Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records Sampler (plus a few more recommendations)

 
Another day, another fantastic sampler made available by a record label that refuses to color within the lines. 

Eclectic mainstays Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records caught up with a bunch of talented artists who were in Nashville for the Americana Music Association’s yearly festival and they captured some intimate live performances from them at Minutia Studios. Dubbed The Americana Sessions, this 9-song sampler boasts some beautifully sparse tracks that mostly feature no more than just one voice and one instrument. My hands down favorite song on here is “Ring Them Bells” from Sarah Jarosz, with “Sunshine” by Shawn Mullins and “Banks of the Leopold Canal” by Deep Dark Woods being standouts as well. 

Here’s a video of Sarah Jarosz doing “Ring Them Bells” from her session:  

If you’re in the mood for some more killer label samplers available here on NoiseTrade, I highly recommend checking these out as well: 
ANTI- Winter EP – Shane McGowan (Pogues) and Johnny Depp singing an old sea shanty, Petra Haden’s multi-layered acapella cover of the main theme from Psycho and Bettye LaVette covering Bob Dylan. 

ATO Fall Sampler – the gritty wail of “My Love Won’t Wait” by Two Gallants, the slick groove of “I Ain’t The Same” by The Alabama Shakes and the bouncy twang of “Levi” from Old Crow Medicine Show make this one really special. 

Saddle Creek Summer 2012 Sampler – Worth it for The Mynabirds’ “Generals” alone, but it can’t be a legitimate Saddle Creek release without a swanky Bright Eyes cut as well. 

The Best of American Songwriter Sessions – Technically not a label sampler, but it still fits the multi-artist, multi-genre requirement. Spectacular live songs from Justin Townes Earle, Courtney Jaye, Damien Jurado and Harper Simon (you may have heard a song or two from his dad, Paul). 

Future Destination Records Sampler – With a song titled “K-Mart Makes Me Physically Ill,” how could you not give it a shot?

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