Smashing new animated video for Luke Jackson‘s Goodbye London, directed by Murray John. Looks brilliant in fullscreen mode.
Listen and download from Bandcamp http://lukejackson.bandcamp.com/
Buy the audiophile vinyl LP from the Popsicle shop: http://tinyurl.com/lukeatpopsicle
“In addition to being a great songwriter, Amy Allison is also one of the funniest performers around. Once she gets going it pretty much steamrolls from there, but this time out, playing solo for most of the show, she basically stuck to the set list without a lot of interplay with the crowd. Instead, it was a night of masterfully crafted, minute inflections that packed a wallop: she can say more with the careful twist of a phrase than most singers can in an album’s worth of songs…” for more follow the link:
http://lucidculture.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/concert-review-amy-allison-at-banjo-jims-nyc-53009/
It’s with considerable pleasure we welcome Amy Allison to the fold of Urban Myth artistes.
Over the span of five records and hundreds of shows, Amy has carved herself a unique place in the pantheon of great American songwriters. Fans since we heard her classic album “No Frills Friend”, we finally met Amy over drinks with Lee Feldman and quickly decided to join forces to release her stellar new record Sheffield Streets.
Don Heffington produced the album in LA with a cast of amazing musicians (Greg Leisz, Bob Glaub, Josh Grange, hell… Van Dyke Parks plays accordion) and he and Amy just knock it out of the park.
The album is primarily new songs (check out the stunning new ballads “Everywhere You Are” and “Dream World”) though Amy revisits a few of her older tunes at Don’s behest (remaking “Everybody Ought To Know” as a Loretta-and-Lee duet with Dave Alvin, and a fantastic girl-groupy arrangement of her old band Parlor James’ “Why Must It Be?”).
We’ll leave it up to the sell sheet to do the selling, but we’re really chuffed to work with Amy and super proud of this record.
Sheffield Streets is already available for listening and download through Amy’s BandCamp mini site and will hit iTunes, Amazon MP3, Rhapsody and your favourite download service on June 17th. Our projected street date for CDs is June 23rd, although CDBaby may have copies available sooner than that.
Check it out, and please feel free to share this widget with your friends:
“…an eloquent, expressive set that exudes both confidence and an enthusiasm that’s downright infectious. Jackson’s drive and desire race at full throttle. And yet, in those moments of sublime repose, where the strings swell and the emotions soar, he demonstrates an intrinsic taste, craft and intelligence that affirm his natural pop pedigree. “It’s only January, but it’s not too early to declare … And Then Some one of the most significant discoveries of the year.” 9/10
– Lee Zimmerman, Blurt
“I had never heard of Luke Jackson before but today he is the smartest man alive!”
– What To Wear During An Orange Alert
Interview
“The sweet guitar fills, the cascading harmonies, Jackson’s happy as heck vocals — it’s all here, a complete pop package.”
– Mike Bennett, Hablo Ennui
“Wer auf knackigen Pop-Rock und atmosphärische, melancholische Kleinode steht, der wird hier bestens bedient.”
– Markus Kerren, rocktimes.de
“Sounding something like Teenage Fanclub if they were lost in Scandinavia and developed a taste for string sections …And Then Some is power pop paradise that’s as lush as it is poppy. With lush, delicate arrangements, the tender moments on …And Then Some become even more poignant and emotional…”A Little Voice,” is a perfect example of this as Luke Jackson gently plucks his guitar to a harmonizing string arrangement that makes the song so hauntingly fragile that it sounds as if the song might just break. Songs like these are intimate heartfelt breathers that show Luke Jackson to be in touch with his soul; they truly are stunning songs.”
– Paul Zimmerman, First Coast News
“Från de här förtsättningarna får vi helt enkelt en snygg, nittiotalsinspirerad britpopplatta med snygga arrangemang”
– Petter Seander, Red Hot Rock Magazine
“Instantly catchy choruses and plenty of dreamy harmonies. This is a expressive album that wears it’s heart on it’s sleeve. Fans of Bleu, Jeff Lynne, Canadian or Swedish power pop will flip for Luke Jackson. Just an excellent album that touches the spectrum of emotions. 8/10
-Aaron Kupferberg, powerpopaholic.com
“A Little Voice is the kind of affecting rumination that would resonate widely (instead of just deeply) if only some enterprising song wrangler were to place it over the closing scene to a Grey’s Anatomy episode.”
– John Sakamoto, Toronto Star
Taking a break from steady work on their second record, Down By Avalon return for the second year in a row to play La Leche League of Chapel Hill‘s Rock The Baby Festival Saturday, May 9th. The outdoor annual family fun festival offers activities for kids and adults of all ages. As Alan puts it, “Talk about a worthy cause!” More details to follow or check La Leche’s festival site for updates.
In case you hadn’t caught them live lately, the band recently welcomed Scott DeMattos to the fold. Scott adds some full-time electric guitar, but is a multi-instrumentalist veteran of many great triangle bands.
Chris reflects on fifteen years of performing and recording music and his new album “Night For Day” in this in-depth interview.
Subscribe to W.A.T.T. on iTunes or stream from their site.
(Night For Day also received a great review in this month’s Exclaim)
