Leonard Norman Cohen, born September 21, 1934 in Westmount, Quebec, is a songwriter, singer, poet and writer. He published his first book of poetry at the age of 22. Among his favorite themes are loneliness and complexity of relationships with others.
During the late 60s and early 70s, Cohen does a long tour from the United States to Europe through Canada. In 1973, he tours in Israel and plays to military bases during the Yom Kippur War. Its rather difficult to imagine him cheering the troops.
The album Live Songs, representative of early Leonard Cohen, includes 10 live recordings, mainly from European concerts between 1970 and 1972. These pieces are beautiful combinations of eroticism, love and depression. This album presents us with a naked and raw Cohen in its finest hours.
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Further information on Wikipedia [en]
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The trip-hop band Archive is formed by Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths in 1994. In 1990 they already produce together several singles on their own label: Swam. They also participate in the project Genaside II.
After 3 years of work, in 1996 they released their debut album: Londinium, from which the track Organ Song is extracted. Unfortunately, the disc is not selling well, therefore they decided to split. Short break, as in 1999, they released a second album: Take My Head.
This track of Archive is the penultimate of the album. This is a classic full of soaring emotion that sums up the spirit of this album: violins, gentleness, spleen, cared arrangements…
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Further information on Wikipedia [en]
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In the early 60, this artist, born in London, study painting. Her roommate makes her discovered the guitar and teach her the basics. She discovered a passion and is expelled of her school for never going to lessons. She spends her time writing songs. In 1963, during a trip to New York, she discovered the music of Bob Dylan and decided to devote herself entirely to the music.
The album Just Another Diamond Day, from which is extracted this track, was released in 1970, and unfortunately struggles to find an audience. Vashti, deeply disappointed by the music industry, suffers from a complete incomprehension and decides to withdraw from music to raise her children in the countryside in Ireland.
During the 30 years that followed, she never imagined that her album became one of the most popular of its era. The original edition sold on E-Bay up to $2000.
Thus, in 2000, this album is re-edited and meets a great success. She can return to the front of the folk scene after 35 years’ absence to produce her 2nd album in 2005.
” Dreamers we should be asleep in bed
Moving slowly through the springtime air
Holding moments in the depth of care “
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Further information on Wikipedia [en]
Album Info Website
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Kieran Hebden, from the post-rock band Fridge, begins in 1998 his solo project of electronic music under the name Four Tet.
Kieran’s music format generally avoids traditional pop songs format, it is moving towards a more abstract approach. His tracks are made of rich and organic sounds with very harmonious elements. It incorporates hip hop, electro, techno, jazz and folk elements. Moreover, Four Tet sound have obvious similarities with other musicians, like Prefuse 73.
Rounds was released in May 2003. It was the most ambitious project of Kieran until then, by integrating various samples such as the mandolin on “Spirit Fingers” and even a plastic duck on “Slow Jam”, the last track of the album. This last one was used in an advertisement for Nike in the United States in 2001 and 2002.
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Broken Hearted on Youtube
Four Tet Website
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On March 27, 1966 in Paris, Arthur H was born. His real name is Arthur Higelin, he is none other than the son of Jacques Higelin. He was a very lonely teenager and was hardly passionate for education.
He released his first album: Arthur H, at the age of 24 years. His influences are numerous and range from Thelonious Monk to Tom Waits through the Sex Pistols or even the jazz, blues or tango. Based on these inspirations, Arthur H has been able to create a unique musical universe.
The album Adieu Tristesse, on which you can find Le Danseur, was released in 2005. Some consider this album as the most accessible of his career. It allowed him to win a great success and receive a Victoire De La Musique for the videoclip of the song “Est-Ce Que Tu Aimes ?”.
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Arthur H Website
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