The Daily Download archive
Wednesday 26th November 2008
Neneh Cherry – Woman
Two-time Grammy Award nominee Neneh Cherry is one of music’s most respected singers who has been making records since 1988. The Swedish singer is sister to Eagle Eye Cherry and her most notable hit to date was 7 Seconds, the duet with Youssou N’Dour.
Siobhan O’Reilly from Cavan has suggested an original track from Neneh Cherry. Siobhan says, “I highly recommend Neneh Cherry’s Woman as a daily download. What is there to say? It’s a beautiful song and her voice is amazing. It brings back great memories of lazy, hazy days in New York.”
Neneh Cherry has collaborated with the likes of Groove Armada and Gorillaz, but Woman is from Cherry’s 1996 solo album, Man.
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Tuesday 25th November 2008
The Be Good Tanyas – When Doves Cry
Formed in the mid-90s, Canadian trio The Be Good Tanyas are the perfect combination of folk, country and contemporary music. Well known for their beautiful harmonies, the 3 girls that form the band are currently on a break since their last album 2 years ago.
Louise Smithson from Dublin has asked for an unusual cover song from the band. Louise says, “I’ve been a fan of The Be Good Tanyas for a few years now and have meant to recommend this song for ages! It’s a cover of Prince’s When Doves Cry and its off their last album Hello Love. It’s a sort of a bluegrass version of it and if you like something different, this is it!” So Prince fans, go easy on them!
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Monday 24th November 2008
Sufjan Stevens – Chicago
A talented and unusual character, American Sufjan Stevens is one of those rare musicians who seems to have carved out a niche for himself with his use of choirs, strange instrumental arrangements and an angelic voice. His latest project is called The Fifty States Project and his aim is to record an album about each American State.
So far, he’s done 2, including one about Illinois. Tracey McArdle has suggested a song from that album. Tracey says, “I have a suggestion for the daily download that I thought you might like, I think it’s a really beautiful song. It’s called ‘Chicago’ from the album ‘Come on Feel the Illinoise’ by Sufjan Stevens (an album dedicated entirely to the state of Illinois!).
There is something special about Chicago. It is a very soft song and Sufjan Stevens has such a gentle voice that is has a really calming effect on me and I thought maybe the listeners would enjoy it too!”
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Friday 21st November 2008
Feist – I Feel It All
Canadian singer Leslie Feist, or better known to us as simply Feist, has one of those lovely unique voices that has helped her stand out from the rest of the female singer-songwriter crowd. Her album that was released last year, The Reminder, has been selling so well that Feist has said she can now afford to take a break for a while and just relax. Shane Jackson from Dublin has asked for a song from that album.
Shane says, “Could you guys please play Feel it All by Feist. When I got her album recently I couldn’t stop listening to it over and over and now this is my favourite song. She’s someone I think should be getting more airplay on the radio.” Shane is right on that one and this song had the critics on its side when it was released last year.
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Thursday 20th November 2008
Cat Power – Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues
Again Born Charlyn Marshall in 1972, American singer Cat Power has had a somewhat strange career in music. She started off singing because it gave her an excuse to go out and live the rock’n’roll lifestyle.
The majority of her performances were off the wall experimentations, including one where she played a 2 string guitar for 15 minutes, singing the word ‘No’ over and over again. Fortunately, she came good later in her career!
It wasn’t until she started collaborating with the likes of Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder that Cat Power wrote some of her best work. She finally gave up the booze and started putting in great live performances.
She’s well known for her versions of other people’s work, especially Bob Dylan’s, so this is Cat Power’s contribution to the soundtrack of the Bob Dylan movie I’m Not There.
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Wednesday 19th November 2008
Gym Class Heroes feat. Estelle – Guilty as Charged
What do you get when you pair up the alternative indie band Gym Class Heroes with the female of the moment Estelle? A well catchy song, that’s what!
New Yorkers Gym Class Heroes hit the charts 3 years ago with the single Cupid’s Chokehold but have failed to hit the mark again since. Now that they’ve hooked up with Estelle, who seems to make gold with anything she touches, they’ve got a brand new stomping single.
Gym Class Heroes have just released their new album, The Quilt, and the new single is definitely from the school of ‘lets write some clever lyrics and pair them up with some funky sounds and melodies’. Guilty as Charged is one of those infectious songs that its destined for good things.
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Tuesday 18th November 2008
The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
You’d be living in outer space if you have never heard of The Beatles. One of the most famous bands the world has ever witnessed, The Beatles started out as a group of young lads from Liverpool and signed off in 1970 after releasing some of the best albums in music and providing the soundtrack of a generation.
Our download today is from one of those legendary albums. The White album from 1968 celebrates its anniversary on Thursday this week, and Paul McLoone will be doing a special on it from 7pm this Thursday.
It featured some of The Beatles’ most critically acclaimed songs, one of which is the George Harrison penned, While My Guitar Gently Weeps.