For my first artist recommendation for your ACL festival trip this coming fall, I have chosen a band called The Low Anthem. I first discovered this band from a Paste Sampler late last year. The name of the song was “Charlie Darwin” and I absolutely loved it. It is a hauntingly gorgeous song. It’s the title track for their second album, originally released late last year. Oh My God, Charlie Darwin has been re-mastered and is being reissued on Nonesuch records June 9th with an updated tracklisting and new packaging.
The Low Anthem reigns from Rhode Island and consists of Ben Miller on vocals and guitar, Jocie Adams on clarinet, and Jeffrey Prystowsky on bass. But each of them play an array of other instruments on the album and during their live shows. They have garnered a lot of praise from the indie music critics. Paste Magazine called them “time-honored and astonishingly innovative.” And they have gotten many comparisons to both Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. That is in part due to the rough singing on some of the latter tracks on the album, or the Waits song that they cover on the new album. But I think it’s mostly due to the sincerity found in their songwriting. So listen to this great song and add The Low Anthem to your list of bands to see at Austin City Limits this fall.
In the late 1970s, Johnny Cash hosted a Christmas Special each year, and pitchfork has decided to host a couple of their favorite moments the show. I really enjoyed them and I am sure you will too.
Here is a great version of Silent Night, performed by Johnny and his wife June Carter.
Here is the great gospel tune “This Train is Bound for Glory” performed by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins.
The late, great Andy Kauffman showing off his expertise by doing Elvis Presley’s “That’s Where Your Heartaches Begin.”
Here are a few more versions of possibly one of the most gorgeous Christmas songs ever written.
Wow…kind of exhausting. So if you dared to actually sample them all please share with us your favorite. Were you suprised by which one you liked the most. I know I was. I hope your ears aren’t actually bleeding, I just want you really enjoy the music.
For my first artist recommendation for your ACL festival trip this coming fall, I have chosen a band called The Low Anthem. I first discovered this band from a Paste Sampler late last year. The name of the song was “Charlie Darwin” and I absolutely loved it. It is a hauntingly gorgeous song. It’s the title track for their second album, originally released late last year. Oh My God, Charlie Darwin has been re-mastered and is being reissued on Nonesuch records June 9th with an updated tracklisting and new packaging.
