This Sunday, in the first of a new series, I'm very pleased to give over the (b)log to special guest curator NY singer songwriter Griffin Anthony who sends greetings from snowy Connecticut and lists 6 of his all time fave albums and current obsessions (with handy Spotify links too!). Thank you Griff.
Griffin's own most excellent record Refuge is now out on Big Eyes Records.
Van Morrison - Veedon Fleece
Jeff Buckley - Grace
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Hiss Golden Messenger - Lateness Of Dancers
D'Angelo - Voodoo
Andy Shauf - The Party
Van Morrison Veedon Fleece (1974)
Live, human, and dynamic. Richly atmospheric loose-limbed arrangements that parallel ‘Van the
Man’s’ tenderly gentle and wildly explosive deliveries. It's pretty damned inspiring to know
that an artist like this exists.
Spotify
Spotify
Jeff Buckley Grace (1994)
Epic soaring melodies and performances from such a young and talented (gone too soon)
artistic force. For a time in digital production when most of the material released by major labels
sounds dated and affected, Grace still stands up and feels timeless.
Spotify
Marvin Gaye What’s Going On (1971)
One song more powerful than the next. Haunting yet hopeful. Greasy yet poignant. After The Beatles took me through middle school, What’s Going On blew my mind and carried me through high school.
Spotify
Hiss Golden Messenger Lateness of Dancers (2014)
When asked, “Who are some of your favorite bands?,” HGM usually tops the list. Musically, Lateness of Dancers is everything I love about The Grateful Dead, JJ Cale, and Buffalo Springfield. MC Taylor is one of our generation’s greatest and often under-appreciated songwriters.
Spotify
D’Angelo Voodoo (2000)
Equal parts crunchy and smooth with lush Prince-esque layered harmonies floating atop fuzzy guitars, organs, and the sticky-icky deep pocket grooves. Voodoo celebrates femininity without all the stale R & B cheese of its era.
Spotify
Andy Shauf The Party (2016)
Proof the concept record isn’t dead. The Party is playfully clumsy at times, but with a ton of overall instrumental restraint. What it lacks in live performance, it makes up for with its charm, clever orchestration, and efficient brush strokes. Favorite album of the last few years.
Spotify