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Last Ever Review For…

…the excellent music ezine Live4Ever:

Country Sleep by Night Beds

A Few Reviews…

It’s been a slow start to 2013 for Buckets Of Moonbeams, so it’s a belated happy new year and a very many apologies!

There are posts on the way but in the meantime, here are a few reviews I’ve contributed to the ever excellent Live4Ever ezine:

First up is NME’s newly crowned ‘Godlike Genius”, Johnny Marr’s new album The Messenger:

http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2013/02/review-johnny-marr-the-messenger/

And next, is Yo La Tengo’s latest cut Fade:

http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2013/01/review-yo-la-tengo-fade/

Enjoy!

 

 

Buckets Of Moonbeams’ Festive Five: 5) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love

Finally the Festive Five is finished.

This is hands down, 100%, without a doubt THE greatest Christmas song ever.

Words can’t do it justice, so just enjoy it for what it is.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Buckets Of Moonbeams’ Festive Five: 4) Jesus Christ by Big Star

Not your traditional logs on the fire, gifts ‘neath the tree, snow a-falling Christmas song then. It wasn’t a hit… it wasn’t even released until nigh on half a decade after it was recorded. And even then barely a soul heard it.

Further down the line, Big Star are a big(ger) deal, as is their album Third/Sister Lovers from whence this track came. It’s a ram shackle affair (to be expected at this junction in the band’s career) that mixes Anglophile guitars with southern fried Memphis horns over the top of which lead ‘Star Alex Chilton strains to sing “Jesus Christ was born today, Jesus Christ was born”.

And after all, that’s what it’s all about… right?

Buckets Of Moonbeams’ Festive Five: 3) Step Into Christmas by Elton John

 

I’ve only just realised how good this big, daft pop song actually is. Okay, okay it’s a bit naff, but so what! Elton’s cool.

 

Buckets Of Moonbeams’ Festive Five: 2) Christmas Unicorn by Sufjan Stevens

Here’s a track I encountered for the first time not two days ago! And lo, what perfect timing for ye Buckets of Moonbeams’ Festive Five!

Sorry about that… we’re back to a normal tone of voice now, and this track is a lovely slice of folk-meets-electronica spliced with snowy pipers straight outta midnight mass and of course, Stevens’ trademark oddball lyrics.

And halfway through, he pulls a dramatic musical handbrake turn and veers off into a Joy Division snow globe. Utterly bizarre. And all the better for it!

 

Buckets Of Moonbeams’ Festive Five: 1) River by Joni Mitchell

So whilst everybody’s getting rather excited about the gigantic economy boost that is Christmas, a contagiously jovial Buckets Of Moonbeams will sporadically bring you five festive-themed tracks from the margins.

Now, they may not all be particularly obscure per se, however they won’t be sandwiched in between Shakin’ Stevens and Mud on daytime radio.

The five aren’t in any particular order (although I’ll save my favourite until last), and to start us of is Canada’s favourite songstress (sit down Celine): Joni Mitchell.

River is just Joni, her piano, her sadness and her longing. Turn it up and let her wondrous song skate away with you.

Heavy Rotation: I Wonder by Rodriguez

Quite a wonderful recent addition to my collection, this. The story of Rodriguez is quite amazing and I strongly recommend doing a little bit of research via your search engine of choice.

I Wonder taken from the 1970 album Cold Fact is a ragged, soulful, folky rotation ’round a cavalcade of choruses. The playing is a little raw and ropey, but that certainly adds to its charm. And along with Rodriguez’s soulful vocal, it deserves to be buried treasure no more.

 

Heavy Rotation: Shelter Song by Temples

Here’s the debut single from Temples, another great addition to Heavenly Recordings’ roster. Strap yourself in for a psychedelic nugget that’s heavily indebted to the ’60s and bursting at the seams with narcotic harmonies, cavernous drums and 12 string Rickenbacker firepower.

Temples prove that sometimes retro-fetishism is acceptable; I can’t wait for my 7-inch to arrive in the post!