chimesfreedom

You Can Dance In a Hurricane

When I first heard Brandi Carlile‘s 2007 song “The Story,” it was a rare moment where a song immediately blew me away and I had to stop whatever I was doing to listen. “The Eye” from her album The Firewatcher’s Daughter, released last month, has a different effect where the harmonies slowly grow on me every time I hear it.

“The Eye” seems to be about heartbreak and trying to help someone you love: “You can dance in a hurricane / But only if you’re standing in the eye.” It’s a beautiful poem, made more powerful by Carlile’s voice and the voices of collaborators and band members Tim and Phil Hanseroth. It is hard to believe the song started out as two songs that were joined into one. And it is a calmer moment in an album of songs that rock, just like the eye in a hurricane. Check it out.

The Firewatcher’s Daughter is available in stores now.

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Allison Russell: “The Returner” (Song of the Day)

Allison Russell and Brandi Carlile Remind You That “You’re Not Alone”

Picture Show Online Tribute to John Prine

Video of the Day: Brandi Carlile’s “Party of One”

John Prine Takes the Stage With New Music at Radio City Music Hall

John Prine New Single: “Summer’s End”

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

“Call Ya Momma” from Justin Townes Earle (& Ambrose Bierce)

In the new video for “Call Ya Momma” from Justin Townes Earle, the storyline pays homage to Ambrose Bierce’s short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” Chimesfreedom has already recounted how that story also inspired Alfred Hitchock and Rod Serling (including a classic Twilight Zone episode).

Earle uses the story to illustrate his kiss-off song, where “Goodbye is all we’ve left to say.” “Call Ya Momma” is the advice Earle gives to a former lover, someone who has disappointed the singer. The main character in the video, however, gets even worse treatment. Check out the video.

“Call Ya Momma” is from Justin Townes Earle’s new album Absent Fathers.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

Virginian Jake Kohn’s Young Soulful Voice Sounds Older Than the Hills in “Dreams”

On the Hill Where Angels Sing: John Prine and Justin Townes Earle Singing “Far From Me”

Steve Earle Covers Justin Townes Earle’s “Harlem River Blues”

You’ll Miss The Time You Waste

Runner of the Woods Debut Album: “Thirsty Valley”

Alt-Country Tribute to Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

100 Years of Lady Day

On April 7, 1915, Eleanora Fagan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The little girl would have a difficult childhood and later a tragic life, but she would grow up to brighten the world as Billie Holiday, or as jazz saxophonist Lester Young nicknamed her, “Lady Day.”

In honor of Holiday’s 100th birthday, several articles reflect on her life, such as CBS Sunday Morning, a Daily Telegraph listing of her top 10 songs, and a MacLean‘s article about “the voice that launched a thousand voices.” But of course the best celebration is to listen to her music.

In this video, Holiday performs “Fine and Mellow” on CBS in 1957. [Update: the video and a BBC documentary about her life are no longer available.]

Happy birthday Lady Day.

What is your favorite Billie Holiday song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

Louis Armstrong’s Genius and “West End Blues”

Barbara Dane’s Cool Musical Legacy: “Wild Woman,” “Gasser,” “Hard-Hitter”

Charlie Haden’s “Spiritual”

History of Jazz Piano in One Video

Ella Fitzgerald: A-Tisket A-Tasket

Take Five Dave Brubeck

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

Bree Sharp Sings “David Duchovny” for David Duchovny

Actor David Duchovny recently released his novel Holy Cow, which is about a milk cow who learns about industrial farming and which one reviewer called “totally bizarre.” While promoting the book, Duchovny asked singer Bree Sharp to appear with him at a Barnes & Noble so she could sing her funny song about him.

The song “David Duchovny” appeared on Sharp’s debut album A Cheap & Evil Girl (1999). The song is a catchy, charming, and funny tribute to Duchovny and his reign as a heartthrob during his years on the original run of The X Files during 1993-2002. In the song, Sharp pines for the TV star, asking “David Duchovny, why won’t you love me?”

You may have forgotten how big Duchovny (as Fox Mulder) and his co-star Gillian Anderson (as Dana Scully) were during those years. But the song, and Sharp’s recent performance, will take you back. Check it out.

If you want more on Bree Sharp, check out her website. If you want more Duchovny, in May he will start appearing on the NBC TV series Aquarius, and Fox will revive The X Files for six episodes. And that is not all. On May 12, Duchovny will release Hell Or Highwater, his first CD. He really is amazing.

What do you think of “David Duchovny” and David Duchovny? Leave your two cents in the comments.

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

How Marty Brown Wrote “Whatever Makes You Smile”

One of the many benefits we have gained from the resurgence of country singer Marty Brown has been his outstanding song “Whatever Makes You Smile.” It is one of those songs that continues to sound better each time we hear it.

In this video with his wife Shellie Brown, Brown explains how he came to write the song, first coming up with the groove and the opening lines, and then “it was off to the races.” He wrote the song in about thirty minutes. Shellie also explains how Marty wrote it both for her and for his ailing mom. Check out the video, which also includes a live performance of the song.