I’ve been caught in between all you wish for, and all you’ve seen
My little brother has been trying for about a dozen songs now to best me by sending me something marvelous that I’ve never heard. He’s far away living in Sydney with his Aussie girlfriend now, and I miss him terribly, so I was thrilled to let him win this latest incarnation of Stump The Sister.
Joseph Arthur‘s duet with R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe wended its way halfway around the world from Down Under to the Rocky Mountain State, and the more I’ve listened to it, the more it’s grown on me and put roots down into me. Joseph has been recommended to me before several times, and I’ve long said that Michael Stipe has my favorite male vocalist voice of anyone, so his addition to this already-beautiful song is welcomed.
In The Sun – Joseph Arthur & Michael Stipe
The moment around 2:30 where Stipe muses, “I don’t know anymore what it’s for, I’m not even sure if there is anyone / that’s in the sun…,” I can feel the paralyzing indecision.
Joseph’s voice is gravelly and raspy, but somehow soothed, as if with honey and whiskey. It reminds me alternately of Ray LaMontagne and the Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones on the wails. I love this song.
From the 2006 iTunes exclusive In The Sun EP; he released about a jillion EPs and albums in 2008.
Name: Heather Browne
Booya.
Heather's Little Brother — March 10, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
Nice! A personal favourite of mine. I remember when I first discovered the original recording of this song, I listened to it on a constant loop for about two years and I still intentionally going looking for it through thousands of songs on my ipod.
I’d really recommend that you dig into Arthur’s early discography: check out the albums Come to Where I’m From, Redemption’s Son, and Our Shadows Will Remain. 2006′s Nuclear Daydream is good as well, but he kinda lost me after that one.
Saw him play an acoustic set once, which was great, but I’ve heard that he’s truly at his best with a full live band.
Megan — March 10, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
Great track, thanks for posting – nice find bro! I’ve missed the ‘ballady’ Michael Stipe since “Nightswimming”. Anybody else hear a touch of Peter Garrett in Joseph Arthur’s voice & phrasing? I’m thinking the softer “Shakers & Movers” or “Stars of Wharburton” not the growling/snarling stuff like “Blue Sky Mine” or “King of the Mountain”. Regardless, it’s a keeper!
jimbo — March 11, 2010 @ 9:40 am
Have loved this song for a few years now, but have a different version, so thanks for this one! You’ll always win me over by talking about Stipe’s voice in the same breath as the Stereophonics and Ray LaMontagne.
Keep up the amazing work, I just love this blog.
deb walsh — March 11, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Our Shadows Will Remain helped me get through some rough times. It’s comforting to know that there are people out there with more emotional angst then myself.
Faites — March 11, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Arthur’s got a new free download on his website that is really good. He offered it up around Valentine’s Day.
Katie — March 12, 2010 @ 10:11 am
Since this was released on an ep with a bunch f other versions to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina relief, it seems a shame that you didn’t mention this fact and perhaps ask the readers of this blog to contribute.
JGB — March 19, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
JGB, that escaped me. Now I see the Gulf Coast Relief indication on the album art for the iTunes link I provided up there, and yes, I do hope folks will contribute. Thanks for noting that.
browneheather — March 20, 2010 @ 11:35 am
Joseph Arthur’s been a favorite for a long time, and he still has it.
Maine Character — March 30, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
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There is a reason why Joseph Arthur consistently appears when Paste Magazine ranks the best songwriters. Yeah, he is that good. Yet only one blog entry from Heather. Seriously, check out his discography — it is long and deep. He’s one of the best singer-songerwriters going.
Chris — March 26, 2012 @ 1:23 am