Accoustic Music

olan · Post by **olan** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:36 am

There was a recent "Heavy Music" thread that I found very useful. I would be very interested in suggestions for lighter accoustic music. I've got a lot of the albums that were mentioned in the heavy thread, and love that style of music. However, I've also got a load of lighter, more melodic music in my collection, like Low, Wooden Wand (whose album on Great Pop Supplement is superb) and Six Organs of Admittance (whose latest LP I bought recently and am very impressed by) to name but three. I would welcome any suggestions to chase up that might be described as the opposite of that suggested in the Heavy Music thread.

Laz69 · Post by **Laz69** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:13 pm

Just having a look through my albums here:

Neil Halstead's solo album, especially the first, are really good as are most of the Mojave 3 albums (although not specifically acoustic) and even go as far back as Slowdive's Pygmalion, which is mostly acoustic if i recall...

Jack Rose is another fine acoustic artist... Kensington Blues is a fav of mine.

Cheval Sombre's debut is fantastic...

Sun Kil Moon albums are worth checking out too... Ghosts of The Great Highway is gorgeous... i have a live show from California 2004 which just sounds amazing... not everything is acoustic, but there is a lot of it on his albums

helterskelter · Post by **helterskelter** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 1:21 pm

funny too how some music fits surroundings etc - I liked cheval sombre but found it a little dull until I went on holiday and totally chilled out listening to it by a pool, peace and quiet and really started to love it. The Mary Chain's Stoned and Dethroned is cool but not totally accoustic.

robotoilet · Post by **robotoilet** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 1:38 pm

"olan"
...and Six Organs of Admittance (whose latest LP I bought recently and am very impressed by).

so why don't you get all his albums!

Ben Chasny is sort of my guitar hero. as for six organs of admittance, Dust & Chimes, For Octavio Paz, Luminous Night, RTZ, The Sun Awakens are mainly acoustic albums.

and also name some other albums from my favorites.
August Born - S/T (Mr. Chasny's another project collaborating with japanese artist Hiroyuki Usui. like a collection of prose poems, very beautiful.)
Hala Strana - S/T, Heave the Gambrel Roof (an instrumental artist Steven R. Smith, similar to six organs with some central and eastern european folk taste)
Jack Rose - Raag Manifestos
James Blackshaw - The Glass Bead Game
Tim Buckley - Live at the Folklore Center - March 6th, 1967

angelsighs · Post by **angelsighs** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:13 pm

I definitely second the full endorsement of Six Organs Of Admittance, although some of his records are more acoustic than others- For Octavio Paz is a fully acoustic record (just Ben at home with his guitar and the odd overdub of chimes) and it's brilliant. one track is over 20mins of pure acoustic improv

John Fahey- The Best Of 1959-77. big influence on Six Organs.

Nick Drake- any album. Pink Moon is fully acoustic.

John Martyn- Bless The Weather is acoustic but with a really smoky and jazzy undertow. also try a beautiful track called Small Hours on the album One World. this song was recorded in the middle of a lake (you can hear the ducks going by) and it's John sending his guitar through a delay pedal and into the distance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WSKEuhgwjA

Galaxie 500- any album. not acoustic but very quiet and minimal. and beautiful.

Acetone - s/t or If You Only Knew. ditto.

also, on the more ambient tip:

Daniel Lanois - Belladonna
this is the guy who gave U2/Dylan an ambient/swampy spin. this is a solo record, totally instrumental with lashings of pedal steel and slide

Robin Guthrie - Continental
to be frank, basically Cocteau Twins without vocals

July Skies- The Weather Clock
I really love this album, it's a concoction of simple guitar patterns, some hushed vocals, with samples of stuff like the talking clock and trains going by. i find it really transportive and it's my stock album to fall asleep to.

nickh · Post by **nickh** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:41 pm

That first Neil Halstead album is fantastic.

I have been listening to some Leonard Cohen recently and the songs I like the most are Suzanne, Avalanche, The Partisanâ€¦all just him and an acoustic.

If you can find it, Lee Hazlewoodâ€™s Trouble is a Lonesome Town is a great acoustic record.

I have an acoustic play list on itunes and it goes a little something like thisâ€¦

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Fault Line: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPgQ61kX9wU
Leonard Cohen - The Partisan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S34cVkL6zCE
Lee Hazelwood - Run Boy Run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZd28ts9 ... re=related
Bob Dylan - Itâ€™s Alright Ma, Iâ€™m Only Bleeding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ0htdRIdBY
Nick Drake - River Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idcaRTg4-fM
Galaxie 500 - Final Day (John Peel Session ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpT4-dYuhgg
Fleet Foxes - Oliver James: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpq1kw3MXcE
The Laâ€™s - Son of a Gun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np4mAy-HlmQ
Syd Barrett - Golden Hair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NQg9Lhygo
Magnet & Paul Giovanni - Gently Johnny (Wicker Man OST): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-RYVRusMi8
Spiritualized - Lord Let it Rain on me (Acoustic Mainlines)
Tindersticks - All the Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMTlDYcLsCo
Os Mutantes - Baby (1971): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8DatS978xs
Johnny Thunders - You Canâ€™t Put Your Arms Around a Memory : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_LAFvjyLCM
Love - Old Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ4E0pWBs2E
Nirvana - Plateau: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtMZTsiavw0
John Lee Hooker - Tupelo Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GOCAC8FCqE
Tim Buckley - Song to the Siren: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMTEtDBHGY4

olan · Post by **olan** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:47 am

Many thanks for all the suggestions. I'm fully stocked on a number of the bands/artists that have been suggested, e.g. Mojave 3, Galaxie 500 and Robin Guthrie. I'll chase up some of the others. I think I've got all the Six Organs albums, but am embarassed to admit that I had never heard of Chasny. I'll certainly chase those LPs down.

bunnyben · Post by **bunnyben** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:14 pm

smokey and his sister! not acoustic (really) but the complete opposite of the heavy thread. i adore this album!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb9Sj5akorg

scratch · Post by **scratch** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:22 pm

IÂ´ve been rediscovering roy harperÂ´s stormcock album.. IÂ´ve listened more to other albums by him but I now feel this one is the best. ThereÂ´s a reason why bands like zep and floyd were big fans - although it usually just is him and an acoustic this record from -71 also has some strings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBVK3QgZ5W4

you can lead a man to slaughter but youÂ´re never gonna make him think

shalloboi · Post by **shalloboi** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:08 pm

the new thurston moore record ('demolished thoughts') is acoustic and very gorgeous. it sounds like sonic youth's more beautiful moments sent through a nick drake filter. it's one of my favorites of this year.

toomilk · Post by **toomilk** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:09 pm

Emiliana Torrini's Fisherman's Woman is a brilliant acoustic album. Very sparse with incredible melodies and vocals.

I would also second the Mojave 3/Neil Halstead stuff too. Excuses For Travelers is a fantastic album.

I'd also include Jonathan Richman's I, Jonathan or O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth. The former is not an acoustic album per se, but definitely the opposite of "heavy music." Nick Drake's Pink Moon is essential.

Numero Group just rereleased Willie Wright - Telling The Truth and it's an acoustic/soul gem. Very relaxed, summer-feeling record.

moop · Post by **moop** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:13 pm

mentioned elsewhere, but the j mascis solo album 'several shades of why' is mostly acoustic, and fantastic.

Laz69 · Post by **Laz69** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:31 am

moop wrote:mentioned elsewhere, but the j mascis solo album 'several shades of why' is mostly acoustic, and fantastic.

His "Martin & Me" album from a few years ago is another good one!

angelsighs · Post by **angelsighs** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:40 am

I've thought of some more:

Brightback Morning Light - Motion to Rejoin
not an acoustic record per se (has drums, keyboards, horns) but is very quiet and soft. the production and the tones on everything are gorgeous. I saw these at ATP and they were so minimal people thought their set was still the soundcheck!

Mark Hollis - s/t
this is the main man from Talk Talk whose last two records were moving into a very meditative, quiet area. this solo outing takes it even more in that direction. it's not as good in my opinion (although I know some disagree) but it is very much the opposite of the 'heavy music' thread!

Labradford - Mi Media Naranja
I just got this recently. quasi-electronic ambient stuff. it kind of sounds like the quieter bits of GYBE

really enjoying this thread. I think I might try that Roy Harper album.

Post by **BzaInSpace** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:10 am

angelsighs wrote: Brightback Morning Light - Motion to Rejoin
not an acoustic record per se (has drums, keyboards, horns) but is very quiet and soft. the production and the tones on everything are gorgeous...

Yeah - exactly what I thought, that album feels like an acousting thing although technically it's not. Upon first hearing it I thought it reminded me of a non-Electric Mainline Pure Phase. Something in the afterglow... if that makes any sense.

Also in a similar acoustic-but-not-really there is Nirvana Unplugged in New York. Bits of electric guitar (and accordian) but ultimately an acoustic performance with heartwrenching, scary vocals and a covers-heavy setlist. Awesome.

My favourite 'acoustic' album though has to be Astral Weeks. Perfect...

olan · Post by **olan** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:17 am

I'll chime in with one: Vini Reilly by Durutti Column. There are some amplified tracks, and some of the tracks feature sampled vocals, but the accoustic tracks on the album are astonishing.

Awesome music being recommended here. I've been building a frightening looking shopping list on the back of some of the suggestions. Ah well, who needs to eat anyway???

Post by **runcible** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:41 am

The best acoustic sound I've heard is in this David Crosby song, Laughing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCcBQgTxGBo

moop · Post by **moop** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:00 pm

one from japan..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfgB3bX0sLg

moop · Post by **moop** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:42 pm

Laz69 wrote:
moop wrote:mentioned elsewhere, but the j mascis solo album 'several shades of why' is mostly acoustic, and fantastic.
His "Martin & Me" album from a few years ago is another good one!

an interesting record. it's sort of like SSOW's drunk cousin. while i like it's ramshackle style, it's great to hear how much his vocals have improved of late. i hope he does another solo album soon, but i guess it might be a long wait.

and yeah, that thurston moore album is fantastic too. love the accompaniment...

another one for the list - graham coxon - 'the spinning top'. incredible!

Post by **BzaInSpace** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:37 pm

What about Forever Changes by Love? Despite the orchestration and electrics on top for me that album is all about the acoustic guitars.

radioshack · Post by **radioshack** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:33 pm

I see the original poster now has enough recommendations to last him for many months. Despite this, I'd like to offer Great Lake Swimmers s/t debut. Ten songs, all much of the same tempo, hissy, echoey production, minimalist instrumentation and very much a very acoustic sound. He/they are a Canadian band, and the album has a cold, isolated, ethereal, melancholic and mellow sound that For Emma, Forever Ago wished it had. I feel GLS deserved the type of attention that Bon f'kin Iver got too much of. Having said that, I've not heard any other GLS albums. Anyway....

Try Moving Pictures, Silent Films, The Man With No Skin, Moving, Shaking and I Will Never See The Sun

scratch · Post by **scratch** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:37 pm

bobÂ´s first record

and second

and third

and fourth

spunder · Post by **spunder** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:32 am

ralph towner - diary and solstice

amazing, evocative, crazy jazz guitar.

angelsighs · Post by **angelsighs** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:19 am

BzaInSpace wrote:
angelsighs wrote: Brightback Morning Light - Motion to Rejoin
not an acoustic record per se (has drums, keyboards, horns) but is very quiet and soft. the production and the tones on everything are gorgeous...
Yeah - exactly what I thought, that album feels like an acousting thing although technically it's not. Upon first hearing it I thought it reminded me of a non-Electric Mainline Pure Phase. Something in the afterglow... if that makes any sense.

Also in a similar acoustic-but-not-really there is Nirvana Unplugged in New York. Bits of electric guitar (and accordian) but ultimately an acoustic performance with heartwrenching, scary vocals and a covers-heavy setlist. Awesome.

My favourite 'acoustic' album though has to be Astral Weeks. Perfect...

yeah I know what you mean, it's got that kind of feel of an acoustic album, it's about the atmosphere more than anything. of course, if you wanna be pedantic, drums are technically an 'acoustic instrument'

i think 'acoustic music' doesn't have to be just about acoustic guitars but any instrument that is "moving air around" and has a natural sound (just stick a microphone next to it) rather than any form of distortion/signal processing/effects. violins and flutes obviously fit the bill perfectly too..
which brings us to Astral Weeks, I don't know how I forgot that one! that can be filed right next to John Martyn and Nick Drake.

obviously the more ambient albums I recommended above are a different thing entirely but still with the same atmosphere and feel that a lot of acoustic music has

spaceman85 · Post by **spaceman85** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:59 pm

interesting i quit playing music for years
when i came back
i was more attracted to acoustic guitar
in terms of playing not listening
really therapeutic

anyways
any MARK LANEGAN
DAVID REILLY
or
23flies
...

mojo filters · Post by **mojo filters** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:15 pm

Paul Simon - 'The Paul Simon Songbook'

Recorded in England in the very early 60s, this recording predates any Simon & Garfunkel (excluding 'Hey Schoolgirl' of course). Recorded as live, just one mic on his voice and another on the guitar, this intimate recording shows very recognisable versions of songs later recorded with Art Garfunkel, moreso than 'Wednesday Morning 3am' even. It is certainly a far superior album, but for reasons that are unclear Paul Simon had it deleted from Columbia's catalogue very early in Simon & Garfunkel's career, not to be officially released again until about 10 years ago. Listen carefully and you can hear his foot tapping to keep time in a few places.

Simon & Garfunkel - Live in New York 1967

Another reletively recent release of a pure acoustic performance featuring just two voices, one guitar and some really flattering room acoustics. Around 20 songs, most already released, pared back to the bare minimum. Roy Halee (Paul Simon's long-term production/engineering partner) manages on tape to capture perfectly the ambience of this live gig, helped a bit by the well-behaved audience. A textbook example of how to produce a live album; the intimacy comes over brilliantly, while the songs soar to emotive hights one would not expect of such a small ensemble. I would even suggest that you don't have to be much of a Simon & Garfunkel fan to really appreciate this, however an appreciation of acoustic music is essential.

jpbowman · Post by **jpbowman** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:42 am

The Golden Troubadours...

http://thegoldentroubadours.bandcamp.co ... made-it-so

http://www.thegoldentroubadours.co.uk/

x x x

toomilk · Post by **toomilk** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:57 am

AA Bondy has been rocking my world.

http://youtu.be/JufrOV4mJYY

moop · Post by **moop** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:20 pm

a weather.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVPtMpJaIgo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WX_7i5NP5o

beautiful hushed vocals and subtle guitars. the second of these songs has feedbacking electric guitars, but i still think of it as acoustic in my mind. had to include it anyway because i love the introspective Q&A part in the middle.

shalloboi · Post by **shalloboi** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:40 am

BzaInSpace wrote:What about Forever Changes by Love? Despite the orchestration and electrics on top for me that album is all about the acoustic guitars.

totally agree with this. a classic.

angelsighs wrote: Brightback Morning Light - Motion to Rejoin
not an acoustic record per se (has drums, keyboards, horns) but is very quiet and soft. the production and the tones on everything are gorgeous...

ah, brightblack morning light... i've always had an interesting time with them as i got into them on their first record when they were just called 'brightblack.' anyway, i would recommend their first record here as it is completely acoustic and gorgeous and has pretty much ruined everything else i've heard from them since. it's called 'ala.cali.tucky.' totally worth tracking down.
also no one's really mentioned mazzy star or hope sandoval's solo material (the latter is almost entirely acoustic).

angelsighs · Post by **angelsighs** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:52 am

toomilk wrote:AA Bondy has been rocking my world.

http://youtu.be/JufrOV4mJYY

Kevin, thanks so much for the heads up on this guy! he's got a new one out which is right up my street- 'Believers' which is still acoustic songs but with a healthy dose of atmospherics and subtle drones. proper late-night stuff

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/04/140117359 ... -believers

Spiritualized

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