James Blackshaw & A Lily

Been feeling like i have a cold coming on so have spent most the weekend, wrapped up next to the radiator and trying to work out what my favourite albums of 2008 are. In the process discovering a few really lovely albums that didn't catch my attention on first listen.
First up, actual Guitar Hero, James Blackshaw, not in a Marnie Stern way, more John Fahey, Alexander Turnquist, fingers picking away like there's no tomorrow, liek Charlie Parr if he was more into Eluvium than backporch blues.


Litany Of Echoes is daunting on first impressions, three songs over the 11 minute mark but each one is done so well that the time soon flies by mixing the frantic yet calm picking with lovely pianos, epic and equally remarkable.


Wiki:James Blackshaw is a London-based guitarist and pianist, born in 1981. Blackshaw primarily plays an acoustic 12 string guitar in a similar style to Jack Rose, Steffen Basho-Junghans, and Robbie Basho. He has released material on labels such as Celebrate Psi Phenomenon, Static, Digitalis Industries, Important Records, and Tompkins Square. His music and skill has received much critical acclaim: "Blackshaw has finessed his 12-string acoustic guitar into a veritable solo symphony that's as schooled in uncommon beauty as it is in complex 20th century composition."

Myspace
Stream Tracks on Last FM
James Blackshaw - Past Has Not Passed mp3
Source: No Words

Likewise the follow up to long time favourite, A Lily's 2006 elecronic gem For Lily, comes the endearingly titled three track EP I Dress My Ankles with God's Sweetest Words. The opening two tracks ae vastly different to the aforementioned release choosing folk over electronica as the main component. The boy (James Vella of Yndi Halda) though is a seeming genius at whatever he puts his mind to. And so we have two lovely fingerpicked folk numbers that flutter and switch as and when they feel free, A Town Like Hurricane particularly lovely with its Ice Cream man count in and imperfect backing singing like they only had an hour in the studio and the concept of a second or third take never entered the equation, its better for it though. Hunter and Sky see's a nod back towards his electronic side, a droney outro to close the EP.

I you haven't already tracked down For Lily its more than worth the effort.

Last FM: A Lily is James Vella (of Yndi Halda) who makes magical electronic music that matches the likes of Boards of Canada. He has just been signed onto a new record deal to release his latest record. Similar to Yndi Halda, James makes beautiful music in his side-project, but it is nothing like the post-rock sound Yndi Halda makes, it's unique from that, and the ambient soundscapes created provoke a much more calm, serene feel to the music that other similar electronic artists can bring.

A Lily mp3's
Stream A Lily Songs on Last FM

Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee, The Mountain Movers, Cocoanut Groove, Bubblegum Lemonade, Strawberry Whiplash, A Lily Reviewed

A Lily – Wake:Sleep
"sweet, meandering melodies, caught somewhere between sleeping and waking. childrens' voices echo incoherent and lively; electronics, accordian, drums and glockenspiel drift in and out."The Wire

It’s taken me a long time to get into this and I wonder why, it’s so perfectly me, perhaps it’s those final two tracks, far too long for my short attention span, too droney and uneventful, maybe they just don’t fit the rest of the album, the latter being 30 plus minutes in length, perhaps on my way to sleep I would welcome them into my ears but following on from the glorious six tracks that precede them, i’m not interested. Maybe if this is available on vinyl the label will have been discreet enough to have tracks 1-6 on side A and 7 & 8 on the flipside, they seem that far removed.
The album comes with a story...( "In his solo project A Lily, James Vella creates willowy instrumental dreampop whose pitter-pattering beats, chiming melodies, softly murmuring voices, and fluttering guitars sound like they're emerging from behind a translucent scrim. Inspired by his girlfriend Leanna, Wake:Sleep is a valentine set to music created by the Canterbury resident and Yndi Halda guitarist using primarily computer and electric and acoustic guitars, but also accordion, piano, drums, glockenspiel, bass, and pretty much anything else within reach.)...and its every bit as beautiful as the sentiment, six pieces of glitchy goodness, skittering beats and gently whispered sampled laments, like múm if they only shopped organically and avoid e numbers, like a film dropped on the floor before developing, stained half recallen memories of good times, the light that awakens you day in day out, reliable, bright and persistent. Children’s voices reminiscent of Boards of Canada and Isan, twinkles and chimes so soothing on the brain that remind me of I am Robot & Proud, each song slowly turned inside out as if to reveal the inner person, the secret person of the heart. A special special album.

listen at Last FM

Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee - Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee (Fortuna Pop!)
I wonder where he finds the time, where he finds the inspiration, this being the umpteenth release this year from the wonderfully honest and analytical Darren Hayman formerly of Hefner, one of my all time favourite bands. Darren has the ability to put feelings into words, everything you want to express, all those frustrations you’ve felt, all the sideways glances, all the thoughts you never thought you’d tell into flipping good pop songs. With Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee there is a diversion from the normal sound this being a bluegrass project, which would normally be enough to turn anyone off, however alongside Dave Tattersall of the Wave Pictures the Hayman magic shines through as ever.
Hesitation Blues will have you strutting around your kitchen and dosey doe-ing your loved one whilst your kettle boils, Jameater Blues will have you flinging open your windows on even the coldest days and make you eat jam straight from the jar without a care in the world. High Blood Pressure cannot fail to make you smile, alternatively it may just inspire you to go watch O Brother Where Art Thou?
Go embrace Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee, let some light heartedness into your life.

Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee - Sly & The Family Stone Mp3

Source: Nu Wave

The Mountain Movers - We've Walked In Hell And There Is Life After Death (Fortuna Pop!)
With a title like that of an over ambitious post rock band or a survivor from the lost island writing his autobiography you’d be forgiven for expecting something pretentious and overblown. It won’t help their cause when I tell you that all the songs are about death, the devil and the afterlife.
You’ll be pleased to know however that instead of being some death metal disaster, the kind people at Fortuna Pop! Are treating you to 12 songs as laid back and splendid as everyone’s favourites, The Butterflies of Love.

Listen on Last FM

Bubblegum Lemonade – Ten Years Younger EP
Strawberry Whiplash – Who’s In Your Dreams EP
A lovely couple of releases straight out of Glasgow from the ever reliable Matinee Records. Bubblegum Lemonade are very JAMC and very Creation but loveable all the same. Ten Years Younger is a brilliant shoegazey pop song with an almost Aislers Set/Black Tambourine stomp to it especially as it resurrects itself so brilliantly just before the three minute mark. That Thing You Do! Sounds like something i’ve heard before, it’s nothing new but it’s exceptionally well done. Highly recommended.
Strawberry Whiplash have a similarly familiar sound, this time more drenched in fuzz and keys, like a modern Shop Assistants, and really need I say anything further than just go discover them.

Bubblegum Lemonade on Last FM

Strawberry Whiplash on Last FM

Cocoanut Groove - The end of the summer on Bookbinder road
A brilliant harpsichord drenched track of Left Banke pop with a bass line taken straight from the fret board of the Association. One for those few sunny days when you miss the old Belle & Sebastian.

Cocoanut Groove - The end of the summer on Bookbinder road mp3

Source: Absolut Noise