This time I won't give you new songs but some oldies I was reminded of this week when they came on the radio and I pulled out my Shazam app. It's nice to recall those tunes that were lost in my memory. Hope you enjoy them as well.
On this World Music Day, I decided to share with you some of my special songs. The ones I always go back to. The ones I can sing along to every and each word. The songs that remind me of amazing moments, beautiful concerts and great people. Because that's what music is all about - memories. 'Vidas Ligadas' by Klepht OK, this is a crappy, crappy video. But you have to watch it in order to love this song by the Portuguese band, Klepht. This is from a show the group played back in 2004. It would be just another performance of this beautifully written song if it wasn't for Pacman (the leader of one of my all-time favourite bands, Da Weasel) coming on stage at the very end to sing one of the most powerful verses I know: "Tens de aguentar sempre pancadas sem fugir/ Sexo, drogas, rock 'n roll, sempre a partir/ Esta mistura é mesmo um quadro mal pintado/ Se Deus existe, podes crer que fez o mundo ressacado".
'Skinny Love' by Bon Iver I guess I don't have to explain this one since it's probably a favourite of many too. I'll just add how magic it was to listen to the first few chords of 'Skinny Love' on Justin Vernon's guitar, last year in Lisbon. The crowd went nuts and I have goosebumps and tears on my eyes by thinking about that moment right now.
'Dream a Little Dream' by Louis Armstrong Search no more, this is the best version of 'Dream a Little Dream' you could ever find. Louis Armstrong had an amazing voice and a heartwarming look on his face. Isn't it marvellous how he always looked so happy and glad to be alive?
'Barbarella e Barba Rala' by Samuel Úria If you're not sick of hearing me talking about Samuel Úria's immense talent, please take another listen to this song for it's one of the best Portuguese poems turned into music of the past years.
'Hurt' by Johnny Cash This song is pure pain and raw emotions. Johnny Cash's voice already makes you get to the bottom of things, where it really "hurts", but these lyrics go beyond that...
'Kiss of Life' by Friendly Fires Wrapping up in a much brighter tone, this list would not be complete without Friendly Fires. I dare you to stay still to 'Kiss of Life', it is physically impossible. That's what happened to me last year, at Super Bock Super Rock fest, in Meco, when the band came up on stage. Their music it's practically a shot of energy. I mention it here because the best songs aren't always the ones for the sad moments. A good tune makes you feel something. Even if it's a crazy urge to dance.
-- Para celebrar o Dia Mundial da Música, trago-vos algumas das minhas favoritas. São aquelas músicas a que regresso sempre e tantas vezes, pelas memórias que trazem consigo. Porque a música é isso mesmo - memórias.
'Vidas Ligadas' de Klepht 'Skinny Love' de Bon Iver 'Dream a Little Dream' de Louis Armstrong 'Barbarella e Barba Rala' de Samuel Úria 'Hurt' de Johnny Cash 'Kiss of Life' de Friendly Fires
La Blogothèque invited many artists to perform at intimate sessions and these are just a few of those of beautiful moments the French website created under the name A Take Away Show.
For those who don't know La Blogothèque (I didn't until not long ago), here how they present this project. "For six years, La Blogothèque has changed the way people experience music. We film beautiful, rare and intimate sessions with your favorite artists, and the ones you are soon to fall in love with".
-- O La Blogothèque convida vários artistas para actuarem em sessões intimistas. "Há seis anos, o La Blogothèque muda a forma como as pessoas vivem a música. Filmamos sessões intimistas bonitas e raras com os vossos artistas favoritos e com aqueles por quem se vão apaixonar em breve".
Estes são apenas alguns desses momentos, parte de um projecto - o A Take Away Show - que vale a pena conhecer.
It must be hard to open up for a band such as Bon Iver knowing that everyone in the crowd wants to skip the first act and go straight to the headliners. Sam Amidon knew that when he performed at Lisbon's Coliseum on July 24th.
Watching Sam Amidon's performance one can clearly understand why Bon Iver choose him to go on an European tour. The singer from Vermont plays folk songs with a simple and sincere approach to music, which could only please the genre fans waiting to see Justin Vernon's project. Sam Amidon is more than that. He's an independent artist with six albums in his career.
Playing the guitar or the banjo he performed his songs for 45 minutes, constantly calling up to the frontstage his fellow band members to enrich the show and the music.
The Portuguese crowd was waiting to see Bon Iver but didn't fail to show Sam Amidon some love. People cheered and clapped and even learned the lyrics to the last song the musician played, a cover of 'Relief' by R.Kelly.
After the show, Sam Amidon twitted this.
Here is 'Wedding Dress' from the All Is Weel (2007) album.
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Não deve ser fácil ter a cargo a abertura do concerto de uma banda como Bon Iver, sabendo que o público não se importaria de ir directamente para a atracção principal sem passar pela primeira parte. Sam Amidon tinha consciência disto quando fez abriu o concerto da banda de Justin Vernon no Coliseu de Lisboa, a 24 de Julho.
Consegue-se perceber o porquê da escolha do artista de Vermont para acompanhar a tour europeia de Bon Iver. Com as suas músicas folk, Sam Amidon apresenta um estilo simples e sincero, que só podia agradar aos fãs deste género. Mas há mais em Sam Amidon, um músico independente com seis álbuns no currículo.
Ora na guitarra ora no banjo, tocou durante 45 minutos, chamando constantemente membros da banda para partilharem consigo a spotlight.
O público português estava à espera para ver Bon Iver mas não deixou de acarinhar Sam Amidon. As pessoas gritaram, bateram palmas e aprenderam versos da última música tocada, uma cover de 'Relief' de R.Kelly.
Depois do concerto, Sam Amidon escreveu na sua conta do Twitter que 0,00075% do público foi comprar um CD seu.
Fica o vídeo de 'Wedding Dress', single retirado do álbum All Is Well, de 2007.
Bon Iver came to Portugal last week. In a much anticipated set of two shows, one in Lisbon and one in Porto, Justin Vernon and his band made a perfect debut the Portuguese public, exceeded all expectations and left me so mesmerized that I forgot to take pictures and update the Urban Blue's Facebook page during the concert I saw. Also, it made me want to buy a ticket for their October show in Lisbon right away.
The show in Lisbon was sold out for quite a long time. The Coliseum burst out when the some figures started to entrance the stage, lights down, all dark. Justin Vernon was kneeling on the floor playing with the vocoder to the sound of 'Woods', preparing for 'Perth'. The Coliseum burst into screams when lights came up.
You could sense the great vibe of the room. The crowd presented the band with a lot of love and excitement. And the band gave it back in the form of beautiful songs perfectly played live. Frankly, I was afraid that mystical aura that Bon Iver songs have on record would not be portrayed in live shows but soon I could see how good the band is. There are nine elements on stage, between drums, guitars, a piano, a violin, a sax. The songs gain a dimension and intensity that cannot be felt on record. 'Flume' proved that and by the end of this song Bon Iver were surrendered to the Portuguese warm welcome.
One of the most beautiful and special moments of the show was when Justin Vernon tried to explain why he does what he does and how important music is for him. He put it simply, in true Vernon style - 'y'all showed up for us'. Then, alone on stage, under the unique beam of light in the room, he played 'Stacks'. The Coliseum watched it in almost total silence, devoted to that magical moment.
I was especially anxious to listen to 'Skinny Love' and I was absolutely beautiful. Despite the technical problems in the beginning of the song (when Vernon joked 'we're not that professional'), they carried on joining each instrument as the lyrics requested for a grand back up. It was maybe the song that more people knew - the chorus echoed through the venue in a single voice that repeated the sadness of the lyrics 'And I told you to be patient/ And I told you to be fine/ I told you to be balanced / And I told you to be kind'.
From that moment on there were only beautiful moments marked by the greatness of the band. 'Beth/Rest' was the last song before the encore and 'Wolves (Act I and II)' brought everyone back to the stage.
Justin Vernon was astonished with the love that the sold out room showed and he even said that was one of the best nights of the band. Not that it was necessary - we know it is a rare thing with Vernon - but he added that was not something he throws around much.
'For Emma' came in last. Elevated with sax and trombone, it was the perfect goodbye for a special night. It was like the music realised it was time to go back home, back to the small hut in Wisconsin where Bon Iver started.
After the show, Justin Vernon twitted this.
Here is the set list:
Woods | Perth | Minnesota, WI | Flume | Towers | Hinnom, TX | Wash | Creature Fear | Holocene | Blood Bank | re: Stacks | Skinny Love | Calgary | Beth/Rest | Encore: The Wolves (Act I and II) | For Emma
I have to say I was expecting some kind of special mention to the song 'Lisbon OH' since they were in Lisbon, Portugal... Maybe next time.
Click the video to watch 'Skinny Love' at the Coliseum. The image isn't the best but you can listen to the song, close your eyes and remember/pretend you were there.
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Na semana passada, tivemos a estreia de Bon Iver em Portugal, com dois concertos há muito esperados. Lisboa e Porto tiveram a oportunidade de assistir à estreia em grande da banda que acompanha Justin Vernon e que excedeu todas as expectativas. O concerto de Lisboa foi tão bom que nem me lembrei de tirar fotografias para o Facebook do Urban Blues.E fiquei com imensa vontade de ir ver o concerto de Outubro.
O espectáculo em Lisboa estava esgotado há semanas. Um Coliseu em apoteose explodiu em gritos quando se começaram a ver vultos no palco, ainda as luzes estavam todas em baixo. Com as primeiras notas de 'Woods', Justin Verrnon estava no chão, a brincar com o vocoder enquanto preparava 'Perth'. Com as luzes, novos gritos a mostrar o entusiasmo dos portugueses (e um orgulho grande pela boa recepção que o público nacional consegue dar aos artistas).
A banda retribuiu o entusiasmo e amor do público, na forma de canções arrepiantes tocadas ao vivo. Estava com receio de que as músicas que ouvimos nos álbuns de estúdio perdessem a mística que as envolve e ao projecto Bon Iver, numa apresentação ao vivo. Mas a pompa e circunstância de uma banda de nove elementos não deixa que isso aconteça. Com baterias, violinos, piano, saxofone e guitarras, as músicas ganham dimensão e intensidade estrondosas. 'Flume' foi a primeira prova disso mesmo e, no final desta música, já Bon Iver se tinham rendido ao calor do público.
Um dos melhores momentos da noite começou quando um tímido Justin Vernon tentava explicar o que o motiva na música. Muito ao seu jeito pessoal, acabou por resumir 'y'all showed up for us'. Seguiu depois sozinho em palco, iluminado pelo único foco de luz em todo o Coliseu, oferecendo 'Stacks'a um público quase em silenciosa devoção.
Queria muito ouvir 'Skinny Love' e não fiquei nada desiludida. Apesar de alguns problemas técnicos iniciais (com que Vernon brincou dizendo que eles não são muito profissionais), a música foi crescendo com os instrumentos que se foram juntando à medida a que a letra pedia reforços para acompanhar o coro do público no refrão - 'And I told you to be patient/ And I told you to be fine/ I told you to be balanced / And I told you to be kind'.
Daí em diante foi um contínuo de momentos mágicos, acentuados pelo talento e força da banda. 'Beth/Rest' foi a última música antes do encore, que trouxe a banda de volta ao palco com 'Wolves (Act I and II)'.
Justin Vernon estava surpreendido com o carinho da sala completamente cheia e até agradeceu ao público por fazer daquela uma das melhores noites da banda. E fez questão de sublinhar que não é coisa que ele diga muitas vezes. Depois do concerto, escreveu no seu perfil do Twitter: "Lisboa, Jesus fucking Christ. I found my mind this evening. Never could’ve imagined… Thank you."
O fim chegou com 'For Emma'. Elevada com o saxofone e o trombone, foi o fim ideal para aquela noite especial. Como se a música retornasse humildemente ao seu refúgio, a uma cabana perdida no Wisconsin, onde tudo começou.
Foi este o alinhamento e tenho de dizer que estava à espera que tocassem 'Lisbon HO' com uma referência especial ao facto de estarem numa Lisbon diferente. Fica para a próxima.
Woods | Perth | Minnesota, WI | Flume | Towers | Hinnom, TX | Wash | Creature Fear | Holocene | Blood Bank | re: Stacks | Skinny Love | Calgary | Beth/Rest | Encore: The Wolves (Act I and II) | For Emma
O vídeo acima é uma gravação de 'Skinny Love'. A imagem não é grande coisa mas o som compensa.
