Watson Twins

The other day, I turned on the TV and happened to catch a little extract of this song (above) on PBS. Almost instantly, I liked the sound of the band, the vocals, the lyrics. 5 minutes later, I was up from the couch and looking online for more info and to see if I could download the song on iTunes (my iPod is forever hungry for new music!). I was pleased to see that this band has recorded several albums already.

A little research informed me that Sun Studio (featured above) is the very same location where artists like young Elvis, Johnny Lee and many others recorded their songs in the 50's.

Perhaps you'll like the sound of the Watsons Twins as much as I did, so I thought I'd mention it.

Hope everything is going relatively well for all of you.


* * * * * *
Additional Resources:

Sun Studio's blog

Sun Studio on Wikipedia

The Watson's Twins'website here (click on the butterflies to access the information)

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

"For the past nine years, Warren Hellman [local investment banker] has been giving the Bay Area a wonderful present: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.

With fantastic musicians like Emmy Lou Harris, Gillian Welch, Steve Earle, Hazel Dickens, and countless more, Warren has put on concerts enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people. And since he pays for the event out of his own pocket, there are no corporate logos plastered on the stages or high priced tickets to contend with.

The result is an amazing three days where, I swear, everyone is smiling and happy." Frances Dinkelspiel, San Francisco Chronicle Complete article here

Yes, indeed.

A lot of people gathered up in the Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco, to attend Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, the free annual music festival featuring mostly - but not strictly - Bluegrass and Folk musicians.

Musicians such as Ricky Scazz and the Kentucky Thunders, Lyle Lovett, Emmilou Harris, and many, many others, showed up.

David Holt (left) and Doc Watson (right) (photo above), HSB 2009
Doc Watson (left) and his grandson (right) (photo above), HSB 2009
Doc Watson, (photo above) HSB 2009

And I showed up to listen to living legend Doc Watson, who has been flatpicking guitar since long before I was born. I discovered Doc Watson when I was growing up in France, and instantly fell in love with the guitar style, the voice, and the songs.

What can I say, it was a PRIVILEGE to see him in person after all these years (I can't believe he's still playing that way at age 86!) and a wonderful way to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Here is a little video sample of last year's performance. And here is a little documentary (3.41) including Doc's interpretation of Walk On Boy



Enjoy!
* * * *
Additional links and resources:

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Official Website, with artists line-up and FAQ here

More photos here

(Thank you for all your comments on my previous post. I will respond in the near future)

The feel-good moment of my week

My apologies for being away from the blog for so long lately.

If you haven't seen this video already, then you're in for a treat. I give you... drum rolls ...

Susan Boyle
(click on the name)

... of Britain's Got Talent (Video lasts 7 minutes, well worth it though. Turn on your sound and watch carefully).

Simon.. (rolling eyes) tsk, tsk...

And if you've liked what you've heard, then close your eyes and listen to this one:



Don't you just love a feel-good story?
Good luck Susan!

6 y old Connie Talbot / Connie Talbot, 6 ans!

Just when you thought there wasn't any beauty left in this world...
Juste quand on s'imaginait qu'il n'y avait plus rien de beau dans ce monde ...


(alone, without sound effect)
(toute seule, sans accompagnement)



(same, with sound effect)
(meme chose, avec accompagnement)





Last but *not* least (I think), a few months later:
Le meilleurs pour la fin (je crois), quelques mois plus tard:


"I will always love you, by Connie Talbot"



Thank you little girl, you absolutely made my day (not to mention you also made me cry like a baby)!
Merci petite, quel moment de bonheur tu viens de nous donner (j'ai même pleuré comme un bébé, en plus)!

To listen to extracts of Connie Talbot's album and see additional videos, check out her website.
Pour écouter des extraits de l'album Connie Talbot et voir d'autres videos, allez cliquer sur son site.


Have a good week everybody, and see you very soon!
Allez, bonne semain, et à bientot!

Good Bye, Henri Salvador!

I've been so busy over the past few weeks that I only found out today that Henri Salvador passed away last month. For those of you who did not know Henri Salvador, here is a little something I found on YouTube to give you an idea.


Dans Mon Isle (1957), influenced by Antonio Carlos Jobim

Henry Salvador was an incredible comedian, musician, guitarist, singer ... in other words, an extraordinary artist. Like all the people of my generation in France, I grew up listening mostly to his funny songs (Juanita Banana, Zorro est arrivé, Minnie Petite Souris, etc.) and did not realize he was an accomplished jazz musician as well (some credit him for inventing the style Bossa Nova).

I probably did not fully appreciate Henri Salvador's talent until only a few years ago, when someone presented me with his most extraordinary album Chambre avec vue released a few years ago in France.

Even if you did not know Henri Salvador's name, perhaps, you've heard this song?



Thank you for all the moments of pleasure you gave us, Mr. Salvador.

Rest in peace!


Links and Resources (in French):

Article du Monde (en Français):
Henri Salvador, Couleur Brésil


Hommage à Henri Salvador (Arte)