W is for .... Wild [is the] Wind

Hello! Long time no write but I'm back and I come bearing music.

"Wild is the Wind" became one of my favourite songs when I heard used for the trailer for Revolutionary Road. The version used in that instance was the original recording by Nina Simone and I feel in love. Recently, however, I heard Esperanza Spalding's version and I can't decide which version I like better, and so I like both. The mood conveyed in both songs may be similar but there are these subtle differences that I enjoy noticing. Have a listen and tell me which version you like better, or if like me you just like both because it's easier than choosing ;)

Nina Simone's version:

Esperanza Spalding's version:

K is for ... (The) Killers

K is for ... Kiss (On My List) [The Bird and the Bee]

This is, hands down, my favourite cover of this song. It reminds me of rainy days and summer nights. Give it a whirl.

M is for ... Matt (Duke)

Once again, I know it's not Monday, it's actually closer to Wednesday more than anything by now. School's been kicking my ass lately. Tis that time of the year, eh? Only fourteen more days and then I'm done high school! Scary guys, scary. But exciting! :)

Annnnd, onto the music. Khy also introduced me to Matt Duke via his myspace page, and I immediately fell in love with Rabbit.

His voice is just brilliant; it invokes so many different emotions and I can listen to it on repeat for ages. The simplicity of the guitar in the background with his voice is just magic. Another favourite is Tidal Waves.

I also listen to this one on repeat like a madwoman. He's just...his voice gets me. His lyrics are wonderful and the guitar. If I ever make a mixtape (which, hopefully will be sometime this summer), both these songs will be on them.

What's your favourite Matt Duke song?

M is for ... (Jim) Moray

I 'found' Jim Moray about two years ago. I had his song Lord Bateman -points down- on my iPod from a mix that I had downloaded at some point and one day I listened to it and just...fell in love. Even as my music tastes have altered since then, he's stayed on my list of favourite artists.

Jim Moray's voice is amazing. He has the perfect story teller's voice, which is what folk music is. Some of those stories have been told for generations and have their roots in the lore and mystery of the country of their origin.

Folk music is, in my opinion, important to keep around. People like Loreena McKennitt, Jim Moray, Joni Mitchell, and a whole list of others keep stories around through their music that is important.

Here are some links some of you might enjoy:

Folk Festivals
Northern Journey Folk Music
List of folk music by country


Who is your favourite folk musician?

P is for ... Paolo (Nutini)

Khyri is actually the one who introduced me to Paolo Nutini and I'm absolutely in love. Just his voice and the way his accent manages to slip itself through his words and music makes me happy.

This is definitely my favourite song by him, hands down. It reminds me of summer and lazy days.

What's your favourite song by Paolo?

A is for ... Alas (I cannot Swim)

I'm currently working on some work for college and seeing as it is the third essay I've written today, my mind has begun to wonder. And there is nothing my wondering mind loves more than listening to Laura Marling's album , Alas I Cannot Swim. Laura Marling's debut album manages to transport me from the tedious task of writing an essay to a parking lot in Botswana. It's not the most adventurous of places to return to but I was peaceful and relaxed, it also helps that the weather was good, the sky blue and the sun blazing.

What album do you listen to when you want to escape the monotony of work?

A is for ... Aṣa

What can I say about the Paris born Nigerian singer, Asa (pronounced Asha) besides that she is amazing and sings from the heart? Shingai Shoniwa, of the Noisettes, once said that if Bob Marley were to adopt a daughter he'd adopt Asa. And that's not far from the truth, there is something reminiscent of Bob Marley about Asa's music.

Both singers do not shy away from politics, from personal issues, from issues that are relevant to the listener's lives just as they are relevant to their own lives. There is an echo of home in their music, be it their very voices or the beats. Where I sit back and hear the sea when I listen to Bob Marley, in Asa' voice I hear the boom and bustle of Lagos as well as the ease of Nigeria's countryside. Any singer that manages to allow me to escape the dreary grey of London is beyond amazing in my eyes.

For more of Asa's music, check out her myspace.

A is for ... Adele

I can listen to this song on repeat for ages on end. Try it one day, when the sun's shining and you're walking down the street, or when it's raining, maybe not a lot, but enough that you pull that blanket from Mexico around your shoulders and read that book you've been putting off.

A is for ... (Priscilla) Ahn - (Good Day)

I can tell it's gonna be a good day
I can tell it's gonna be a good day

Yes, yes it's way past morning but now you have something to listen to tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that and so. I hope you have plenty of good mornings and good days.

PS: A is the letter of the month.

H is for... (Emily) Haines (& the Soft Skeleteon)

This is nabbed from a youtube comment because it's so, so true:

"Recommend the entire record. Heard one critic describe it as the record you listen to when you arrive home, after a night spent dancing with someone cute, who decided to leave with somebody else. "

Her entire album "Knives Don't Have Your Back" is filled with her low, mellow, crisp fall day voice (or as my singing teacher would say, "She's a contralto."). Not only is she part of the bands Metric and Broken Social Scene, but she's also Canadian, which rocks my socks off.

This video is adorable. Absolutely adorable. The beginning is so funny, "Do you feel compassion for inanimate objects?"

H is for ... (Ali) Harter

The video's long because she tells you everything you need to know.

Because everyone loves downloads.

P.S I know it's not Monday...it's almost farthest from. But she's lovely and I have someone else for Monday and you didn't get anyone this week. Also, she reminds me of Adele. <3>

H is for ... (Billie) Holiday

Just listen. She'll say everything I want to say and more.

H is for ... (Bradley) Hathaway

Bradley Hathaway is an indie musician that I had the luck to see live last spring (wow, almost a year ago!). To be honest, I didn't know what to think when I first saw him, but as soon as he started singing and reciting his poetry, I was hooked. He's an amazing live performer. He talked with the audience and laughed, made jokes, all of it. It was a fairly small audience, to be sure, but he was engaged and it showed that he loves what he's doing.

The video's not so good, I'm sorry, but it's the best I could find. "Like Socrates Loved the Truth" (the name of the song) is my favourite of the songs I've heard. His music has something raw and untouched to it. It reminds me of someone recording in a basement and selling their CDs on a busy street. It's honest and painful, but lovely at the same time.

All The Hits so Far (But Don't Expect Too Much)

The Things That Poets Write About, The Thing That Dreamers Dream About

A Mouthful of Dust

The links will take you to Amazon and Bandsonfire.com where you can purchase any of his CDs.

H is for ... Here in Your Arms & Hey There Delilah

Sometimes you knowingly make mixtapes for certain things, pick the songs, make sure they go together, they all have a connecting thread. And then sometimes, sometimes mixes make themselves and the songs choose themselves. Summer of 2007, these two songs are at the beginning of a mix that made itself.

It was hot and I was away from home for a week at writing camp (yes, you read that correctly). It was the summer that I found out that people like me for myself, and that I have a voice. A unique voice at that. I remember that my dad made fun of "Hey There Delilah" on the way to Moose Jaw, but by the time I was on the bus back, I had sung this song so many times that it didn't matter.

Here in Your Arms played on repeat at the local swimming post as we walked down the heat baked streets and listened to the kids jumping off the diving boards and the lifeguards sitting outside, tanning and gossiping.

Those are the mixtapes that mean the most.

P.S. I know it's Tuesday. Once again, late. I swear I know how to look at a calendar. By the time I had finished filling out scholarship application forms last night I was so tired I dragged myself to bed. I'm always late though, so it comes as no surprise. =P

H is for ... (Erik) Hassle

I first heard about Swedish singer Erik Hassle from my friend, Bell, who had herself had heard about Hassle from a friend. I suspect that I would have heard about Hassle eventually because he is amazing. There is something light and different about him, even if he songs explores love and social ineptness to quote the Guardian. Of course some have likened him to La Roux, he does sing over catchy electro-melodies samples, but without being to harsh about La Roux's front lady, Elly Jackson, his voice doesn't make me want to tear my ears off or at least stop my hearing for the duration of her songs.

I particularly love his cover of Robyn's Be Mine with Elle Goulding. They do something different with the song, even if it has simple as bringing out the acoustic guitar and turning the song into a duet, which I always love in covers. Be sure to check out his album, Pieces or at the very least, his myspace page.

PS: As you may have noticed, the letter for March is H.

S is for ... Sondre (Lerche)

The first time I ever heard of Sondre Lerche was when I was flipping through a Teen Vogue ages and ages ago. Of course, it wasn't until last night as I was remembering that I hadn't done a music post and wondering exactly how many days are left in February that I remembered him. So, I swooped over to youtube and have sat here, just listening, for an hour.

I absolutely love his voice and the fact that you can hear it. It's mostly guitar background with some added drumming and other mixes of instrument, but the thing you hear is his voice. And he uses his range! From down low and gravely to up and hanging in the air, he's all over the the place, which I'm addicted to.

S is for ... (Frank) Sinatra

Nothing like Frank Sinatra to wind down the evening. I like my Sinatra with a warm bath but a cup of hot coco does the trick too.

S is for ... (Nina) Simone

There is a scene in Love Actually where Karen (Emma Thompson) tells her husband (played by Alan Rickman) that he should be a fan of Joni Mitchell because she taught his very English wife how to feel. If I was Karen, Nina Simone would be my Joni Mitchell.

Her voice moves me, breaks my heart even. It would be redundant to say her voice is laden with emotion but it is. She feels the lyrics, puts a story behind every single word. It is a beautiful experience listening to Nina Simone, a beautiful, deliciously painful, and moving experience.

S is for ... Simon (& Garfunkel)

I know, I know. I'm supposed to be on vacation and whatnot, but, I've got fifteen minutes of down time at the moment, so I'll do a quick music post and then be off to the poetry slam tonight. =D (who knows, you might just get a post on that as well. :D)



The group, composed of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, has been active since 1957 and their first minor hit was "Hey, Schoolgirl". However, it was being featured in the hit movie The Graduate that propelled them into the public eye.


Their music is mellow and reminds me of strolling through Vancouver (which would be what I've been doing for the past five days). With beautiful acoustic backings and their voices doing wonderful weaving over and under and through each other, they are definitely worth giving a listen to.

Check out their site here or even buy any of their CDs from Amazon.