Thao & The Get Down Stay Down...On Sunday Undercover
Another of life's little pleasures is discovering a new (to me) artist or band. MOG has been of great value in that, I've found alot of great new acts to follow, dig up, or re-examine. But every now & then someone I discover just completely bowls me over, and a little mini-obsession takes hold. Sometimes it'll last weeks, sometimes months, but I'll play this new obsession daily and bust the budget buyin' up what's out there, delighted in knowing I can both follow this new discovery...and dig into whatever past catalog may exist. I also scan the web & contact friends to find live recordings & what-not...I really am obsessive that way.
My three most recent obsessions...in order...Bright Eyes......an astounding performer with a true gift for lyrics and a riveting live act. Allison Crowe, a musical archivist with a voice like Tupelo Honey. ...and my current obsession....Thao Nguyen.
Thao is an enigmatic delight to me. Listening to her music, listening to her lyrics, is like staring at a pond...you know there's alot happening right under the surface...there are shifting shadows & roiled waters....but its difficult piecing it all together. Still, its intriguing, beguiling. The first song of hers that I ever heard was Bag Of Hammers which grabbed my imagination on first listen. (I have posted it here on the MOG several times in the past, but if you missed it......and the song lead me to the cd..We Brave Bee Stings And All....which continues to intrigue & delight. So i also bought..(From her site..Amazon is cheaper but.....) Like The Linen, her first cd. She's got a unique vocal style....one wouldn't say she's a "good" singer in any classic sense.......and yet I find her vocalizing, her phrasing, her delivery spot-on perfect for the enigmatic little tales she attempts to tell.....or not tell. Her most recent cd ...Know Better, Learn Faster.....continues the evolution of Thao as a singer/songwriter, and The Get Down Stay Down as an imaginative, tight little band.
So do yourself a favor and check out Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Oh yeah, Sunday
That means 
we need a cover tune from Thao....they're hard to find but.......
Locating MOG account...
Comments (8)
Thao really...yowls...on that cover.
Mark....if you get "We Brave Bee Stings And All" & give it a fair shot....you don't like it? I'll buy it from you at full list price
Love those Bud - weis -er ladies!
;-)
The cover was awesome. Soul and tears rolled up in one. Smokey would be proud.
You'd never heard of/listened to Bright Eyes? That really surprises me. Be sure to check out CONOR OBERST too.
Rex, oh yes, i most certainly have. I found Bright Eyes just before I'm Wide Awake Its Morning. I've been staying current & a scarffed up all his back catalog...plus some concerts, outtakes, & one-offs.
"Bag of Hammers" is a keeper. Your first paragraph describes me, though I'm considerably more lethargic than you.
Your first paragraph describes me
Instinct tells that many here would say the same. I'm not bettin the farm....just a few chickens, some hay & the wife's beer money.