Regina Spektor – Laughing With

Born in Moscow into a Jewish family, singer Regina Spektor emigrated to New York when she was 9. She then went on to study classical piano and eventually became part of the anti-folk scene in New York’s East Village. Often compared to Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Bjork, Regina Spektor has a very unique sound and is now set to release her fifth album.

 

Over the last few years, Regina Spektor’s music has found a worldwide audience, helped along by appearances in many TV shows, ads and movies. Her quirky songs have always made her stand out from the rest and her new single, Laughing With, is no different. It’s the first single from her new album Far, which will be released on 19^th June.

Christy Moore – Ordinary Man

As a founding member of Planxty and with a successful solo career, Irish music legend Christy Moore is one of the most loved musicians in this country. His voice and passion give his folk songs an edge that make you sit up and listen. Eoin Bryan listening online in London was at one of Christy’s amazing live shows last night in London and wants to hear his favourite.

Eoin says, “I went to see the great man and Declan Sinnott last night live in the Royal Festival Hall in London and he had the entire venue captivated throughout. He is truly one of the great story-tellers and performers, not just of our time, but of all time. My suggestion for the download is Ordinary Man. Although it was written about the depression in the 1980s, it rings true all the more now.” From 1985, Ordinary Man is definitely one of Christy Moore’s classics. Check it out live at the Point below!

Spiritualized – Lay it Down Slow

Formed in 1990, English space rock band Spiritualized have released 6 albums while continuously changing their line-up. Their only constant member has been songwriter and composer Jason Pierce. Their most successful period was when their album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space was made Album of the Year by NME Magazine in 1997. Stephen O’Neill from Walkinstown has asked for a track by Spiritualized.

Stephen got in touch and says, “I would like to recommend "Lay it Down Slow" by a band called Spiritualized for the Daily Download. It is the song at the end of the final episode of Prison Break when they cut to 4 years later. It’s a really great song and worthy of a play on the radio.” Lay it Down Slow is from the band’s 2003 album Amazing Grace and is a track to take a breather to!

Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody

There’s been many a one-hit-wonder where someone releases one of the biggest singles of the year or the decade and then they never see that success again. English soul singer Shola Ama signed a record deal when she was just 16 and her second single became her biggest selling hit and one of the biggest singles of 1997. Joan Bell from Wicklow has recommended this Shola Ama hit.

 Joan says, “I know this will be a blast from the past but one of my fave songs from the ‘90s is Shola Ama’s You Might Need Somebody. It was one of those songs that we’d have on cassette singing on front of the mirror with the hairbrush!” You Might Need Somebody was a Turley Richards cover and the video for the song, if you remember, was like an advertisement for a chic penthouse apartment! (check it out below!)

31 year old professional skydiver James Boole this week survived a 6000ft skydive without a parachute. It happened during a filming session in a remote area of Russia. Our Wall of Sound today is based around this amazing tale of survival!

Suede – Animal Nitrate

Considered one of the most successful British rock bands of the 1990s, Suede were one of the instigators of the Britpop movement and held the praise of their critics while selling thousands of albums at the same time. It wasn’t always easy for Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler, between relationship and drug problems, but David Sheehan believes they are still a massively underrated band.

David says, “In my opinion I think Suede got lost in the whole Britpop thing when Blur and Oasis took over the tabloid pages. Along with guitarist Bernard Butler, Suede created one of the most memorable releases of the time with their debut album. I’d love to hear Animal Nitrate from it – the song is a classic from that era and is far superior to anything Blur or Oasis ever produced. It’s just brilliant.” Fighting talk there from David Sheehan. Animal Nitrate was the third single to be released off the Suede album in 1993.

Whipping Boy – When We Were Young

When one particular Irish band first formed back in 1988, they performed cover versions of The Velvet Underground and went by the name Lolita and the Whipping Boy. They only shortened the name when their female guitarist left. They released their debut album in 1992 and split six years later when they were dropped by their record label. Whipping Boy are still one of Ireland’s influential rock bands, especially for Paul Fenton – no relation!

Paul says, “I’d love to hear Whipping Boy’s When We Were Young as a download selection. It’s a great reminder of mid – 90s happy times and a fantastic tune from a fantastic band who never got the world-wide credit their music deserved.” When We Were Young was a minor hit for Whipping Boy in 1996 when it was released off their album Heartworm.Check out the video below (it starts 15 seconds in!)

If you'd like to suggest a song to add to our Daily Download list, just email Pamela on phalton@todayfm.com

Coldplay – The Hardest Part / Postcards from Far Away (Live)

This is our first time to feature one of the biggest bands in the world on our daily download. Coldplay have been together for over 10 years now and have had huge success with their four studio albums, Mercury Music Prize nominations and Grammy Awards. Despite the stick they get, they’re a great band and listener Paul Burke is a big fan of theirs.

Paul says, “Coldplay have released an album online featuring tracks recorded during their current Viva La Vida tour called Left Right Left Right. The band have made the album free to download from their website and it would be great if you could play The Hardest Part / Postcards From Far Away. It’s a re-working of a song from X&Y and is far superior to the original. It’s worth a download even if it’s just because it’s free!” Coldplay.com is the place to download those 9 tracks.

If you ever wanted to see the world's worst cover version and the world's strangest duet rolled into one...this is it....

Paloma Faith – Stone Cold Sober

Known in the underground art circles in London for quite some time now, Paloma Faith is a chameleon of sorts – she’s a professional dancer, theatre director, actress and former magician’s assistant. Now she can add musician and singer to her repertoire. Paloma Faith could even give the likes of Lady Ga Ga and Dita Von Teese a run for their money!

Paloma is a fan of the likes of Billie Holiday and Etta James when it comes to her music. In terms of her live shows and fashion sense, it’s a mix of burlesque, circus and David Lynch-like sequences. She has the biggest mane of flame red hair and you can catch the video of her new single, Stone Cold Sober below. It’s out on June 12^th.  

Wallis Bird – To My Bones

Wexford born songstress Wallis Bird is no stranger to this show, she last appeared live with us on the TodayFm roof singing Fairytale of New York with Jack L for our Christmas Special. Full of life and with a belting voice, Wallis captured us with her debut album Spoons in 2007 and now she’s getting ready to release her much awaited follow up.

Wallis received the Hope for 2009 Meteor Award this year ahead of the release of her album New Boots, which will be in shops on July 24^th. Ahead of that, however, you can buy the lead off single To My Bones from 26^th June. This life-affirming anthem was written by Wallis about how much enjoyment she gets from meeting people and from just living.

The Frames – Lay Me Down

They’re on our download list twice already, but that’s no reason not to feature Irish legends The Frames again. On the go since 1990, Glen Hansard and Co. have built up quite a loyal following and despite their ongoing hiatus, their music is still in the minds and hearts of their fans. George Aspell in Dublin has asked for one of their past singles.

 

George says, “I would love to hear some Frames on the Daily Download. My favourite album of theirs is the dark but beautiful For the Birds. I would recommend Lay Me Down, where you can sample The Frames’ sensitive side!” From 2001, Lay Me Down was off the very successful fourth studio album For the Birds.

The Ben Reel Band – U People

It’s probably an underestimation to say that the country is going through some tough times at the moment. The cracks are showing from every angle and the smell of revolution is in the air. A few years back, Rainbow George, an English idealist, hooked up with reggae artist Ben Reel to record a song that they hoped would inspire people to stand up for themselves. Now, it’s more relevant than ever.

Recorded on the same desk that Bob Marley recorded Exodus and No Woman, No Cry, this song is described by Ben Reel as ‘a song for our times. A song to make politicians history, a song against the bankers, pranksters and gangsters of this world.’ It’s worth placing this song on our download list if just for the pure relevance it has right now at this time. If you like it, you can download it at downloadmusic.ie.

She and Him – Why Do You Let Me Stay Here

There have been many great duos over the years, Simon and Garfunkel; Ike and Tina Turner…even Tom and Jerry! Another duo, out of America, are She and Him – ‘she’ is actress Zooey Deschanel and ‘He’ is musician and producer M.Ward. The pair released their debut album last year called Volume One and fans of the stipped back analogue sound can’t get enough of them.

Beautiful, simple melodies are what She and Him are all about, and they do it well. When Volume One was released last year, it got rave reviews with some critics calling it the best debut album of 2008. Volume Two is apparently in the making at the moment, but the new single off the debut is Why Do You Let Me Stay Here. Check out the video below!

If you'd like to recommend a song for the Daily Download, just email phalton@todayfm.com

Ebony Bones – The Muzik

This seems to be the year for the DIY Divas – those girls who have attitude and talent in equal measures, like Lady Ga Ga and Little Boots. Another such artist is Ebony Bones. If you were a fan of TV show Family Affairs, you’d know her as the sassy Yasmin McHugh. She’s also a self taught musician and her debut album is being touted as one to watch out for in 2009.

Ebony Bones is a devotee of Grace Jones and you can hear it in her music. It’s a blend of all things punk, rock, funk and pop and she’ll get you dancing – which anyone who saw her at the Trinity Ball last Friday night will testify! Her album Bone of My Bones is due out at the end of June, but ahead of that, her infectious single The Muzik will be released this Friday, 15^th May.

Ane Brun – Don’t Leave

Norwegian singer songwriter Ane Brun was a bit of a late starter when it came to kicking off her music career. She didn’t learn the guitar until she was 21 and her first public performances were on the streets of San Sebastian and Barcelona in Spain. She went on to sing with some Norwegian and Swedish bands before releasing her debut solo album in 2003.

Four studio albums later and Ane Brun is now known for her distinctive voice and her unique versions of songs like True Colours and Big in Japan. Her last album, Changing of the Seasons, was released last year and the next single to be taken from it is the beautiful Don’t Leave.

Luke Kelly – On Raglan Road

In terms of musical icons, Dubliner Luke Kelly was one in a million. A co-founder of the legendary Dubliners, he played a major part in the folk and ballad movement in Ireland during the 1960s and ‘70s. The late Ronnie Drew said Luke sang with ‘perfect diction’ and it was his distinctive voice and passion that keeps people listening to his music to this day. Adam Gelston has asked for one of Luke Kelly’s greatest songs.

Adam says, “I understand that Today FM isn’t a ‘trad’ station but for something like the daily download list I think that there should be at least one song from either Ronnie Drew or Luke Kelly on there. So perhaps Luke Kelly's rendition of "Raglan Road" is perfect. Luke's instantly recognizable voice is flawless in this song and it never fails to send shivers down my spine. Hope you can give it a spin.” On Raglan Road was originally a Patrick Kavanagh poem but the poet insisted that Luke put it to music when they met in a Dublin pub.

Pixie Lott – Mama Do

With a name like Pixie Lott, you’re bound to end up in some area of show business. 18 year old Pixie Lott from Kent in England has somehow ended up as a singer, actress and dancer. She was signed to a record label at just 15 years of age and now she’s set to release her debut album later this year.

First up though, she’s testing the waters with a single out on 5^th June. Her CV reads like she came out of the theatre factory as she’s been performing since she was a toddler. Her album is being worked on by an array of producers, including RedOne who are part responsible for Lady Ga Ga’s sound. The single is called Mama Do and it’s a pure slice of pop RnB.

No Doubt – Stand and Deliver

It’s hard to imagine that Gwen Stefani’s Californian band No Doubt formed back in 1986. She was only 17 years of age at the time and her career has been a successful one ever since. No Doubt’s biggest hit was of course Don’t Speak in 1996 where it spent 16 weeks at the number one spot in the charts. It’s been 8 years since we’ve had new material from No Doubt, but that’s all about to change.

No Doubt regrouped last year and started writing new songs for a studio album. Due to Gwen Stefani’s pregnancy with her second child, it has been postponed until late this year or maybe early 2010, but they are doing a tour of North America this summer. For No Doubt fans, they released as a download, their version of Adam and the Ants Stand and Deliver. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but something new for No Doubt fans.

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – Summertime

Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady of Song, was one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20^th century. Over her 59 year career, she picked up 13 Grammys and worked with one of jazz’s most celebrated musicians, Louis Armstrong. It was this collaboration that inspired listener Bridget O’Gorman to get in touch with her download suggestion.

Bridget says, “Seeing as the 1^st of May is the beginning of summer, could you please play the classic Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. It’s a beautiful song and I also love Lisa Hannigan’s version of it. Please dedicate to my colleagues Val, Matt and Sarah!” Summertime was Ella’s most famous duet with Louis Armstrong, recorded in 1957 for the movie version of Porgy and Bess.