News: Shelby Lamb Band and Josh Ritter

It's a busy day in the snow soaked city of Vancouver. I just wanted to point out a few things that have come across my desk:

The Shelby Lamb Band is a refreshing act based in the Big Smoke. From the opening moments of the new EP - Suburban Cowboy - you are grabbed by a sincerity, both in music and voice.

Most of the songs have a lazy Sunday feel (not that horrible sketch on SNL), complete with family reflections and slide guitar. Soothing guitar riffs, brushed drums, horns, strings, and glockenspiel all play a part in the songs, but her voice really stands out. She sings with a style that reminds you of those 70's folk/country artists; they can dominate a track without ever trying to overpower a note. It's a cup of coffee in the morning, or a summer day when you have nothing to do.

My favorite song is Guns are Evil. Almost hidden by the lovely melody guitar, piano and kick drum is a simple anti-war message. I love the lyric, "We were messin' round with guns, acting like Americans."

The Shelby Lamb Band is playing @ Tranzac this Sunday - Dec 3rd. 5PM start. Go and enjoy.
MP3:: Suburban Cowboy

Reading chromewaves today, I noticed that Josh Ritter is doing a solo acoustic tour with a fistful of Canadian dates - including:
February 22, 2007 Vancouver - East Cultural Centre.

Even more important, he's releasing a live cd/dvd entitled, In the Dark - Live at Vicar Street. It's an Irish-only release, so you need to order it via mail-order.

Here's the details:
LIVE CD (70+ minutes)
Idaho
Good Man
Me & Jiggs
Harrisburg
Wings
One More Mouth
Lillian, Egypt
Kathleen
Best for the Best
Girl In The War
Thin Blue Flame
Snow Is Gone
Leaving

LIVE DVD:
Intro
Kathleen
Wolves
(interview)
Girl In the War
Best for the Best
Monster Ballads
(Gear setup)
Here at the Right Time
(interview)
Harrisburg
One More Mouth
Idaho
In the Dark
(interview)
Harbor Lights
Lillian, Egypt
Thin Blue Flame
Snow Is Gone
Parting Glass
(interview)
Bone of Song