Dessa - The Chaconne (Live on 89.3 The Current)

Okay I have to admit that I've already raved about this song on the Bitter FM myspace page but that is no reason not to rave about it here as well. The Chaconne by Dessa is a fantastic piece of music that I fell in love with... in fact, I couldn't get enough of it for quite a long time. It was a long running number 1 song on the Best Bitter Top 10 show as well. I didn't know what a Chaconne was before I had heard this song but for the record it was an 18th century dance from Spain but more so a musical form based on the continuous variation of a series of chords (which is the angle from which this song was written). Bach's Chaconne in D minor is possibly the most famous. Anyway, Dessa, who is hard to pigeon hole as an artist... usually listed as a hip hop artist but more of a singer songwriter that uses hip hop beats etc. explains in the video below, which is a live version, that she wrote it as a sort of biography of a violinist/composer from that era and the story she tells is as fascinating as the song is beautiful.




Bach's Chaconne for Solo Violin

Elvis Costello - "Alison"

Alison by Elvis Costello is from his debut album 'My Aim is True' and the title of that album gets its name from a line in this song. I actually thought it was a love song when I first heard it... but there is definitely something dark hiding in the shadows.
He has never revealed who and what it is about and there are various suggestions from fans including her being pregnant and also his desire to murder her. To me there seems to be some attraction and resentment at the same time, if that is possible. It is ambiguous enough to post the lyrics below.... for you to make your own interpretation.
Or just enjoy a beautiful song... regardless of what it's about.

(Lyrics)

oh it's so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl.
And with the way you look I understand
that you were not impressed.
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
take off your party dress.
I'm not going to get too sentimental
like those other sticky valentines,
'cause I don't know if you are loving somebody.
I only know it isn't mine.

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.

Well I see you've got a husband now.
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying
in the wedding cake?
You used to hold him right in your hand.
I'll bet he took all he could take.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
when I hear the silly things that you say.
I think somebody better put out the big light,
'cause I can't stand to see you this way.

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My aim is true.

The White Stripes "Hello Operator"

The White Stripes have just recently released a live album and that made me think... how long have they been around now? Well, the answer is more than 10 years. I was hooked when I heard 'Hello Operator' which was from their 2nd album 'De Stijl' from 2000 and I rushed out and bought the album straight away.... although, I regret not buying the 7' single at Real Groovy at the same time. I don't really need to say much more about The White Stripes because it's probably been said before... except that, pre- White Stripes there were probably a handful of 2-piece rock-blues bands and now there must be hundreds of them. So for anyone out there that discovered them with either 'White Blood Cells' or 'Elephant' you need to hear this.

The Checks "Ballroom Baby"

The Checks are probably the main act in the new movement of bands from the North Shore in Auckland with The Electric Confectionaires not too far behind. They made a bit of an impact when they burst onto the local music scene and their potential was confirmed when Michael Stipe from REM included their song 'Mercedes Children' on a CD he compiled for Uncut Magazine and that was where I got my first taste of their Blues-Rock-Soul sound. But for this blog let's go straight to their latest single 'Ballroom Baby' from their 2nd album 'Alice By The Moon'. It's not as bluesy as other songs on the album but it made the biggest impact on me. In fact, it is just a great Indie Rock/Pop song with a fantastic chorus that needs to be heard.... spread the word. If you are a late starter regarding The Checks, start here and work your way through the back catalogue.... you wont be disappointed.

Beach House " Norway"

I've always been a fan of Beach House and loved this song before I heard the story of how it came about. But first, a little bit about them. Beach House are a Dream Pop duo from Baltimore consisting of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally and this song is from their third album 'Teen Dream'.
The song builds nicely with keyboards and guitar until the lush backing vocals come in and lift it to another plateau. But it's the addition of slide guitar that really adds to the atmosphere for me. Give it a few listens and you'll find yourself singing along with the Ah Ah Ah's, for sure.
The story behind the song is that when they were traveling through Norway on a train to Oslo they were joined by a journalist from a radio/TV station... film crew and all. The journalist seemed confident enough to ask them to write a song about Norway on the train journey and then they would video them playing it at Oslo station.... well, the wish was granted. Which is surprising really, considering the opening line is "we were sleeping till' you came along". Anyway, that video is below the official one.



The Official Video.





The Oslo station video... after writing the song on the train.

Art Brut "Formed a Band"

For my first Hits and Myths blog I could have chosen one of thousands of songs to set the stage. But there is a reason I chose this one. I was going to call my blog 'Formed a Band' after this song... but it was already taken by another blogger. However, this song still deserves to be on the debut blog for the sole reason of being a song about a bunch of friends forming a band and telling everyone about. Pulled along with a cool guitar riff and the unique vocal style of singer Eddie Argos, which he even acknowledges when he sings (or speaks) "yes, this is my singing voice, it's not irony, it's not rock n' roll, just talking to the kids".... Brilliant!
Formed a Band was an early single from the UK based band Art Brut and was released in 2004 and on the 2005 album 'Bang Bang Rock & Roll'.
I am changing some of the shows on Bitter FM and one of the new shows will be called 'Formed a Band' and will be an hour of songs from new and interesting bands.