4 posts tagged “acoustic”

I watched this video of the amazing Holly Throsby the other day, performing one of her songs on one of many pianos that have been setup around Sydney as an art installation. Anyone who wants to play can sit down and have a go, which is a really cool idea. They've evidently filmed some performers doing their thing, Holly Throsby being one.

Which led me to writing about Ms. Throsby, who has been one of my biggest musical obsessions of last year. Her newest album, 'A Loud Call', was released in 2008 and is the best thing she's done. It's struck a massive chord with my wife and me, culminating in us ditching the kids for a night and seeing her live late last year in a really intimate show at a bar.

Hard to describe exactly what separates her from other acoustic-based female singer/ songwriters, but at the same time, listening to her she's actually unlike anything you've heard. Her whispery vocal style is really unique and truly soothing. It envelops you and takes away your cares for a brief time, even though she's often singing about fears of her own. I've read that she's not a big fan of her "odd" voice, but to me it's that oddness that makes it so engaging. Hendrix didn't like his voice, Dylan probably didn't like his, but it's about the feeling and delivery, and more than anything else, the songwriting. In the end, loving the stranger stuff is more rewarding anyway.

Lyrically she writes some beautiful, thoughtful stuff, with one of my favourite passages being this from 'Now I Love Someone' (makes me think of my wife):

"Because my wins are your wins
In the sleet, in the spring
And your losses are my losses when you're opposite me only
Now we love somebody"

'A Loud Call' has songs that have stepped up a notch from her previous albums (which were amazing in themselves).  Holly uses her voice to her advantage more than before, sounding a bit more versatile. It's richer and even more intimate in its sound and production, being recorded in Nashville, probably with a bigger budget (though that's not always a good thing). This thing is a near perfect album for any occasion, any time of the day, any mood. It slotted seamlessly into my life almost every day for a while there, and I haven't got sick of it yet -- I'm not sure that would be possible. It'd be like getting sick of dreaming or chilling out on the couch -- great things that you just take for granted that always bring you joy.

Post an acoustic song from your personal library

Next in my string of acoustic songs for this week's mp3eme is Colin Hay, the former singer of Men At Work.  He does a lot of acoustic stuff, and has even released acoustic-only albums.  He's certainly best when it's just him and a guitar because his beautiful lyrics and soulful voice really surround you. 

'Overkill' is an acoustic version of one of his Men At Work songs and really got me into him (via an episode of Scrubs where he can be seen playing it).  'Beautiful World' and 'I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You' are not acoustic versions of non-acoustic songs -- they're just original acoustic songs.  But they are so amazing that they have to get a showing too.

Post an acoustic song from your personal library

Here's my next acoustic song for this week's mp3eme.  Lou Reed's 1972 album 'Transformer' is one of my favourites (I know, that's a pretty long list...) and so I was stoked when I found a couple of acoustic demo versions of the songs a few years ago.  This one is 'Perfect Day' -- a song that is very lush and produced on the album, heavily using strings and piano etc.  I almost can't go back to that version now that I've heard this acoustic one... Lou Reed's voice is best when it's heard warts and all, as it gives me a real sense of that Dylan-esque singer/songwriter it's-all-about-the-song-regardless-of-technical-quality-of-voice kinda vibe.  Does that make sense?  Doesn't matter, just listen...

Post an acoustic song from your personal library

This is my first go at this mp3eme group thing, and I'm quite excited about this week's theme because I've always loved acoustic stuff.  In particular, I've always loved seeking out acoustic versions of non-acoustic songs.  I think you can't get any more honest than a stripped-down acoustic version of a song - it really highlights the songwriting and vocals and feels like they're playing in the room with you.

I don't know if it's kosher to do more than one, but I think I'll end up posting a few acoustic versions of songs over the week because I have so many cool ones. Here's the first - a haunting, beautiful, intense version of Creep by Radiohead.  It's off the My Iron Lung EP from 1994.