SOUNDTRACK: KEVIN MORBY AND WAXAHATCHEE-Tiny Desk (Home) Concert #9 (April 14, 2020).
I had no idea that Katie Crutchfield and Kevin Morby were an item (or are at least close enough to quarantine together).
I really enjoyed Waxahatchee’s last two albums and was a little bummed to hear that this new one was more mellow (although good for her for getting sober!).
I really only know Kevin Morby from Tiny Desks. I was pleased at how much I enjoyed his set and some of his other songs.
And so here they are together.
On the raw video Kevin Morby and Katie Crutchfield (aka Waxahatchee) sent to us, Kevin takes a deep breath, gives a sweet smile as he looks into his camera, clasps his hands, and says, “Hello everyone, we’re going stir crazy — this is take number 55.”
Recorded at Kevin’s tiny desk in Kansas City, they play two songs from Waxahatchee’s new album Saint Cloud, sing together on Kevin’s 2016 tune “Beautiful Strangers,” and find new meaning in the late Jason Molina’s song “Farewell Transmission.”
I also never noticed how much she and her sister Alison look alike as much as in this video–maybe it’s the (lack of) makeup?
“Fire” is the first song I’d heard from the Waxhatchee album. I really didn’t like the high notes that start the song–they seemed just too much. Although having heard it a few times (and now hearing her sing it live), I’ve grown to really appreciate it. The rest of the song is really pretty too.
Kevin Morby wrote “Beautiful Strangers” in 2016 as a single with the proceeds going to Everytown for Gun Safety. I don’t know the song, but I find it very pleasant (and Katie’s backing vocals are perfect here).
“Lilacs” is a great song from the new album which features Katie’s voice perfectly. This is the song that made me want to hear more from the album.
The final song is a Songs: Ohia cover called “Farewell Transmission” I don’t know much about Songs: Ohia, but I know everyone loves Jason Molina, which makes me think I should listen to him more. This song runs over 7 minutes and doesn’t change all that much. In fact, it might just go five minutes before something different happens. Without focusing on the lyrics, it’s a little dull, but it is nice to have both of them switching off lead vocals.
[READ: April 10, 2020] Mac B Kid Spy: Mac Undercover
I really like Mac Barnett. I like his picture books, but I really like his chapter books. His Brixton Brothers series is fantastic. I love his style and his excellent sense of humor.
This is a new series illustrated by Mike Lowery. It begins
My name is Mac Barnett. I am an author. But before I was an author, I was a kid. And when I was a kid, I was a spy. An author’s job is to make up stories. But the story you are about to read is true.
This actually happened to me.
Mac shows his house and then gets right to it: The Queen of England called him to ask for a favor. He says
Whenever somebody asks you for a favor, it is a good idea to ask them what the favor is before you say OK.
But I had never talked to a queen before.
So I said OK.
The queen tells him that last night somebody stole the Crown Jewels and she wants Mac to find them.
I have a question, I said.
“I hope it is a quick question,” said the Queen.
“Why me?”
The Queen of England sighed. “That is a stupid question.”
“My teacher says there is no such thing as stupid questions.”
The Queen of England frowned (I could tell she was frowning even over the phone).
…
Mac, said the Queen. “You are the smartest kid in your class. You have straight As in every subject except handwriting.”
So Mac packed these things to take with him: his Game Boy, three books, a toothbrush, a hat, a shirt, a jacket, and his favorite blue jeans (perfectly faded). (more…)
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This show had been rescheduled four or five times. The final time was after the tour had been successful so far. But at the last minute, they had to postpone the final two Philadelphia shows.
Originally this concert featured support from OHMME, which was half the reason I wanted to see this show and not one of the other shows. For whatever reason, OHMME was no longer at this show, and support was now from Katy Kirby, who has a very catchy song called “Traffic!” and plays some lovely folk songs.
I Just Read About That... 