The Court Yard Hounds’ Court Yard Hounds (2010) – MAYBE NOT
The Court Yard Hounds' self-titled debut (2010)
By Chris Moore:
(May 4, 2010)
Review:
As Robison and Maguire have been playing together in the Dixie Chicks for over two decades, it is difficult to consider Court Yard Hounds a debut release; that being said, although it has its strengths — a particularly strong first four tracks followed by solid efforts here and there — it simply does not fully satisfy (although I must admit my bias in holding this duo’s material up to the Dixie Chicks’ outstanding 2006 release Taking the Long Way).
Top Two Tracks:
“See You in the Spring” (with Jakob Dylan) & “The Coast”
And so we come to the final installment of the ever-so-cleverly titled “Christmas” playlist series.
I don’t have much to say here, as I’ve already explained the process I went through and the purpose of these three Christmas playlists I’ve posted on the blog. I will mention that this third volume seems to be a more relaxing, laid-back set than the previous two, especially after the first couple songs. I didn’t mean for it to work out that way, but I’ve found this one quite soothing to listen to as I do some work around the house tonight.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through them, and don’t miss next Saturday, when I’ll publish the final “Playlists on Parade” post of the year, which will serve to wrap up my work with Christmas music this season.
1. “Angels We Have Heard on High” – Relient K
2. “Elf’s Lament” – Barenaked Ladies
3. “Christmas to Remember” – America
4. “The Christmas Guest” – Johnny Cash
5. “December Snow” – The Moody Blues
6. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – The Beach Boys
7. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Bing Crosby
8. “The Christmas Blues” – Bob Dylan
9. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
10. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms
11. “Santa Claus is Back in Town” – Elvis Presley
12. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” – Elmo and Patsy
13. “What I Really Want for Christmas” – Brian Wilson
14. “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen / We Three Kings” – Barenaked Ladies (with Sarah McLachlan)
15. “Merry Christmas Darling” – Mike Fusco (with Jim Fusco)
Happy Labor Day to one and all! I’ve always thought that it was interesting that there is very little “labor” accomplished on Labor day, but I suppose it’s more an appreciation and celebration of all the labor that is done on the other 364 days of the year. Regardless, I’m not complaining that I don’t have to work on this beautiful, sunny day — what a magnificent first day of September it is, at least here in good ole Connecticut, USA!
And September 1st is not only Labor Day, but it’s also the birthday of my girlfriend, Nicole. So, to help her celebrate it, I figured there’s no better way than choosing and recording a song for my music video today that she would love. This is actually a song that I just played her for the first time a couple of days ago, and she immediately loved it. “American Girls” is the second track on the Counting Crows’ Hard Candy album. It’s notable for being one of two songs from this album to make the greatest hits. Although it was a very mild hit, I think it’s a great song. And I can’t believe that it took me years to figure out that Sheryl Crow contributes the background vocals! I picked up this album used from FYE a couple weeks ago and figured that out as I read the liner notes. It was definitely a “Duh” moment…
The album is one of those that starts extremely strong — the first four tracks are simply amazing. “Hard Candy” starts off the album and the first couple lines are among my favorite that Duritz has ever written. Then comes “American Girls.” The third track, “Good Time,” is not anything special, I suppose, but I really like it. And I love “Richard Manuel is Dead.” Those first four tracks are a tour de force. Then, the next few tracks slow it down, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it never really picks back up to the quality of those first four tracks. So, while I like the album, I can’t really fall in love with it. It’s one of those albums that, by track eight, you’re fighting the temptation to skip back to track one.
But, if you buy this album, don’t flip back to the first track without hearing the last track, “Holiday in Spain”! It’s one of my favorite songs from the Counting Crows. It starts off with just piano and Duritz’s vocals, and gradually builds up to a triumphant final verse and chorus. For those of you who don’t know me, I just love it when a song begins with no drums or minimal drums, then really kicks into high gear! For instance, that’s probably why “Pretty (Ugly Before)” is my favorite Elliott Smith song on From a Basement on the Hill.
Well, that’s enough music commentary for one day. I’m off to have some lunch, celebrate Nicole’s birthday, celebrate Jim’s groundbreaking new purchase (I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it in his next post!), and try to get some work done amidst all the excitement…
Good evening, cover song music video fans. I’m coming at you this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a selection from a band that will be releasing a brand new studio album tomorrow. The band is Spoon, and the album coming out tomorrow is Transference. I’ve only heard the single “Written in Reverse,” but that one song was enough to capture my interest.
And I couldn’t be happier, since there is little that makes me as excited as having a reason to go to the music store on a Tuesday afternoon/evening.
So, to help bide my time until tomorrow, I learned and practiced a different Spoon song this weekend and finally recorded it earlier today. The song is “Jonathon Fisk” and it is from Spoon’s 2002 album Kill the Moonlight. I had this album recommended to me by a friend just after New Year’s Day, in anticipation of their upcoming new release. I listened to it a couple times, then put it aside. Out of nowhere last week, I had the urge to hear it again, and now I can’t get enough of it. Kill the Moonlight is quirky and upbeat and experimental — all the aspects of great alternative rock music that I love!
So, it is with great pleasure that I pass along “Jonathon Fisk” to you for your consideration. Apparently, the song was written about a bully that songwriter Britt Daniel had experience with in school. Later, according to Daniel, the real-life “Fisk” attended a significant number of the band’s shows.
Interesting how life turns out…
Speaking of the oddities of our modern lives, has anyone else seen Up in the Air? It was every bit as good as I hoped it would be, but what a downer! Let’s just say that one of the characters turns out to be a… Well, a big fat doo-doo head, for lack of a better euphemism. I literally sat through all of the credits just staring at the screen in disbelief. Really though, without saying too much, I would highly recommend this one, if for no other reason than the fact that George Clooney is awesome.
Some say that we have the same chin, which I take as the highest form of compliment. Go ahead, try not to stare dreamily at my chin while you’re watching my video tonight.
In unrelated news, I’m coming up on crunch time here, as the second marking period for my school ends tomorrow and midterms run until next Monday. What does this mean for me? Well, I have essentially a week to enter and finalize grades for all my classes. I’m currently in the middle of the pile I wanted to finish by this evening, so I naturally decided that I had plenty of time to kick back and watch a couple hours of television. Now that that’s over, it’s back to work for me.
Thankfully, I had this Laptop Session post to write, so I’ve been able to procrastinate just a little longer…
But, at long last, it’s back to gradin’ for me. I hope you enjoy tonight’s video and that you’ll come back soon for another week’s worth of new material at the greatest cover song music video blog on the web today.
