October 10, 2010

but my words just blow away

liz durrett

Liz Durrett is from Athens, Georgia, and has the sort of warmly knowing voice that makes me miss Cat Power just a little bit less. Her first two albums were produced by her uncle Vic Chesnutt, while her latest album Outside Our Gates (2008, Warm Records) was produced by Eric Bachmann of Archers of Loaf / Crooked Fingers fame.

This Cat Stevens song has always been one of my best-loved songs to sing out loud, in all its unadorned perfection and plaintive hopelessness. Liz’s version is haunting and spare, making little chills dance down my spine.

How Can I Tell You (Cat Stevens) – Liz Durrett



The resonant, affecting result here reminds me strongly of another favorite cover treatment, Serena Ryder doing Band of Horses’ “Funeral.”

Liz contributes to a track on the forthcoming Crooked Fingers EP Reservoir Songs II, and can also be heard doing some vocals for Phosphorescent on their album Pride. With some free mp3s and a back catalog worth exploring on her website, also make sure to listen to the beautiful duet she does with her late Uncle Vic for free download.

[thanks as always, D.]

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Bio Pic Name: Heather Browne
Location: Colorado, originally by way of California
Giving context to the torrent since 2005.

"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel."
—Hunter S. Thompson

Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. Rock on.

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