Thursday 24 December 2015

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue #4

Christmas tree in shop, Levenshulme, from bus window in rush hour traffic
While the sound on the clip isn't fantastic, todays video does show the goddess like Eartha Kitt in playful mood, performing the classic 'Santa Baby'. Kitt was, of course, about much more than this, and a song like 'Lazy Afternoon' shows off her vocal skills to a greater extent, but that doesn't detract from her performance here, which is perfect.

There's a vague aural unease and discordance in a lot of Tei Shi's work that is evident in her August release 'See Me'. Whereas February's 'Bassically' was slinky and slightly menacing, there's a gentle, pastoral quality to 'See Me' that is just as unsettling, just in a different way.

The Mediaeval Baebes have always been a curious ensemble, not really a choir, not really a band, not really classical, not really folk... 'Sour Grove', which is taken from 2007's The Rose, captures well where they were as an ensemble at that point, combining old and new elements to create a very distinctive and arresting take on an old song.

Todays post concludes with the excellent Laura Groves, aka Blue Roses, and 'First Frost Night', Groves was one of a number of Laura's making folk music in the UK in 2009, and the self titled Blue Roses album is still an excellent listen. It would be great if she made another album.

Photo of Christmas tree in shop, Levenshulme, from bus window in rush hour traffic, by Cazz Blase. Copyright Cazz Blase, all rights reserved.

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