Amy Lashley – Daredevils, Strugglers and Daydreamers

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I’ve never met them, but Gibbs & Lashley family is still very dear to me. This is mostly because I’ve listened hours and hours of the greatest podcast of all times, Thanks For Giving a Damn with Otis Gibbs where Otis has also shared little snippets of his family life. Often with Frankie the cat purring on his lap. They just seem like a really kind and warmhearted family and therefore I hold Otis, Amy, Russell, Frankie, Baby… Well all of them in very high regard.

The reason I’m writing this is that Amy Lashley just released a new and magnificent album Daredevils, Strugglers and Daydreamers. It was produced by Otis Gibbs and Thomm Jutz and you can buy the download from Bandcamp or the CD from the Otis Gibbs webstore. I have to decide which route to take myself, but it’s a sure thing I need to buy this. This is so damn good. Otis better up his game, if he wants to be the songwriting champ in the family. And no it’s not a competition. It’s great to have them both making wonderful music. If you don’t take my word for it, watch this beautiful video for the song Blame The Wind. You might have to watch it a few times though, because Russell the dog steals the show and for the first few times I kind of just admired that handsome fellow and didn’t pay enough attention to the gorgeous song.

Amy Lashley Website

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Courtney Marie Andrews – Honest Life

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This is a big deal. New Courtney Marie Andrews album Honest Life is coming out August 19th on Mama Bird Recording Co. The UK/Europe release on Loose Music isn’t happening until January 2017, which is very unfortunate, but as they say, good things come to those who wait. Well in this case, absolutely wonderful things.

Her Leuven Letters was the EP of the year here in 2015. Technically it was a late 2014 release, but it was by far the EP I loved the most. So I had to bend the rules a bit, because I didn’t have the heart to leave it out. Honest Life is even better and an absolute beauty of an album. Definitely among the very best I’ve heard in months. The first outtake is a song called Irene and you’ll find it below. I’ll get back to Honest Life when it’s out and available. You can already pre-order at Mama Bird’s Bandcamp.

Courtney Marie Andrews Website

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China – Pool of Tears

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Some rather brilliant news waited on my mailbox when I arrived home after a 12-hour work shift. There was a notification that China has released a new album called Pool of Tears. I was very much into their earlier EPs, so I instantly bought a digital copy and this is what I’ve been listening to it all evening long. It might be too early for final conclusions, but I’m so loving this and will probably soon start re-sketching my favourite albums of 2016 list. China is following Odawas lead and sounds absolutely marvellous. I would even prefer China, if I had to choose. Thankfully I don’t have to choose and I can just love both China and Odawas and all the the music that Michael James Tapscott and co makes. Pool of Tears is now out and available on Royal Oakie Records.

Everyone Thinks I'm A Loser by China from Royal Oakie on Vimeo.

China at Facebook
Odawas at Facebook

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Luka – Summon Up a Monkey King

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Luka is a Toronto-based songwriter and his new album Summon up a Monkey King is now out and available on Yellow K Records. This has been pretty much my holiday soundtrack. I just love this so much. Unashamedly sweet folk-tinged pop ballads that have a certain similar enchanting charm as 90s solo Jonathan Richman. In my head this is like a perfect companion piece to Richman’s 1998 album I’m So Confused. Oh and then there’s even beautiful female harmonies backing Luka’s soft voice and a beautiful cat in the cover. So what’s not to love. It’s just so incredibly lovely. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a great match with my shy, insecure and romantic heart. Sure some views hurt too, but I’ve been rarely hurt in such a gentle manner. Such a magnificent album. You’ll find a couple of examples below. Listen to / buy the album over at his Bandcamp.

Luka at Facebook

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