Today's Daily Downloads feature files 6-10 of the early catalog, including Alicia Dara's "State Of Grace" which is currently at No. 35 on Weed's Top 100 files of all time:
The website was officially launched on September 21, 2003, with only 29 files available on the server:
To commemorate this anniversary, starting today I will post daily links beginning with files from the early catalog. So without further ado, here's the first instalment of the Daily Downloads, featuring the first 5 Weed files ever added to the database:
Lead by vocalist/bassist Mia Richards, Gretchen hails from Bristol TN, which ironically and paradoxically is the Birth Place of Country music. However their sound is far from their Appalachian roots, often garnering comparisons to Amy Lee of Evanescence & Lacuna Coil. However, make no mistake about it this band is straight head rock with a touch of industrial influence, and no operatic overtones.
There's something eternally cool and otherworldly about the sound of a Hammond B-3 organ. Instantly identifiable and soaked with a distinct atmosphere, the whirling and fat sounds of the vintage keyboard jump out from any recording or performance. Though the classic B-3 ceased production in 1975, it still has a cult following, and new jazz artists like Medeski, Martin, and Wood and John Scofield are leading a new wave of interest in the organ. Houston's versatile funk jazz band Drop Trio perfectly synthesizes this fresh approach, using the instrument as its prime musical source on Big Dipper's 12 instrumentals. Members Ian Varley (Hammond organ, Rhodes piano), drummer Mike Blattel and bassist Nino Batista somehow mix and merge a cacophony of notes into an utterly pleasing soundtrack. From the rhythmic work on Second First and Lefty's Alone to the funkier Invisible Pants and Flux, there's space both for soloing and playing together. As a nod to the instrument's '70s heyday, there's Wallawalla (which could easily make the soundtrack for a Fat Albert cartoon) and Gin & Nothin'. All three players are crack instrumentalists and elicit top-notch groovin' material, and Varley is as adept on the Rhodes as he is with the Hammond. Big Dipper makes for a great instrumental record, one with a fresh approach to a classic sound. Here's a 'jazz' record with solid crossover appeal, even to those who don't know Thelonious Monk from Thelonious Monster. - Houston Press
Dave Bell spent many years playing blues guitar in bands at the semi-pro level, weekend gigs in clubs mostly. He finally got sick of trying to keep part time bands together and decided to do his own thing for a while. He proposes guitar instrumentals, mostly blues, but also stuff along the lines of something Santana might do. His albums "Feeling Blue" and "Evening in Brazil" are both available for download.
When Todd Kreuzberg was 3 years old, his father put a ukulele in his crib. By the age of 5, Kreuzberg was playing classical guitar and flamenco, picking up most of the chords by ear (he still doesn't read music). As a teen, he jammed to heavy metal on electric guitar. Now, the musician has returned to his flamenco roots. Kreuzberg, originally from Annapolis, has played the instrument for more than three decades and studied mainly with his father, a former professional flamenco guitarist. [Anne Arundel Best Bets]
Only 3 of his pieces are available right now, but they're all highly recommended for those who want to discover a truly gifted guitarist:
10:06 : New Music: The Abe Lincoln Story [ link | (0) ]
The Abe Lincoln Story is a band that sings about things the common man can identify with: obnoxious phone gimmicks, I Don't Understand [*69], hand signals Rock, Scissors, Paper!, day-to-day life Get High and Go To Work and more. Not only do the song topics go down easy, the music is a bunch of crazy FUN. The Abe Lincoln Story play upbeat pop music that's infected with cool horns from an era gone by. Steve Moramarco has a husky, raspy voice that just pushes things right over the edge. Revival bands like the Squirrel Nut Zippers are coming from a completely different side of the universe than these guys. This is more like soul/street boy pop that has real heart and soul. [www.babysue.com]
Their album "Dance Party" is now available for download.
Django Haskins is a touring rock songwriter in the tradition of genre-defying artists like Beck and Elvis Costello based out of Chapel Hill, NC. His rock band, International Orange, includes Robert Sledge from Ben Folds Five, and he has recently launched a new 'pop-noir' orchestra called The Old Ceremony.
Writing spiky, buzzing compositions that are as clever as they are pleasing to hear is Haskins' gift... His irrepressible Big Star melodies and infectious choruses will camp out in your brain for days, while just below the surface, the guitar wrings out the noisy angularity of post-punk without diminishing the catchiness. - [Independent Weekly]
First things first, the website has a new home page:
This is the place to check if you want a quick overview of the recent additions, and hopefully it will also make it easier for new visitors to get their first taste of Weed music.
