Author: chimesfreedom

Editor-in-chief, New York.

Album of the Day: Dan Blakeslee “Tatnic Tales”

Tatnic Tales

I have been enjoying Dan Blakeslee‘s 2011 album Tatnic Tales. Blakeslee has a folk sound rooted in his upbringing in Maine, and the album includes his band The Calabash Club, a group that started out in a Dover, New Hampshire basement in 2008.  Check out his other music at Blakesee’s website).

The Calabash Club includes Mike Effenberger (piano), Nick Phaneuf (bass), and Jim Rudolf (drums). As for Blakeslee, he is not only an accomplished musician; he also is an artist who has created a large number of rock posters and designed the albums for artists such as Slaid Cleaves. For a review of Blakeslee’s new album Owed to the Tanglin’ Wind, head over to No Depression.

What is your favorite Dan Blakeslee song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

How Did World War I Start?

World War I

World War I is often overlooked in comparison to the more recent World War II and the fascinating U.S. Civil War. Because in the U.S. the first world war seems to get less coverage, it has become more interesting to me in recent years. But another reason we may know less about World War I today is that it is so darn complicated. Yeah, we know the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand had something to do with it, but how did so many countries end up going to war?

To address this problem and in light of the 100th anniversary of the start of the war, video and podcast producer Chris Wade put together a short video for Slate about how World War I began. Although it goes fast so you have to play close attention, your focus for less than four minutes will be rewarded. At least it takes less time than reading a book. So check out “The July Crisis: How World War I Began.”

Photo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand via Public Domain. What do you find interesting about World War I? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Coldplay Video Uses Archival World War I Footage
  • War Horse (Short Review)
  • Last Surviving U.S. WWI Veteran Passes
  • The WWI Christmas Truce: a Beatle, a Beagle, and a Brooks

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Marty Brown Takes a Ride on the “Love Swing”

    In this video from Marty Brown’s backyard, the country singer is joined by his wife Shellie on another Marty Brown original, “Love Swing.” As Brown explains in the video posted on his Facebook page, the real-life swing where they sit inspired the catchy song, which appears on his independently sold CD, Country Strong.

    Brown also seems to be having a fun time making the video for us fans. Check it out.

    What do you think of “Love Swing”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Marty Brown: “My Love Will Follow You”
  • Marty Brown Profiled on Episode of “Kentucky Life”
  • Marty Brown’s Video for “Gonna Make It Fly”
  • How Marty Brown Wrote “Whatever Makes You Smile”
  • New Single from Marty Brown: “I’m Gonna Make It Fly”
  • Marty Brown in Middletown, NY (Concert Review)

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    New Song from Stevie Nicks: “The Dealer”

    stevie nicks the vault

    Stevie Nicks     is getting ready to release a new solo album, 24 Karat Gold — Songs From the Vault, her first since 2011. In anticipation, she has released the official video for one of the songs, “The Dealer.”

    Nicks wrote “The Dealer” in the late 1970s when she was with Fleetwood Mac, but the song has never seen an offical release until now. 24 Carat Gold will feature other songs from “the vault.” Check out the “new” song.

    Warner Bros. will release the album 24 Karat Gold — Songs From the Vault on October 7, 2014, with pre-orders starting already and an earlier vinyl release. Starting in September, Nicks will begin a reunion tour with Fleetwood Mac, so look for her to come to your neighborhood.

    What do you think of the new Stevie Nicks song “The Dealer”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • The Marcus King Band: “Goodbye Carolina”
  • Melissa Etheridge: “Hold On, I’m Coming”
  • Bonnie Raitt’s “Gypsy In Me”
  • New Album from John Mellencamp: “Plain Spoken”
  • New Music: “East Side of Town” from Lucinda Williams
  • New Song from Kasey Chambers: “Wheelbarrow”

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    The Civil Wars Break Up . . . and All I Got Was a Song

    The Civil Wars album

    The Civil Wars duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White officially announced that the band is no more. Fans already knew there had been a loss of real-life harmony between the two and that they had gone on hiatus in 2012. They then put out a self-titled album, which gave some hope, despite the dark clouds on the cover. But on their website now they have announced they will not be creating another. The website notes, “The difficult decision ends a tumultuous period for the four-time Grammy Award-winning band, who has been on indefinite hiatus since late 2012.”

    In consolation, Williams and White announced they are giving away a free download of “You Are My Sunshine” that was recorded in 2010. The track was originally released in 2011 as a B-side to the limited edition Barton Hollow 7” vinyl release. So, you are getting no more music from The Civil Wars, but you can go to their website for this goodbye gift.

    For some more music from The Civil Wars, check out these other songs from Barton Hollow (2011). We wish Williams and White well and look forward to whatever music they make by themselves in the future. RIP Civil Wars.



    Are you disappointed The Civil Wars broke up? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • R.E.M. Calls It a Day
  • White Stripes Ending: I’m Lonely in Portland

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)