Pick of the Week: Beyoncé and Friends

Who doesn't love Beyoncé?  Not only does she have killer pipes, but her songs are engaging, powerful, and apparently, lots of fun to cover.  Example A: The internet sensation Pomplamoose covered Single Ladies in 2009.  The result?  Almost seven and a half MILLION views to date.

It was almost no surprise when Grace Potter & the Nocturnals took on Beyoncé's newest hit, Why Don't You Love Me.  It has that sort of sixties psychadelic vibe that the GPN does so well.  Beyoncé and her songwriters deserve a grand hoorah.   Grace did a pared-down version that is more in the spirit of acoustic, bluesy energy than the R&B original.  Both are incredibly addictive.  You've been warned. 

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals announced this morning that they will be hosting a two-day festival at the Waterfront Park in Burlington, VT this August.  They're calling it the Grand Point North.  I see a correlation: GPN, anyone?  Considering my family and I plan our vacations around the Waterfront Music Festival every summer (don't tell Grandma!), we will definitely be there.

The Smith College Noteables

Not only do I like to write about music, but I like to make it too.  Last Saturday night marked the official capstone of my a cappella group's performance season - the only gigs left on our calendars are for graduation ceremonies and alumna reunions.  This spring, we will release a brand-new CD called Just Chairs.  (Get it? No-tables? heh.)

All joking aside, we had a blast this weekend.  There was lots of music, lots of badassery (the theme of our show!), and lots of fun.

And here at Hippie Espionage, we're all about getting you (yes you!) in the know.  How else would you learn all about last night's Phish show or the highlights of the Gathering of the Vibes for the past two years?  So when I say that the Noteables are the next new thing, believe it.  Check out our cover of The Wailin' Jennys' tune One Voice.


Oh, and we are forever grateful to Ben Folds for writing Landed.


I hate to be a shameless plug for my own musical endeavors, but someone has to be, right?  So without further ado, feel free to check out our website, like us on Facebook, and eagerly anticipate the release of our CD later this spring!

Pick of the Week: Bob Marley

The sun is shining, the weather is sweet... wait, have I heard that before or am I a really great poet?

Ohh right.

This week's pick is a collection of tunes that I haven't been able to get out of my head for weeks.  The Acoustic Medley featured on the Songs of Freedom box set is comprised of seven songs, including Guava Jelly, This Train, Comma Comma, Dew Drops, Stir It Up, and I'm Hurting Inside.


There's something really special about this recording.  It's intimate, mellow, and catchy.  I can't wait to spend my days in a tranquil summer haze (with this medley playing in the background, of course).

...Hm. Maybe I am a great poet after all.

Pick of the Week - Jerry & Friends

Every so often I come across a song or tune that I just can't get enough of.  Last summer it was a rendition of Standing on the Moon from a Rex Foundation CD, and the other week it was a Disney song (but I'll spare you the details - and the secondhand embarrassment on that one).

This week I came across a Jerry Garcia song that makes me want to sit in the sunshine and braid strands of flowers together.  No joke.

And because the spring is fully upon us here in Western MA, I thought I would do just that.  Enjoy a soulful Mountain Song this week - and don't forget to send me some daisy chains.



Elizabeth

The McLovins @ Pearl St. Nightclub in Northampton, MA (April 2, 2011)

Last night the McLovins returned to Northampton, MA for their debut at the Pearl Street Nightclub.  Check out what you missed with these few clips below - including a brand new song called Close to the Line!



A tribute to Jimi Hendrix - "Little Wing"



And of course a little Tweeprise to end the night.


I didn't get to stay for the entire show, but hey - a little McLovin' can go a long way.
Elizabeth