As I’ve said before, I don’t keep up with the music biz like I used to do. Bands come and go and I really have no idea — I’m middle-aged, OK? — although recently I’ve been listening to the World Cafe, and playing Music Choice’s adult contemporary channel. Past exceptions to my lack of awareness include Green Day‘s “American Idiot”, which caught my attention instantly, radiohead’s “Creep”, and a song that I can’t believe is already more than ten years old. “The Way”, by Fastball.
I don’t know if this was intended to be an homage to Elvis Costello, but that’s what it is. That’s not a knock! It’s hard to convey just how much I admire something like this, that gets everything right and really gets under my skin, whether it’s a scruffy indie band or a piece of slick, commercial fluff — like this. Forty years ago, “Whole Lotta Love” and “Sugar, Sugar” were on the radio at the same time, and I loved listening to both.
Another tune that I think shows something of the influence of Declan McManus is by a MySpace friend of Lía Pamina en España, named Prudencia Valenica, aka: Prudence.
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2009/JUL/NoNameNoPlace.mp3]Love that last chord! Very Beatles-ish. This tune is a real gem. On one of the music programs I mention above, I heard something new from Sting, and it was just a long atmospheric drone with no real idea behind it. In contrast, in just the first ten seconds of “No Name No Place”, it’s obviously a winner. You should listen to everything on Prudence’s playlist. I guess I’m just a frustrated A&R man.
And here’s more of Lía! First her lovely performance of Margo Guryan‘s “Someone I Know”, which borrows from J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”. Then you’ll see Lia’s creatively animated video for Guryan’s demo of “Love Songs” that she later revised and refined for Margo’s studio recording.
Hello!!!
Thank you very much again! I love writing songs, is what I like and I suppose this is a reward. A phrase of encouragement enough for me to continue making music. Thank you, Doug! “no name, no place” is also one of my favorites …
Prudence — Why be surprised? You have an exceptional talent! I do indeed think that “No name, no place” is an outstanding work. I listen to it over and over. Your writing is excellent, you have creative song ideas, and you know how to carry them across to listeners, with a great sound to your recordings. Bravo, Prudence!
(Note: Prudence isn’t Prue Bury, folks!)
Hey!!! what a wonderful surprise!!! Really? Do you like “No name, no place”?…You don`t know how much happy that I´m at this moment…Thank you so much!!! (Mil besos, Lia!!!)
Lia — thank you for the information about Margo’s song and your video of it — which is perfect as it is.
Doug! I’m glad you lieke to the “Love songs” video.
Doug!, I’m glad you have found my friend Prudence (beautiful name, by the way 😉 she is very talented musician, has very good songs and a beautifult voice! 🙂
OOoooh what a surprise again, haha!, you has posted my video!.
I made this video just because my brother (who is playing piano) and me were playing this Margo song, and we recorded this video to send just to a friend that loves Margo too. I uploaded it on YouTube and then Margo Guryan found it, and wrote me telling me that she loves the version because here the ‘Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ in being played as the melody that was what Margo wanted to do at fist when she wrote the song.
If I had known it I’d have done a better video, rehearsing more the song!
Thanks, Doug you are so nice!