Watch Video of Joshua James' Incantation Of Love For Our Kerouac Tribute
Joshua James sings "Esperanza". Directed by Corey Fox & Matt Eastin. Director of Photography - Ty Arnold. Production Design by Corey Fox. Edited by Matt Eastin. Hair and Makeup by Rachel Clark. Special thanks to Richard Gregory & Russ Mayo.
"I was asked to read a novel by the INFAMOUS Jack Kerouac entitled Tristessa. I have been a fan of Mr. Kerouac’s for awhile now, and was excited to be asked to not only read this unknown (to me) novel but to write a song about the book. I was given the freedom to interpret the book and song how I saw fit.
Now, seeing as how the book is about a prostitute that Jack falls in love with I felt it almost NECESSARY to write about a love / heart break in the said song. And, seeing as how Tristessa was a Spanish speaker I felt it (again) NECESSARY to write the song in Spanish. Tristessa’s real name was hidden from the common reader to protect her integrity. So in the song I decided to revert back to her REAL name, the enchanting, mystical, sexual 'Esperanza'. Here is a love affair song. One for the faithful and the fallen. 'La guitarra se cantará'" - Joshua James
TEASE TORMENT TANTALIZE: A 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO THE SMITHS' DEBUT
From The Liner Notes: "No band personified the spirit of indie more than the Smiths, that Manchester four-piece who strode between the jagged shards of punk politics and the ideological posturing of the new wave arts school, to produce a sound that was both fay and ethereal, rhythmically compelling but memorably melodic."
The Smiths’ independence, in style and attitude, persists in this unique reimagining by Kevin Devine, Blackbird Blackbird, Faded Paper Figures, Field Mouse, Jaymay, Brothertiger, Seapony, Male Bonding, The Night VI, Soft Metals,Young Statues, Heidemann, Our Broken Garden, and Mother Falcon.
Bessie Smith Reimagined: Empress Of The Blues
“Our cup runneth over with the glorious all-female lineup featured on Empress of the Blues, a tribute to blues legend Bessie Smith featuring Tift Merritt, Jesca Hoop, Haley Bonar, Jenny Owen Youngs, Abigal Washburn, and many more, released in October. (We wrote about the inimitable Smith and her storied history in jazz and blues music earlier.) This tribute puts a modern spin on Smith’s standards, and gives each performer featured a chance to reimagine the spirit of each song. One of the grandest departures from the original is Simone White’s cover of “Backwater Blues,” which she transformed into a moody electronic rumination. It’s a testament to Smith’s vision and timelessness that her music stands up on its own half a century after her death, and a testament to her genius that these songs shine through any number of interpretations.”
More Info On The Empress Of The Blues
Preview and purchase on iTunes and Amazon and anywhere digital music is sold!
The official music video for Simone White's track "Backwater Blues" from the Reimagine Tribute to Bessie Smith: Empress Of The Blues. Vocals by Simone White, music production by Adam Smith Goldman, music video directed by Nancy Jean Tucker. Tracks and album available on iTunes http://j.mp/EmpressReimagineiTunes and Amazon http://j.mp/BessieSmithEmpress
Catherine Feeny's version of Bessie Smith's song, "St. Louis Blues. You can find the track on the Reimagine Music tribute to Bessie Smith, Empress Of The Blues. This is the full music video of the track created by David Greenberg. Additional musicians with Catherine: Daniel Dixon (Greylag) on guitar & Mel Baker (The Breaking Yard) on fiddle.