April 29, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
The Police – “Driven to Tears” Though not a hit single in the league of “Every Breath You Take” or “Roxanne”, this classic from 1980’s Zenyatta Mondatta captures the quintessential early Police sound: Andy Summers’ punchy, clean guitar, Stewart Copeland’s reggae-influenced drums, and Sting’s (underrated) bass work and choirboy voice.
April 28, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Dave Rawlings Machine – Ruby Dave Rawlings Machine – “Ruby” Dave Rawlings, perhaps better known as Gillian Welch’s longtime partner, finally got around to releasing his solo record last year, A Friend Of A Friend. Though the record features Welch, members of Old Crow Medicine Show, and Benmont Tench from the Heartbreakers, the star performer… Read more »
April 27, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Tracey Thorn – Oh, The Divorces! Tracey Thorn – “Oh The Divorces” UK pop and dance artist Tracey Thorn, veers from her usual genre with this track, the single from the album Love and Its Opposite, releasing May 18th. Thorn has the single available for download on her website to tide you over. A founding… Read more »
April 26, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Animal Liberation Orchestra – Big Appetite ALO – “Big Appetite” This California-based group released several independent records before being signed to Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records. Their latest, Man of the World, has yielded singles in both this song and the title track, which have been spinning frequently on KXT 91.7. They will be opening up… Read more »
April 23, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Erykah Badu – “Window Seat” This track, from the Dallas native and neo-soul revivalist, might be better known for its controversial video than the actual music. From her latest record, New Amerykah 2: Return of the Ankh, this song has been in rotation on KXT, but was first featured on Friday’s Texas Mix show.
April 22, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Talking Heads – “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” This classic, from the Talking Heads’ fifth record Speaking in Tongues. Remarkable in that the main melody never changes throughout the entire song, David Byrne’s vocal melody lifts lyrics that he admits are “made up almost completely of non sequiturs”. The Arcade Fire also recently covered… Read more »
April 21, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Teddy Thompson – Don’t Know What I Was Thinking Teddy Thompson – “Don’t Know What I Was Thinking” The golden-voiced son of folk legends Richard and Linda Thompson, Teddy has been a KXT 91.7 fixture ever since we launched back in November, both with this song and “In My Arms”. His latest release A Piece of… Read more »
April 20, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Tallest Man on Earth – “King of Spain” Swedish folk singer Kristian Mattson has had to endure neverending comparisons to a certain other influential folk singer ever since he released his debut Shallow Grave in 2008. His latest, The Wild Hunt, takes his sound and builds on it with more intricate arrangements that compliment his… Read more »
April 19, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Laura Marling – Rambling Man Laura Marling – “Rambling Man” This 20-year old British folk singer has a sound that recalls music made long before she was born. This track, from her latest I Speak Because I Can, features KXT favorites Mumford and Sons as her backing band, and is produced by Ethan Johns (Ben… Read more »
April 16, 2010 by Jeff Giddens
Willie Nelson – “Can I Sleep in Your Arms” This track, from Willie’s landmark 1975 record Red Headed Stranger, helped turn the songwriter from Abbott, Texas into a one-name icon and set the standard for his genre-defying career. Recorded live and off-the-cuff in Garland, this record’s mix of traditional standards, original songs, and choice covers… Read more »
