Alex Claire is currently the voice of corporate entity Microsoft. Alex Clare is much more than that.
Please let me show you why; Most of you know him from his chart topping hit "Too Close":
Great Video, great pop production, good job Alex for getting that MS sponsorship. My fear is that you wont see past that to the amazing artist that exists beyond that. When I first Alex I saw him performing that song on acoustic guitar in a completely different manner. Give this a listen wont you?:
A little different no? Then I went on to give this Gyptian international cover a listen:
Pretty AMAZING isn't it?
If you are not sold on AC, then let me provide the jury with one final argument- A Live Etta James Cover of "Damn Your Eyes"; I think that it speaks for itself:
Austin City Limits is my favorite music show on television. With a rich history, amazing location, and immense credibility, this program usually find the best music played on a guitar in the United States and holds it up for all to see. Focusing mainly on Country & Americana historically, ACL has lately been branching out to bring a broader styles of music to its core audience. Below are my favorite moments from the last 8 years:
Brandi Carlile has been one of my heroes for a long time. I have managed to see her perform live twice (Once with the Indigo Girls) and she continues to release record after amazing record including her latest called "Bear Creek". The performance below, an acapella rendition of "Oh Dear" melts my heart every time that I hear it. It is also a favorite of my daughter Avery.
Ray Lamontagne performing a very early version of the song "Empty." I will never forget hearing this for the first time in my little apartment in Los Angeles and thinking, damn this guy can write some lyrics!
Damien Rice performing "The Blowers Daughter" live on ACL. I love this song so much that I picked it to be the song I played at my wedding when I danced with my mom.
The Avett Brothers performing "When I Drink." I especially love the line "Cause we only get so many days...now I have one less"
This is the band The National performing a song called "About Today." I love the simple yet profound lyrics and the musical build up.
Iron and Wine taking a good (In my opinion) studio track and making it special with an acoustic live performance of "Upward Over the Mountain."
If you are still watching these you are in for a treat. This last one is called "O'Brien" and is performed by M. Ward of the band She & Him and Conor Oberst of the band Bright Eyes. The beginning involves some intentionally off-key discordant guitar work, but it comes together by the end. I love the lyrics, the sound, and this song is one that my wife and I will sing randomly to each other when driving because it has gotten so stuck in our heads! Enjoy:
There you have it! My favorite ACL moments of the last 8 years. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate a few songs that I wanted to include from ACL. "Chances Are" by Hayes Carl should be included in the songs above, as should "Rivers and Roads" by The Head and The Heart. Both artists made something special in their ACL performances.
A lot of folks dismiss The Head And The Heart as just another hipster band from Seattle. I agree that the hipster elements are there, but I also see something that transcends that. The talent is undeniable. The songwriting is beautiful. The lyrics range from cunning to nonsensical. The vocal harmonies are a mix wonderful, awkward, thrilling, and intentional.
Charity (The well dressed blonde woman) has the voice of an angel. A fashionable, sometimes off key, Joe "Cockeresky" stage presence, diva with a unique sound akin to that of an sincere music teacher on acid.
Josiah strikes me as the glue that holds the band together. Great songwriter, hard worker, nice tone, adaptable voice, and probably the engine that drives the band to continue on.
Jonathon Russell is the gravely voiced often bearded face of the band. He wrote and performs my favorite song from this group, but also sings many of the intro lines to the band's songs to great effect.
This is the band performing "Rivers and Roads" on KEXP Live. This song is what I would consider to be "Epic". Do you agree?
This is the band performing "Sounds Like Hallelujah" live on WNRN. Can you hear the Queen influence? Do you agree?:
Finally, this is Jon performing a new and yet unknown and nameless song. I love this so much that I will go out on a limb here and say that this song will either be a "Hit" or something that the best musicians look back on and remember fondly as the song that should have been. Check out "Untitled"
I randomly stumbled across Michael Kiwanuka while trying to find an old Joan Osborne performance on KCRW. When I first heard this guy I imagined Bill Withers melting into Bon Iver surrounded by Nick Drake who in turn was hugging Fred Neil. A Brit whose parents escaped the Yamin reign in Uganda, this gentleman knows how to captivate my 10 month old daughter in seconds of beginning a live performance. I STRONGLY urge you to check out his other work, but thus far this song is the one that strikes me as imperative to listen to immediately. "Lason" recorded live on KCRW:
Dawes is a band that I have been following for a long time, starting with the spectacular video above "When My Time Comes". Their brotherly harmonies, the beautiful lyrics, and the 1970's sound shine through every time that I listen to this amazing group. I saw them live in Baton Rouge awhile back, and I got to meet most of the band after the show. Unfortunately when I asked the singer, Taylor Goldsmith, about his Los Angeles Roots, we disagreed on the USC vs. UCLA battle. That being said, they were very kind, friendly, and above all talented musicians. Recently I discovered two of their live performances made me stand up and listen. I hope that you will too! Pay special attention to the lyrics, performance and delivery:
"Million Dollar Bill" (Live at the Collect)
Best Lines: "When it hits me that she's gone I think I'll run for president Get my face put on the million dollar bill So these rich men that she wants Show her the ways they can take care of her I'll have found a way to be there with her still"
"Moon in the Water" (Live at the Collect)
This song is a solo effort from the singer Taylor Goldsmith. Beautiful lyrics abound!
Best Lines: "Love is for the fighter Born to lose and never quit Swinging for the moon In the water"
