by Marianne Meyer
Free, legal music abounds these days; it seems like almost every new band offers a free track or two to whet listener appetites and promote their touring schedules. And so, here at DAME headquarters, we’ve sort of fallen off the wagon when it comes to pointing out a song here, a song there, that might amuse.
But when talented musicians are giving away full albums – still free, legal and fine – it’s time to shout about it. That’s the case today with three full LPs and an EP of music well worth a point, click and save.
1. Ben Sollee has been called a “cello shredding, old-soul singing, bicycle touring, social activist ball-o-musician” and now you can add “generous guy” to the list. Over this weekend, starting today (Friday, October 14) and through midnight Sunday night/Monday morning, Sollee is is giving away his new album, Inclusions, in its entirety and in your choice of numerous high-quality formats, at his web site. He calls it a thank you to everyone “who's supported us throughout a myriad of different projects, and in celebration of an awesome series of homestate shows this week.”
2. As a D.C. area resident, I’ve had the privilege of watching a genuine local talent grow over the years in my own hometown. New Jersey-born but now Northern Virginia-based, Luke Brindley is a singer/songwriter whose talents as a creator of original material would be reason enough to applaud. His carefully crafted, literate songs of regular folks making the best of tough times recall classic influences like Springsteen and Wilco. When you add in his amazing instrumental skills – his finger-picked guitar playing has dropped jaws at many a live show – you’ve got a true triple threat.
Brindley’s most recent solo offering, “A Hidden Wholeness,” was almost two years in the making. It’s a very personal album, written and recorded during a time of personal turmoil and uncertainty about his future as a musician. It was, he says, “a different record for me. Thematically kind of my Blood on the Tracks but with a happier ending, I hope.”
In an email sent out earlier this week to fans on his mailing list, Brindley revealed that he was making the album available for free download. “Since I am not touring as much solo these days I feel this is the best way to get my music out there - so feel free to pass around the links!” Here ya go. (The Band Camp site will ask how much you want to pay; $0 is allowed.)
3. In the same email, Brindley also offered a link to Playing With the Light, the 2004 debut album released with his brother Daniel and some sterling session friends in an outfit known, appropriately enough, as The Brindley Brothers. Upon its initial release, the venerable Washington Post called the roots rock disc, “An early contender for one of the best albums of the year” but it has been out of print for years. Now, thanks to digital magic, you can grab it for free at the Brothers’ Band Camp site.
4. Deep River is Brindley’s latest project, a trio that allows him to wail on his guitar while two talented singer/instrumentalists - Rachel Beauregard and Bryan Dawley – provide a playful give-and-take as front vocalists. As good as Deep River’s late 2010 self-titled debut album is, the warmth and energy of a live show is where the three really shine. You can see a slideshow of a concert here and grab a free four-track sampler of live cuts, recorded at Eddie’s Attic, at the group’s site.
Have a great weekend discovering dozens of cool new tracks...
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