Fancy Free

For the last week, I’ve been listening to the music of Birdie Busch, a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter whose songs have had a surprising effect on me. Warm and comforting, her music exudes a casualness that will easily put its willing listener at ease with little effort.

Scheduled for released on February 21, 2006, Emily ‘Birdie’ Busch’s debut album, The Way We Try is a remarkably simple collection of songs that provide sweet, honest glimpses into relationships, emotions and every day observations on life, but is executed in such a lovely and timeless fashion.

Simply put, The Ways We Try is a classic album in a modern world.

Citing famous folksters like Paul Simon, Gillian Welch and Neil Young as her primary influences, Busch’s music fits well into their respective catalogues, but manages to sustain its own unique identity. With songs that range from the jaunty opening of ‘The Cup’ to the melodious piano and sway of ‘Room In The City,’ a listener will find themselves easily captivated by Busch’s pure voice and undeniable talent.

He spent some money
on some things they saw in passing
And he bought her dusty records
of some songs he thought were lasting
And she read the covers
and hummed some of those songs real low
And thought, “If love is overrated,
it’s by those that just don’t know.
And I want to know.”
                            –Birdie Busch

On her song ‘South Philly,’ Busch sings, “And all of these songs / They come from my heart / Do you think they’re a dead-end? / Do you think they’re a good start?”

A good start, most definitely.

Downloads:

The Cup
South Philly
Zeros
Room In The City

WWW:
Birdie Busch - official site #1
Birdie Busch - official site #2
Songs: Illinois - Craig Bonnell’s post on Birdie Busch

* My thanks to the fine folks over at Public Emily for introducing me to Ms. Busch’s music.

This Woman’s Work: Emily White & Ali Marcus

For this month’s ‘This Woman’s Work,’ I’ve decided to feature two very talented women.

Emily White is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter whose honest songwriting has earned her comparisons to artists including Jonatha Brooke and Lisa Loeb among others and has allowed her to perform across the nation.

Her debut EP, Every Pulse, released last year, showcases White’s remarkable talents as a raw, soul-bearing musician whose songs echo of the honesty and roots of Ani DiFranco’s earlier work.

* * * * *

Seattle-based songwriter Ali Marcus has a decided to take a very admirable approach to her music and how it’s distributed. Available completely free on her web site, a listener is warmly invited to download and share all twelve of Marcus’ intensely personal songs collected under the name Matchbooks, Diamonds, Mixtapes.

Marcus’ songs are delicate and sweet, lyrically rich and full of charm. Each one laced with her accomplished guitar strumming and her innocent whisper.

Womenfolk is proud to introduce the eighth and ninth in its This Woman’s Work series with the inclusion of Emily White and Ali Marcus.

A Girl With Bulletproof Belief

Julia Darling’s career as a musician started in her late teens when she bought herself a guitar and taught herself how to play. Shortly thereafter, the New Zealand native began playing on the streets of Melbourne, Australia and as fate would have it, was discovered by a record executive.

Some time later, the twenty-two year-old Darling found herself in New York with producer Tony Berg and a line-up of musicians including T-Bone Burnett and Jon Brion and recorded the songs that could comprise her debut album.

Darling’s debut, Figure 8, arrived in 1999 with Wind-Up Records and featured an incredibly strong collection of songs which boasted her sweet and satisfying voice, poetic lyrics and memorable sound.

Songs like the electrically charged “Bulletproof Belief,” the atmospheric “Crinolines And Waltzing” and the simply exquisite “Closer Look” prove that Darling can both rock and sway and not get lost in the transfer.

Despite critical raves, Figure 8 sold poor commercially and Wind-Up decided to part ways with the songwriter.

Surprisingly, Darling found new creative breath with the separation and remained undeterred to have her music heard. She remained in the New York area and immersed herself in the music scene, regularly performing throughout the city while waiting on tables in-between gigs.

Well it feels like you’re bound to notice I have nothing
When I’m young and I’m frail and I’m all alone
Seems like together we were close to something
But you work and I play and we’re never home anymore
                            –Julia Darling

Over the next few years, Darling’s loyal audience started to grow and in 2003, a few dedicated fans financed her eponymous sophomore record.

Julia Darling features 11 new songs by the songwriter, each one stemming from earlier collaborations with friends and fellow musicians. “Let’s Do It Again” is the album’s infectious opener and its lyrics illustrate Darling’s undying gratitude to her fans.

Darling’s “Blue” is another remarkable standout and featured here is a live version taken from The Living Room - Live In NYC, Vol. 2, a compilation of songs performed at the popular Manhattan venue where Darling has become a favorite performer.

Julia Darling continues to write songs and perform in the New York area as both a solo artist and as a guitarist in the indie rock band, Have Her Home By Ten.

Downloads:

Bulletproof Belief
Closer Look
Let’s Do It Again
Blue (live)

WWW:
Julia Darling - official site
Have Her Home By Ten - official site

Cover Girls, Vol. 13

Gabi is a twenty-something Brazilian musician whose love of music compelled her one day to sit in her house and record ten amazing cover songs using an acoustic guitar and an array of noise-makers. The result is a striking collection of music that any independent music label would salivate over.

Featured here is Modest Mouse’s ‘3rd Planet,’ a song that was originally recorded on their 2000 album, The Moon & Antarctica and one that Gabi helms beautifully. She begins her album, Loneliness Keeps Company, with her version of the Modest Mouse tune, plucking strings alongside a muffled vocal. Then the sheet is removed and the song instantly seeps into the listener.

And as if that weren’t enough, Gabi offers all ten tracks of Loneliness Keeps Company free for download at her web site.


Canadian bellower Neko Case released Canadian Amp in 2001, a small collection showcasing eight songs, most of which were written by famous Canadians including Neil Young and Lisa Marr.

One this, one will find Case’s sonic interpretation of the traditional ‘Poor Ellen Smith,’ the famous song based on the tragic tale of a murder in 1893. As with most of her recordings, Case’s vocal instrument takes center stage, but seems perfect for a song such as this, whose heavy and complex banjo strumming make it seem like the essential campfire song.


Nashville’s Kate York recorded a beautiful version of the Cure’s ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ for her debut EP in 2004.

It was later released on York’s full-length debut, Sadlylove which is now available through her official site after an unfortunate delay with her record company.

I simply can’t recommend this album enough. York’s soft voice is timeless and her version of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ will surely win you over.


Katie Melua has been making headlines for the last couple of years, although primarily in England where her two albums are more accessible.

Young and remarkably talented, Melua’s music caters to a more of an adult-contemporary/jazz/pop audience, but fortunately, lacks of the sugary sweetness you’d expect from a woman barely out of her teens.

For her second album, 2005’s Piece By Piece, Melua covers the Cure’s ‘Just Like Heaven’ effortlessly. Subdued, breezy and graceful, Melua’s version is pleasant alternative to the 80’s hit.


Downloads:
Gabi - 3rd Planet
Neko Case - Poor Ellen Smith
Kate York - Boys Don’t Cry
Katie Melua - Just Like Heaven