Song of the Day No.53

Oh No, I Tried

by Right Away, Great Captain (The Eventually Home, 2008)

Under this guise Andy Hull is free to submerge himself in the life of a 17^th century sailor through song. His trilogy of albums away from indie rock band Manchester Orchestra and folk rock group Bad Books have centred on a sailor returning home to find he has been betrayed by his wife, with his brother. Between the three groups Hull is proving to be quite a prolific songwriter, although to moderate critical and commercial success. Let's see if the third installment can make a better impression.

Much of this album is emotive and effecting with lonesome guitar and vocals providing most of the atmosphere to complement the subject matter. 'Oh No, I Tried' is different however, feeling quite ditty-esque from the start. A bouncy acoustic guitar provides steady head-bobbing guidance with the rhythm of the lyrics adding to the light-heartedness. Backing vocals join as the song starts to build before a piano provides a momentary jaunty distraction from the repeated chants of “Oh no, I tried, oh no I tried”.

AR

Keep Your Ears and Eyes Open

#72 - JONQUIL - Part2

A band that we really like, Jonquil. I saw them in concert without realising their grandeur, I just went because a friend suggested we go to get out of the house. Needless to say I left the concert rather shocked and surprised.

Everybody needs to buy the album, Lions.

...with thanks to La Blogotheque ;)

Song Of The Day No.33

Matty Groves

by Fairport Convention (Liege & Lief, 1969)

The band's fourth album often receives credit for defining the British folk rock genre and for creating more awareness of traditional compositions and music. On the group's third release of the year a conscious move was made away from interpreting contemporary artists such as Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell, to discovering an electrified roots sound with versions of traditional British folk songs like 'Reynardine' or 'Matty Groves'.

'Matty Groves' is the story of an adulterous tryst between the wife of a nobleman and a servant that dates from at least the 17th century and which ends in the death of the young lover at the hands of his boss. Much of the song is dominated by Sandy Denny's shrill but not unpleasant vocals as she recounts the tale. The rhythm section bounds along while the violin adds folk flavour along with a complementing electric guitar. As if to break the eight minute monotony a fairly random and extravagant folk breakdown takes place mid-way through involving violin-drum combinations and goes on to include longish guitar and violin solos which take us full turn to the original melody as the outro. Recently Tom Waits, Alela Diane, James Yorkston have released versions of the song.

AR