Have you ever heard a voice like this one?

His name is Fred Neil.  Check him out.

Songs you should Hear: Trampled by Turtles "Alone"

I first time I heard this song it made me love the one I love more than ever before.  "but in between there is you and me....alone".  This song is called "Alone" by the band Trampled by Turtles:

By the way...great tat on the singer!

Prediction: Great Song about to break

I have been following the Head and the Heart since a good friend of mine referred me to them for great music about a year ago.  The best part of this wonderful band has always been their harmonies.  That being said, this songs stands out to me as one that will be AMAZING with some adequate production.  Sung by only one member in this video (the writer), I will be heartbroken if this song doesn't receive the musical treatment it deserves.

Thanks in advance to the fan that took this video...you were there for magic!

If you want to hear the version that made me fall in love go here: http://www.fuelfriendsblog.com/2012/05/08/fuelfriends-chapel-session-15-the-head-and-the-heart-encore/
and listen to "Untitled" the fourth track.

JH

Artists you Might not have heard of but need to hear: Sons of Bill

I love discovering undiscovered talent.  Sons of Bill isn't a new group by any means, but they have yet to receive the acclaim and success that I think they deserve.

Hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia these brothers take their band name from their father Bill Wilson.  Band members include brothers James, Sam, and Abe Wilson, Seth Green, and Todd Wellons.  The youngest brother Luke is not in the band, but is a great talent in his own right and he is TRULY undiscovered.  SOB funded their latest record Sirens through Kickstarter and made it happen.  I wish I knew about them then as I would surely have contributed (especially to get some the awesome stuff they were offering to contributors like signed vinyl and live concerts in your house!)

The signer James has a low voice with a beautiful tone.

James Wilson

Sam Wilson

The guitarist Sam is excellent and on some solos reminds me a LOT of  Mark Knopfler of Dire Straights fame.   I suspect they were all metal heads at one time because you can find them doing an excellent cover of my favorite Metallica song Fade to Black.  The keyboardist is also very good and sings very well.  In any case, I will forever tell everyone who loves good music, specifically alt country and straight rock and roll, about the great talent in this band.  Without further ado, here is Sons of Bill:

Virginia Calling (Live on WNRN): Watch Virginia Calling
I can't get this song out of my head, and I suspect it is about their home state or a lost love named Virginia
Best lyric "Sometimes is makes you wonder, all you lose and all you gain, with your conscience cocked to hear the thunder, but boy your just standing in the rain"

Santa Ana Winds: Watch Santa Ana Winds
This is SOB doing straight forward rock and roll.  According to them the song is about arson in Los Angeles because "when we sing about other states we only sing about burning them down."
Best lyric "There ain't no skating by, cause were all gonna die, no matter what the plastic surgeon told you"

Siren Song (Live on WNRN): Siren Song
A beautiful song about music fame
Best lyric "And your heart it screams to belong, but we live and die as we dream all along"

SOB in their Younger Days 

Undiminished, with a heart that longs for light

Morrissey's most recent letter to his fans ended with the words "Undiminished, with a heart that longs for light".  These beautiful words have inspired me for my latest challenge.  My  favorite songs dealing with light.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfaRh5nlnY8
Jon Allen "In your Light" Live on the Jools Holland Show-  With a voice like Rod Stewart and the ability to pull it off live, I am continually impressed with this young British singer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj1jJnl0UO0
Priscilla Ahn "Pretty Lights (City Lights)"  -I heard this in a theater while waiting to watch a movie and I couldn't get it out of my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QzGvoUMBoA
The Black Keys "Everlasting Light"  -Straight forward blues with nothing added done by two guys and no one else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uln9iSS0f1s

The Avett Brothers "Smoke In Our Lights (Live)" - The Avett Brothers are easily in my top ten favorite bands of all time.  I have seen them live twice and their harmonies are incredible.  Their lyrics are amazing and they have more country in them than any mainstream country artist out there right now.  This song is about the feeling you had when you were 16 and invincible and in love with someone.  More then that, it is about when you attach a time of your life to a person and that time happens to be some of the best times of your life.  If you have the opportunity to watch them on a rerun of  Austin City Limits you better take it...trust me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-cD4oLk_D0

The Smiths "There is a Light That Never Goes Out"- The Smiths are my favorite group of all time and this song is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time.  Very British, very honest, very touching.

Delta Rae

If you have never heard of Delta Rae you need to get your ears checked

Three of their best are below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bimam2j2gEg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ_JqRcU9YA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnd9yIWsfRA

Enjoy!

I am back...LIVE & International Vocals

It has been a few years since I posted anything here.  There has been a lot of good music I have found since I posted last.  2 years since my last post is a LONG time so I think I will begin with the stuff I am excited about most recently and work backward.  The catch here is that these were all recorded LIVE and the bands have (some) international roots.  If the you haven't seen these recently, you should check them out in my opinion.  They are in no order of preference starting with Hugo.

1) Hugo - 99 problems (Cover)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8pbCtJjuqo  My thoughts: He may have 99 problems but a bitch ain't one.  At the end he calls it a bit of misogyny.  I agree.

2) Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vkqx4nRLdc My thoughts: Temper trap have been compared to U2.  Similar guitar to be sure, but Bono doesn't have a falsetto like this guy.  They are an Australian band mostly, but Dougie (the lead singer) is from Indonesia originally.

3) Young the Giant - Cough Syrup (Acoustic) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdPgRtwlE6g
My thoughts:  Sameer is an AMZING lead singer.  If you are not convinced, go check out their cover  of "rolling in the deep".  Beautiful Lyrics and great structure.

4) Ben Howard - Old Pine (Live on Jools Holland Show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oz2Tv8mpP0 My thoughts: Simply Amazing lyrics, voice, and presence.  This guy will be the next Amos Lee/Ray Lamontagne/Damien Rice/Brandi Carlile if he is not careful.  The first album includes this track and MANY other AMAZING ones.  Good on ya Ben!

5) Paolo Nutini - Pencil Full Of lead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuzki0ZpDo
My thoughts: This Scottish Singer with roots in "Da Boot" has an amazing combination of voice, style, good looks, and soul.  If only he would come to Baton Rouge!



Well friends it has been awhile.  I take requests and list challenges if you send them my way.  Otherwise I will keep posting for fun , make up my own, and hope someone finds a new favorite song, band, or style of music.  As always, I challenge anyone to question the quality of the music above.  Enjoy!