The Black Heart Procession crossed Paris

The first time I saw The Black Heart Procession was in November 2000 inside a Chinese junk called La Guinguette Pirate. It was right after the released of Three. The junk moored on the Seine River in the east part of Paris and was transformed in a concert hall, bar and restaurant. For years, lots of interesting bands stopped by at the Guinguette Pirate like Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Arab Strap, Laura Viers, Sleater-Kinney… The problem with this venue was the comfort: not much space, no real stage, a poor sound system and sometimes the pitching of the boat. I remember Lauren Hoffman escaping the stage at the end of her show because of seasick. So, concerning The Black Heart Procession, it was good to hear them for sure at that time except that I don’t even remember seeing them particularly Pall Jenkins when he was sitting playing his saw.

But, Monday evening (May 29) at La Maroquinerie, still in Paris, the sound was much better, there was a real stage and everybody could watch them without ache. The venue was almost full but not packed, let say something like 350 peoples. Lots of girls...

The Black Heart Procession, ex Three Mile Pilot, started to play in 1997 in San Diego. Since, they released 5 albums; the last one The Spell came out early this month (Touch and Go).

To come back to last Monday, once again they performed a strong show. The setlist (not available at this time) covered old and new songs with that unique sound of them: moody waltz, pounding midtempo rhythms that draw dark and spectral landscapes. The audience followed in procession the voice of Allan Jenkins, the multi-instrumentalist Tobias Nathaniel and the other members of BHP. A slow journey through a melancholic territory. If you add to that atmosphere special guests on stage like few bottles of French red wine shared by the musicians you have the exact picture of a very warm and comfortable evening for everybody especially for Allan Jenkins and his friends.

This summer, they will tour USA (go to BHP MySpace for more details). Don’t miss them!

• The Black Heart Procession official Website: www.blackheartprocession.com/
• The Black Heart Procession MySpace: www.myspace.com/theblackheartprocession

• The Black Heart Procession - Not Just Words.mp3

Photo Robert Gil: http://www.photosconcerts.com/

Pixies Gone To Heaven

Yesterday, Won Kai-Wai the president of the jury of the Cannes Film Festival rewards the British director Ken Loach’s The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Today, Leaky Sparrow declares the Palme d’Or of humour to be given to a band called Matthew’s Celebrity Pixies Covers. They do Pixies cover songs, but they do them to sound like “other famous people” doing them. It’s amazing and of course very very funny. Good job Matthew and congratulations !

Pixies… songs… performed by :

Prince - Hey
Elvis Presley - N° 13 Baby
Jimi Hendrix - Vamos
Bob Marley - Mr. Grieves
Tina Turner – River Euphrates
The Beach Boys – Levitate Me
The Bee Gees – Wave Of Mutilation
Frank Sinatra – Monkey Gone To Heaven

• Visit Matthew website: pottymouth.org/mcpt/
• Or Matthew MySpace: www.myspace.com/matthewscelebritypixiestribute

• For example, listen to Monkey Gone to Heaven - Frank Sinatra.mp3

El Perro Del Mar - The Swedish mermaid

In English El Perro Del Mar is a sea dog, in music El Perro Del Mar is the living form of a Swedish queen of pop named Sarah Assbring (Göteborg, Sweden).
“El Perro Del Mar simply is the easiest and most direct way for me to say and do the things I cannot do in real life. To live inside the music; to close the door on the outside world, if for just 3 minutes or basically just the length of a standard pop song, is what makes the hours of the day worth while.” said the beautiful Sarah in 2005.
The music of El Perro Del Mar is bittersweet; behind sweet and melancholic melodies you’ll find bitter words tinged with malice, personal and twisted thoughts. In that way, the songs of Sarah reminds me of the “late” Black Box Recorder, a combination of pop cheerfulness, irony and subversion.
The first full-length album El Perro Del Mar (April 2006) is now available in the UK and greater parts of Europe. Order your copy at Rough Trade or buy it in your local store. If you're based in the US the album is now up for order at Parasol.

• Official website: www.elperrodelmar.com
• MySpace: www.myspace.com/elperrodelmar

• El Perro Del Mar - God Knows (you gotta give to get).mp3
  

Music is the answer - OBS Festival

So today started the Orange Blossom Special Festival number 10 in Beverungen, Germany. It will last for four days until next Sunday.

Lots of my friends are there. Some are musicians, they will play or they will just hang around. The others are very good music lovers. How I wish I could be there with all those nice peoples but I have to stay in Paris. Sure, Leaky Sparrow will get a full review next week from one of them.

Here's the completed billing of this 2006’s Orange Blossom Special, including showtimes.

Thursday, May 25th
DIE MUKKETIER-BANDE(16:15–17:00)
ONE BAR TOWN(17:30 –18:30)
RUSTIES(19:00 – 20:05)
BOOZED(20:35 – 21:45)
Get Rhythm! DJs Koolski & Whirly Joe(22:00-24:00)

Friday, May 26th
NILS KOPPRUCH(14:15 -15:00)
JOYCEHOTEL(15:10 – 16:10)
GOLDRUSH(16:40 – 17:50)
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE(18:30 –19:40)
THE GREAT CRUSADES(20:20 – 21:50)
SARAH HEPBURN&BAND(22:20 – 23:30)

Saturday, May 27th
GERRIT STUNTEBECK (readings during changeovers)
ROBERT FISHER(12:00 –12:40)
DOWNPILOT(12:50 –13:50)
K1(14:20 – 14:40)
MOFRO(15:10 –16:20)
BIG BANG(16:50 – 18:00)
MARDI GRAS BB(18:40 –19:50)
THE WALKABOUTS(20:30 – 22:00)
WASHINGTON(22:30 – 23:40)

Sunday, May 28th
STEFAN MAELCK(Lesung) (12:15– 13:00)
AMY MILLAN(13:10 –13:40)
JASON COLLETT(13:50 – 14:50)
JEB LOY NICHOLS(15:20 –16:20)
SEACHANGE(16:50 – 18:00)
OKKERVIL RIVER(18:30– 19:40)
STEVE WYNN&THE MIRACLE THREE(20:10–21:40)
Get Rhythm! With DJs Koolski & Whirly Joe (21:50– 24:00)

To have an idea of what is the OBS Festival you can go to the official website and listen to: Resentments. People Get Ready - Theme.mp3 or download a video (Real Player) of: Willard Grant Conspiracy.rmvb

Nils Lofgren - The Köln Concert

The man that joined Neil Young at the age of 17 and went on tour as the guitar player of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band appeared on the stage of the Bürgerhaus Stollwerck at 20:10.

The 500 fans present gave Nils Lofgren a very warm welcome. What they saw was just a little man and his guitar, but what he did with his fingers on strings showed passion, energy, romance and fun in a really relaxed way-easy going. Always in contact with the audience, he talked about his songs giving winks to each other. A little man who made his guitar sounds enough. He was able to fill the hall only with an acoustic guitar and fast interesting fingerpicking. For him and his listeners it wasn’t necessary to behave like a Bruce Springsteen on stage, jumping, turning around like a hurricane, no, he was just walking around, bowing his body and sometimes if the rhythm scratched him too hard he turned around enjoyed his instrument while the audience was clapping hands or dancing. “Because the night belongs to us”.
Nils Lofgren is a hero in piano playing too, sounds like a beautiful looser, romantic and playful. It was really impressive to listen like he tamed his instruments in different ways.

Lucky Girl

Nils Lofgren - Bürgerhaus Stollwerck, Köln – May 21, 2006

1. DAMAGED GOODS
2. BLUE SKIES
3. YOU
4. ACROSS THE TRACKS
5. FRANKIE HANG ON
6. GIRL IN MOTION
7. COMFORT YOUR LOVE BRINGS
8. WALKING OUT THE DOOR (ugly synthesizer!)
9. WONDERLAND
10. COME A DAY
11. KEITH DON’T GO (ODE TO THE GLIMMER TWIN)
12. BELIEVE (piano)
13. GOIN’ BACK (piano)
14. WHISKEY HOLLER (piano)
15. THE SUN HASN’T SET ON THIS BOY YET (piano)
16. DEADLINE
17. MUD IN YOUR EYE
18. BECAUSE THE NIGHT
19. NO MERCY
20. I CAME TO DANCE
21. CRY TOUGH

• The official website: www.nilslofgren.com
• Listen to some tracks of the last Nils Lofgren 2006’s release called Sacred Weapon (his 17th studio album over the last 30 years) on: http://cdbaby.com/cd/nilslofgren4
  

Cat Power - A new Chan

Everybody knows that Cat Power is touring in the USA right now with a 12 piece band behind her (upcoming shows below). I had news from the first shows (Tucson, San Francisco). It looks like it’s a brand new Chan Marshall on stage. She delivered perfect performances. 100% there. In San Francisco, she held up her arms like a champion and said "sober!" Then, during the solo part of the show, she began to play Hate and changed the lyrics: "In the wind I crunch, I do not want to die." "I do not hate myself. And I do not want to die." "I do not hate me, myself, and I." Looks like a victory! At one point, someone yelled "back of his head" and she said "ha, no way, those days are O-ver!" She seemed to be enjoying playing in front of people again.

If you never experienced a Cat Power show, you may give a listen to the Munich show in 1998 on Captains Dead.com. Thanks to Greg! It may be a document now, because that old Chan looks to be dead. So, long live the new Cat Power.

• The Munich show http://www.captainsdead.com/?p=355

• Cap Power Website www.catpowerthegreatest.com
  
• Cat Power @ MySpace www.myspace.com/catpower

• Upcoming shows (All concerts backed by the Memphis Rhythm Band)
  
  JUNE
  Wednesday 07 - Boston, MA (Berklee Performance Ctr)
  Friday 09 - New York, NY (Town Hall)
  Saturday 10 - New York, NY (Town Hall)
  Sunday 11 - Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)
  Wednesday 14 - Washington, DC (930 Club)
  Friday 16 - Manchester, TN (Bonaroo Music Festival)
  JULY
  Saturday 01 - Detroit, MI (Comerica TasteFest)
  Sunday 02 - Montreal, QC (Montreal Jazz Fest (solo, no band))

Amy Rigby - Live in Paris

Pittsburg native Amy Rigby opened Thursday shows in la Pomme d’Eve most capably. Almost the opposite of Paul Ellis, Rigby stepped up to the microphone and kicked everything into high gear. With slashing acoustic guitar chords and quavering voice she sang us songs from the trailer park. "Cynically Yours", "I Don't Want To Talk About Love No More", "Are We Ever Gonna Have Sex Again", "Dancing With Joey Ramone". Her songs pander to no creed or to no one. Subjecting her subjects and us to her caustic wit and sharp eye her songs are funny, wry and yet poignant and full of life. A special treat was the introduction of Wreckless Eric (on his birthday!) for their duo of his hit "Whole Wide World". The perfect opener for a grand night of much needed acoustic music in Paris.

Bookerfatz2

Amy Rigby – La Pomme d’Eve, Paris – May 18, 2006

1. THE TROUBLE WITH JEANIE
2. CYNICALLY YOURS
3. DANCING WITH JOE RAMONE
4. ARE WE EVER GONNA HAVE SEX AGAIN?
5. I DON’T WANNA TALK ABOUT LOVE NO MORE
6. BEER & KISSES
7. WHOLE WIDE WORLD (with Wreckless Eric)

• Links to Amy’s website and to Wreckless Eric
• Music, bio and tour info on Amy’s myspace.com/amyrigby

• Amy Rigby - Dancing With Joey Ramone.mp3

Once again, thanks to Hervé (acousticinparis) for the evening, the picture and the setlist.

Ellis Paul - Acoustic in Paris

Last night show was in the intimate underground den at La Pomme d’Eve inside Paris. Ellis Paul (Boston, MA.) took the stage about 21H15 and in 60 seconds had the attention of the packed house. No little feat this and he did it not with loud notes, speed picking or the like but with subtlety, grace and space. He kindly and as a gentleman opened a door and invited us into his world. Ellis is a "folksinger" in the traditional sense of the word. He told us stories of everyday folks ("Maria's Beautiful Mess", "The World Ain't Slowing Down"), sometimes his own story ("Paris In A Day", "3,000 Miles") or just stories ("Jukebox On My Grave" "She Was"). Accompanying himself expertly on acoustic 6-string guitar, in every case the music and guitar playing served the song, the music the vehicle of the story. Ellis Paul has an amazing instrument in his voice. High, clear and bright, he effortlessly soared, many times away from an unneeded microphone to deliver with grace and vigor his beautiful melodies. A special mention must be made regarding Paul's musical addition to a Woody Guthrie poem. Apparently after Woody's death his family asked various songwriters to put music to some of his unrecorded works. To hear some forgotten Woody Guthrie lyric (in this case "Gods Promise") brought back to life with Paul's musical accompaniment was an achingly beautiful and magical moment. Most excellent!! Ellis Paul is an accomplished performer, an excellent guitar player and singer and a gifted writer. He certainly turned my head around about what contemporary folksingers are about. A most welcome reintroduction to a long neglected musical world for myself.

Bookerfatz2

Ellis Paul – La Pomme d’Eve, Paris – May 18, 2006

1. WORDS
2. MARIA’S BEAUTIFUL MESS
3. JUKEBOX ON MY GRAVE
4. ALL THE SKY YOU NEED
5. ALICE’S CHAMPAGNE PALACE
6. 3.000 MILES
7. TIME (?)
8. SHE WAS
9. BAD BAD BLOOD
10. THE WORLD AIN’T SLOWING DOWN
11. BLACKTOP TRAIN
12. IF YOU BREAKDOWN
13. DID GALILEO PRAY
14. GOD’S PROMISE
15. SPEED OF TREES
16. KISS THE SUN
17. PARIS IN A DAY
18. LET IT BE (with Amy Rigby)
19. THE ONLY WAY
20. (?) (a Ray Bonneville song)

• Listen to Ellis Paul’s Sweet Mistakes on: http://www.myspace.com/ellispaul
• Official website, bio and tour dates on: http://www.ellispaul.com/

Thanks to Hervé Oudet for the evening, the picture and the setlist.
Next acoustic evening is scheduled on June 8 at the Pomme d’Eve with Vince Bell and Hayward Williams. More information on: http://www.acousticinparis.com/

Single of the month : The Hearts of Kristin King

“There are very few females that sing and play rhythm and lead, you know?” notes Kristin King. “I play rhythm and lead guitar – my guitar sounds like five guitars.” What else to say except that is never too late to hear Kaleidoscope Hearts even if this song is coming from her only EP who was co-released on Jul 11, 2005 on a limited edition pressing of 500 copies with Prescription Records. Kristin King is one of Los Angeles' most talented artists, and is also the frontwoman for LA ensemble The Pretty Vicious

• http://www.myspace.com/theprettyvicious
• http://www.sosweetrecords.com/artists/kristin_king.html

• The mp3 link of Kristin King’s Kaleidoscope Hearts can be found there: Black Balloon blog

65DOS new single

Lovers of Mogwai and post-rock don’t go! Here is something for you: the release of a free download single from 65daysofstatic. Who are they? Explosions in the sky mixed with Aphex Twin… Rock with emotion and anger mixed with a little bit of electronic… And most of all a four-piece from Sheffield who’ve been around since three years and are just starting to built a solid reputation in the planet of post-rock music lovers.

The mp3 below will be available only for few days until the 27th of May. It's one of those sad robot tales that you sometimes hear people talking about. It's really good. So don’t wait, download and enjoy.

• 65daysofstatic website: http://www.65daysofstatic.com/
• Tour dates here: http://www.myspace.com/11488230

• 65daysofstatic - Drove Through Ghosts To Get There.mp3

Tunng

The electroni-folkers from Tunng will release their second opus Comments of the Inner Chorus on May 22nd (Full Time Hobby). Those London citizens provide wooden and elegant traditional folk songwriting mixed with original electronic sparkles her and there. A most expected and enjoyable release from the folktronica scene.

• More on : http://www.tunng.co.uk/
• Upcoming shows here: http://www.myspace.com/thisistunng

• Tunng - Jenny Again.mp3

Carrie Biell de nuit

Another strong coup de cœur to share with you, the 24 year old Carrie Biell from the Seattle music scene. Carrie has a voice that reminds me the time when I discovered Chan Marshall (Cat Power) in 1996. I couldn’t spend a day without listening to Chan and Carrie brings me to the same frame of mind.

Already 3 albums, the last one Autumn On You was released in 2004 and the next one will come pretty soon as Carrie Biell says in this message:

"So a lot of people have been asking me when I will have a new release out, and I just want everybody to know that I begin recording in a week with Shawn Simmons at Litho in Seattle. I hope to have it all mastered and pressed by the end of summer. Maybe even sooner. It has been 2 years since my last release, as many things have held me up such as band member changes and not having enough money to record the damn thing. Yet the time in between has been a really positive thing because it's given me a lot of time to write and fine tune new material with my new band members Steve and Joe. Steve's musical background and Louisiana roots has played a big part in the direction of my music, adding some of the Americana and country twang that fits so nicely with the songs I write. Joe's upright bass adds extra rhythm and depth. I'm really excited to complete this album and share the new music with everyone so don't go away. It's gonna happen."

Biell's band consists of Carrie Biell (Guitar, Vocals, some cello), Joe Wuollet (upright bass), and Steve Norman (dobro and electric guitar).

• More news here carriebiell.com or here myspace.com/carriebiell

• Carrie Biell - Cross The Line.mp3

Neko & the velvet country-music

Neko Case fourth studio album, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood (Bloodshotrecords, March 2006) – cut in Tucson in collaboration with likes The Band’s Garth Hudson and members of Calexico and Giant Sand – may help her not to remain a well-kept music celebrity-endorsed secret.
Drawn with both contemporary shades of modern Americana and the rustic stripes of her old time country heroines (Patsy Cline or Loretta Lynn), Neko Case perpetuate the tradition of country-music after having swept the dust.
Following Martha Wainwright last year revelation, Neko Case may be the voice of 2006.

• Neko Case official Website: http://www.nekocase.com/

• Neko Case - Star Witness.mp3

• Neko Case Performance Available for Download from NPR.org
  You can now download Neko Case's April 9th performance at DC's 9:30 Club. The show was originally broadcast live over NPR.org, but you can access it by going to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5325695.

The EdenlessBar

There are so many different ways to listen to music… one you shouldn’t miss is a week-end party with old and new friends around one or two of your favourite artists.

Last week-end, in Stuttgart, was held the 10th annual German RustFest (Neil Young Party), this time in combination with the German MooseFest (Bob Dylan Party). Many guests crowded the very friendly house of Peter and Claudia. Live music in the EdenlessBar during two nights. Lots of pleasant encounters. The screening of 10 of the best video clips of Bob and Neil. What would you ask for more?

Hope to be with you next year once again, folks!

• Let's Impeach The President (video)

Belle & Sebastian - Black Session # 246

A Black Session is a show that is broadcast live in the national French Radio called France Inter. It’s exactly the same than a John Peel Session except that it’s Bernard Lenoir, the Black, who is the big man. The lucky peoples in the attendance (not more than 200) are invited after put their names on Internet. Sometimes thousands of demands depending of who is on the bill. This time, I was one of the lucky one!
So, last Thursday was Black Session number 246. It was not the first one for Belle & Sebastian; they came in October ’98, with Isobel Campbell, of course. Last week, she wasn’t there and, well, we missed her a bit.
Belle & Sebastian you loved them or you may think that they write little pretty and naïve tunes for scotch grandmas and their childrens. I don’t want to enter in this debate. I am kind of neutral this time. I have records from them, not the last one yet, but I definitely appreciate them and was really happy to see them live.

They played new songs from The Life Pursuit (Matador, February 2006) and old ones like The State I am In to start, Fox in the Snow, The Boy with the Arab Strap and Judy and the Dream of Horses before they left (no encore). But, for me, the highlight was the song from the short TV story Belle et Sebastien directed buy Cécile Aubry in the sixties. A delight!

Belle & Sebastian - Studio 105, Radio France, Paris - April 4, 2006

1. THE STATE THAT I AM IN

2. ANOTHER SUNNY DAY

3. FUNNY LITTLE FROG

4. BELLE & SEBASTIAN

5. SUKIE IN THE GRAVEYARD

6. ELECTRONIC RENAISSANCE

7. MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER

8. TO BE MYSELF COMPLETELY

9. DRESS UP IN YOU

10. FOX IN THE SNOW

11. THE B0Y WITH THE ARAB STRAP

12. JUDY AND THE DREAM OF HORSES

• http://www.belleandsebastian.co.uk/
• http://matadorrecords.com/belle_and_sebastian/

• Belle & Sebastian - Another Sunny Day.mp3

Paul Simon's surprise

This one's for you Carole! I know you're only waiting to hear the new Paul Simon. Several cuts from Surprise (coming out next Tuesday) are streaming here (his official site). Let me know what you think about it when you'll buy it. Will he surprise you? It looks like Paul Simon is less "world music" oriented this time? Did you know that Brian Eno co-produce the album? Yes, of course... Anyway, good to see that Paul is back!

The song titles to Surprise are:

1. How Can You Live In The Northeast
2. Everything About It Is A Love Song
3. Outrageous
4. Sure Don't Feel Like Love
5. Wartime Prayers
6. Beautiful
7. I Don't Believe
8. Another Galaxy
9. Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean
10. That's Me
11. Father And Daughter

• http://www.paulsimon.com/

Holden - Buck-shot

Please, listen to Ce que Je suis here. Yes, it’s in French! But it’s quite a very nice melody with the beautiful and hypnotic voice of Armelle Pioline. Holden is the name of the group, they are French and Chevrotine is the name of their third album (Sony/BMG, February, 2006).

If you like Low, Stereolab, Radiohead or the sweet smell of ballads from the 60’s or the 70’s, you should be delighted.

Holden is touring right now: Brussels tomorrow, Paris next Friday and other places in France until the end of this month.

• http://www.holden.fr/
• http://www.myspace.com/holdenfrance
• Also some useful informations (French label) : Le Village Vert

Sonic news

Sonic Youth just returned home from a short visit to Paris. On June 13th, in New York, CBGB, they will start a summer tour that will bring them mainly in the USA with a couple of stops in Australia and Japan. The same day will see the release of Sonic Youth new CD/LP Rather Ripped (Geffen Records for the CD edition and Goffin’ Records for the vinyl one who will be available here). Later in July, the group will support Pearl Jam for few dates.

Concerning the cd, I had the chance to hear it twice. Let me tell you first, that I am not a very long time fan of Sonic Youth but I can say that on Rather Ripped it is more the pop side of Sonic Youth that the experimental one. Easy to say! It goes gently like waves; riffs of guitars going up and down around sometime whispered words. If you loved Murray Street or Sonic Nurse, you’ll find in Rather Ripped the Sonic Youth you like.

• More about Rather Ripped
• Official website http://www.sonicyouth.com/
• Tour dates http://www.myspace.com/sonicyouth

• Sonic Youth - Do You Believe In Rapture (live).mp3