Beach House

Hailing from Baltimore, Beach House (Victoria LeGrand and Alex Scally) released their critically acclaimed third album - Teen Dream in January 2010. The opening track 'Zebra' is magical. Give it a listen on their MySpace site. The album's available on Bella Union and is No.1 in Resident Records' top 25 of 2010. Resident is my new favourite record shop!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Happy Birthday Mozart. 255 today! (b. 27/01/1756)

Kid Loco

Two songs on my MP3 player today which I can't get outta my head. They're that good! This is one - Kid Loco's 'The Specialist' and the other is Rae & Christian's 'Ain't nothing like'. Wonderful stuff - music!

Don't leave me this way

Originally a hit for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes as a part of the 1975 album 'Wake Up everybody', Teddy Pendergrass' excellent lead vocals took this fabulous soul classic to No. 3 on the US Billboard Disco charts and No.5 in the UK singles charts. The song's been subsequently covered many times including Thelma Houston (1976), the Communards (1986), Sheena Easton (2001) and Jason Donovon (2010). But, as with all timeless classics - the original is the best!

The Decemberists

The new album 'The King is dead' is sublime. Just over six weeks to enjoy it before we see them again live (this'll be the third time). Hammersmith Apollo - 16th March. Watch this space. Preview the album in the Amazon widget on my blog or check out the band at http://www.decemberists.com/ (YouTube widget now features the excellent Joan as Policewoman).

Steven Tyler

I cannot believe that Steven Tyler has belittled himself so much to become a judge on America's pop idol. It'll put something of an edge on future airings of classic Aerosmith tracks. How hard the mighty fall!

Jem's Music blog - page additions

To make your visit even more enjoyable, you'll see that I've themed both the YouTube and Amazon MP3 gadgets to your right! The YouTube bit currently features Ed Sheeran and Girl in a Coma whilst you can listen to Smoke Fairies on the Amazon bit.


I'll update both from time to time and I'll keep you informed.

Smoke Fairies, Sea of Bees and Natalie Evans - Jam, Brighton, 17/01/11

What a gig to kick off 2011 with! Absolutely brilliant. From the complex guitar work of the first support - Natalie Evans (http://www.myspace.com/natalieevanss), through the more than slightly worrying behavior of Sea of Bees (http://www.seaofbees.com/home/) [Julie Ann Bee is barking but brilliant] to the wonderfully dulcet tones of the Smoke Fairies. A near perfect blend of utterly brilliant entertainment. Smoke Fairies are destined for greater things - mark my words! Check out what the Guardian has to say about them at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/02/new-band-smoke-fairies 

Girl in a Coma

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Girl in a Coma are signed to Joan Jett's Blackheart Records label. They've released three albums since forming in 2006. I'm listening to 2009's 'Trio BC' at the moment,arguably their best. Nina Diaz's vocals are to die for! More at http://www.girlinacoma.com/giac/giac.html

Ed Sheeran

A good friend mentioned Ed Sheeran in passing on the train home tonight. So glad he did. Check out the sublime acoustic version of 'You need me, I don't need you' on YouTube recorded live on the spot, including the loop pedals! More of Ed at http://www.edsheeran.com/

The Treatment

Although they have an average age of just 18, The Treatment (recently signed to Powerage Records) command a rock presence to be reckoned with in 2011. Their debut album 'This might hurt' is scheduled for release in February, but you can check out a few tracks in advance of that at http://www.myspace.com/the_treatment. Or, you could fork out the cover price of £4.99 for the February edition of 'Classic Rock' and get the excellent 'Doctor' for free! (It's included in the 15-track cover CD). If you like your rock spine tinglingly lard, The Treatment is definitely one to watch.

Smoke Fairies

Our first gig of the new year in a week's time (17th) - Smoke Fairies at Brighton's Jam. Hailing from rural Sussex, our first and only taste was a single tune at a John Grant gig in London last year. Should be good. (Mok tells me that Jam is a good place now - they've played there a couple of times). 


Check out Smoke Fairies at http://www.myspace.com/smokefairies.

R.I.P Gerry Rafferty (16.4.47 to 04.01.11)

So sad to hear that Gerry Rafferty has passed away. Baker Street was one of the songs of my formative years. He'll be greatly missed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkS169P_Eeo

Secret Sisters

Caught these on Jools Holland on 31/12. http://www.secretsistersband.com/gramophone.html. Sadly, their only UK gigs over the next few months are with Ray LaMontagne (whom I have no burning desire to see). However, I believe I may well be partaking of the new self-titled album in the very near future. More information here as well - http://www.myspace.com/thesecretsisters