Other artists II
Here's some more clips of interest.
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Who says "they don't make good music any more?" Here young Grace Pettis sings 'Heart is a compass' with the help of Billy Crockett on guitar and Dirje Smith on Cello. There are a couple of chord progressions which sound a little like a popular Sheryl Crow song, but this is an original in its own right and the instrumental arrangements and chorus highlight it's own unique direction. The second clip has Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas performing a Gaelic tune 'Alien Ceilidh' on fiddle and cello. This pair combine to form a powerful duo displaying truly professional musicianship. Whilst Alasdair takes the lead, Natalie's performance can so easily be underrated. It takes real talent to blend in so seamlessly. This is quality music!
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The third clip is yet another great song from Canadian Ron Hynes performed by the Ennis sisters 'I'll be there Christmas Eve'. There is just pure class in the delivery which is as smooth as you can get. The fourth clip with good quality audio, shows one of my favourite trios, Peter Paul and Mary singing the traditional song 'All my trials'. Both provide excellent examples of first rate harmony singing.
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The song above is 'Annabelle' by Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. The song focuses on the plight of a farming family caught up in the great depression of the 1930's, a time of great economic problems not just in the U.S.A. but throughout the world. The last clip is the same song, in a lower quality audio format but showing a live performance at the Grand Old Opry, Tennessee in 1997. This Grand Old Opry clip makes me feel a bit better about myself, as I don't feel like I'm the only one who seems to make funny movements and facial expressions when playing music.
Gillian and Dave's performance is easily underestimated at a casual glance by today's popular standards. There are no computers, distortion pedals or amplifers attached to them or their instruments. It's very raw, every note and sound that produces the final product comes from their two voices and their guitars without any lip sync or backup musicians, all captured by four microphones. There is a chemistry in their performance that has all the combinations of concentration, precision and spirit. Their faces and bodies show something that most modern music videos (that pander to visual impact) do not - the music is "flowing" through them while they are playing it. If you watch carefully, you can see Gillian dancing to the rhythym of David's beautiful guitar work.
Gillian and Dave's performance is easily underestimated at a casual glance by today's popular standards. There are no computers, distortion pedals or amplifers attached to them or their instruments. It's very raw, every note and sound that produces the final product comes from their two voices and their guitars without any lip sync or backup musicians, all captured by four microphones. There is a chemistry in their performance that has all the combinations of concentration, precision and spirit. Their faces and bodies show something that most modern music videos (that pander to visual impact) do not - the music is "flowing" through them while they are playing it. If you watch carefully, you can see Gillian dancing to the rhythym of David's beautiful guitar work.