What Happened To Pub Rock # 15

As already is mentioned it is a tightrope walk if you write about bands from this times. One are already ascribed the punk or New Wave scene other are to be assigned unambiguously the pub rock scene. What is common, however, to all that they had their roots in the pubs where had to be played live. Todays artist Elvis Costello has definitely his roots in the pub rock scene. But he is also the link to the upcoming punk and new wave scene in Great Britain. There are many words written about him and his career, his collaboration with other great musicians and his affinity to the classic Country Music to bore you with more words. I would only like to say that he is an artist I follow over more than 25 years now. And there are so many songs I would like to post. But which one should I select? Shipbuilding with Chet Baker on trumpet? Something from his jazz influenced Almost Blue? Some of his mid/end 80s records? I decided to give you some songs you might know well. They are from his debut My Aim Is True. For me it is one of the best debut albums ever (I am thinking about a new series about debut albums that impressed me much). On this record he showed us what talent he has in writing songs and performing them. Sadly I didn't see him live yet - but I've got a ticket for his concert in October this year. And I am looking forward to it.

Elvis Costello - Miracle Man
Elvis Costello - Alison
Elvis Costello - Less Than Zero
Elvis Costello - I'm Not Angry
Elvis Costello - Waiting For The End Of The World

The Foreign Correspondent - Stories about German Rock Music # 9

My first intention to this series was to write about some German rock music. After the last weeks I had to recognize that there was more than rock music I should write about. I took the way across the border to feature Stefan Eicher and I did also feature Seeed, which are very close to danceable sounds. And there is no reason not to feature a German musician with deep roots in classical jazz. 

Till Brönner is a jazz trompet player, singer, composer, arranger and producer. After he studied jazz trumpet he played in several Big Bands and became more and more famous. He feels well in a lot of styles in jazz. His approach is influenced by bebop and fusion jazz, but also modern pop music, movie soundtracks, country music and even German pop songs. His trumpet playing is primarily inspired be the giants of jazz like Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker and Freddie Hubbard. It's hard to pick out some songs from a great output of records but I think his collaboration with South American and Brazilian musicians are the best ones to step inside his kind of music. I love this album best because he works together with such great guest vocalist like Annie Lennox, Melody Gardot, Aimee Mann and Sergio Mendes. So give him a little chance - maybe play it later in the evening.

Till Brönner - Mistèrious (featuring Annie Lennox and Milton Nascimento

Till Brönner - Ela el carioca (featuring Sergio Mendes)

Till Brönner - High Night (featuring Melody Gardot)

Till Brönner - O Que Sera (featuring Vanessa Da Mata)