Since receiving Ophelia's self-titled debut album a few days ago it has quickly become one of my favorite finds of the year (and "Nowhere, No Way" is a late contender for my song of the year). Ophelia make stripped-down acoustic Americana and it's quite charming.
Ophelia – Nowhere, No Way
Ophelia – Butcher
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One quality of a truly remarkable performance is that there is often one note and/or one phrase that can encapsulate the grace, fire, virtuosity, subtlety, or authenticity of the artist.
In addition, Ludwig Van Beethoven foreshadowed George Gershwin 103 years before Rhapsody in Blue and the alleged first collision of the classical and jazz idioms.
TWD takes a closer look at an overlooked moment in an underplayed piece that reveals how truly ahead of the curve Beethoven was.
Beethoven No. 32 Op 111
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Those Who Dig nation, I need you!
Ok, so here is my Christmas / Hanukkah / Kwanza / non-denominational December gift to the readers of Those Who Dig (and their friends.) I, a graduate of the Penn State film department, am going to create a video power hour. Now I'm not sure if you have ever done a video power hour before; they are amazing. But to ensure that you, the readership of this phenomenal blog, enjoy the pants off this artistic masterpiece I want, scratch that, need your input. In short…
HELP ME!
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I'm a newcomer to the PJ Harvey fanclub, but after hearing the track "Written On The Forehead" from her forthcoming LP, Let England Shake, I'm a believer.
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During my random early evening interweb surf session I came across this little gem. It's a nice live version of the Avetts doing "Kick Drum Heart" (sans drums) in Nashville's Lightning 100 radio station a couple weeks back. Eat it up.
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I don't know the best way to describe Buke & Gase, but I think that is part of what makes them so interesting. This is a duo of a woman named Arone Dyer and a man named Aron Sanchez and I highly encourage you all to give a listen to their unique sound.
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Jazz musician, fictitious revolutionary, dancer, and one of the all time best hat wearers ever. Thelonious Monk is relentlessly individual and undeniably influential. His 1968 Columbia release, Underground, typifies his personality, compositional prowess, and piano aesthetic.
Those Who Dig would like to welcome Thelonious Monk into The Shrine.
Thelonious Monk: Raise Four
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I just got a hold of Fistful of Mercy's As I Call You Down and it is unsurprisingly great given the line-up. Fistful of Mercy consists of Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison (son of the Greatest Beatle), and singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur.
Fistful of Mercy – Father's Son
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There are some albums and artists whose ability to create a unique sonic world is both awesome and inexplicable. Like him or hate him, Kid Cudi on his new album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager transports you to his world and immerses you in it's emotions and ambience. Personally, I welcome the ride.
Kid Cudi – Ashin' Kusher
Full review after the jump.
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Louis Andriessen is a living legend.
However, he has been living under the radar and odds are if you aren't into Dutch post-minimalism you haven't been fully exposed to the weird grandeur of his compositions.
Louis Andriessen: Hout
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