There were three stand out, solo artists at CMJ this year. All three seemed to captivate my friends and I far more than the mundane and overcrowded field of artists in this category.
First off, Pink Nasty.
Maybe I’m biased because I think she is breathtaking in both her beauty and her style, Black Nasty’s sister is definitely at the top of my iPod’s most played list this week. Her voice keeps my attention, while a few other female singers out there feel too crisp and produced. I know she actually feels the lyrics she writes. You can hear a little of her Texas accent as well… which is extremely attractive musically speaking (just like all those Sweedish accents are so interesting to listen to). Seeing her in person at Fanatic’s showcase really helped with seeing all these things, but after hearing the full album I predict most of you can grasp what she has to offer and truly enjoy it. Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) even let her use his studio to record the album and lent his vocal input.
Pink Nasty – Golden Smoke
Pink Nasty – Napoleon Complex
Second, Peter and The Wolf.
My affection for Peter and The Wolf, fronted by Red Hunter, goes back to the first time I heard ‘The Fall’ sometime early this year. Then after receiving his self-titled, hand-drawn cd I started to grow a strong pull to his music. An artist that seems to have chosen to hand draw each cd cover, track listing, and the compact disc itself must have a true passion that he desperately wants to share with you. The first night of CMJ I headed over to The Knitting Factory Tap Bar to see his set. When he walked in and sat down by me at the bar I had to say something to him. So after the usual… “I love your music” cliche conversation, he went over to do his set. I won’t go into details here, but read a little more about it @ gvb’s post and comments here. I wish his set did feature more of his music rather than what seemed an artistic nervous response to the deafening crowd chatter. However, his new album Lightness came in the mail when I came back this week and I spent a good 3 hours driving in the rain listening to it over and over and over and over again. It’s a carpenter’s response to a world of steel and plastic. Lightness is one of my absolute favorite cds of the year.
Peter and The Wolf – The Bonsai Tree
Peter and The Wolf – The Highway
Finally and MOST IMPORTANTLY, Benjy Ferree.
This cd was sent to me a week before CMJ. About three minutes after I put it in, I had to call the person who sent me the cd to tell him how enthralled I was with everything I had heard so far. This cd is absolute gold and a few friends here in Auburn immediately confirmed my own suspicions that Benjy Ferree is ABSOLUTE GOLD. It was a greater pleasure, however, to see him live last week in Brooklyn. Although, it was just a solo set, the fellow Music Directors I had drug with me to see him all seemed to instantly perk up in their seats that late morning. Let me just say that if you haven’t picked up this cd, do so immediately. Also, go see this guy live… his stage banter that morning with a four year old girl in the audience about the greatness of Dee Dee from The Ramones was the funniest thing I had seen all week.
Benjy Ferree – Why Bother
Benjy Ferree – In The Woods
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p.s. – I was really proud of that shot I took at the Peter and the Wolf show, considering the horrible lighting.
Dee Dee was always the best Ramone. Bonzo Goes to Bittburg is just beautiful.
Wow, I like that Pink Nasty–a lot! I like Benjy Feree’s guitar too.
~alt-gramma~
@ Speed of Dark
Yeah, I really like the Pink Nasty tracks as well. I’ve been enjoying hearing Peter and the Wolf and Benjy Ferree on Andy’s radio show but it usually takes me a while to really get into music like that. I need instant gratification when I hear new music, which is why i’m always posting forgettable pop songs
[...] Many of you might know I have a small obsession with D.C. singer/songwriter Benjy Ferree. His album was under everybody’s radar, it seems, except for a select few. So I was quite pleased to read BV’s post on Benjy Ferree tour dates. I talked to one of the guys from Domino during Benjy’s solo set at CMJ last month and begged him to come to the South… I guess they listened. Haven’t decided between Bottle Tree and The Earl, any suggestions? Here are the dates: [...]