Little Sea Horse

August 4th, 2008 by Pete

Non-parents may want to move on to the next post, ’cause this one’s a little ch-ch-cheesy.

I’ll make it short & sweet - my four year old daughter attended her first day of kindergarten today. I’m a proud papa, and I’m sort of blown away that I have a child who is now going to school. Seasoned parents are nodding their heads, while at the same time shaking them in a sort of “you have nooo idea what you have in store for you” way. It just keeps getting more and more interesting, folks, and I’m just underway…

Well, a couple of weeks ago, my girl had a sort of “graduation” ceremony at her YMCA preschool. Her class was referred to as the Sea Horses. As the Sea Horses shuffled through in a controlled-chaos single file to receive their cute little certificates, with their cute little caps on, I had this Bruce Cockburn song going through my head. It comes from a brilliant 1976 album called In the Falling Dark.

I count this and Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaw as two of my all time favorites. They soothe and calm me, and bring me to a good place when things seem a little jagged and confused.

The lyrics merit an appearance here (bolded by me):

Little seahorse
Swimming in a primal sea
Heartbeat like a
Leaf quaking in the breeze
I feel magic as coyote
In the middle of the moon-wild night

In the forge-fire time
Your mother glowed so bright
You were like a
Voice calling in the night
And I’m watching the curtain
Rising on a whole new set of dreams

The world is waiting
Like a Lake Superior gale
A locomotive
Racing along the rail.
It’ll sweep you away
But you know that you’re never alone

Little seahorse
Floating on a primal tide
Quickening like a
Spark in a haystack side
I already love you
And I don’t even know who you are

Nice eh? It’s enough to make a tough dad get a tad misty eyed. And that’s okay. Congrats kiddo - I have no earthly idea how I ever got along without you.

Bruce Cockburn - Little Sea Horse (mp3)

Buy In the Falling Dark

To illustrate even further how much I love this album, here’s my favorite off the record:

Lord of the Starfields (mp3)

Posted in Acoustic, Folk, Laid Back | 1 Comment »

A Heavenly Day

February 27th, 2008 by Pete

There I was this past weekend, wrapping up a late Sunday afternoon car wash in the driveway (washing the hell out of my wife’s car due to the guilt of trading myself up for a new Honda Ridgeline - naughty, selfish husband!). I had the iTunes streaming down to the garage stereo (because I will perform no household or automotive task without background music - that would be silly).

As dusk set in, and I was pulling her car into the garage, this song came on. I sat silent for a few, taking in the song. I sighed in contentment, closed the garage door, and went on with my night. It was already a good weekend. Patty Griffin made it even better.

Patty Griffin - Heavenly Day (mp3)

Buy Children Running Through:

Posted in Acoustic, Laid Back | 3 Comments »

The Bird and the Bee

January 27th, 2008 by Gonzo

Ickmusic contributor the Great Gonzo returns! - Pete

Hello, Ickies. I know I’ve been pretty quiet, sorry about that. Last semester was a doozy, and things have been hectic over the holidays. But I’ve returned!

Today, I give you The Bird and the Bee out of L.A. I first came across this group in late 2006 when I heard their EP again and again and again and again. The EP contained 4 tracks, three of which were slated for their upcoming full length, the fourth a Peaches remix of “Fucking Boyfriend.” I was drawn into the band’s unique sound. Laid back, yet poppy. Indie-ish, yet polished. And a hint of jazz (they are, after all, on Blue Note).

The male component of the duo is Greg Kurstin, formerly of Geggy Tah. Yes, *that* Geggy Tah. But don’t let that turn you off. I promise, The Bird and the Bee are much more sophisticated than their 1996 hit, “Whoever You Are.” The female lead is Inara George, an aspiring actress turned musician.

The group’s 2007 self-titled full length is simply splendid. I’m generally horrible at description, so let’s let the band speak for themselves, eh?

The Bird and the Bee - “Again and Again” from their self-titled full length

Later in 2007, the band released an EP, Please Clap Your Hands. The EP carries 5 brand-spankin’ new tracks, all of which are in much the same vein as the self titled album. A particular highlight for me however, is their take on the Bee Gees’ “How Deep is Your Love.” I’ve always liked the song, but this version made me melt.

The Bird and the Bee - “How Deep Is Your Love” from Please Clap Your Hands EP

And it looks like they’re planning another release for 2008. Do these folks sleep?

Buy The Bird and the Bee music at the Amazon mp3 store

The Bird and the Bee (MySpace)
The Bird and the Bee (Official Site)

Posted in Indie, Laid Back | 5 Comments »

Jumping on the Band (of Horses) Wagon

January 23rd, 2008 by Pete

I’m late to the Band of Horses bandwagon. I guess my inclination is to shy away from the darlings of the indie critics and hipsters. Well, I made a mistake for not checking these guys out earlier. Since the beginning of the year, Cease to Begin has been on regular rotation over here in the House of Ickmusic. Lead singer Ben Bridwell’s voice is the key for me - gentle and soothing.

The album is top notch from start to finish, but it’s this track - the finale - that I could literally put on Repeat for a day straight and never tire of it.

Band of Horses - Windows Blues (mp3)

Buy: Cease to Begin

Links: Official Site | MySpace

Posted in Indie, Laid Back | 1 Comment »

A Few Moments with Joni Mitchell

November 30th, 2007 by Pete

Joni Mitchell first came into my consciousness more than 20 years ago when Prince mentioned her as one of his biggest influences in an interview. He’s covered Joni’s “A Case of You” (”U”, naturally, when Prince does it) over the years, and “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker” has that Joni influence as well.

Oh, I’ve heard “Big Yellow Taxi”, and I’ve seen her sing with The Band in The Last Waltz. But beyond that, not much Joni in my life.

But I heard her new single, “Shine”, in the car a few weeks ago (on Sirius of course - “terrestrial” radio would never play such a song - at least not in Phoenix: Radio Wasteland America). It’s a beautiful, fascinating song. I can’t quite measure the feeling it gives me. It’s contentment, but guilt. Joy and sadness, if that’s possible. Just read her amazing lyrics to this song. Well, listen first, then go back and read along the second time.

It’s raining steadily outside right now for the first time in ages. Has been all day. It’s dark, quiet, and all I hear are the rain and this beatiful song. They perfectly complement each other.

Joni Mitchell - Shine (mp3)

Buy: Shine

Joni’s Official Site

Posted in Folk, Laid Back | 1 Comment »

Pete Droge’s Psychedelic Love Song

October 21st, 2007 by Pete

A killer love song from an underrated artist. I love the psychedelic effects, the instrumentation, the lyrics. This one just floats.

Pete Droge - Do Be True (mp3)

Buy Skywatching (2003)

Visit Pete’s Official Site | MySpace

Posted in Laid Back, Rock | No Comments »

Citizen Cope - D’Artagnan’s Theme

August 23rd, 2007 by Pete

I’ve been meaning to post this song for a while now. And it’s Michael’s great Alice Smith post that spurred me into action. Alice had been opening up for Citizen Cope on his recent tour.

Cope is the pseudonym of Clarence Greenwood, and I’ve been enjoying his last couple of albums - 2004’s The Clarence Greenwood Recordings and last year’s Every Waking Moment - for a while now. They truly surprise me, as they seem to get better and better the more I listen. It was one of those iTunes shuffle moments when this song came up, and made me stop what I was doing to enjoy the laid back, semi-sad vibe.

D’Artagnan refers to Charles de Batz-Castelmore, Comte d’Artagnan, one of the the fictionalized Three Musketeers. I can’t quite figure out who the protagonist is, but the lyrics evoke an outlaw type who has no time for the woman he’s singing to.

Well I don’t know how else to say it
In a different way
But why don’t you just fade away
‘Cause there’s a battle going on
Down south of Babylon
So why don’t you just fade away

The tune is a breeze on the acoustic guitar. C-F-G. Impress your family and friends!

This one comes from The Clarence Greenwood Recordings….

Citizen Cope - D’Artagnan’s Theme (mp3)

Buy: The Clarence Greenwood Recordings | Every Waking Moment

Citizen Cope on

Citizen Cope’s Official Site

Posted in Acoustic, Laid Back | 6 Comments »

Mmmemphis

August 3rd, 2007 by Pete

I missed Cry Cry Cry, a folk supergroup of sorts, the first time around. The group was made up of Dar Williams, Lucy Kaplanski, and Richard Sindell. They released only one album, in 1999.

I sure am glad I heard this song a few weeks ago on Sirius Disorder. It’s really one of the most beautiful and bittersweet songs I’ve come across in a while.

“I saw my choices, and I chose Memphis, now all I can see is you.”

Cry Cry Cry - Memphis (mp3)

Buy Cry Cry Cry.

Posted in Folk, Laid Back | 1 Comment »

Simple Twist of Fate, Jerry-Style

May 1st, 2007 by Pete

Regardless of your general palate for the Grateful Dead, it’s pretty hard to listen to this version of the Bob Dylan-penned “Simple Twist of Fate” and not be moved. Whether it’s Garcia’s pleading and perfect vocal, or his crisp and cascading guitar solos, this performance is simply gorgeous.

The Jerry Garcia Band was Jerry’s opportunity to let loose and play some of his favorite music outside of the Dead “scene”, from Dylan to Motown to gospel. And in my opinion, it got no better than this…

Jerry Garcia Band - Simple Twist of Fate (mp3)

Buy: Jerry Garcia Band

Posted in Laid Back | 2 Comments »

Back in time with Shaw / Blades Influence

April 1st, 2007 by Pete

A Shaw / Blades post seemed to be inevitable: seeing them on VH1-Classic one afternoon, hearing them on Howard Stern the following week, and then being approached by a friend, demanding Shaw / Blades exposure on Ickmusic. So here goes…

Jack Blades, formerly of 80’s super hair-pop group Night Ranger, and Tommy Shaw, singer / guitarist for Styx, first joined together as two members of Damn Yankees (along with the Nuge) in 1990. Seventeen years later, the two are still collaborating, as Shaw / Blades. Influence, released in February, is actually their second release. Hallucination was released back in 1995.

Influence, as the title suggests, is a journey through the classic tunes of yesteryear that influenced the two. They take on tunes by the likes of Buffalo Springfield, the Zombies, and Yes. But they also show their soft sides by covering Orleans, Seals & Crofts, and the Mamas & the Papas. Well actually, soft is a theme throughout the album. They put the soft, smooth, seventies lite-rock twist on every tune on it.

It’s nothing groundbreaking by any means. The covers stay very true to the originals. But it’s … nice. Shaw and Blades are two very down to earth, likeable guys. And they’re sharing the music that means something in their lives. You can’t knock that. And to the fans who have followed them through their careers - like my friend Shannon - it means something to them too.

Shaw/Blades: Time of the Season (mp3) -originally by the Zombies

Buy:

Track List:
1. Summer Breeze (Seals & Crofts)
2. Time Of The Season (Zombies)
3. Your Move (Yes)
4. I Am A Rock (Simon & Garfunkel)
5. Lucky Man (Emerson, Lake and Palmer)
6. The Sound Of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel)
7. California Dreamin’(Mamas & Papas)
8. On A Carousel (the Hollies)
9. Dirty Work (Steely Dan)
10. For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield)
11. Dance With Me (Orleans)

Shaw / Blades‘ Official Site | MySpace

Posted in Laid Back | 5 Comments »