Our in-studio session this week features the North Carolina-based musician Tyler Ramsey. In a sense, he's two artists for the price of one: on the one hand, he's a folky singer-songwriter who has enjoyed comparisons to the likes of Jackson Browne (even going so far as to cover Browne's "These Days' on his recent release); on the other, he's an imaginative finger-style guitarist, composing pieces more from the heart than out of any interest in technical prowess. His second album, A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea, was released earlier in the year, and it's this dual approach to his music that helps the album flow in such a unified fashion-- indeed, a listen from start to finish almost feels like a long dream about swimming across the sea. Ramsey joins us for performances of songs from the new album, and talks about his songwriting, the collaborative musical scene that exists in his hometown of Asheville, and his second career moonlighting as a touring member of Band of Horses.
MP3: Tyler Ramsey, from A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea- "Ships"
Stream: Tyler Ramsey's opbmusic in-studio session
As for performance options in Portland tonight, none other than Billy Bragg plays downtown at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Part of PNCA's on-going FIVE Idea Studios series, the event is being billed as "an intimate evening of conversation and music" with Billy Bragg and has apparently been sold out for some time (although there will be a block of tickets for standing room released tonight at the door). In case you're not aware, Bragg has been writing and recording songs championing underdogs of various sorts for thirty years now. In the two and a half decades since his debut EP, Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy, Bragg has recorded with everyone from Johnny Marr to Wilco to Less Than Jake, consistently producing music that prods and provokes while it entertains. Mr. Love & Justice, his first release of new material in six years and first for the Anti label, was released in April.
MP3: Billy Bragg, from Mr. Love & Justice- "I Keep Faith"
MP3: The lastest edition of the Billy Bragg podcast- Episode 13: "There Ain't Nobody That Can Sing Like Me" (Bragg talks about the making of the Mermaid Avenue volumes he recorded with Wilco)
Bragg's early start time (7pm) works out well because it means that you'll still have plenty of time to head over to the Doug Fir Lounge (whilst listening to In House on OPB radio and HD at 91.5-FM2) for the CD release show for Matt Sheehy's new Tigerphobia. The first full length for Sheehy under his own name, Tigerphobia traces its origins to Sheehy's time spent living on the coast in Oceanside a few years back, a spell that brought with it a musical re-birth of sorts. We're highlighting solo artists here and Sheehy is billed as such, although to be accurate he'll have full band in tow tonight, in addition to opening support from Pwrfl Pwr, The Brothers Young and Menomena's Brent Knopf.
MP3s: Matt Sheehy, from Tigerphobia- "Go Missing" and "About Piano"
June 7, 2008 at 3:39pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Well, wasn't anticipating much from that session, as Jackson Browne, though undoubtedly talented, as a reference could be damning (he's sometimes played as light muzak along with Bread these days). But have to say he held up well live, very suited to the in session format. On Perhapst, very mediocre, even my teen test audience aren't impressed (I also have the advance album of course). A solo project too far.
Is Yacht Portland's Syd Barret? I may go find out
June 7, 2008 at 4:10pm by bendlistener
Yet another great show, thanks so much. I really liked The Black Angels. Sort of reminded me of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (and not just because they both start with "Black") -- do you ever play them? Perhaps I'll put in a request for their "Awake" for your future consideration. Best regards.
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