Only Two Days, But This Couldn’t Wait

It’s unusual for us to post twice this quickly, but we came across a treasure trove of new material, and it didn’t seem wise to stall it just to put distance between posts. There’s some very sweet stuff in here, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

First up…

Roy Genauer is the songwriting force behind Assembly Of Dust, and as is the case with virtually all truly interesting music, it’s the songwriting that sets the band’s music apart. But they didn’t stop there, bringing in musical guests as diverse as Richie Havens, Mike Gordon (Phish), Martin Sexton, Bela Fleck and fretboard master Jerry Douglas. As you listen, you’re going to love the fact that we’re able to present three songs from this talented band, from their new album Some Assembly Required: Arc Of The Sun, Leadbelly and The Second Song. 

Roy Jay spins a hopeful tale of a man launching off in a new direction in his life with the sprawling 8-minute epic, California Grey…from his album, Lucky Guy.

Aman(da) Walther and Shei(la) Carabine met in high school music class and decided to combine their voices and songwriting talents (not to mention their names) to form Dala. They have an interesting gift for word pictures…for example: “She wears her body like a lifetime achievement…it fills the silence when she doesn’t know the words…”. Acoustic guitars, lush vocals and airy arrangements are the foundation upon which they build their brand of fresh folk/pop. We’re privileged to offer three songs from their album Everyone Is Someone: Anywhere Under The Moon, Levi Blues and Lonely Girl.

While Eastern Canada is not generally thought of as a hotbed of country music, hell hath no fury like a husband scorned…and The Divorcees are living proof. Yes, they’ve got fiery vocals and solid instrumental chops, but what sets this band apart is the truly interesting songwriting. And, you’ll be happy to hear that we’re able to present three songs from their album Last Of The Free Men: After The Storm Is Gone, Letter On The Window and Mining Man.

Brad Hammonds built his early musical reputation on his guitar prowess as part of the duo Brazz Tree. But while those chops are fully on display, he’s added some creative melodic approaches and jazz sensibilities, plus an almost hypnotic vocal style to create quite the musical stew on Through It All, from the album of the same name.

Jennings came to focus on music in an unusual way. After the death of her mother, her father (a former musician) gave her a choice: go thru therapy to deal with the grief…or record an album. Her choice might be somewhat obvious, as she brings her fresh vocal delivery and a pop/electronica groove to Falling Higher, from her album Femtastic.

It’s not often that you hear someone say, “That girl can flat play the guitar!”. But as blues legend Albert King told Kelly Richey when she found herself on stage with him some 20 years ago, “That guitar is like a gun: if you pick it up, you better mean to use it.” Kelly clearly took those words to heart, and has continued to develop her growling blues-rock stylings over the years and something approaching a dozen albums. She’s sharing two songs with us: Talks All Over Town from the Eyes Of A Woman album, and Now You Need Me from Sending Me Angels.

Doug Folkins brings his rootsy musical sensibilities to his story of longing, featuring Italy (the country) and Emily (the girl)…and you just know he’s planning to stay there for as long as it takes for her to show up…watching the flow of city life pass by him as he scans the crowds for her face. It’s a story well-told. The song is called Streets Of Rome, and it’s from his self-titled album.

All those songs are available now for free download at Great Songs Free. And now, on the instrumental front:
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Quite A Number Of New Music Downloads Posted

It’s funny how some people’s lives come to be defined by a single event…at least, in the public perception. Think Monica Lewinsky or Linda Tripp. Believe it or not, they probably lead full, interesting lives…but as far of most of us are concerned, we think, “isn’t she the one who…?”. So it is, to some degree, with Lori Lieberman. She’s been a respected singer-songwriter for several decades now, but one event has come to define her life in the public consciousness: She visited an L.A. club nearly 40 years ago and saw a young Don McLean (American Pie) in concert, and was deeply moved. She wrote a poem about the experience, which grew into a song which she recorded on one of her early albums. Her performance didn’t connect with the public-at-large for whatever reason…but another by Roberta Flack did…in fact, becoming one of the signature songs of the Seventies. And Killing Me Softly With His Song was picked up 20 years later by The Fugees, becoming the top-selling single of 1996. The same song has been recorded by acts as diverse as Englebert Humperdinck, Tori Amos, Perry Como, The Jackson 5, Alicia Keys, Frank Sinatra and Luther Vandross. Great song, right? Well, it all started with Lori…and we’re delighted that she’s enabling us to share a newly-recorded version of the song wtih you, as well as He Needs You…from her new album, Gun Metal Sky.

The Pimps of Joytime are one of those bands that leave you satisfied, but at the same time, wanting more. Incredibly infectious rhythms and grooves borrow liberally from multiple musical genres, including latin, hip-hop and jazz. From their debut album, High Steppin’, they’ve brought us two songs to share with you: Bonita and Joytime Radio.

Chris Huff is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer specializing in hooky retro-pop songs that combine different genres. From his album Death and Texas, he’s sharing his song For The Trees.

The above songs are all available right now for free download from Great Songs Free. Next up, in instrumental music:
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New Songs Download Posted Today

Ju-Taun (pronounced zha–táwn) and hailing from South Jersey, Jake and James Evans, Peter Garcia and Samoeun Cheng offer up an exuberant, richly-orchestrated fusion of vintage soul and R&B. From their upcoming album Love Changes Things, they’re sharing their song Go Slow with us.

8 Ball Aitken hails from Far North Queensland in Australia, where he spent his adolescence as a farm laborer on a banana plantation. As a hard-partying 19-year-old, it was a conversation with an Aboriginal elder that caused him to rethink his path and rechannel his energy into a more constructive lifestyle. Pouring himself into his music, he’s emerged on the world stage with a hard-driving alt-country sound. From his album Rebel With A Cause, he’s sharing two songs with us: Cyclone Country and Yellow Moon.

Jessie Murphy In The Woods is a trio that combines indie pop with dark humor and classical sensibilities, consisting of Marcia Webb (flute, pan pipes, and clarinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, vocals), Amy Stratton (horn, flute, vocals, percussion), and Jessie Murphy (lead vocals, acoustic guitar). All are accomplished musicians in their own right…together, they create unique soulful stylings. There’s an infectious joy in the new album, Eight Belles, that sweeps the listener in its wake. By turns ethereal, mystical, spiritual and haunting, the NYC-based trio plays with a sense of wonder and discovery that makes them one of 2009’s singular new acts to watch. Check out New York City Lights.

All these songs can be downloaded now from GreatSongsFree.com