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Amos Lee
“Colors”

Amos Lee. I first saw him at a Norah Jones concert in 2004. In some regards he stole the show. I loved his musical style, and his stage presence. The song you’re hearing isn’t the version on the CD attached to this post. I liked the acoustic version better so I posted it instead of the version featured on the CD. Fear not — the version on the CD is excellent as well, I just have a personal preference to the acoustic version. I told you today would be different. More guitar music tomorrow.

Lijie
“Roam”

This is the kind of song you listen to after your dog dies. Or gets lost.
I know if My dog were lost, I’d roam the open roads. Maybe he’s the one roaming the open roads in search for home.
Well, that’s what the lyrics say anyway.

I have been such a sucker lately for music with a strong piano part and a female vocal lead. Tomorrow I’ll try to mix it up.

Damien Rice
“9 crimes (demo)”

I would have rather posted “The Blower’s daughter” but this song is more recent, and therefore, more relevant. I would like this song much more if the piano track wasn’t a digital fabrication of a piano. It’s a good fabrication, but still, I can tell the timbre of a real piano versus something digital most days.

That said, this is still a great song. The incredibly soft, deep bass drum notes were an excellent addition.

Phillip Glass
“Illusionist”

Well, this isn’t the most obvious song to use when comparing to the previous post but you might get the idea. Phillip’s music has always been compelling to me. He has a bit of a minimalist style, but there is still so much depth to his work. Tomorrow we return to reality. If the classical music is a hit, perhaps I will do it once a week. I’m still not certain. What do you think?

Rufus Wainwright
“The Art Teacher”

Amazing.

I saw a video of this song being performed by Rufus and had to post the song. Rufus has an ornate piano styling all his own, and his melodic phrasing is intriguing too. When I heard this song for the first time, I was immediately reminded of another artist’s work. The work of Phillip Glass’ piano textures. It took me a few minutes to figure it out. Tomorrow’s piece will feature work from Glass to show you the similarities. I’ve also read that is Phillip Glass’ favorite song by Rufus–go figure.

Over the Rhine
“Latter days”

It’s my party and I can cry if I want to. Well, I’m not crying. Because it’s my birthday, I’m breaking the rules and playing the only song that could possibly be played on my birthday — “Latter Days”.

I’ve listened to this song every year on or around my birthday for the past 5 years. So what — I’m sentimental. A very dear friend of mine introduced me to this song some 7 years ago. She is a magical person, and this song reminds me of her to this day.

Happy Birthday to me. Enjoy!

Feist
“Now At Last”

I have had this song on standby from day one. Andy Baio (of waxy.org) turned me on to Feist originally. I love most of her work. She has an amazing range of talent up her musical sleeve. This song, “Now At Last”, reminds me New York City at Christmas time. It is a beautiful piece — enjoy.

Michelle Featherstone
“Coffee & Cigarettes”

Warning: This is an intense break-up song about quitting.

I don’t see this current musical path changing anytime soon. I’m suffering from a small bout of melancholy. Does the song make us melancholy or do we pick the song because we are melancholy? Whatever it is, I’ll make the most of it. I appreciate music more lately if it has a prominent rhythm piano part, gospel influences and an acoustic feel. There’s something very poignant and penetrating about this sort of musical style. It also helps if it is very lyrically bewitching–like this one.

Emiliana Torrini
“Today has been ok”

Icelandic. Organic. Exotic. Atmospheric. Acoustic. Melancholic. These are all words that aptly describe Emiliana’s music. This is a song made for closing-credits. It is also one of those songs perfect for personal reflection.

Soft, carefully-chosen piano chords along with xylophone cues and a non-intrusive bass line create a very soft foundation onto which she weaves a carefully-planned, soothing melody. Listen before you go to bed tonight, and you will sleep like a baby.

Eisley
“Just like we do”

They’ve been called “dreamy indie pop purveyors”. For me, they took over where sixpence none the richer left off. It may not be entirely fair to compare them to sixpence, but I’m tranquilized by the harmonies and melodies in much the same way I was with sixpence. By the way, these aren’t just kids–They’ve opened for Coldplay. Eisley has some amazing music in their portfolio. Give them a look and listen.