First of all I have to thank Mr. Cheezy, one of our contributors here on MFTM for recommending Paul Cusick to our ears. It was one of many highlights from his recent Long and Winding Music Mix and demonstrates what fantastic taste in music you guys have.

The album, Focal Point, is one of those albums that on first listen you say “mmm that was good”. On second and third listen you say “mmm I like this, who is this guy?” – and on the 4th or 5th listen you are gently foaming at the month saying “Gosh, this is truly f*%@ing wonderful, where has this guy been all my life”.

It’s a very good album and if you like Porcupine Tree, Floyd, Marillion etc. you will like this. One question for you – I have numerous albums by these bands and more – I don’t play them every day, but they are classic albums that hit the spot time after time after time.

So why should you buy Paul’s album?

Reason to buy it No. 1 – this guy is very talented, is keeping the prog rock genre alive and it sounds very fresh in his hands.

Reason to buy it No. 2 – This guy is an honest, hard working musician who has put all his talents, his efforts, his blood, sweat and tears into making this album – he should be supported. He wrote and recorded this debut album, whilst still maintaining his career as a freelance Chartered Civil Engineer and plays all the instruments (except for drums).

Reason to buy No. 3 – It’s a bloody good album with 12 songs that are truly memorable, have great melody and structure. Songs that you can play time and time again and hear something new every time – its a wonderful achievement. There are too many highlights to note here, but I particularly like his use of sound effects, the whurr of helicopter blades, the telephone conversation you can’t quite hear – it all adds mystery and drama.

Reason No. 4 – We all have Floyd, PT, Marillion etc. but guys like Paul are surely the future of not only prog rock but of rock music in general. Paul has, in spite of recording and distribution offers, chosen to remain independent. This allows him the freedom to release what he wants whenever he wants – the freedom not to bow to music industry executives who think they know what we want – Paul has the power to make the music he wants to make – for this reason you should buy his album. Buy the album directly from Paul or from here.

Then sit down in your favourite chair, pour yourself a glass or two of whatever takes your fancy, and listen. Listen and enjoy.

There’s a lot of boo ha about artists recording “live” – spending days not months recording the music with the least amount of production, without over dubs, with out the polish of a studio. Our beloved Tom Jones did a grand job with ‘Praise and Blame’ – there’s of course Johnny Cash and his wonderful work with Rick Rubin.

What makes these albums so good, is of course the rawness, the voice of course, but also the songs – the songs are great songs.

This is also the case with John Mellencamps new album, its rough, its raw, it could have been recorded in 1954 but it works so well because the songs are so good. The songs are embedded in America, in rockabilly, in country, in folk, in Americana they are steeped in America’s (and Mellencamps, I suspect) history. They were also recorded roughly, in some very famous places: First African Baptist Church in Savannah, GA (the first African American Christian churchin North America), Sun Studios in Memphis, and in Room 414 of the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, TX, where Robert Johnson recorded “Stones in My Passway” in 1936.

But forget the way it was recorded, to me it’s not important if it was recorded in mono, in stereo, in a church half way up the Mississippi, I challenge you to find 13 better songs than on this album, from the opener ‘Save Some Time To Dream’, to ‘Clumsy Ol’ World’, we find Mellencamp in fine form, “Love at First Sight,” with Mellencamp accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, is among the finest love songs I’ve heard in awhile. ‘Coming Down The Road’ will having you yeehaaing till Christmas its so darn catchy and ‘The West End’ is a slow, deceptive song that has echoes of Carl Perkins, Mark Knopfler…..but wait…..I’m wrong – this album sounds like no-one…..it sounds like John Mellencamp, a great American singer/songwriter who has just recorded an album to savour, an album that could have been made anytime in the last 50 years, an album that I recommend drop into your basket next time your on Amazon.

And I just love this video with my new best friend Freda Fudge dancing to John’s song (let me know if you want Freda number – she’s lovely)

Miss Ott was also gold medalist at the Conservatoire National de Strasbourg, achieved fame and won prizes at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris, and been soloist with the orchestra Ondist Palermo, Teatro Massimo and Teatro Politeama Garibaldi on several occasions.

Even though her background is very classical almost too closeted in that world, I feel her musical direction is always guided by her desire to observe no borders and demonstrates her willingness to share her passion for music. Working in close collaboration with young composers in order to reinvigorate the repertoire of the Ondes Martenot, she has created her masterpiece that has, in recent times proved both therapeutic and restorative for me.

For your information an Ondes Martenot, as played by my mother in the above photograph was one of the first electronical music instruments, created by Maurice Martenot in 1928. This monophonic instrument with oscillator is composed of a suspended keyboard with lateral translation which allows pitch-bending and vibrato. A “Ruban” or ring attached to a ribbon runs along the keyboard, and by sliding or elevating this ring the performer can play glissandi “touche d’expression” or a loudness control key with the left hand. Very soft and precise, this key must be activated to obtain any sound and it gives all the intensity’s variations from pianissimo to fortissimo. Consider the analogy between this key and the archer of strings instruments – it is a truly an amazing musical instrument.

With Miss Otts’ new album consisting of ten pieces we discover, through the richness of her compositions, her passion for the Ondes Martenot. We also discover her passion for melody, for warmth and her overriding passion for music. I can honestly say that this passion, this music has enabled me to put one foot in front of the other and begin the long road back to health.

Please let my two samples float inside your head as they encapsulate all that, for me, is virtuous and noble in today’s world, a truly remarkable body of work, by a truly remarkable young lady.

Also, for your enjoyment a live performance of Miss Ott performing with Narcophony. I believe it demonstrates what a wonderful musical instrument the Ondes Martenot is.

Ref:
www.MySpace.com,
wireless-mesh-fm-radio-tv-media.blogspot.com

He is joined by BRIGHT EYES drummer RACHEL BLUMBERG (also ex-DECEMBERISTS) and DAVE DEPPER (of LOCH LOMOND). Forming the backbone of a band that has seen an array of fellow musicians join them on record and on tour like PETER BRODERICK and LAURA GIBSON have done.

The resulting DINERO SEVERO isn’t a record of serendipitous chance and rambling explorations, with each new listen fresh layers and elements come to forefront to reveal a lush, thought provoking intelligently crafted masterpiece; a perfect balance of production techniques, exquisite song writing, and phenomenal musicianship. Selzer’s lyrics surely are a potential edition of monologues in the making. His heart rendering stories are told with conviction and read beautifully. The outcome of a songwriter absolutely at one with his craft. DINERO SEVERO was recorded with the very minimum of overdubbing in the studio; proof apparent that NORFOLK & WESTERN are a three piece of huge performing abilities. Something we lucky souls will encounter when the band visits the UK later in the year. No strangers to the stage, NORFOLK & WESTERN have been invited with no option of refusal to tour with the likes of the late (and very great) MARK LINKOUS’ SPARKLEHORSE (for the much lauded IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE tour), M. WARD and of course THE DECEMBERISTS.

Recommended to you as an album you will like – why not visit 3syllables the record company that sent me the album (thanks Andy) and buy the album from them and help support them and the artist.

I would like to say to you – that I love this album and recommend that you buy. Unfortunately I can’t.

I wrote this post about 2 weeks ago and saved to drafts hoping that the album would be a grower – it’s not, and when you have young guns like Philip Sayce, Oli Brown and Joe Bonamassa firing on all cylinders and making music like they do, you have to be at the top of you game to compete. Sadly Steve Miller is not.

Don’t get me wrong – the album’s OK – there’s some good songs – ‘Hey Yeah’ and ‘Tramp’ two highlights – but overall I feel that this album sounds tired, sounds old – there’s not much on it to excite, to make you go “wow…I like that” and I think this band have done better and hopefully will do better in the future.

However…… ‘Someone Here Is Missing’ is a big step forward, a very good album – an album that only sounds like Pineapple Thief. They have discovered their own identity, their own sound, big chords, melodic piano, crunchy keyboards, modern prog rock at it’s best. Highlights include ‘Preparation For Meltdown’ ‘The State We’re In’ and the opener ‘Nothing At Best’.

Big Big Train – The Underfall Yard – another band who don’t give a hoot about trends and fashions and keep on producing good old fashioned prog rock. Think of course early Genesis, Yes etc. etc. and you have the sound. But….and this is a big BUT it sounds really fresh and modern – great music, well played by a band that know how to play – this is their sixth album. Not every ones cuppa of tea I know, but when you’re in the mood for a bit of escapism, for some long and winding tunes think Big Big Train.

Cyndi Lauper – There will be some people, quite understandingly, who will criticize this album as just another jaded old pop star trying to cash in her fame for one last pot of gold. I, too may have said this if I hadn’t spent time listening to it – and boy am I glad I did, as it’s an absolute corker.

Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, this album of blues covers includes special guest artists including B.B. King, Jonny Lang, Allen Toussaint, Ann Peebles and Charlie Musselwhite – you can’t get much better and these guys add the class to the album. Though fair play to Cyndi (did you know shes 57) she carries the whole thing with a voice that appears to have been made to sing the blues.

I know there are hundreds of albums of blues covers by female artists that in their own right are just as good if not better, but this is now, this is Cyndi Lauper and I love it.

Sandi Thom – A different kind of blues from a Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Macduff in Aberdeenshire, who has ditched her pop past and created an album of bluesy/folksy songs that is really good. So good, in fact, that it entered the UK charts at 118 on its first week of release before dropping out of the top 200 – I kinda like that.

Anyway, she showcases her gutsy vocal talents and ear for a good song – includes Joe Bonamassa on ‘This Ol World’. There’s not a bad song here – I only hope she has success with this and continues her love of the blues.

When this guy gives a new album 5 stars I will, more often than not buy it, even though I may not have heard too much about them – rarely am I disappointed. This is the case with ‘Mojo’ the 12th album from Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers as it is a very good album with no weak songs on the album. There are no surprises here, you get what you paid for, 15 classic rock/blues songs played apparently live without any overdubs by a band as tight as a monkeys ……… you know how tight I mean.

It almost made it as my ‘Album of the Month’ but yesterday I heard a new album by a new singer/songwriter that is simply outstanding – can’t wait to share with you on July 1st. Hope you enjoy the sample of Tom.

I can remember hearing David Gray very early on, being totally gobsmacked, and telling all that would listen how good he was – I feel the same about Betty Steeles a young lady from Brixton who has created an album of wonderful sounds that could, apart from our ultimate BBQ mix, be my sound of the summer.

On first couple of plays one instantly gets drawn in by the lushness, the sublimeness, the quaint feel of the songs. Then you start to hear things – the brass on ‘Mudslide’, the cowbells and lovey chord change in ‘I Don’t Wanna’ and the feeling that you’re really not sure what you’re hearing. ‘Poison’ is not your normal slushy ballad but a song with many twists and turns hidden amongst a hybrid of sounds/background vocals and voices all molded together by a few notes on a piano and Betty’s dry vocals – a classic song. Even on ‘Bus Boy’ which did irk me a little on first hearing with its breathless vocals and simplistic lyrics suddenly all makes sense after 3/4 listens and a glass or 2 of Chilean Chardonnay.

Comparisons ave already been made to Bjork and Kate Bush, but to be honest, all I hear is Betty Steeles. A new talent who dares to be different, dares to be honest, dares to be herself – this album is definitely a Betty Steeles Album.

WEB SHERIFF
Who You Gonna Call
Tel 44-(0)208-323 8013
Fax 44-(0)208 323 8080
websheriff@websheriff.com
http://www.websheriff.com

Hi Laughing Dog,

On behalf of Beggars, 4AD and The National, we would kindly ask you not to post copies of “High Violet” on your site (or any non-preview tracks from the newly released album by The National).

We do appreciate that you are fans of / are promoting The National, but the labels and artist would greatly appreciate your co-operation in removing your links to the pirate files in question.

Thank you for respecting the artist’s wishes and, if you / your readers want good quality, non-pirated, preview tracks, then a full length, high quality version of “BloodBuzz Ohio” is available for fans and bloggers to link to / post / host etc from http://www.highviolet.com/thenational_bloodbuzzohio.mp3 and “Afraid of Everyone” is now also available from http://www.soundcloud.com/ninasles/afraid-of-everyone-the-national … .. for further details of the new album, on-line promotions, videos and 2010 shows, check-out the official site, as well as the band’s MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/thenational and YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/beggars … .. and keep an eye on these official sources for details of further news, preview material and on-line promotions. Last, but not least, check out pitchfork.com/tv/ for the “Castle Rock Sessions” featuring live versions of tracks off “High Violet”.

With Thanks & Regards,

WEB SHERIFF

I have one thing to say as I delete the posts and throw the CD into the bin – Don’t buy The Nationals new album buy Brothers by The Black Keys instead