A very famous address

I just Netflixed the Live from Abbey Road 2-disc DVD series and found quite a few little live performance gems. The series, which airs on the BBC, invites musicians both new and classic to come to the fabled studios and lay down live in-studio versions of their songs. Each song is preceded by an interview that is often quite revealing and the musical results are often illuminating.

I discovered to my surprise, for instance, that I love this unabashed pop tune from Natasha Bedingfield:



Not earth-shattering but so happy and likeable!

Sometimes the performances are fairly straightforward (as with Bedingfield,) but every once in a while, a version seems to slip out that surprises even the band itself. The Zutons, for example, seem like a band that has some tensions between them, but they turn out a version of "Valerie" that is nothing short of astonishing.

Other artists appearing on the Best of Season 1 compilation include John Mayer, Amos Lee, Nerina Pallot, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dr. John, Craig David, Dave Matthews, Jamiroquai, Norah Jones and Gnarls Barkley, among others.

I also discovered a passion for a British band called the Kooks:



Check it out.

Back from the UK with much to share

I have recently returned from a jaunt to London with a few new artists to share. I will start with the incomparably stunning Nerina Pallot. Her voice is reminiscent of the ethereal beauty of Patty Griffin, but with more hooks to the music. Her newest album is still an import, called Fires, from which I heard the song Sophia on a UK compilation called Just Great Songs...

To listen to this exemplary song, visit her MySpace page. I love the spareness of the song, just her amazing voice (hence the Patty Griffin comparison) and a piano. Or, if you prefer, watch the video below.



Seriously lovely, no?