Thursday, July 25, 2013

Hannah Dorman : Sweet Passion

It's that time of the week and I've got another fantastic artist for you. She's actually live on Ustream as I write, and it just occurred to me that I haven't written about her yet. She's loveable, incredible and magic to watch. I must admit that after seeing her play an intimate acoustic set at Richmond, The American International University in London in October, 2010, her videos just don't compare. Hannah is one of those artists who have that electricity live. But, nonetheless, she's got a Youtube channel, so I'm writing about her! The first video of her that I came across when I looked her up was of Bruno Mars' "Talking To The Moon" of his debut album a couple years ago. It's a great little cover. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLkfjkuBRls

Sweet, isn't it? Hannah's voice definitely overrides her guitar playing, but as with most artists, her playing style compliments her vocals stunningly well. This stripped down, unplugged version of one of my personal favourite Mars songs (besides "Moonshine" of his more recent album) also exhibits what a fantastic songwriter Mars is. A couple chords and some simple lyrics make for the best songs! And Hannah's approach to the song is just perfect. It's not over the top or anything, it's laid back and simple, just the way it should be. So many times artists try to "do too much" with a song, whether it's an original or a cover. It's sort of like cooking. A lot of the time the simplest recipes are the best.

Now, if you dug that, make sure you subscribe to Hannah's Youtube channel, check her out on Facebook and all that cool stuff. If not, give me another chance to prove that she's great. You must have noticed that the previous video is about two years old, so here's something a little more recent that I love. It's a cover of Ed Sheeran's "Give Me Love." I must admit that I love the fact that although Hannah's overall style has changed a bit, she's still holding onto that blue Yamaha. I was thinking of getting one myself back in October, 2010 but ended up buying a Fender acoustic instead, which I fell in love with. Anyways, enough with me. Listen to Hannah doing this song justice!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpiwYsA6RG4

Big difference, right? The improvement is great, but Hannah's still got that sweet passion to her that she had back in 2010 when I saw her. There's a certain quality to her voice that I like. It's definitely in the pop genre, but there's an alternative twist in there that really turns me on. Singers who try to sing "properly" all the time forget what it's really about, which is making sounds for people to enjoy. I mean, think of James Brown. He went against the musical system by creating music that couldn't be written into a typical format. Anyways, I'm babbling now. That was a great cover!

So, if you're not convinced that Hannah is great yet, I'd definitely recommend that you give her originals a chance first. When I saw her back in 2010, after I finished up my short set at Richmond, I wasn't really impressed until I heard her do an original. And that's the way it always is with me. A person can do the best cover ever and it still won't get to me as much as an original. And though the original I played that day ("Whiskey In The Cave") was far different than hers, I appreciated hers a lot. So, check this recent original out and if you love it, check out her songs that are available online. Thanks again for supporting Youtube's artists. Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoYf56R_aW8

Alex Hamel

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Nadya Buga : Diverse & Original

It's that time of the week and I've got another fantastic artist for you. I came across this one via Daisy Howard, who liked her cover of "Heart Shaped Box" (Nirvana) a couple days ago and proceeded to do her own cover of Nirvana's masterpiece. I covered the song myself a year or two ago, thought I'm considering re-doing it. It's one of those songs that is ever so magical, and though there a lot of people who feel the song is "overplayed", I defend it the way I always do. It's overplayed for a reason! In any case, there are a bunch of fantastic covers available online including Daisy Howard's, but for now check out Nadya's eery yet stunning cover!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frl2Va1vks8

Beautiful, isn't it? She's got a deep, full sound to her voice, yet she hits those high notes ever so gracefully. There's an almost Amy Lee quality to her voice, yet combined with a nearly jazzy tone that just adds to "Heart Shaped Box", a song that seems to be fantastic in any form. Her light, scratchy guitar playing compliments her round voice fantastically. Many Cobain fanatics would point out that "That's not how Cobain would do it!" but any Nirvana lover would know that the more variety in Nirvana's song covers, the better!

Now, if you liked that, make sure you subscribe to Nadya's channel. If not, trust me, Nadya's a fantastically diverse musician. Unfortunately, I haven't come across any originals of hers, but, her variety of covers really got to me. This next cover is of Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why". I've grown to love the song but must admit I didn't used to since my mom played it at home every single day. In any case, great song and a great cover of it. Have a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWxUAEAeeJg

Stunningly diverse voice there. Seems almost like a different person from "Heart Shaped Box", yet she makes it her own, taking on a softer version of the voice heard in the previous cover. She definitely resembles Norah Jones in this one, yet maintains the originality of her own style. Gentle guitar plucking makes for a perfect combination against her soothing, soulful voice.

Still not convinced? Well, I was surprised when I saw that she covered this song, but once again, she did it in her own, unique way. I think I actually like the song more this way (not that I listened to it all that much, or at all, before). You've got no idea what I'm talking about soon enough. In any case, enjoy, and thanks for supporting Youtube's artists. Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g88uTo6FkvM


Alex Hamel

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Alysha Moore : Legendary Bass Playing

It's about time I wrote about a great bassist on the blog. This one caught my eye quite some time ago, while looking up bass covers of "Killing In The Name" (Rage Against The Machine). I was surprised to find a blonde haired hipster girl rocking the bass as if it were part of her body. What pleased me even more was the fact that she was playing a Flea Bass (a line of basses run by the epic Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Michael Balzary, better known as "Flea"). Needless to say, I subscribed to her channel, but somehow, it never crossed my mind to write about a bassist until recently. She's incredible, and she'll blow your mind. Trust me. Check her out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eduhHXZXWSk

She's got a great groove doesn't she? She's definitely got the look of a great bassist (though I can't say what it is that gives her that look, except the bass, maybe). She's got a great tone, incredible rhythm and would be an incredible addition to any lucky band out there. What I love most is how laid back she is about the whole thing. As I said previously, she makes the bass seem as if it were a part of her, which is just what any musician should be doing. Beautiful to see.

Now, if you haven't already subscribed to Alysha's channel, I urge you to do so...right away...before you forget. She's got an extensive list of incredible bass covers. I've pretty much seen all of them, but a couple stand out to me. One that I love is of a personal favourite of mine, "Storm In A Teacup" (Red Hot Chili Peppers). It blows my mind every time. Keep your eyes and ears open for the improvements!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHUzAFCcugY

Stunning playing, right? I listen to this cover every so often and pray to the universe that I will have the honour of playing with a bassist of Alysha's calibre in the future. Now, I should have said this earlier but better late than never. Make sure you are wearing good earphones! There is no comparison sound-wise. Alysha's speed, strength and understanding of the bass evolved beautifully since her early covers, and quality playing deserves quality listening. Remember that.

So, put aside those "words of wisdom" I just came up with and listen to one of Alysha's originals. She's got a couple available on her channel (which you better have subscribed to by now), and one in particular really gets me. It's rather recent and it's called "Calm". Like a ball of energy, this song grows within itself and magnetises the listener into itself. Beautiful, and worth repeating. Thanks again for supporting Youtube's artists. Check back next Thursday for another great artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hwUqNYJeG0

Alex Hamel

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Sylwia Urban : Gilmour Girl

It's that time of the week and I've got another incredible artist for you! Earlier this afternoon I was sitting around, with "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (Pink Floyd) on full blast and couldn't resist to pick up my guitar and start jamming away. It's one of those tracks that lets you fly on its wings. A tribute to the legendary Syd Barrett, the song is one of the many examples of Roger Waters' writing genius and Gilmour's incredible supernatural ability to create a psychedelic aura around a song. Anyways, you know it's an amazing song, and if you don't, you should! I came across Sylwia when looking up covers of the song. I loved her, and she loves Pink Floyd! Check her out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkDaaSqQfhE

Incredible stuff, right? Her tone is absolutely beautiful, as is the fluidity with which she plays. You can definitely hear Gilmour's influence in there as she stops and starts between the fluid bits, pushing those strings up into eternity. She did a great job here, though I'd be terribly intrigued to see/hear her do a full cover of the song. It's a massive song, but time seems to stop when you play it. I've listened to it many a time and thought afterwards "Where did the time go?"

So, if you loved that, you should subscribe to Sylwia's channel and check her out on Facebook too. She's got a page, that's highly under appreciated, but let's change that. She's got a bunch of great Pink Floyd guitar covers on her channel, that any guitar enthusiast should love. Another favourite of mine is off the same album as "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", and is of course a song I've covered numerous times myself, "Wish You Were Here" Pink Floyd. Her cover is harmonious, simple and a perfect reflection of the recording itself. It's great to sing along to, since she hasn't got any vocals on it. Have a listen and...have a sing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZPxcyEHHQs

Brilliant. She does the song justice, and reinforces my desire for a Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic. I was looking at the 12 string myself, but the 6 string sounds fantastic too. In any case, brilliant cover, and that sweet, warm tone of her Stratocaster just pulls it altogether. Though, the lack of vocals make me wonder what her voice is like. "Wish You Were Here" is such an honest song that it doesn't take a fabulous voice to bring it to life. I think Sylwia might sound incredible singing the song that everybody loves.

Now, although I tend to bring up an original of the artist's at this point, I didn't find any originals of hers on her Youtube channel. She might have a couple hiding here and there, but they're not on Youtube. But, what I will share with you is another Pink Floyd cover, since I'm enjoying it so much. This one isn't off the "Wish You Were Here" album, but off the 1980 masterpiece that is "The Wall." Just a reminder, Roger Waters is currently on tour doing this one, so if you can catch, please do. He's an incredible man, and Sylwia is an incredible girl, with her mouth watering solo cover of "Comfortably Numb." So, enjoy this and thanks for supporting Youtube's artists! You rock! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfvQevEuymU

Alex Hamel