MUSIC
SONIC BOOM
FLO MORRISSEY
Despite what some trolls say, we’re living in a Golden Age of original music. Give a listen to these four performers, and you’ll agree. By Mark Dowden
BEN HARPER Growing up to be a singer-songwriter was a natural path for Ben Harper. His grandparents owned a store called The Folk Music Center and Museum, whose patrons included Leonard Cohen and Taj Mahal. At age 9, Harper heard Bob Marley perform live, and Marley has been an influence ever since. Harper’s work spans blues, folk, reggae, rock and soul, with lyrical themes ranging from protest music to love songs. In mood and sonic range, his latest album, in particular, is a rewarding roller-coaster ride. The album: Call It What It Is Go-to song: “Shine” Deeper dives: “Fool for a
Newcomer Flo Morrissey, a 22-year-old Brit, was drawn to folk music from an early age. Her debut album features her original songs—earnest, pastoral works written from a teenage point of reference. Morrissey has said she gets along better with older people than kids her own age, and certainly her velvety voice sounds like that of a seasoned performer. Her latest effort, released this January, is an album of cover duets with Matthew E. White. These two have fantastic chemistry; the tracks bounce merrily along as the two performers trade verses. The album: Gentlewoman, Ruby Man Go-to song: “Look at What the Light Did Now”
Lonesome Train” and “In the Colors” from Lifeline
Deeper dive: A surprisingly hypnotic version of “Grease” (yes, that “Grease”)
AARON LEE TASJAN Ohio native Aaron Lee Tasjan writes gritty lyrics. The Smoky Mountain News put it this way: “Tasjan’s words are soaked in spilled whiskey, misunderstood tears and dusty memories. Each number seeps into the cracks of your troubled soul.” Roger that. In New York City, Tasjan found himself as lead guitarist of the New York Dolls and also formed his own band, The Madison Square Gardeners. But it was after moving to Nashville in 2013 that the heartachy lyrics started flowing like so much Tennessee whiskey, and his solo career blossomed. The album: Silver Tears Go-to song: “Memphis Rain” Deeper dives: “12 Bar Blues” and “Everything That I Have Is Broken”
NEKO CASE While attending art school in Vancouver, Neko Case cut her musical teeth as a drummer for local punk bands. She recorded lead vocals for songs that ended up on The New Pornographers’ first album, which was meant as a side project for its musicians but catapulted the band to surprise indie success. In 1997, as a college junior, Case went country on her first solo album. On the solo efforts that followed, she has explored the haunting genre of “country noir” with songs that are often emotionally raw and always cinematic. The album: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You Go-to song: “Night Still Comes” Deeper dives: “Ragtime” and “This Tornado Loves You”
| RALEIGH
LET’S GET DRESSED Your night out will go better if you turn the act of getting
18
dressed into a pre-party. Pour yourself a “dresser”—an aperitif or cocktail to sip as you prep— and put on some feel-good tunes. This playlist will do nicely: “Right Now” by TV on the Radio “When the Tequila Runs Out” by Dawes “With Arms Outstretched” by Rilo Kiley “Lasso” by Phoenix “Be Thankful for What You Got” by William DeVaughn “Australia” by The Shins
RAL.ss17.music.indd 18
“She Walks in So Many Ways” by The Jayhawks “Occapella” by Lee Dorsey “True Sadness” by The Avett Brothers “Going Back to New Orleans” by Deacon John “These Words” by The Lemon Twigs “Sister Jack” by Spoon
Lee Dorsey
3/20/17 3:36 PM