Ruby Isle vs The Ravenonettes!

Last week I told you how Ruby Isle, in a fit of genius, decided that to spark their creative juices, that they would cover whatever song was currently sitting at the top spot on elbo.ws (which happened to be Hello, Blue Roses’ “Shadow Falls”). Well, it appears lightning can strike twice, as the Ruby gang head back to the elbo.ws charts and dropping a hyped up version of The Raveonettes “Aly, Walk With Me” (first brought to you here).

Ruby Isle “Aly, Walk With Me” (Raveonettes cover)

Lost and found

I know you know Peter Björn and John’s infectious “Young Folks” single from late last year, and I’m pretty sure you know that the call and answer female vocalist on that track was Victoria Bergsman, formerly of The Concretes. You probably already know that Bergsman is now working and recording under the name Taken By Trees, and that her debut, Open Field, was released earlier this year. Why do I know you know all this? Because you’re a discerning QBiM reader whose finger is on the proverbial pulse of the throbbing vein of indie music-dom.

Bergsman has been able to create more from less. With the simplest instrumentation and the power of her unique vocal phrasings, she has breathed life and substance into Open Field. Album opener “Tell Me” is built on a plucked guitar, some well-timed percussive echoes, and Bergsman harmonizing with herself. the result is magical. I love the song “Julia” because she pronounces it “Yulia”, and it’s unexpected and catches you by surprise each time. It’s charming and it’s a reminder that while language can be shared, every one’s experience of it is unique. Clearly, I’ve been taken by Taken By Trees, and hope that you take to them to.

Taken By Trees “Lost and Found”
~ from the album Open Field, 2007 (Rough Trade)

Tonight the streets are ours

I’ve been so impressed by the wonder and breadth of talent that is Richard Hawley lately. His latest album Lady’s Bridge has such a fresh and gorgeous sound. It’s akin to realizing the not-so-subtle differences between cheap booze and fine wine. After listening to the album’s rich tones and Hawley’s velvety crooner styling, you’ll marvel that you listened to such piss-poor slop for so long.

Richard Hawley “Tonight The Streets Are Ours”
~ from the album Lady’s Bridge, 2007 (Mute)

History Revisited

I’ve been undertaking a personal project at home that has me storing a lossless digital copy of all my CDs on a hard drive. Why? because I’m a geek, and also because it’s an exhaustive collection that doesn’t get listened to as often as it should. There’s been no rhyme or reason to how I’ve gone about starting this task, but last week, I spent a fair bit of time revisiting my Cowboy Junkies collection.

Since time immemorial (which goes back to when I was 14) I have been in love with Margo Timmins. Not so much in love with her as much as in love with her voice. I will never forget the first time I heard the Junkies version of “Sweet Jane”: it was the most haunting song, and the sexiest all at once. I actually consider it one of the hallmarks of my musical coming-of-age. It not only introduced me to the music scene on Toronto’s Queen Street West, but it was also the point where I decided Lou Reed was cool and not an old geezer.

Today, November 27, marks the twentieth anniversary of the recording of The Trinity Session, the Cowboy Junkies second album, and arguably, their finest moment. The story has been told a hundred times but it’s so good it’s worth repeating: in (almost) one night, around one microphone, the band set up a makeshift studio inside the Church of the Holy Trinity in the middle of downtown Toronto and laid down some tracks–14 of which made their way onto the resulting album, named after the recording’s location. Grand total for the night’s work: $621.00… including pizza.

From God’s ears to the public’s wallet, The Trinity Session went on to earn them a high of 26 on Billboard’s album charts (“Sweet Jane” reached 5 on the singles chart), a spot on Saturday Night Live, and Gold album sales status, and a place in my heart for all time. A few years later I was a gushing fool when I met Margo Timmins in person as she sang “O Canada” before the start of a Welland Pirates baseball game, stammering about how much I loved listening to her voice, how much I loved the band and the music–you know, basically sounding like a foolish fan. She just smiled, that shy, coy smile of hers, said “Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you” and signed my copy of Black Eyed Man.

So be sure to celebrate The Trinity Session today by going out and finding yourself a copy of the gorgeous Trinity Revisited CD/DVD, which features an anniversary performance of the album in it’s entirety in the shrine of it’s birth, featuring guest performers Natalie Merchant, Ryan Adams, and Vic Chestnut.

Cowboy Junkies “Sweet Jane”

Cowboy Junkies “Misguided Angel”

~ from the album The Trinity Session, 1987 (Latent)

Sipping on the sweet nectar

Yesterday it was Pet Politics, on the weekend we had Sally Shapiro in the 4PLAY mix, and throughout the year we’ve taken a good hard look at the kings and queens of Swedish pop in 2007. How can we let the year come to a close without mentioning Jens Lekman among our very favourite imports of the past twelve months?

Lekman’s Night Falls Over Kortedala is a work of genius. He is an innate songwriter, which allows for the multiple mutations and arrangements the songs take on when he plays them live. A cappella, with just a guitar and back CD, or full-on Robert Palmer-style female backing band, the music remains the same.

If you’ve yet to experience Jens Lekman, give yourself an early Christmas present and search this album out. And while you’re out shopping, can you pick me up some eggnog? I’m fresh out.

Jens Lekman “Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo”
~ from the album Night Falls Over Kortedala, 2007 (Secretly Canadian)