Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams - "You're Still Standin' There"

I've been away for a week and unfortunately I had to put this blog on hold. While I was away I went to the Lucinda Williams concert at the Auckland town hall. She was touring her 'Blessed' album from last year but covered a lot of her back catalogue as well... including her 'Car Wheels On a Gravel Road' album. It was her most successful album and she explained how she heard the rough mixes of Steve Earle's 'I Feel Alright' album while she recorded a duet "You're Still Standin' There" for the album and she was so impressed that she wanted her 'Car Wheels On a Gravel Road' to be produced by Steve Earle. Time tells us it was a great decision. Anyway, after explaining the Steve Earle connection the man himself walked on stage to join her for the aforementioned duet, which was a fantastic surprise (he happened be be touring NZ as well and was playing in Auckland the next night). "You're Still Standin' There" is played regularly on Bitter FM but I never ever expected to experience it live with both of the artists on stage. Priceless!

The Mint Chicks - "Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!"

I can't believe I haven't had The Mint Chicks on this blog yet. They were the ultimate Kiwi experimental-rock (or troublegum) band up until their demise in 2010. The band consisted of brothers Kody and Rubin Nielson, Michael Logie and Paul Roper... who were all attending Orewa college at the time they formed. The three studio albums they released 'Fuck the Golden Youth' (from 2005), 'Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!' (from 2006) and 'Screens' (from 2009), were all met with critical acclaim. 'Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!' won many awards in NZ and was the album of the year with most critics here in 2006. They relocated to Portland, Oregon in 2007 and that is where Rubin Nielson is still based with his new band 'Unknown Mortal Orchestra'. Kody is back in New Zealand and has a new project 'Opossom' featuring former bandmate Michael Logie and Bic Runga.
Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! Brilliant? Yes!

THE MINT CHICKS - "Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!" from -_- on Vimeo.

Viva Voce - "Analog Woodland Song"

Viva Voce are a Portland duo consisting of husband and wife Kevin and Anita Robinson. "Analog Woodland Song" is from their latest album 'The Future will Destroy you' and it runs along like a smooth engine.

Sparklehorse - "Dark as a Dungeon"

Sparklehorse's version of "Dark as a Dungeon" is even darker than a dungeon. "Dark as a Dungeon" was written by Merle Travis but is often mistakenly thought of as a Johnny Cash song after it was featured on the Johnny Cash album 'At Folsom Prison'. It has also been covered by so many other artists from all genres. Sparklehorse provides an eery and unsettling atmosphere to this classic.

Kenneth Bager - "Fragment Eight (The Sound of Swing)"

Kenneth Bager is a Danish Producer/musician. His debut album "Fragments From A Space Cadet" was released in 2006. All twelve tracks are titled "Fragment Zero" through to "Fragment Eleven". Downbeat electronica with a list of guest vocalists including Julee Cruise and Camilla Munck. "Fragment Eight (The Sound of Swing)" features a school choir with the coolest name... 'The Hellerup Cool School Choir' and they don't tarnish their reputation one bit.

Velocette - "Bitterscene"

English Indie/Pop band Velocette released their debut album 'Fourfold Remedy' in 1998. I don't know how I was one of the few people who actually took any notice, but grateful, all the same. On "Bitterscene" they play tribute to Phil Spector's wall of sound... with a well crafted slice of retro pop.

Lucinda Williams - "Jailhouse Tears" featuring Elvis Costello

On "Jailhouse Tears" Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello put on a performance that could rival Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl's bickering on The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York". A hilarious tale of a drunken criminal and his downtrodden lover. The song paints a picture of this hapless couple so well... you just have to add a dingy bar - they will add the twang. "Jailhouse Tears" is from Lucinda's 'Little Honey' album.