A Kiss From Jarosz

Sarah Jarosz (prounounced juh-ROSE) graduated high school a couple of weeks ago. She's attending New England Conservatory of Music in the fall. What to do over summer vacation? How about release critically acclaimed debut cd?

Recently turning 18, Miss Jarosz has put out a wonderful bluegrass album SONG UP IN HER HEAD (a must for fans of Alison Krauss/Nickel Creek.) It is comprised of 11 tunes written by Sarah and 2 covers... SHANKILL BUTCHERS (The Decemberists) and my favorite track on the cd COME ON UP TO THE HOUSE (Tom Waits.)

Listen to an NPR interview with her (as well as a live cover of Gnarls Barkley's CRAZY) here.

Here's a video of COME ON UP TO THE HOUSE.

Here she is covering CRAZY.

Taxman

Just finished doing my taxes!  Had to pay a lot of money... not cool.  At least it's done though.

Here's a brief clip of a lovely cover of the Beatles' hit TAXMAN by NICKEL CREEK!

You can download the song here.

If you haven't filed yet... hurry!!!!

Let's kick some BLUEGRASS!

I love the music of  Nickle Creek.  It's classic bluegrass with a modern edge.  They classify themselves as "progressive acoustic."  I had the great fortune of seeing them with Fiona Apple in 2007 for their "Farewell for Now" tour.  They are all currently taking a break to pursue solo projects.

Here is a video of them performing Fiona's "Extraordinary Machine" with her.

Also a cover of Britney Spear's "Toxic" had become a staple of their concerts and a huge fan favorite!

Neither of these is "officially" for sale.  But you can download this episode of a wonderful podcast called "COVERVILLE" which contains a live version "Toxic."

Here's a video of one of their originals, "When in Rome."

Chris Thile (who looks a little like Jude Law), and brother and sister Sean and Sara Watkins have been performing since they were little and have three major studio releases out.  They put out a greatest hits cd that includes a dvd of their videos called "Reasons Why: The Very Best."  

I leave you with one final cover.  Here are Nickel Creek and Fiona Apple doing an absolutely splendid cover of the standard "Tonight You Belong To Me."  I've loved this tune ever since I saw Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters (with her trumpet that she happens to have with her) croon away on the beach in "The Jerk."