Posts tagged ‘ruler of the universe’
“Man of a Thousand Faces” video
Alright, Regina Spektor’s video for “Man of a Thousand Faces” finally made it’s way online. Simple video for a beautiful song, perfect:
Before they were on “Far”
In five days, I get to see Regina Spektor live. Be still my heart, be still.
In honor of such a glorious experience, I would like to share with you some live gems of Ms. Spektor performing songs from her latest record Far. As we all know, bootlegs are a tricky deal and it’s usually very difficult to find good quality recordings, but something is always better than nothing.
Blue Lips (10-17-2004)
Not sure where she’s performing, but the sound quality is great.
Folding Chair (XFM Session, August 2004)
She’s perfected her dolphin sounds in the last five years.
Human of the Year (04-09-2006)
When Begin To Hope was released, Regina and her label asked that bootlegs of “Human of the Year” and “Dulce et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori” not be shared. Obviously you can’t control the internet, but fans did respect her wishes for a long time which was very considerate. This is one of those first recordings of “Human of the Year” from a show in Boston. As she begins to play, audience members repeatedly shout requests and her response is one of my favorite things ever.
Dance Anthem of the 80s (12-29-2003)
Before the drums and the special guest beatboxers, it was just Regina and her piano.
Genius Next Door (04-09-2006)
This is from the same Boston show as “Human of the Year” above. Of all the live versions I have of this song, this is hands down my favorite and the reason this is in my top 10 favorite Spektor songs*.
Wallet (07-10-2004)
One of the earliest recordings of this song from a show at Tonic in NYC. I don’t think that club even exists anymore.
One More Time With Feeling (07-14-2007)
It was a big deal when live recordings of this song surfaced because it was legitimately a “new” song. From the live versions, you would have never guessed it would have been one of the happier sounding songs on the album.
Man of a Thousand Faces (05-14-07)
This recording is bittersweet since it was recorded at a Borders instore in Chicago and I couldn’t make it due to my lack of transportation. The previous night, I saw her at the Riviera where she sang “Silly Eye Color Generalizations” and I almost peed my pants. Anyway, this is one of the first known recordings of this song and although the quality isn’t the best and the beginning is cut off a bit, it’s still pretty incredible how great she sounds at a simple instore.
* It’s actually impossible to choose only ten songs as my favorite, but if I could “Genius Next Door” would be near the top of the list.
Regina live on Morning Becomes Eclectic
Today, Regina Spektor recorded a session on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic with Jason Bentley. Even though Bentley isn’t the most steller interviewer around, he’s kind of a fanboy (fanman?) so it’s pretty cool.You can listen to the show online or download it below.
1. (Intro)
2. The Calculation
3. Eet
4. Machine
5. (Interview)
6. Laughing With
7. Us
8. Blue Lips
9. Samson
10. (Interlude)
11. Folding Chair
12. (Outro)
For the weirdos who naysay the “overproduced” sound of her new album Far, they should appreciate these live stripped down sessions she’s been doing lately. They should put all the whiny “Ugh, she’s not the same anymore. I miss the ooollldddd Reginaaaa” comments to rest. Her voice is spot on and the addition of strings to songs like “Us” is magical.
Spektor in SPIN
Firstly, Regina Spektor’s new album Far debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart. EPIC WIN.
Secondly, Regina is featured in the latest issue of SPIN, which you can read online for free. Score!
“Aaaaaaaaaaaahh! Can we change the channel?” Regina Spektor pleads, shielding her eyes from a fight scene unfolding on the motor-home TV. “This is too scary for me.” The driver, clearly miffed at the prospect of not finishing his bootleg copy of Watchmen, eyes the singer — her cherry-red lipsticked mouth cast in a girlish pout — and finally obliges, switching to…Jurassic Park.
“Are you kidding?” Spektor, 29, laughs, as a velociraptor chases Jeff Goldblum across the screen. “I’m such a sissy. I can’t even handle Animal Planet.” She pauses, shaking her head. “The world is too much.” >>>>>>>You can read the rest of the article online here, just jump to page 64.
Thirdly, word on the street is Regina closed her T in the Park set this weekend with “Love, You’re a Whore”. Good to know she’s still playing that tune live, especially with that US tour right around the corner!
Jul 28 El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
Sep 11 Myth – St. Paul, MN
Sep 12 Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL
Sep 15 Michigan Theater – Ann Arbor, MI
Sep 16 Sound Academy – Toronto, Ontario
Sep 17 Metropolis – Montreal, Quebec
Sep 21 House of Blues – Boston, MA
Sep 22 Orpheum Theatre – Boston, MA
Sep 24 Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
Hard to imagine that only four years ago she was headlining shows at Martyr’s and Schubas.
Download: Love You’re a Whore (live at Bonnaroo 2007) aka one of my favorite live versions of this song
Another f*&#^$% Spektor post?!
The release of Far is a mere nineteen days away (JUNE 23RD 2009!), but in just five days you’ll be able to purchase Regina Spektor’s Laughing With EP at your local independent record store. Huzzah!
Tracklisting:
1. Laughing With
2. Folding Chair
3. The Call (from the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian soundtrack)
4. The Noise (from the Live at Bullmoose EP)
Don’t know where your independent record stores are? A) Shame on you B) Don’t worry, there’s a handy-dandy search tool at RecordStoreDay.com. My favorites in Chicago include Reckless Records (obviously) and Groovin’ High, Inc. on Belmont Ave! There’s a bit of everything in this store and Uncle Freebird** is one of the coolest people you will ever meet.
We’ve also gotten a special treat this past week with new videos for two of the songs on the upcoming album that have never been heard before, “Laughing With” and “Eet”. Please note the Dali, Escher, and Magritte influences all throughout “Laughing With”. So great:
Revamped classics “Blue Lips” and “Folding Chair” can be heard on Regina’s Myspace music player right now. And the dolphin impersonation on “Folding Chair” just got funnier.
Finally, for my American TV watching peeps, Regina will be performing “Laughing With” on Good Morning America and The Late Show with David Letterman on June 23rd. Remember to watch, set your Tivo’s to record now, or program your VCR if kick it old school like me. Here’s hoping she’ll also make an appearance on Late Night The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien so we can all watch Coco Christopher swoon for Regina’s tunes as he always does.
For your time,
**His secret nickname courtesy of Allie and me.
This is how it’s done
If the song + video doesn’t make you smile, you may not have a soul. Just sayin’.
And because I’ve been neglecting this blog for so long, have the song in mp3 form. Buy her new album, Far, on June 23rd!
