Looking Ahead: February 2010
2010 has already provided us with some very fine new releases in January (Beach House, Owen Pallett) and February looks to be another strong month. Here's some stuff you might consider picking up and some shows worth checking out in the month ahead:
SELECT NEW RELEASES:
02-02
>The Album Leaf: A Chorus of Storytellers [Sub Pop]- The 5th release from this critically acclaimed post-rock band.
>Midlake: The Courage of Others [Bella Union]- A group formed over 10 years ago by jazz students at the University of North Texas. They've since transitioned to a folk-rock sound in their three albums on Bella Union.
02-09
>Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here [XL]- Gil Scott-Heron's music has been highly influencial in the hip-hop and soul communities since his 1970 debut. This album is his first full-length in over 15 years.
> Kath Bloom: Thin Thin Line [Caldo Verde]- A folk singer from Connecticut who came under the public eye thanks to a 2009 tribute album featuring artists such as Devendra Banhart, Bill Callahan and The Dodos.
02-16
>Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore: Dear Companion [Sub Pop]- Two young talented folk singers with burgeoning careers of their own come together.
>Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Preservation [RED]- This group is a collective of traditional jazz musicians from New Orleans. One of the best there is.
02-23
>David Byrne & Fatboy Slim: Here Lies Love [Todomundo/Nonesuch]- David Byrne (Talking Heads) and legendary DJ Fatboy Slim come together. This has the potential to be mind blowing.
>Joanna Newsom: Have One On Me [Drag City]- Joanna Newsom returns from a quiet few years with a triple album. She'll be at the Sanders Theatre on March 17th.
>Shearwater: The Golden Archipelago [Matador]- The followup to this band's critically acclaimed 2008 album, "Rook."
BEST BOSTON SHOWS:
2-05
>AA Bondy@TT The Bears- Alt-Country has seen something of a Renaissance lately and AA Bondy is probably one of it's best representatives.
>Brad Mehldau@Sanders Theatre- One of the most forward pushing popular jazz pianists performs solo at Harvard's Sanders Theatre.
2-06
>Ladysmith Black Mambazo@Sanders Theatre- Most folks know Ladysmith Black Mambazo from their contributions to Paul Simon's masterwork "Graceland."
2-10 and 2-11
>The Magnetic Fields@Wilbur Theatre- Boston based band The Magnetic Fields have been one of the most critically acclaimed indie pop groups of the last couple decades. They visit the Wilbur in support of their new album, "Realism."
2-11
>Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour@Berklee Performance Center- Four jazz heavyweights on one stage: Kurt Elling, Regina Carter, Russell Malone and Kenny Barron.
SELECT NEW RELEASES:
02-02
>The Album Leaf: A Chorus of Storytellers [Sub Pop]- The 5th release from this critically acclaimed post-rock band.
>Midlake: The Courage of Others [Bella Union]- A group formed over 10 years ago by jazz students at the University of North Texas. They've since transitioned to a folk-rock sound in their three albums on Bella Union.
02-09
>Gil Scott-Heron: I'm New Here [XL]- Gil Scott-Heron's music has been highly influencial in the hip-hop and soul communities since his 1970 debut. This album is his first full-length in over 15 years.
> Kath Bloom: Thin Thin Line [Caldo Verde]- A folk singer from Connecticut who came under the public eye thanks to a 2009 tribute album featuring artists such as Devendra Banhart, Bill Callahan and The Dodos.
02-16
>Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore: Dear Companion [Sub Pop]- Two young talented folk singers with burgeoning careers of their own come together.
>Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Preservation [RED]- This group is a collective of traditional jazz musicians from New Orleans. One of the best there is.
02-23
>David Byrne & Fatboy Slim: Here Lies Love [Todomundo/Nonesuch]- David Byrne (Talking Heads) and legendary DJ Fatboy Slim come together. This has the potential to be mind blowing.
>Joanna Newsom: Have One On Me [Drag City]- Joanna Newsom returns from a quiet few years with a triple album. She'll be at the Sanders Theatre on March 17th.
>Shearwater: The Golden Archipelago [Matador]- The followup to this band's critically acclaimed 2008 album, "Rook."
BEST BOSTON SHOWS:
2-05
>AA Bondy@TT The Bears- Alt-Country has seen something of a Renaissance lately and AA Bondy is probably one of it's best representatives.
>Brad Mehldau@Sanders Theatre- One of the most forward pushing popular jazz pianists performs solo at Harvard's Sanders Theatre.
2-06
>Ladysmith Black Mambazo@Sanders Theatre- Most folks know Ladysmith Black Mambazo from their contributions to Paul Simon's masterwork "Graceland."
2-10 and 2-11
>The Magnetic Fields@Wilbur Theatre- Boston based band The Magnetic Fields have been one of the most critically acclaimed indie pop groups of the last couple decades. They visit the Wilbur in support of their new album, "Realism."
2-11
>Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour@Berklee Performance Center- Four jazz heavyweights on one stage: Kurt Elling, Regina Carter, Russell Malone and Kenny Barron.