Red Grapes in the City is the debut EP of The Sugar Oaks, out independently this year, following the single Los Rebeldes released last year. you can stream all 5 tracks of the EP, almost in their entirety, on the official site [http://www.thesugaroaks.com], now how do you like that? the correct answer is thank you, and only if it's any good. you be the judge; i am posting on comment the aforementioned single, a regular presence in my playlists as of late.
the group based out Orlando, Florida, makes folk-blues-soul that can calm the nerves out of all neuroses. i'd say stoner folk with occasional outbursts of eclecticism (most bursting in a track called Banana Leaf) but that's just me. i don't claim to or can't tell my James (Taylor) from my Jim (Croce) from my Joan (Baez) but i am surprised that no one has mentioned Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and the Canterbury folk scene because that is the vibe i am fishing out of still waters (mind the ever so folksy speak, hah), at least, of indie Americana variety.
The Sugar Oaks are new moggers (yay, welcome!) [http://mog.com/The_Sugar_Oaks] or check them out in MySpace [www.myspace.com/thesugaroaks].
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Los Rebeldes
"Los rebeldes han venido" I heard the news in my town - The government was down So I got on an airplane; It took me to a town Where the government was sound Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, etc. I jumped at my shadow It scared me right back into my bones My flip-flops clattered on the stones Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, etc.
lyrics excerpted from the official site
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"stoner folk with occasional outbursts of eclecticism (most bursting in a track called Banana Leaf)" HA!
The link...I like that! "If it's any good" I'll appreciate it that much more. The little taste here seems great for casual days on the back porch or jamming out at the Weeki Wachee river. That picture has Florida written all over it.
(hey...keep this one if 2 show up-I misspelled "Wachee" b4..hehe)
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These sleepy, lazy jazzular tunes are a peculiar lot? Love it when an artist dares to present such unexpected combinations: I found the harmonies and guitar patterens most refreshing. was wowed by the spiritual ambiance of "Dark Dark Leaves" - "I am the one who made the salamander as red as the sun when the earth was young". Balanced out with the traditionally satisfying sax solo in "Clearwater Blues" and the near Jack Johnson homage of "Banana Leaf". Thanks for the afternoon tranquilizer poe!
And congrats to SD!! I could not be in better company here.
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I like this like sugar and spice. These Floridians do really possess a sort wistful blitheness. Scotty said it a lot a better than me. So if I may, I'll just second that.
Thanks for the introduction - a lovely find. (Are you and I that different?)
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Hey, thanks for the welcome and the kind words! I haven't heard Gorky's Zygotic Mynci but I will have to check them out for sure. Cheers, Eric
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Sunny-D: "That picture has Florida written all over it." - thus spake our resident Floridian. you know, i tried to picture you jamming out all acoustic like at the Weeki Wachee but the picture won't come – instead i am getting you and your pooch rocking out to Pink Floyd in the garage. ;D
Scotty-F: you got me! i love that lyric, too! - "I am the one who made the salamander as red as the sun when the earth was young". seriously, i don't know that many people who spew "jazzular" and "afternoon tranquilizer" in conversation. i want to hire you as my ghost writer. ;p plus, i am a sucker for harmonies myself.
Bartley-B: sugar and spice - this is why i never doubt my Trusteds can pick up any subtleties i might drop. alright now, "wistful blitheness", i wish i could have come up with that one as that was exactly how i felt. "(Are you and I that different?)" - this is rhetorical, right? (8 otherwise, the answer is not that.
Eric of TSO: you are very welcome. i much enjoy the music, just keeping it honest and real. the tiny bits of likeness to GZM are not as overt as i may have let on and could very well be my own subjective spin, but i certainly hope you delight in discovering their music as i have. (:
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"It scared me right back into my bones My flip-flops clattered on the stones"
I really like these economical lyrics.
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..this would be a nice way to come down from a stressful day at Disneyworld. They should set up a stage by the exit doors..they would make some serious dough.
Seriously though, very nice. I like it. It is pretty laid back and does have a bit of that folky feel to it. Nice call with this here one Ilay.
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Flux-C: now my own writing has been called many things many times but "economical" isn't one of them. i lurvs it! thanks to you, that is my new goal - to get someone to say "that was one economical writeup, ilay". i am already excited...
Mari-G: i have never been to any Disneyland franchise myself, not that i am raring to go, but if i do, it will be the Florida one, for sure. your stage by the exit doors idea is a winner; i can only think to add bonus foot spa to the first hundred seats. (+
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Oh, rest assured, if I was ever subjected to Disney World (FL) I would be ready to kill someone and this this music would defiantly be instrumental in helping me not go postal on someone. Actually, if given the choice I would rather jump off a building before going to any Disney theme park.
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...or we could visit SunnyD in Florida. or you guys could visit me in Cambodia. it is inexpensive by the dollar, i've never met anyone who hated Angkor Wat, and i can amuse you with my ghost stories. ;d
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Ghost stories? Sweet, I am getting my passport today, once I have the papers I will be good to go, see ya in a few weeks. Woot. ...i wish. ::sigh::
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I like the off-kilter jangle of the track you posted ... I'm off to stream the rest. Thanks Poe!
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Erin, i like "off-kilter jangle" and it is spot-on. enjoy the dip, dearie. (;
Mike, heavens, mog never notified me of your last comment. did i make you wait at the airport, and was i on time with a huge banner with your name on it? w00t!
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ha. and I missed your last comment along the way.
yes, the trip was disastrous. I waited for hours in the airport with no sign of your huge banner. I left in shambles. please comfort me. ;)
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aw, here, here. we'll meet in your turf next time and you can bring the banner. ;D
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sounds like a plan. I can't wait.