The Tallest Man On Earth

Photo source: The Tallest Man On Earth | www.thetallestmanonearth.com

Swedish born Kristian Matsson is truly a folk singer. His lyrics are mesmerizing, his voice is capturing, and his guitar styles make all memories flow forth fluidly. Kristian Matsson is known to music fans as The Tallest Man On Earth.

In 2008 The Tallest Man On Earth released his first full length album Shallow Grave, which is packed with finger picking that will make the best of them stop and take note. Since then, he hasn’t stopped.

Photo source: The Tallest Man On Earth | www.thetallestmanonearth.com

The Tallest Man On Earth really gives one a feeling they just dropped back into the 60’s folk music scene. Really eerily, Matsson sounds like Dylan. Being a huge fan of Dylan, I am now a huge fan of The Tallest Man On Earth.

Photo source: The Tallest Man On Earth | www.thetallestmanonearth.com

Stunning finger picking, great lyrics, melodic voice with that raspy edge to it, and.. AND LYRICS!

This entire article could just read just as song lyrics. In fact, that is what it shall read like.

Shallow Grave
Come see the ripples on the water
As I throw pebbles in the pond
To let the sky go past its surface
Empty my pockets filled with stones
My pockets filled with stones

Come see the sadness of the sailor
As I will scratch his deep blue floor
Already in my years of bad luck
Oh, I broke his mirror long before

Oh when I dive into the water
I’ve raised the bottom to be saved
It’s just a shallow grave

I found the darkness in my neighbor
I found the fire in the frost
I found the season once claimed healthy
Oh, I need the guidance of the lost

But when I dive into the water
I’ve raised the bottom to be saved
It’s just a shallow grave
‘Cause when I dive into the water
I’ve raised the bottom to be saved
It’s just a shallow grave
It’s just a shallow grave

Photo source: The Tallest Man On Earth | www.thetallestmanonearth.com

 

Honey Won’t You Let Me In
Now the snow will fall and the lover’s call
Will be drenched out by the shatterin’ of verse
As the seasoned shifts lonely minds will drift
On the ocean in a build above its lore
As I knock your door from inside once more
How I wish a soothin’ breeze would let me in
Shake my tambourine at your glowing dreams
So honey won’t you let me in, oh

As we cease to know where our fate will go
We won’t see the rivers tied up in the vines
Branches will untie every mumblin’ lie
Every frayed word in your lullaby is heard
Oh when I catch the ? of our ?
How I wish the turning sunset could record
Blow my engine steam at your glowin’ dreams
So honey won’t you let me in, oh

Now the dust will rise, dress the olden skies
Just a gallery of words we’ve used much
It’s a ? but what if it’s too late
To be building up our muscles in ?
Put me on the mornin’ ship and I will take the trip
To return with all the treasures of the past
It will always seem like a glowin’ dream
So honey won’t you let me in
I said honey won’t you let me in, oh

Honestly, this man is already a legend in my books. What do you think of him?

Reading further in to The Tallest Man On Earth, he is notorious for recording his albums with a portable recorder, wherever he is. Recording vocals and guitar at the same time. When one listens to the recordings on the albums, you can hear this, but to be honest, it fits right in. There is no loss in quality, in fact, there is more attitude given to the songs. It’s a great style. It’s a smart choice by Matsson.

The Tallest Man On Earth has three albums out.

  1. Shallow Grave – 2008
  2. The Wild Hung – 2010
  3. There’s no Leaving Now – 2012

We here at COT surely hope that The Tallest Man On Earth doesn’t stop any time soon making this beautiful music. We support him.

On The House by Head of the Herd

The first track I heard of Head of the Herd blew my socks off, and so did the next track, and so did the one after that. This same pattern continued until I had exhausted everything I could find to listen to by these two guys, Neu and Clay.

Seriously, before I say anything further, go to their website and download their free CD, stuff like this doesn’t last long free. Continue Reading →

Live at Woodstock by Jimi Hendrix

As a teenager, and a guitar player, I clung to Jimi Hendrix like a god…. ok fine, I still do! It was something to do with his expression, his release, his distortion, his control of his instrument, and the era that he lived in that I think captured my imagination. I know, that’s a pretty far out list. Continue Reading →

Dummy by Portishead

When I wake up I’m in either one of two moods. One: I don’t want to be up, just sit here and numb for a while. Or two: Alright, today is a great day, lets get this train rollin. Today was a train rollin kind of day. What did I put on? Portishead of course. Continue Reading →

Both Sides of the Gun by Ben Harper

Ben Harper is one of the most inspirational people I follow on a regular basis. His discography spans back to 1992, with Pleasure and Pain (one hell of a record I must add). In 2006 he came out with Both Sides of the Gun. It was a solo show, which means without his standing band The Innocent Criminals. No problem. Continue Reading →

Kiss Each Other Clean by Iron & Wine

Samuel Beam, from South Carolina, I guess Texas now, is the genius behind Iron & Wine. His work is strong yet not abusive. It’s a mix of big band sound, and soulful introspective.

The album is Kiss Each Other Clean, and its his 2011 release. I enjoy this album.

Iron & Wine is a band that you listen to when your in-laws are over for dinner. It’s smooth, yet a bit risky; it’s not like some wild indy stuff that’s out there, It’s an easy thing to listen to.

Monkeys Uptown has a funky keyboard in there like some Stevie Winwood, reminiscent of the funky disco days.

Then Half Moon takes you on a delightful waltz through time and space. It’s a walk with a lover through the park, butterflies flying lazily around.

Rabbit Will Run is another much more upbeat song, that sounds like its infused with some Jethro Tull, flute included. It’s great.

Godless Brother In Love is another great song. It’s very emotional and soft. It sounds like mostly just a guitar and piano, with harmony singers. So beautiful.

I would really enjoy to sit through a concert of Iron & Wine’s. Maybe it’s just me becoming more peaceful with life, but this stuff is beautiful. I enjoy songs where it’s just the singer up there with a guitar, real raw and really from the heart.

Wikipedia says that Iron & Wine tours with a full band sometimes, which is needed for most of the songs on this album. I’ve read countless articles on bands that are 2 or 3 piece bands, and they express interest in trying things out with a larger band. I can see how only a 3 piece band could be fairly restrictive, but also it could create a really interesting scenario for some amazing stuff to be created. Sometimes its easy to get taken away by all the gizmos and forget about where your roots are, but that is also creation… What do you think?

I enjoy this album, and I sure hope you let me know how you enjoy it too!?

Concert Review: The Black Keys with Nicole Atkins

Tonight I hit up the Black Keys with  Nicole Atkins opening at the Oprheum Theatre. Nicole Atkins and the ?? black seed? maybe just seed? Maybe that was still in the makings, but they were awesome. The guitarist was insanely awesome. I cannot find who she is, but she had a Japanese name I believe.

It was a great show. One of the ‘loud’ people came and sat down behind me, all “this is so awesome, these are awesome seats” like nobody around him could see either, but nearly a few seconds after that after he realized what was going on. Tonight was extremely special. It will go down as one of the greatest rockings that place has ever seen, and no doubt it has seen some GIANT acts. This one was among them.

Nicole Atkins and her band had the volume way up. The Black Keys only turned it louder. They both came out with an absolute bang, kept the cool going the entire show, and rocked their finales. Dan Auerback, the singer and guitarist for the Black Keys, spoiled the entire crowd with intense guitar rhythm, solos, lines, and beats. No more beard. Short cut and shaved. It was my first time seeing them, and it definitely wont be the last. I lovethe venue, the Orpheum in Vancouver; I am really quite partial to it, and I feel that any act you see there can only be a good acts.

I’ve said it before, and Ill say it again, if you play with a slide, you’ve automatically won me over. Dan definately played some slide, on top of the raunchy, riff laden rock through his stack. It was awesome. Possibly one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

I think a key is that they started off their sets so nicely. Nicole Atkins started loud, and with a great song. They were from New York. The Black Keys also started with a great song everybody knew and loved, and just kept rocking and rolling from there; cranking out the goodness. The Black Keys come from Ohio, and they look it with their plaid and cowboy pinstripe outlined shirts.

One of the best things I like to see at a show is the artists finishes and is sweating profusely. It shows they’ve been giving it their all. It was the Avett Brothers who I read a quote from: “If we leave the show not covered in sweat, it means that we haven’t given it all we can.” Drummer Patrick Carney was soaked! He played amazingly as well, although I was mesmerized by Dan for most of the time, Patrick is a star himself, just that I play guitar so am naturally captivated by one.

The Black Keys brought out two other players for some of the songs, a bassist and a keyboardist, that fit in nicely, but honestly Dan and Patrick are so explosive themselves that they really don’t need anybody else, I do respect the fact that some songs require a little bit extra. I’ve been really a fan of keyboardists lately, possibly one big reason is because of the Jack Johnson show I just went to, with pianist Zack Gill totally blowing me away with his awesomeness.

All in all, if you haven’t got the drift yet, I totally was blown away by the show, and would highly recommend it to anybody and everybody, regardless of the genre of music your into, you’ll find you have a really great time at the Black Keys.

Dragonette – Surrey Canada Day Celebration

Seeing Dragonette in Surrey for the ‘Biggest outdoor Canada Day Celebration in Western Canada’ was kind of weird.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt

To me, it seemed like a lot of the people were there for the fair rides, or decided with the family that it was a good day to go out and socialize at the outdoor party on this particular Thursday.

But, none-the-less, Dragonette made me smile the second they stepped onto the stage, until long after they left.

I have previously reviewed their latest album, Fixin To Thrill, here, which in my mind is absolutely killer.

The guests I brought with me to the free concert in Surrey hadn’t been introduced to Dragonette as of then; needless to say, they left fans.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt

The band came out, with the casual splendor a band getting big carries with them, exclaiming: “We’ll start as soon as Martina gets here.” I’m curious if they are starting or have always carried giant ego’s necessary for rock/pop stars… I waited patiently, which wasn’t long.

Martina’s singing was spot on for nearly the entire show, clearly showing that they were a professional well-trained band, which I was very happy to see. Some of the songs, some of the transitions and swings Martina must go through with her voice-box are truly magnificent, which is mainly the reason why I love this band so much. Her body movement on stage is what sets her and her band into a category all in its own. Yes, young pre-teen fellows were all around me, dropping their jaws.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt

Martina mentioned at one point that they were going to do a world premier of a song, which was the only song that I didn’t feel she had down perfectly. I think she knew this, and was a bit nervous, which you could hear it in her voice, and see in her movements. Have you ever felt that feeling where you’re a little unsure, so you don’t put forth 100% because your nervous such effort would amplify your errors? The song did have a weird beat, and even weirder transitions, but did have a nice chorus. I am interested to hear it soon on their next album.

In all honesty though, this was the perfect venue to tackle a new song at, most of the people there probably hadn’t heard of her before. I’m happy somebody in the planning of Canada Day has though, it made my Canada Day a great one!

My only regret of the event was that I didn’t get myself a media pass so I could take photographs from sweet locations, they looked stunning up there.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt