Amy Ziff’s recommendation: “I’m inspired by so many artists, including Joni Mitchell, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Francoise Hardy, and some of today’s artists such as JD Samson, Jane Siberry, Tracy Bonham, Sia, to name just a few. One of my favorite groups is The Barry Sisters. I respond to their expression of truth and soul in songs and lyrics and phrasing. Just a simple note or breath or sigh sung by these artists, changes the way I feel about something in my life at any given time.”
New to The Barry Sisters? Amy suggests you start here: “My parents played At Home With The Barry Sisters for me and my siblings when I was growing up. Listening to them sing, made me want to pursue Life as a singer and performer. And here I am, in a band with my own sister and best friend for more than 20 years…still loving what we do together and how we make music and travel the world. Long live rock n roll.”
About our guest author, Amy Ziff: Amy is the lead vocalist for BETTY, the pop/funk band that formed in the ’80s in Washington, DC and later migrated to New York City. Some may know the band for their theatrical performances of BETTY:Inside Out and BETTY RULES (directed by Michael Greif (Rent). Others may know them from their appearances on The L Word (the show for which they also wrote the theme song for) or their performances at gay rights rallies and breast cancer benefits. But theater, fund raisers and television are only parts of the BETTY puzzle. They also have eight studio under their belt, the latest being Bright & Dark, a collection that is produced by David Maurice (Garbage) and features a vocal collaboration with Kate Pierson of the B52s. The album is consistently packed with whip smart stories (watch the Did You Tell Her clip below to get the feel) and shifts effortlessly in styles, from funked up grooves to grungy guitars. Be sure to cath their fantastic live shows by checking hellobetty.com for tour dates.
Mathieu Santos’ recommendation: “Robert Palmer is someone who’s always interested and moved me. When I was a kid, my dad was a huge fan of his and always had a bunch of his tapes in the car, so we spent many hours listening to him together. But aside from that aspect of nostalgia, I’ve come to really appreciate his music for its sense of curiosity, experimentation, honesty, and the scope of its stylistic range.”
New to Robert Palmer’s music? Mathieu suggests you start here: “Because his catalogue is so diverse, I think a good place to begin would be Addictions Volume 1, which was a compilation of his music that he curated. Of course, it contains the big arena-rock hits, but there’s a great selection of some deeper cuts as well, and it’s interesting to hear them all side-by-side. As far as individual albums go, I’d have to recommend Clues, which is mostly characterized by his growing interest in synths and sparse arrangements. Great stuff!”
About our guest author, Mathieu Santos: Many will know Mathieu from his role as bass player and founding member of Ra Ra Riot, a chamber pop group from Syracuse, NY that scored tons of positive critic reviews and opening slots for big bands like Death Cab For Cutie. Santos emerged from the recording sessions of Ra Ra’s second album energized and was able to bang out ten catchy (and just shy of experimental) songs for his own for his solo record, Massachusetts 2010. Per this Spin article, Mathieu was inspired by other artists that broke off from their bands and put out solid solo efforts, namely Paul McCartney and Stewart Copeland of The Police. The result is an upbeat, quirky collection that often puts Santos’ ehcho-y vocals and jumping bass lines in front. The album is unique to the core and is sonically bright. Mathieu is currently on tour with Ra Ra Riot and tour dates can be found here.
Brett Dennen’s recommendation: “I’ve always thought that Van Morrison is the greatest. Nobody sings like him. He could sing about anything and make it sound soulful. Yet, his songwriting is amazing. Which makes him even more incredible.”
New to Van Morrison’s music? Brett suggests you start here:”I’d cut straight to the chase and recommend the album Veedon Fleece. Songs like Linden Arden and Don’t Pull No Punches are some of his very best. The album puts you in a trance with repetition like a lot of Van’s albums do. He suggests an idea musically, lays down a groove and it keeps getting deeper and deeper.”
About our guest author, Brett Dennen: We first got turned on to Brett when we heard his Darlin Do Not Fear single get play on KEXP in Seattle. Our obsession deepened when the ultra-talented Tom Freund recommended Brett here on Rock Torch, citing his “…beautiful high voice and lyrics that hit home with an “old soul” presentation.” Dennen is California based and has a sound that gracefully blends the bright, world feel of Paul Simon with the reflective lyrical style of, yes, Van Morrison. His music has recently turned up on television, being featured in a Twitter commercial and on several network shows (Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, Parenthood, Brothers & Sisters, and House). Brett’s latest album, Loverboy is one of the best purchases you can make this year, but if our words alone can’t convince you, perhaps Amazon’s lure of selling the album for $5 will drive you. Buy it here on Amazon or from the indie shop Insound, but definitely buy it and enjoy.
Teddy Thompson and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Teddy Thompson’s recommendation: “These two are the most blissful musical union since George and Tammy, Gram and Emmy Lou. Their sound though is closer to the Carter Family or The Louvins: spare, almost always acoustic and totally honest. The fact that neither is from the South probably only helped them avoid any of the Nashville sheen that has ruined modern mainstream country music. It’s tempting to classify them as retro sounding or a throwback to a bygone era but rather than being dated, it’s just timeless.”
New to Gillian Welch & David Rawlings? Teddy recommends you start here: “I’d say Time (The Revelator) is a good place to start if you’ve never heard them. I believe it’s their 3rd or 4th record. It has a bit of everything. Catchy “pop” tunes, My First Lover, Red Clay Halo. Dreamy love songs, Dear Someone. A blistering live recording, I Want To Sing That Rock n Roll. And the remarkable last song which clocks in at over 14 minutes, I Dream a Highway. Somewhere in the middle there’s also perhaps the best song about Elvis I’ve ever heard.”
About our guest author, Teddy Thompson: Teddy is the son of folk legends Richard and Linda Thompson, so great song-writing is almost an automatic (not that we’re taking it for granted!). What really hooked us on Teddy is his ultra-smooth voice. We’re talking Roy Orbison smooth. We’re talking Chris Isaak smooth. We’re talking one-of-the-best-voices-in-the-pop-game smooth. His last outing, A Piece of What You Need is chock full of up songs, complete with bouncy bass and twangy guitars. No wonder The Guardian declared it “one of this year’s best” in 2008. Thompson’s next effort, Bella is coming out on Feb. 1 and is produced by David Kahne (The Strokes, Regina Spektor, Paul McCartney). Excited yet? Cruise over to the official Teddy Thompson website and sign up for his email newsletter for album and tour info.
About our guest author, Amy Ziff: Amy is the lead vocalist for BETTY, the pop/funk band that formed in the ’80s in Washington, DC and later migrated to New York City. Some may know the band for their theatrical performances of BETTY:Inside Out and BETTY RULES (directed by Michael Greif (Rent). Others may know them from their appearances on The L Word (the show for which they also wrote the theme song for) or their performances at gay rights rallies and breast cancer benefits. But theater, fund raisers and television are only parts of the BETTY puzzle. They also have eight studio under their belt, the latest being Bright & Dark
, which was a compilation of his music that he curated. Of course, it contains the big arena-rock hits, but there’s a great selection of some deeper cuts as well, and it’s interesting to hear them all side-by-side. As far as individual albums go, I’d have to recommend 
, which is mostly characterized by his growing interest in synths and sparse arrangements. Great stuff!”
About our guest author, Mathieu Santos: Many will know Mathieu from his role as bass player and founding member of 
. Per 
About our guest author, Brett Dennen: We first got turned on to Brett when we heard his Darlin Do Not Fear single get play on 
is a good place to start if you’ve never heard them. I believe it’s their 3rd or 4th record. It has a bit of everything. Catchy “pop” tunes, My First Lover, Red Clay Halo. Dreamy love songs, Dear Someone. A blistering live recording, I Want To Sing That Rock n Roll. And the remarkable last song which clocks in at over 14 minutes, I Dream a Highway. Somewhere in the middle there’s also perhaps the best song about Elvis I’ve ever heard.”
About our guest author, Teddy Thompson: Teddy is the son of folk legends Richard and Linda Thompson, so great song-writing is almost an automatic (not that we’re taking it for granted!). What really hooked us on Teddy is his ultra-smooth voice. We’re talking Roy Orbison smooth. We’re talking Chris Isaak smooth. We’re talking one-of-the-best-voices-in-the-pop-game smooth. His last outing, 
is chock full of up songs, complete with bouncy bass and twangy guitars. No wonder The Guardian declared it “one of this year’s best” in 2008. Thompson’s next effort, Bella is coming out on Feb. 1 and is produced by David Kahne (The Strokes, Regina Spektor, Paul McCartney). Excited yet? Cruise over to the official 
