NPR did a piece on virtuoso upright bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons and his latest album Méditerranées this evening and I was hooked. If you're looking for a change of pace from your usual music, this mediterranean journey concept album delivers.

Also, I came across a lovely version of the Scottish traditional song "Lassie, will ya go?" (a.k.a. Wild Mountain Thyme): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuTOSpKojKM

You can buy is on Amazon here.

Listening to some Lykke Li I didn't have before.

Also, does anyone have tons of spare money? Stone Darling is trying to finish mixing and mastering their debut EP, so, like a lot of new independent artists, they're trying to fund their project by taking pledges. It would be great to see their goal met so they can release it. I did the $100 pledge, as they'll do an acoustic cover of a song of my choice at that level of pledging. I couldn't quite convince myself to do $350 to get a song written specifically for me. But yeah, they'll take much smaller pledges, so just consider it. And also, what song should I have them do an acoustic cover of?

Also still enjoying Cake's new album. Good stuff.

Free Bird! Freeeeee Biiiiiiirrrrrrd!

Zee Avi - Zee Avi

fresh voices...and I found that her voice is sweeter playing using my friend's Triangle Geneses Quartet than my M60...but the Triangle are more than double the price of the M60....

Laura Gibson - Beasts of Seasons

Lulling, but with moments that reach a little higher. I like the sound of the album.

Listening to Q107 online right now. Journey, Tragically Hip, Janis Joplin, Rush, Led Zep.....

Lunatic Fringe....I know you're out there....you're in hiding.

Sounds like the Q107 we have out here.

Man, I love the 80's.

Robert Plant's Band of Joy is on tour. I don't think I can go, because I already have tickets to Buddy Guy for the week before Plant comes to Seattle. But still...

The announcement led me to listen to "Band of Joy" and again to the "Pounding Raising Sand" album with Alison Krauss.

I like this kind of music, and appreciate the way Robert practices his art. However, I can't help but think that the live version will transcend the recordings. On the "Sand" material, I found the "Crossroads" video performance to be SO much better.

Plant's post-Zeppelin work has been prolific, fascinating and a little inconsistent. For me, it certainly has elevated my appreciation of him as a musician.