Musicians Have Silence

A painter's got a canvas. The writer's got reams of empty paper. A musician has silence.

[musicianshavesilence]

This one is still a work in progress as I'm posting, so there will be more up until the end of the month. Benny Sings and José González were sprinkled throughout my 2021 playlists, and they will most likely make it through my 2022 playlists as well! Benny's Tiny Desk Concert is worth watching as well. If you enjoyed these playlists and want to dive in some more, here is my top 100 tracks of 2021 from Spotify.

[musicianshavesilence]

One of my favorite concerts ever was seeing Peter and Paul from Peter, Paul, and Mary. They set up their stage on top of a tide pool at the Scripps Aquarium in San Diego. They played so many of their hits and they were so amazing at guitar playing, even after all of their years. It was truly inspiring. I will always remember that concert and hearing songs like Don't Think Twice, It's All Right bring that right to the forefront of my mind. Blick Bassy also emerged for me this month. His ethereal voice and extremely peaceful music touched me on a deep level. Very excited to continue exploring his sound.

[musicianshavesilence]

This was a busy month of listening! Over 100 tracks in this one, lots to explore here. I went deep into The Cleaners From Venus this month. I had never listened to them before, and I think they are very under-rated. Definitely worth diving into their tracks. Gene Harris's version of As was also a big hit this month. Dive in!

[musicianshavesilence]

I was lucky enough to see Ahmad Jamal live back in 2019, and I always think of that show at SF Jazz whenever I hear him. He had such a cool presence about him. Very humble and a true living legend. sir Was was a highlight this month as well. His vocals and melodies are so unique.

[musicianshavesilence]

Yup yup yup, this was a fun month. Alabaster DePlume's divine, complex sounds. Los Zafiros beautiful harmonies. Bill Frisell's insanely good guitar playing. Ry Cooder's insanely good guitar playing!

[musicianshavesilence]

My never-ending journey into Luiz Bonfa continued in July 2021. He is working his way up as one of my favorite artists. Along this same vein is João Gilberto, with his smooth bossa nova gems.

[musicianshavesilence]

This track by Atahualpa Yupanqui really touched me when I heard it. Some musicians have a way of going deep into your soul, and I think this artist is able to tap into that power. This must have been the month that I discovered Force Majeure by Brandee Younger and Dezron Douglas. The song Gospel Trane on this album was my top-played song! I was a little surprised seeing this at first, but it makes sense. I kept this on repeat for days. Highly recommend this one, although the small amount of talking is slightly annoying (but worth it!). Mocky is another highlight, such a confident, strong sound. Feels very spacey and tropical and fun all at once. Looking forward to seeing more music come from him in the future.

[musicianshavesilence]

ooo baby The Chocolate Conquistadors track by BADBADNOTGOOD and MF DOOM was a real banger. BBNG is such a good group, I'm really in awe of the clean, jazzy sound they put out. I feel like I can pinpoint their sound when I hear it. J Lloyd from Jungle was also on repeat for me A LOT in April 2021. His album Kosmos is super interesting and fun to listen to. Domenique Dumont is my other shoutout for this month. He creates an irresistible vibe.

[musicianshavesilence]

My good friend introduces me to black midi in April 2021. This was one of those albums that takes a second listen to let it really sink in. I find that those types of albums are the ones that stay with you, that make a lasting impact on your soul. I feel that way about some people I meet as well. Maybe on the first pass, I find them irritating or too intense, and then they become my closest friend. There's probably a lot more to this. This wasn't my first time listening to Jorge Ben Jor, and it definitely won't be my last. This album is one that I just keep coming back to. There is so much energy and so much life in it, I really love it. Benny Sings was also an artist that kept repeating throughout 2021. I recently just dove into his Beat Tape album, there are some really groovy tracks on there. He has been releasing a couple of singles for Beat Tape 2 also. Enjoy!

[musicianshavesilence]

Hiatus Kaiyote! I can't believe they didn't make it in my top artists for this year. I think I ended up listening to their Tiny Desk Concert show more than I did on Spotify... that's probably why. Watching those alien heads bop their heads to their smooth grooves was just too irresistible. Natalie Lafourcade is also way up there for me. I had heard this Alfonsina y El Mar song by other artists in the past, and I was so happy to see that Natalie had done a version. She feels so authentic and real.

[musicianshavesilence]

I clearly was a big fan of the Madlib album Sound Ancestors that came out this year. He is an amazing artist and I gained a newfound appreciation for his music in this album. Digging deeper into his musical history is fascinating, he has impacted so many musicians throughout his career. February 2021 was also when I was first discovering Sam Gendel! What an awesome saxophone player. I love when I stumble upon an artist with a new sound like his. I couldn't believe it when I saw that he made an album alongside Pino Pallidino and Blake Mills, Notes with Attachment. This was one of my favorite albums of the year. What an incredible series of songs. I can't finish this post without calling out King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. These guys are just incredible. They just keep pumping out amazing albums that get my heart pumping.

[musicianshavesilence]

As the year is quickly drawing to a close, I thought I would begin sharing all of the music I have been listening to in 2021. This also felt like an appropriate re-introduction to my posts as it has been so long! Looking forward to sharing my music again with you all. Rita Payes was definitely a highlight for me this year. As a fellow trombone player, I appreciated her effortless way of switching from beautiful singing to trombone playing. Knowing that her mother is the fantastic guitar player alongside her brought another level of joy to this music.

[historicaltimes]

Dinosaurs being transported to the New York World’s Fair, 1964

via reddit

[musicianshavesilence]

Of Montreal- Rune Husk EP Album Review

Of Montreal has been an extremely prolific band, and this EP is great example of how they keep growing with each album. Each song exemplifies their musical talents and influences. I always get a glimmer of The Beatles when I listen to Of Montreal, with their woven harmonies and variety of sound. On Stag to the Stable, the second track, The Beatles references are even more present to me. They have the electric guitar front in center, the orchestral instrumention, the harmonies, but with Kevin Barnes unique, cutting vocals. Each track on this EP shows how much thought is put into each track, how elaborately each composition is crafted.

[musicianshavesilence]

Migration

Migration, an album by Bonobo on Spotify

Migration by Bonobo ALBUM REVIEW

The consistent tap, evolving and expanding right from the start, politely draws you into Simon Green’s world. The atmospheric dreamy bird calls turn into loud synth melodies with interweaving piano lines. 

I first found Bonobo through his Late Night Tales album. Late Night Tales is an amazing project that allows artists to share what they love to listen to. I’ve listened to Bonobo’s more than any other artist so far. 

I’ll also never get this Cyriak music video out of mind. It is so mesmerizing and beautiful. The video is an art piece all on it’s own. 

The second song on Migration, Break Apart, features Rhye’s elegant vocals. The two artists both create worlds on their own, and they seem to have found a way to combine their talents to form a new environment. 

Bonobo is an amazing musician who is able to elaborate on multiple genres at once. Outlier, the third track on the album, has a Gold Panda, Kraftwerk feel to it with it’s crisp beat and overlaying synth noise. As the song continues, the synth encapsulates you, giving you an urge to move your feet, or go on a late night drive through the city. 

If you are looking for a beat-heavy, electronic, atmospheric album, Bonobo’s Migration is perfect.

[deathnskulls]

Allan Tannenbaum :: Patti Smith & John Belushi.

[washingtonpost]

"Pumpkin spice candles soon. Pumpkin lattes soon. Pumpkin everything."

[washingtonpost]