King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine

I was exploring NPR's "25 Favorite Albums of 2011 (So Far)" last week and came across King Creosote & Jon Hopkins' Diamond Mine. It's worth checking out.

I can't describe the album any better than Mr. Bob Boilen, so here you go...

Diamond Mine does what audio does best: It takes listeners far from the here and now. This labor of love, seven years in the making, opens on a cafe terrace in a Scottish town. It's a few minutes before these soundcapes give way to the unique quiver of King Creosote and the scope of this collaboration becomes clear. This is storytelling through sounds and with song. King Creosote (Kenny Anderson) and Jon Hopkins describe this unusual record as the "soundtrack to a romanticized version of a life lived in a Scottish coastal village." This is a record for your late night, or for your quiet Sunday; put it on when you when you need calm, and be grateful that in a world full of speed, King Creosote and Jon Hopkins stopped and took their time. (Bob Boilen)

Some other thoughts on the album:

• More from Bob Boilen
• Folk Radio UK 

Currently Prophetic: "Feathers, Rain, and Cash"

The fine folks at the newly birthed podcast "Currently Prophetic", two episodes in, are already scraping the bottom of the barrel...as yours truly is represented with a song in the most recent episode.

http://currentlyprophetic.com

Shawn Mullins.  Johnny Cash.  Listen with respect...

The Ghost Of Johnny Cash

Together At the Creek

I thought this video turned out well enough to be share-able...



Thanks, Mr. M Dot Ward, for the music: Duet For Guitars #3

Clarence Clemons

This is as close as I ever came to Clarence Clemons.  One of the many things that was memorable about this show was being close enough to notice the tears running down Clarence's face as Bruce sang about 9/11.  The guy seemed to be everything he was advertised to be.  

Recommended Podcasts 1 - Cyber Dating & Second Life

Here are a couple podcasts I enjoyed over the last two weeks. They have a common thread which (I think) has to do with wanting to be heard, wanting to be cared about, and wanting to be unique/special.

Talking to Machines - Radiolab

http://www.radiolab.org/2011/may/31

Life 2.0 - NPR: On the Media

http://www.onthemedia.org/episodes/2011/06/10/segments/159314

New Bon Iver album - Streaming at NPR

I've listened to the new Bon Iver album a few times over the last week. It comes out on June 21st, but you can stream it on the NPR website. The voice blends so perfectly into mood of the music that it's basically an instrumental album in my mind. I find it soothing, relaxing, and full of other adjectives that you'd find on the various lotions my wife displays around the house.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/09/136855313/first-listen-bon-iver-bon-iver

Helvetica vs. the World

The documentary Helvetica is about the typeface (a.k.a. font). I think it's also about culture, design, art, sticking it to the man, marketing, and social networking. I hope to watch it again sometime.

Favorite Song of the Week 5: "Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" by My Morning Jacket

"Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" by My Morning Jacket...off the new album 'Circuital'...which is excellent. And, of which you can get a free download of not-my-favorite song at their website. Go to www.mymorningjacket.com/circuital

(As of 6/3, Circuital is $5 at Amazon)

In regards to Wonderful, I picture a guy who has been a little beat up by life coming to a nice peaceful patch of time. And, he's not taking anything for granted. In fact, as the backdrop of where he's been lingers in his mind...maybe he's a little surprised, or maybe he's too exhausted from the ride to have anything but an honest appreciation of his current situation. Listen. Your life will never be the same.

Danger Mouse - Rome

The album that I haven't been able to get enough of this week is Danger Mouse's Rome. Rome is like listening to a familiar melody (Sketches of Spain) or watching a familiar movie (a spaghetti western). It's a nice feeling.

- Coming soon...U2 and Danger Mouse