Music & More

Picking the all time best love songs is way more involved than it first seemed, mostly because there are so many great songs to choose from (might be a good topic for an XPN 885 survey/countdown). One song that would definitely make my short list of the all time best love songs is "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know", written by Al Kooper and released on the very first Blood Sweat & Tears album in 1968. In the past year or so, I've run across three excellent cover versions which I am pleased to stream for your listening pleasure as the Music & More Minimix #2. Enjoy. M&M Minimix #2 - "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" First up in the mix is Marc Broussard's very soulful take from his 2007 release SOS: Save Our Soul, a loving tribute to the great soul songs of the sixties and seventies. As if we needed one more commentary on the sad state of the record business, this record is already out of print; however download and used cds are...

Listening the the 30th anniversary reissue of The Stranger this week, "Just the Way You Are" jumped out, sounding just as great now as it did thirty years ago; totally knocking me over with it's timeless beauty and the down to earth sentiment that is the core of the song. The Legacy division of Sony/BMG does a fabulous job respecting the legacy that lives within their vaults, and their reissues are of the highest quality; (the 30th anniversary Born to Run is another great one). This package includes not only the original album but two previously unreleased concerts, a CD recorded live at Carnegie Hall on June 3, 1977 and a DVD that includes an early 1978 concert filmed for BBC television plus two live promo videos. As good as "Just the Way You Are" sounds on the original album, check out this live version from the Carnegie Hall concert, the song was brand new, not even recorded yet for the album and he sings it with a freshness and feeling that he might not have...

Jef Lee Johnson played a great trio set tonight, as part of the Sunset Sessions at Chris' Jazz Cafe. Having seen Jef play exquisitely beautiful guitar many times as part of Lelia Broussard's band (had the pleasure to see him back Melody Gardot and Lizanne Knot as well), it was a treat to finally get to see Jef perform his own music. Listen to "Sizzlean" With a hot band consisting of Charlie Patierno on drums (Melody Gardot's band) and Tarus Mateen on bass (first time gig), Jef played a couple of wide ranging sets that moved from some intense improvisational jams to jazz, blues and funk. "Everything Starts Now" had some Hendrix style vocals by Jef and lots of great solos. "Sizzlean" brought the funk quite nicely. Jef is an incredibly artful player, never shows off but kills with his melodic and rhythmic sense and a beautiful technique and tone. I've seen Patierno play many times with Melody Gardot, the last time being last August at World C...

Thanks to lallenvideos for this youtube clip which includes a live performance of "The Fear" from Lily's second album, It's Not Me, It's You, due out Tuesday here in the USA. Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You (Capitol, 2009) Lily Allen's myspace . Lily Allen's website . lallenvideos' youtube . lallen's fansite .

Listen to "Halo" Kate Havnevik has just released "Halo" as a single, available now on iTunes , to preview her second album, now in the final stages of recording. As on her first album Melankton, which was one of the highlights of 2006, she's again working with producer Guy Sigsworth, and is currently putting the finishing touches on the album for release later this year. Kate's sound has an occasional similarity to that of Imogen Heap, the common denominator being Sigsworth, who has worked with both of these fine singer/songwriter/musicians; and while their songwriting is distinctly different from one another, the sonic reference points in common work to make both artists' recordings a listening delight. Photo by Vicky Dawe. Kate Havnevik's myspace . Guy Sigsworth's myspace .