vincent McMorrow, one of the best crooners around performing at “This Old Dark Machine,” “Sparrow And The Wolf,” “Follow You Down To The Red Oak Tree,” & “Red Dust” at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert.
and catch him on tour
9/8 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
9/9 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
9/10 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
9/11 Montreal, QC @ Sala
9/13 Toronto, ON @ Elmo
9/15 Chicago, IL @ Hideout
9/16 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
9/17 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
9/20 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
9/21 Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
9/23 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
9/24 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
9/25 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
Video Session | James Vincent McMorrow @ Chasing The Moon
James Vincent McMorrow @ Chasing The Moon from Scott McDowell on Vimeo.
Not to inundate, but James Vincent McMorrow is well worth multiple posts per week, and well this session is extremely fantastic. He’s well worth the price of admission, and if you have the chance, I strongly suggest taking in a show of his.
See him on tour:
9/8 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
9/9 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
9/10 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
9/11 Montreal, QC @ Sala
9/13 Toronto, ON @ Elmo
9/15 Chicago, IL @ Hideout
9/16 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
9/17 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
9/20 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
9/21 Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
9/23 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
9/24 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
9/25 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
New Music | James Vincent McMorrow covers Adele
About a month ago James Vincent McMorrow sat down with the daily newspaper in France, Le Figaro to record a ‘Le Live’ session. And he did an truly beautiful cover of Adele’s Someone Like You. I’ll keep this simple: just go watch it now!
Photos | James Vincent McMorrow
Wednesday night saw the supremely talented James Vincent McMorrow come to town and open up for Bell X1. The quiet nature of his beautiful voice was unfortunately outweighed by some really loud conversations within the crowd. Unfortunate for the fans in the crowd trying to hear McMorrow’s crooning falsettos, and soothing ‘oooohs’ but still he delighted those of us respectful enough to keep quiet. It was specifically wonderful when his voice drowned out everyone during his powerful rendition of ‘If I Had a Boat.’ The pairing of him and Bell X1 is not exactly a good match for his solo act show. But check out the photos and listen to a few of his songs.
He’s a great vocal talent, and I hope everyone gets to see him live and experience his voice and great songs… hopefully your experience will be a little better than mine.
The Farewell Drifters - Punchline
Tonight in Somerville at Johnny D’s comes Nashville’s Farewell Drifters who just recently released their 3rd album, Echo Boom. A perfect and sweet blend of pop songwriting & americana / bluegrass acoustic sounds that will delight the senses. Their album is so listenable, energetic and fun they are sure to impress concert goers tonight.
Imagine Paul Simon meets the Avett Brothers.
Tix are just $10
James Vincent McMorrow - If I Had a Boat
Also, tonight comes the incomparable James Vincent McMorrow. His voice is something to behold for sure, and he opens tonight at the Paradise Rock Club. His new debut album, Early in the Morning displays McMorrow’s soft crooning falsetto vocals speaks softly, but these songs can be hugely powerful. Case in point, the single ‘If I Had a Boat,’ the song toils in the allegory of being lost at sea until found (finding love) the music climactically reaches a high point in exultation… a final release… it’s powerful and a common theme in McMorrow’s music and a trend in his vocals. These songs just really grab a hold of you.
He opens for Bell X1 at the Paradise tonight.
Tix are $15
Video | James Vincent McMorrow - Sparrow & the Wolf
Whip My Hair - Today FM Ray D’Arcy
A few weeks ago, James Vincent McMorrow did a cover of Willow Smith’s Whip My Hair on Today FM with Ray D’Arcy. This is actually fantastic it might be a cover of the ‘Neil Young & Bruce Springsteen’ cover from Fallon. It’s actually pretty awesome.
Comedy aside, I assure you if you haven’t heard James Vincent McMorrow’s recently released album, Early in the Morning … I’ve reviewed it here. I can assure you, its one of my favorite albums of 2011 and well worth the price they are asking for it ($5.99).
I had the chance to listen to Dublin’s James Vincent McMorrow’s US debut album Early in the Morning for over a month now and have struggled admirably to put into words why I like it so damn much.
One thing that comes to mind is Theodore Roosevelt’s slogan, ‘Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick.’ McMorrow’s soft crooning falsetto vocals speaks softly, but these songs can be hugely powerful. Case in point, the single ‘If I Had a Boat,’ the song toils in the allegory of being lost at sea until found (finding love) the music climactically reaches a high point in exultation… a final release… it’s powerful and a common theme in McMorrow’s music and a trend in his vocals. These songs just really grab a hold of you.
Ultimately, McMorrow’s vocal instrument is the most distinct and special part of ‘Early in the Morning.’ His tenor voice and soulful falsettos appear on all of the best songs on the album. Stylistically this album isn’t genre defining, but it is made with care and craft and boasts a fantastic voice; its well worth a dozen listens.
