Please suggest transcendent songs with vocal harmony.
October 25, 2010 10:20 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for transcendent folk/pop/rock/country songs with strong vocal harmonies.
Songs in the vein of First Aid Kit's cover of Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song", Gregory Alan Isakov's "That Moon Song", and Indigo Girl's "Least Complicated". Thanks.
Songs in the vein of First Aid Kit's cover of Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song", Gregory Alan Isakov's "That Moon Song", and Indigo Girl's "Least Complicated". Thanks.
For me transcendent with strong vocal harmonies begins and ends with Ida. They are surely folk/pop/rock/country, but with more drone that that description might imply. If you dig 'em you are in luck because they have a deep catalog full of uniformly terrific stuff. God, I love them.
posted by dirtdirt at 10:59 AM on October 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by dirtdirt at 10:59 AM on October 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
By Way of Sorrow, covered by Cry Cry Cry.
Lord, I have Made You a Place in My Heart, also covered by Cry Cry Cry (pay no attention to the video! only listen to the music!).
posted by rtha at 11:02 AM on October 25, 2010
Lord, I have Made You a Place in My Heart, also covered by Cry Cry Cry (pay no attention to the video! only listen to the music!).
posted by rtha at 11:02 AM on October 25, 2010
Dirtdirt beat me to it. Yes, Ida. I'd add Low and the Jayhawks.
Also, I'm not enough of a fan to give you specifics, but Richard and Linda Thompson might fit the bill as well.
posted by umbú at 11:08 AM on October 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
Also, I'm not enough of a fan to give you specifics, but Richard and Linda Thompson might fit the bill as well.
posted by umbú at 11:08 AM on October 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
Devil's Paintbrush Road by the Wailin' Jennys, or Annabelle Chvostek might work for this. . .I am a bit unclear about what you want.
posted by Danf at 11:17 AM on October 25, 2010
posted by Danf at 11:17 AM on October 25, 2010
Response by poster: I guess a should clarify that I mean folk, pop, rock, or country, or any combination thereof.
posted by sockpup at 11:21 AM on October 25, 2010
posted by sockpup at 11:21 AM on October 25, 2010
Pretty much the entirety of Our Endless Numbered Days. Never fails to give me the shivers, those Beam voices.
The Trio albums from Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton are nothing if not transcendent. Here's My Blue Tears.
Neko Case's voice by itself is pretty much the definition of transcendent, but seek out her work with The Sadies and Carolyn Mark (as The Corn Sisters) for good harmonies.
posted by carsonb at 11:21 AM on October 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Trio albums from Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton are nothing if not transcendent. Here's My Blue Tears.
Neko Case's voice by itself is pretty much the definition of transcendent, but seek out her work with The Sadies and Carolyn Mark (as The Corn Sisters) for good harmonies.
posted by carsonb at 11:21 AM on October 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Mike and Ruthy (Michael Merenda and Ruth Ungar, formerly of the old-time-pop band The Mammals) are worth a listen. Here's their Web site (warning: autoplays music).
posted by RogerB at 11:25 AM on October 25, 2010
posted by RogerB at 11:25 AM on October 25, 2010
Are you familiar with The Thorns? Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet, Pete Droge.
I lurrrrve Jason Falkner's cover of Both Sides Now. This isn't even the best version he does!
The Weepies, World Spins Madly On.
Patty Griffin, Long Ride Home.
posted by Madamina at 11:36 AM on October 25, 2010
I lurrrrve Jason Falkner's cover of Both Sides Now. This isn't even the best version he does!
The Weepies, World Spins Madly On.
Patty Griffin, Long Ride Home.
posted by Madamina at 11:36 AM on October 25, 2010
over the rhine!
suitcase
i want you to be my love
professional daydreamer
posted by raw sugar at 12:09 PM on October 25, 2010
suitcase
i want you to be my love
professional daydreamer
posted by raw sugar at 12:09 PM on October 25, 2010
Try Grizzly Bear and Bon Iver.
posted by synecdoche at 12:14 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by synecdoche at 12:14 PM on October 25, 2010
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
posted by The Discredited Ape at 1:14 PM on October 25, 2010
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
posted by The Discredited Ape at 1:14 PM on October 25, 2010
Oh balls, you mentioned Fleet Foxes in the cocking intro. To make up for my idiocy, here are Wendy and Bonnie.
posted by The Discredited Ape at 1:21 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by The Discredited Ape at 1:21 PM on October 25, 2010
I'm going to go in a slightly different direction, and suggest you look into shape note singing, especially selections from the Sacred Harp songbook. Here's a good example. It always gives me chills.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:28 PM on October 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:28 PM on October 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh boy, are you going to love Blind Pilot's cover of Gillian Welch's Look at Miss Ohio. Two recommendations in one!
posted by stuck on an island at 1:51 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by stuck on an island at 1:51 PM on October 25, 2010
You might like The Twilight Sad. And if you want truly transcendent folk music with strong vocal harmonies outside the western tradition, look to Albania. Janines C'i Pane Syt.
posted by The Discredited Ape at 2:04 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by The Discredited Ape at 2:04 PM on October 25, 2010
Northern Harmony will take you though a great range of western and nonwestern singing styles as well :)
posted by heyforfour at 2:29 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by heyforfour at 2:29 PM on October 25, 2010
Also, Anonymous Four's American albums! (Gloryland and American Angels)
posted by heyforfour at 2:37 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by heyforfour at 2:37 PM on October 25, 2010
Not all the verses are harmonized but most of the choruses are in a lot of Mumford and Sons songs. Many people, myself included, think they are quite similar to Fleet Foxes.
Little Lion Man (Album version)
White Blank Page (Album Version)
The Cave (Album Version)
Winter Winds (Album Version)
I've included both the live acoustic videos and the album versions. The harmonies are stronger on the album versions because the other musicians voices are recorded more thoroughly I assume.
posted by schyler523 at 2:55 PM on October 25, 2010
Little Lion Man (Album version)
White Blank Page (Album Version)
The Cave (Album Version)
Winter Winds (Album Version)
I've included both the live acoustic videos and the album versions. The harmonies are stronger on the album versions because the other musicians voices are recorded more thoroughly I assume.
posted by schyler523 at 2:55 PM on October 25, 2010
Oops, forgot this one. This is the song that has the most harmonies in it anyway!
Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
posted by schyler523 at 3:00 PM on October 25, 2010
Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
posted by schyler523 at 3:00 PM on October 25, 2010
Eisley! Incredible sister harmonizing. Marvelous Things
posted by hegemone at 4:18 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by hegemone at 4:18 PM on October 25, 2010
Oh man. I am so sad that no one has suggested this - it sends shivers up my spine.
The Morning Benders - Excuses.
One of my favorite songs of the year.
posted by bibliogrrl at 7:45 PM on October 25, 2010 [3 favorites]
The Morning Benders - Excuses.
One of my favorite songs of the year.
posted by bibliogrrl at 7:45 PM on October 25, 2010 [3 favorites]
If you like anthems, listen to Bodies of Water
Under the Pines,
These are the Eyes
posted by doncoyote at 10:04 PM on October 25, 2010
Under the Pines,
These are the Eyes
posted by doncoyote at 10:04 PM on October 25, 2010
Lots of bluegrass and new-bluegrass fits this bill. Does that count as country/folk?
Try Chris Thile's cover of The Strokes' Heart in a Cage.
Or most stuff by Nickel Creek, really.
Also, it's astonishing that nobody has mentioned Simon and Garfunkel yet.
posted by Bardolph at 4:24 AM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Try Chris Thile's cover of The Strokes' Heart in a Cage.
Or most stuff by Nickel Creek, really.
Also, it's astonishing that nobody has mentioned Simon and Garfunkel yet.
posted by Bardolph at 4:24 AM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, it's astonishing that nobody has mentioned Simon and Garfunkel yet.
Or Crosby Stills & Nash!
posted by heyforfour at 8:17 AM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Or Crosby Stills & Nash!
posted by heyforfour at 8:17 AM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Seconding Mumford and Sons (one of my fave albums of the year), The Weepies (for songs, check out Little Bird and Painting by Chagall) and Nickel Creek.
Also check out Great Lakes Swimmers:
Pulling on a Line
Everything is Moving so Fast
and Ingrid Michaelson:
Keep Breathing
Sort Of
posted by sarahnade at 12:09 PM on October 26, 2010
Also check out Great Lakes Swimmers:
Pulling on a Line
Everything is Moving so Fast
and Ingrid Michaelson:
Keep Breathing
Sort Of
posted by sarahnade at 12:09 PM on October 26, 2010
You could try Crosby, Stills & Nash; they harmonize on most songs.
posted by cp311 at 2:25 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by cp311 at 2:25 PM on October 26, 2010
How about "Seven Bridges Road" performed by the Eagles?
posted by Amby72 at 10:03 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by Amby72 at 10:03 AM on October 27, 2010
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