Entertainment For Lively Minds
Sarah Harmer
I know we often recommend different records and artists to each other on this, the greatest of blog sites. Anyway I want to recommend a singer who remains almost unmentioned in the British music press . Her name is singer/songwriter Sarah Harmer she comes from Kingston Ontario. Her 4 albums are all available under "new and used" on amazon uk for roughly a fiver each. Her first one, funnily enough is a covers album dedicated to her Dad called "Songs For Clem", it's lovely. Her middle two "All of our Names" and "You Were Here" are both fabulous in a Folk/Rock/Pop vein. Her last one "I Am A Mountain" is more of a folky bluegrass type of record, a slight departure, it is well worth a listen. If any of you buy one of these I would be interested in your re-action.
Anyone else have a personal favoutite who deserves more exposure??
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Man or Astroman?
One of the few bands I bought solely on the description. I was promised "Sci-Fi/Surf" music and that's exactly what they delivered.
They play guitar instrumentals interspersed with sound effects/dialogue from old B-Films. The song-titles naturally sound like B-films themselves, for example "Interstellar Hardrive" and "Evil Plans of Planet Spectra."
They are not going to change your life but they are perfect, and I really do mean perfect as in "have attained perfection" ipod fillers. All their songs are short and sharp. They will certainly stand out from all your Richard Thompson tracks.
I've got eight of their cds, six months ago I had none. I can take or leave their infrequent vocal tracks. The only cd of theirs I don't rate is the Live cd "Live Transmissions From Uranus." They just talk too much to the audience.
If anyone is interested a compilation of their early singles and EP's called "Destroy All Astromen!" proved for me a fine place to start.
Decoration
Both mentioned above are mighty fine. Sarah Harmer is lovely stuff. I only have I'm A Mountain and All of Our Names...must search out the others.
Man or Astroman are perfect for driving along too...Cookieboy has nailed them perfectly..always good for use as imaginary intro music on the mix CD/PLaylist.
Anyway Decoration are a band from Bolton, cracking indie pop in a Wedding present circa George Best/Bizarro era...if there is a better song that mentions having your city & guilds than "concrete" from their first album, then I have yet to hear it...
They can be found here...http://www.myspace.com/firepop
Billy Franks
A favourite of mine for years is Billy Franks who fronted the Faith Brothers in 80s. He is now a solo artist and has a new album out at present called Turtledove Boutique. Youtube video below for the title track and the video is a spoof of various music videos over the year.
He is about to release a documentary film called "Tribute This" where he and some friends visit various countries to try to get some famous names such as Rod Stewart, Bruce Spingsteen and others to record one of his songs for a tribute album to an unknown songwriter. The trailer is below and some of his albums are available to download free from billyfranks.com.
I hope the film gives the guy some much deserved exposure.
Cheers.