New Richard Swift - "Lady Day"
Though I mostly read Salon for the comics and the occasional article by Farhad Manjoo, they pick some good music from time to time.
Like today, when they directed me to Richard Swift, who sounds almost exactly like I'd hoped Michael Penn would sound before I heard his album. For those of you who don't know what I wanted Michael Penn to sound like, Swift reminds me of Rick Wright's songs from before Roger Waters took over Pink Floyd, or as Salon says:
This is the surprise debut of the year for me, a beautifully written and arranged collection of dreamy pop songs, sung in a flat-out gorgeous voice that splits the difference between Rufus Wainwright and Ron Sexsmith. Richard Swift's writing also shares something with those two, but Sexsmith, for all his songcraft, can't write melodies like this, and with Wainwright disappearing into the operatic ether, Swift seems to be a far better bet for lovely Tin Pan Alley fantasias like "Lady Day."
Here's "Lady Day," from the album The Novelist/Walking Without Effort (released on Secretly Canadian, just like Antony and the Johnsons):
Richard Swift - "Lady Day" (MP3)
bonus:
Richard Swift - "As I Go" (MP3)
Posted at 1:12 PM
I'm a M. Penn fan
Is the new one no good?
First post?
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It's growing on me, but I thought he'd be different.
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the richard swift album is great. it's actually two albums on one deluxe release. get the whole thing for only $9.99 at itunes...it's a steal...
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Richard Swift’s music doesn’t fall into any of the genres I’d normally listen to, but I did enjoy the two songs posted. There’s something very charming and dynamic about them. Plus, the vocals are really well done. Swift has his own style that’s really refreshing and he seems to be quite a developed songwriter. I can always appreciate writing talent, as coming up with a song must be pretty tough to do. Salon’s comment about the music being “a collection of dreamy pop songs” seems pretty accurate from these offerings. While I don’t think I’ll be tempted to run right out and buy the CD, I will keep an eye out for him in the future.
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Farhad Manjoo reset: some say best.
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Though this is Richard Swift's "debut" album, it is hardly new. He released The Novelist by itself a couple of years ago on Velvet Blue Records along with a number of 7" records [the most recent is called "Nothing to do with Foxy Boxing"]. Swift also played keys and sang bgv on a few Starflyer 59 albums.
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You have to see Richard Swift live. He's on tour now across the midwest and east coasts touring with his band, Sons of the National Freedom. I cannot tell you how amazing they are live. Its a completely different sound live, and after seeing them twice in one month out here during their residency at Tangiers, I've been to about 5 other shows, none of which have even remotely compared to thier live set. GO SEE THEM. YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
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YES! See Richard Swift live. I saw him with his band at SXSW and it was my favorite show of the festival.
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Did you know the guy who does Audiofile on Salon is in Doveman?
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Has anybody else noticed that the guy makes Christian music? Nearly every song on "Walking Without Effort" is about God/Jesus in some way... his old band, Starflyer 59 was on Tooth & Nail...
I really love the melodies and production, but I find the lyrics hard to stomach.
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just caught him last night in nashville opening for the walkmen...outstanding!
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Agreed, Richard Swift live was AWESOME. Went in Memphis mainly to see the Walkmen, left the set with a copy of this album. His set closer "Atlantic Ocean" is not out yet, but was a great, feel-good, funky tune
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When are you gonna release Atlantic Ocean. I fuckin' loved that song. I headed over to the merch booth only to find that it was not released. Sad sad day for me, but could have used that piano-driven song to cheer me up.
Dustin
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Seriously, "Atlantic Ocean" was a badass song. Please somebody tell me when that is going to be released. And does Swift have an album with the guys he played with (Sons of National Freedom)?? Or is that his normal band?
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swift is the best artist vocaly and instramentaly i have ever heard, his live shows are awsome, you will not regret going!!!
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In one word: amazing.
Swift has already recorded two albums pretty much, from what I can understand. "Dressed Up For The Letdown" is being released in February of '07, and the other (that includes "Atlantic Ocean") will be released in '08. I'm no officionado, but that's what I understand.
For the one who says he makes Christian music, you're thinking of Frank Lenz, who plays drums on "Walking Without Effort," but did not write any of the songs. Lenz was also a part of Pedro The Lion. I don't really see any Christianity in the music, not that there's anything wrong with that.
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Actually, I guess Swift was in Starflyer 59. M' bad.
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thank you very much for your help. You guys 11703 rock, thanks again.
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thank you very much for your help. You guys 11703 rock, thanks again.
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thank you very much for your help. You guys 11703 rock, thanks again.
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