Damien Jurado: Paper Wings

Lil Coco chiming in again and in style as usual.

Over the years Damien Jurado has been a constant in my ever changing rotation. From early on records Like Waters Ave S. and Rehearsals for Departure, Damien painted music landscapes with a strong penchant for lyrics and stellar songwriting. Primarily an acoustic songwriter, Jurado not only added a band on his priceless album I Break Chairs, but some aggression as well. "Paperwings" steals the show on this landmark record for the longtime Seattle songwriter.

What could be better than a catchy as hell melody and an unconventional songwriting structure? Jurado nabs the listener from the first chord progression and forces said listener to suck it up and realize the beauty that is Damien Jurado. Like his peers Jeremy Enigk, David Bazan and Sufjan Stevens, Jurado wears his heart on his sleeve at times; the only difference being Jurado typically doesn't wear short sleeve shirts. Do yourself a favor and pick up any of Damien's full lengths or EPs . . . you won't regret it. This purchase will counteract any previous terrible musical decision you have purchased: i.e. Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Clay Aiken, etc.) I booked shows for 4+ years and had the nerve to name my production company Paperwings Productions, so if Damien and I ever come face to face, I will go fanboy on his ass.

"Here's a noose for your head, here's some tape for that broken wing..."

Song Breakdown

Best Time and Place to Listen:

Smoky dive bar on a broken-in bar stool, imported beer in hand, friends playing pool (Chuck Taylors optional).

If This Song Was a Celebrity:

Vincent Gallo

Click Here to Listen to Paper Wings

01 Paper Wings.wma

Laura Veirs: Wildwood Flowers

Sorry for the lull and thanks to my guest writer, the Pink Streaker for this take on a true classic.

Did you ever meet a kid that for whatever reason just seems to have the spirit of a very old, mellow person? They're unconcerned with the noisy, attention-getting tricks of childhood and instead seem happy to watch the world and soak up experiences. This song is a bit like that in its simplicity. A cadre of instruments and flourishes of mixing-board magic would clumsily crush the simple dulcimer accompaniment and the rock-steady alto vocals. Today's song is by Laura Veirs, who recently released the EP Two Beers Veirs, with several covers that I loved (also check out Wasps of Rain and Spike Drivers Blues). 

This song was recorded in the 50s by the Carter family, in the charming, old-school country style that's worth revisiting. But even they weren't the first to love this song: it was originally written in 1860 and since then versions of it have been tweaked and covered by Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez and others. 

They lyrics are simple; about love, disappointment, relational neglect--things most of us have experienced to some degree, I guess. It's bluegrassy and folky and yeah, the song's maybe even bit girly. I don't care. 

If you listen all the way through Laura Veirs' take, you'll get to hear some plucky bits of feedback that crop up like thorny little weeds thru the green flutter of the melody. 

Song Breakdown

Best Time and Place to Listen:

After a picnic on a not-too-warm early summer day. Have another piece of peach pie and lie back on your grandmother's faded quilt while you look for animal shapes in the clouds. 

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Drew Barrymore in E.T.

Click Below to Listen to Wildwood Flower

Laura Veirs - Wildwood Flower

Art for Auction on Display at Burrito Gallery

See this terrific work in person and you will realize what a great opportunity this auction is for you to get the best Jacksonville art for far cheaper than usual and for a fabulous cause. The work is currently on display in the corridor leading to the bar at Burrito Gallery (21 E Adams St. Downtown). This gallery is affectionately being called “The Jenkins Gallery” and this show is the inaugural exhibition in that space. If you are going to Art Walk this week (Wednesday May 6), that is the perfect opportunity to check out the art on auction. Then get back on your computer and bid bid bid.

Buying the Art and Helping Brian

To bid on a piece in the auction, simply comment on the image of the painting you like with your bid. Bids should raise by $5 increments, so if the opening bid is $20, please start the bidding at $25. Please do not comment on the pieces unless to bid. On May 17 we will move the artwork to The Eclipse and the bidding will continue the night of the benefit until 11pm. Whoever is leading the bid at 11pm should be able to pay (preferably by cash or a check) the night of the show. I cannot hold art until someone comes up with the money, so please be prepared. If you only have a credit card, we will try to help you get on Brian’s PayPal and pay that way from my laptop at the show. All of the money from the auction and the concert goes directly to Brian Hicks.

Artists

There are 13 pieces on the wall at Burrito Gallery and in the Facebook auction, but there will be even more at the actual show. Contact me if you are interested in donating some work to auction. So far we have work from Mark George, Ian Chase, Eric Gillyard, Mark Estlund, Donald Dusinberre, Morrison Pierce, Shannon Estlund, and Pete Henry.

Thank you all for your help, financially, spiritually, and otherwise. Brian is beside himself with appreciation for his friends in this difficult time. He is currently out of the hospital and recovering at his mother's house in Clay County. He is doing very well. See you all on May 17!

Jeremy Enigk: Canons

My boy Lil Coco going to cover Listen Up for today and tomorrow. Good looking out J Gould!

There are few songwriters/musicians that seem to not only create magic, but seem to carry a gift so great that it seems that person was created for that purpose. Jeremy Enigk is that iconic magical voice, in a world of saturated paint-by-number musical acts. Jeremy started as the much adored front man of the legendary "emo" band Sunny Day Real Estate. His vocal style, songwriting and lyrics are often replicated, but are regularly lacking his poignancy. The song 

"Canons" is a true testament to the sheer brilliance that is Enigk. From the bombastic ebb and flow arrangements of the album World Waits, Enigk mesmerizes the listener from the opening chord like only he can. "Canons" may very well be the pinnacle track of his strong and dare I say "emotional" second solo effort. As Enigk yearns for daylight's cleansing in "Canons," he conveys his vulnerable side that many of have come to appreciate. Sunny Day Real Estate may have been passed up in the Seattle grunge explosion, but there mark as a band is legendary. Do yourself a favor and pick up anything Enigk has touched, he definitely has the Midas touch.

Your Lyric Snippet:

night will mourn
and i'm sleeping on the better debt of day
like the rising off
they won't need me till tomorrow
night that claims the sky
forever dreams of a better day

Song Breakdown:

Best Time and Place to Listen: 

A dark, smoke-filled venue, proudly sporting band T-shirt from prescribed rock genre, limited edition SDRE 7 inch in hand ... yep, you're THAT guy for the evening. 

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

John C. Reilly in Magnolia

05 Canons.wma - Jeremy Enigk

Barcelona: It's About Time

I first heard this guitar hook as bumper music on a talk show and couldn't get it out of my head . . . and couldn't find it either. Until this fortuitous day! Thanks to an imeem play list, I've discovered that this fantastic hook and song is "It's About Time" by Barcelona.

"It's About Time" is an endearing song with tons of crossover potential. While this song could find a home on any modern rock radio station, it possess the elements that appeal to good indie rockers everywhere. The ethereal guitar work juxtaposed with the straightforward rock sound of the rest of the song, strong vocals and rich layers throughout have made it a staple in my rotation.

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time to Listen:

While Scrubs is in my television show graveyard already, Barcelona could up the ante. This is the sound bands like The Fray wish they could find. C'mon Zach, freshen it up, you know you can hear this song in an episode.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Zach Braff.

ITS ABOUT TIME - Barcelona

Antony & the Johnsons: Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Covering "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" has all but become a cliche. But Antony & the Johnsons do what great artists are able to do with someone else's work, transform it while still doing it justice. They perform the cover for the I'm Not There soundtrack. Critically, you'll probably find this band categorized as Chamber Pop, but there are so many elements to their music that it's hard to comfortably categorize them. So, to assist in this matter, a word association for your edification on Antony & the Johnsons:

• Spooky Gospel Good
• Audible Androgyny
• Drama Queen Piano Bar
• Soul Reverberating Earnestness

Song Breakdown

Best Place and Time for Listen:

Your beat-up couch with shades pulled down. Embrace the sorrow!

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Wilson from Cast Away.

Modest Mouse: The World at Large

From the fanciful guitar at the beginning and the vocals delivered as if they are a conversation to the subtle string arrangements and repeated vocal refrain uh uh uh ah uh that gives the song an infectious undercurrent this song should be counted among Modest Mouse's best. "The World at Large" is the second track, first song really, off of Good News for People Who Love Bad News. The song almost feels like a proclamation, a sort of renewing, but never a complete abdication of the old.

I love what the song doesn't do. They were able to abstain from cluttering "The World at Large" with a sparse drum beat made up mainly of bass drum thuds. While The Moon & Antartica was more of their coming of age album that showed an undiscovered depth and ability to make a cohesive statement from beginning to end, Good News for People Who Love Bad News displayed the unpretentious ability that all who were fans knew Modest Mouse had, to appeal to a broader audience without sacrificing anything.

My favorite snippet of lyrics:

I like songs about drifters - books about the same.
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane.
Walked on off to another spot.
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want.
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?

Song Breakdown:

Best Place and Time to Listen:

Your next pier picnic with jug of wine in tow and legs dangling over the water.

If This Song Was a Celebrity It Would Be:

Ferdinand Magellan.