just listen.                            

                                      Close Your Eyes...      (note by Val)

I went to see the band Junip last week. I love this band, especially front man Jose Gonzales whose voice takes you to another planet.  The minute the show began an energy emanated from the stage;  instrumental at first - setting the mood - ready to frame: the voice. Then it came: Jose. The room got still - no chatter, no movement, no cough.  Just that voice. Their music is described as "pastoral contemplation, haunting serenity..." It's like an angel swept down, took your hand and transported you to another place. Ask anyone in that room, they will agree. Jose's voice is very distinctive; a smooth, effortless vibe like liquid, "organic, melodic, hypnotic,"  it fills the room, then it fills your soul.  

I caught myself throughout the entire show closing my eyes and lowering my head so I could listen even better. I smiled to myself - because I always tell people, "close your eyes and you'll hear the music better." It's a visceral reaction to music.  And it works;  if you close off one of your senses, the others are heightened.

I've included a video of Junip below.  When you hear it you'll see what I mean.  (Rather, you'll feel what I mean.)   To prove my point, do you have a minute?  Watch the video twice.  Once while watching, once with eyes closed.  Note, do you hear more the second time?  

I'm sure you've heard, there's a new show in town.  The Voice.  Chances are you were one of the millions who tuned in; their ratings were off the charts. In essence, four famous musician coaches will select singers to mentor into artists. First rule of the show: blind auditions. Coaches cannot see the artists, they judge on voice alone.  So I played along.  I didn't look.  I've included one of my favorites, Rebecca Loebe, below.  Wait til you see what she does with her Nirvana cover - I've included the original for you to compare. 

One good thing about digital music is you only need to buy what you like. One track at a time. So close your eyes ~ ~ before you click Buy.  You'll know when it's right.

Yours, 

Val Haller

Founder, Valslist.com

   VOICES   

( you  can  close  your  eyes  now )

JUNIP

featuring Jose Gonzales 

New album:  "In Every Direction"     2.22.11   

see album & download this song  

Junip - Without You

REBECCA LOEBE

one of my picks from TV show The Voice 

Her cover of Nirvana's  "Come As You Are"      (orig version below)

download this song

Rebecca Loebe - Come as you are Nirvana cover

NIRVANA 

featuring Kurt Cobain  (1967 - 1994)

 Original Song:   "Come As You Are"   

download this song    

Nirvana - Come as You Are (Live Acoustic) HD

MIEKA PAULEY

~ my friend (music promoter) Tom Oakley 

turned me onto this artist  ~ 

download this song

Mieka Pauley - All The Same Mistakes - Music Video

PIETA BROWN

one of my top 5 favorite voices 

she quietly delivers  (like Jose) directly to your soul   

download this song

Pieta Brown "Faller"

PHOEBE SNOW   

July 17, 1950 - April 26, 2011

~ The music world mourns the loss of another great ~

I grew up on this song and I'm figuring so did you

close your eyes and listen

 you won't forget this voice.

download this song

Phoebe Snow Poetry Man

TODD RUNDGREN

he says it better than me:   "Listen to the Voice"  

(note how quiet and still the audience is)

download this song

Todd Rundgren - Healing Part I - 2010

NEW ALBUMS TO CHECK OUT

!!!  

generally pronounced  "chk chk chk"   

Dance-punk / Indie rock band - Seattle

Frontman Nic Offer's trademark:  off the wall dance moves and short shorts

download this song

Chk Chk Chk - AM/FM (Live on KEXP)

Augustana 

American rock band - San Diego

New Album:    Augustana    4.26.11  

see album & download this song

Augustana - Steal Your Heart

LOW 

American indie-rock band from Duluth, MN  

(their music is commonly described as "lowcore" -

a rock subgenre characterized by slow tempos and minimalist arrangements -

the band doesn't like this term - but they're early adopters of this style)

New Album:   C'mon   4.12.11

see album & download song

Low - Try to Sleep (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Mana

Guadalajara Jalisco 

Latin rock / pop rock band, with a touch of calypso, reggae, and ska

3  Grammy, 5 Latin Grammy,  5 MTV music video awards ...

New Album:   Drama y Luz    4.8.11    

see album & download song

Maná - Lluvia al corazón (Foto Video con letra)

THIS  WEEK'S  PLAYLIST       

Close Your Eyes

 listen & download playlist

Artists new to Valslist: 

Rebecca Loebe, O'Death, Beth Jeans Houghton, Paul Kelly, Eastern Conference Champions 

Valslist faves:

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi, Mirah & Thao, Mat Kearney, Okkervil River, Alela Diane, Low, Manchester Orchestra, The Waterboys 

Vintage tracks:

The Cars, Bob Dylan, Neil Young

 OLDER MUSIC NOTES   by Val

(click on title to read)

 What Do You Believe?     4.30.11

Dear Artist:  Surprise Me.      4.17.11

Small Is Good:   Small Venue vs. Arena    4.10.11

Why Vintage Tracks on Valslist?   4.3.11

Music Heals:  Playlists for Japan Earthquake Relief   3.27.11

I'm A Music Freak ~ And I Love It    3.20.11

              Visit Valslist.com for much more music:  Playlists ::  New Album Releases ::  Videos                                        

 JUST LISTEN.

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