She & Him

The musical partnership between Zooey Deschanel and musician M. Ward, known together as She & Him, has resulted in a new recording of Christmas music. A Very She & Him Christmas builds on the group's two earlier recordings combining Deschanel's delicate vocals with Ward's simple, complimentary production style. Producer Ward also sings, plays guitar and organ, while Deschanel contributes piano and ukulele work along with her singing. It's a very pretty, low-key recording that works as an antidote to much of the hectic and overdone music one hears at this time of year. Particularly charming is the group's fun cover of the Beach Boys' Little Saint Nick. The indie/folky sound will appeal to a wide audience and provide a musical repite when the holidays get hectic.

Thanksgiving Favorite

On Thanksgiving day, 1976, popular music group The Band gave a festive farewell party for a few thousand lucky people in San Francisco. They took over the historic Winterland ballroom, served a giant Thanksgiving dinner and invited some illustrious friends for a jam. Produced by legendary impresario Bill Graham, the guests included Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Dr. John, Muddy Waters, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr and many others. Martin Scorsese filmed the show and the movie and the soundtrack are both available at the library. Called by some the best rock music film ever produced, the great music from the Last Waltz might make a nice accompaniment for the music lovers at your Thanksgiving celebration.

Deep Roots

New music at the Library: "Roots" has been used to describe a wide variety of musical styles, but today we'll use it as a way to describe three new, and very different recordings that exemplify the honesty and directness associated with the term 'roots music.' The recordings aren't folk, technically, or country or blues, but they spring from the same well - the songwriting is the thing here, and flashy playing and elaborate production give way to simplicity and authenticity. First is the wonderful Ashes & Fire from Ryan Adams. This recording shows how a great song and an acoustic guitar can still go a long way. Adams has rarely sounded better. Also new is Beauty Queen Sister from the Indigo Girls. If you haven't heard their spare, moving harmonies in awhile, give this a listen - it's a really strong piece with a familiar, yet original folk-rock style. The third in our 'rootsy' trilogy is new work from the Jayhawks. Like the other musicians mentioned, they've been around for quite awhile and evolved a contemporary sound that evokes predecessors like the Burrito Brothers and Dillard & Clark. Mockingbird Time is a wonderful recording that should please fans but would make a fine introduction for those unfamiliar with the band. Classic American music.

Who is David Guetta?

Club and dance music enthusiasts know DJ/Producer Guetta for his work with Flo Rida, Fergie, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Akon, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Usher and Ludacris. He's s go-to producer responsible for some of the biggest radio and club hits in recent years. One Love and Nothing But The Beat are now in the library's collection: club + dance fans, get your groove on...

Cool Struttin'

Three great jazz recordings from Blue Note Records - these sessions from the late 50s and early 60s represent a high point in the history of jazz...

Hanky Panky

Hanky Panky was a huge hit song for Tommy James and the Shondells, and its also a pretty good description of the business practices decribed by the pop singer in his new memoir "Me, the Mob, and the Music." It's a showbiz classic: young musician is thrilled to be signed, then shocked to learn his career is controlled by criminals. He estimates in the book that Roulette Records owner Morris Levy stole over $40,000,000 from him. Along the way are hit records, tours, parties, stars and the expected excesses of life on the road. Of particular interest is the depiction of mob control in the music industry. James is an unpretentious storyteller and the book is an entertaining look at the pleasures and pitfalls of stardom as well as a sharp picture of the music industry in another age.
On CD: Tommy James and the Shondells Anthology

The UFO Has Landed

I remember hearing Ry Cooder doing a guest DJ spot on the radio in the early seventies. He was known as a fine guitarist and idiosyncratic artist with a resume that included work with Captain Beefheart, the Rolling Stones and Van Morrsion. This day he was playing old 78s from obscure marching bands and municipal orchestras. The lumpy rhythms and slightly out-of-tune horns presaged the music that would become the album "Paradise and Lunch." After that came recordings of Conjunto music, a number of fine film soundtracks, and projects like the hugely successful "Buena Vista Social Club." Looking back over the decades of avant garde music, slide guitar, Elvis remakes, blues excursions, African (and Indian, and Hawaiian) collaborations and tons of great albums it wouldn't be at all unfair at all to ask "Who is that guy?"
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That seemingly unanswerable question is addressed by a new compilation assembled by Cooder's son Joachim. The UFO Has Landed is a two-disc retrospective that samples the decades, styles and bands that have made up Cooder's career. Humor, vitality and great guitar playing weave these diverse recordings into a tapestry of world music, Americana, and film work, and illustrate why Ry Cooder has remained relevant to generations of listeners. Check this one out.

Other Ry Cooder recordings at the library:
Boomer's Story
A Meeting By The River
Buena Vista Social Club
Mambo Sinuendo
Paradise and Lunch
Partners
My Name Is Buddy
I, Flathead