(Belated)Mixtape Monday: Hard Rain and Solid Ground

Sorry folks, this mixtape comes so late because my computer almost went down for good, I’m working on it and hopefully all these work.  This latest mixtape features;

Some great forgotten songs by the likes of America and The Creation

A lost classic by Paul McCartney and the Wings

Songs by some great new releases from artists like the Black Keys,Deer Tick, Dr. Dog, and Hacienda

As well as some names you should know if you don’t already like Christopher Denny, Nathaniel Rateliff, Ron Sexsmith, and Blake Mills, among others.

The Mix in its entirety after the jump.

Continue reading (Belated)Mixtape Monday: Hard Rain and Solid Ground

(Belated)Mixtape Monday: Former Glories and Darker Days

copyright arthur leipzig 1954

This weather is something else isn’t it, rain everywhere and with no sign of stopping, well lucky for you, you can stay in and enjoy the latest edition of Mixtape Monday chock full of more energy than a cup of Maxwell’s Coffee, and damn good to the last drop.  Also please note that now the full mp3 previews are on the top of the song description, and the downloadable link at the bottom

This mixtape features mostly new artists (new is a relative term) among them being; The Broken West, Blitzen Trapper, Robert Pollard (of GBV fame), Family Portrait among many others

Big Star and Eddie Floyd head up the dust off your vinyl collection, contributing three songs total (two for Big Star, one for Eddie Floyd)

And for something completely different, stay tuned for a wonderful Notorious B.I.G. remix later.

The Mix after the Jump

Continue reading (Belated)Mixtape Monday: Former Glories and Darker Days

Mixtape Monday: Wordsmiths and Their Pictures

It’s Monday again, so you know what that means, time for a Mixtape Monday!

This week features some great songs from the likes of Harry Nilsson (and covers of), Fitz and the Tantrums, Ganglians, April Smith and the Great Picture Show, and many many more.  Just a little taste before the rest of the post after the jump

Good Old Desk (Harry Nilsson)- Ron Sexsmith

Ron Sexsmith by himself is a great songwriter and an artist’s artist, having been praised by the likes of Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney and Feist among others.  To hear him cover an artist speaks volumes towards his respect of their work and Harry Nilsson is wistful and tuneful like McCartney and cynical like Lennon, and is a great choice; Sexsmith’s arrangement style and vocal play perfectly into this song.

Continue reading Mixtape Monday: Wordsmiths and Their Pictures

https://www.tumblr.com/audio_file/artofthesong/456860629/tumblr_kzhk4aUbjp1qbrl3q?plead=please-dont-download-this-or-our-lawyers-wont-let-us-host-audio

Hey remember Jack Johnson?! The dude who took laid back surfer style music by storm? Of course you do.  The man has his critics, often likened to “every song of his sounds the same” and I’ll admit its easy to jump on the critiquing a popular musician bandwagon, if only to convey a sense of musical knowledge, i.e. “You like him, well you should check out (insert unknown indie band here) they’re a lot better and they haven’t sold out.  Everyone loves to find a diamond in the rough.  However, Jack Johnson is different, though he does often rely on his mellow style, he cultivated that sound, and created his own record label way before it became the thing to do.  This song, Losing Keys features a perfect laid back arrangement and some beautiful guitar lines. Its like a sunset on a beach, a late afternoon by the pool, or just all those sweet summer memories that are springing to mind with this beautiful weather.  The lyrics are strong, and the harmonizing with the guitar in the chorus is undeniably ear candy. 

Like the song? download it over at Art of the Mixtape