On the weekly Filmspotting podcast (which is excellent, by the way) they feature a musical artist during segment transitions. This past week they featured Biirdie (MySpace). Here's a video. You may need to turn it up at one point. Other videos are here.
Chris pushed me to discover some new "country" music. I'm now trying out some Gillian Welch. Wonderful. Really wonderful.
New country...
You will love Neko Case. Maybe you've heard of her? You have to listen to her!
Or Jolie Holland?
Everyone knows Lucinda Williams...how about Ryan Adams or The Jayhawks?
Cheers.
Posted by: Nathan | 01/15/2008 at 09:14 AM
Nathan, I've listened to all of those, and have albums from all but Williams. Thanks man.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/15/2008 at 09:35 AM
Welch & Rawlings have taken the acoustic duo presentation and made it sublime. Rawlings is perhaps one of the most interesting guitarist/backing vocalists I've ever heard. And those guitars he plays? Old Epiphones, with a very distinct tone that he exploits beautifully. I know of know guitarists that play or sound like David Rawlings.
Posted by: chris w | 01/17/2008 at 09:27 AM
here's seconding your discovery of gillian welch. their studio stuff is really good but its their live performances which are truly extraordinary - they are that wonderful breed of artist who allow recording and free distribution of their shows so they aren't that hard to find if you look in the right places, and you can buy several live tracks off their website, including a sublime cover of radiohead's blackstar - although they aren't touring at the moment if they end up in within driving distance for the rumored new album coming out this year then you owe it to yourself to be there - best liver performers i've ever seen hands down.
you might also like, old crow medicine show - rawlings is their producer, and gillian plays drums on several of their tracks - their first album is stronger than their second.
and you might try "the be good tanyas' as well, they are cohorts of the old crow boys and all three of their albums are really strong.
once you get going there is a world of good music down that road - the americana/bluegrass/folksy path - but i'll stop there and let you do your own exploring!
oh, one more - you probably know jenny lewis, of rilo kiley fame, already but her album with the watson twins has an americana/folksy feel and is worth a look
Posted by: jon | 01/17/2008 at 11:27 AM
yes, that's right boys and girls they play with their "livers" - it has to be seen to be believed but trust me it will change you forever . . . . obviously that should be "best LIVE performers" . . . oops
Posted by: jon | 01/17/2008 at 11:29 AM
Thanks guys. Jon, I listed Jenny Lewis' album as #12 on my best of '06. Thanks for the other suggestions.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/17/2008 at 01:32 PM