Here’s hoping Laura Marling plans to put this batch to tape soon, as “I Was An Eagle,” “Pray for Me,” and “Once” are sounding worthy of release to these ears — even in their early live form, where she’s said it’s best to risk a mistake or two to keep things fresh. The latest piece of road-tested material comes courtesy of BBC 6 Music’s 10th birthday celebration, for which Marling and her band performed a full radio set in front of a live audience and film crew. The whole show can be viewed here in the U.K. and elsewhere thataway. The promising new tune is below:
Laura Marling
Ethan Johns: “Whip-Poor-Will”
Long before Ethan Johns gained notoriety for his work producing and performing on some of the best singer-songwriter records of the past decade, the British multi-instrumentalist was a promising solo artist in his own right. Now it looks like he’s ready to release a record with his name on the back and front of the packaging: “Whip-Poor-Will,” a new Johns cut just hit the web in official video form, complete with guest backing vocals from famous friends/collaborators Ryan Adams, Laura Marling, and more. No word yet on whether this sparse tune is set for the LP he was once making with his legendary father, Glyn Johns, but it certainly bodes well for whatever he’s got cooking. Check out “Whip-Poor-Will” below. Update: Glyn mixed this track. The full album is due in July.
Laura Marling – “All My Rage” (Official Video)
It’s been six months since “Sophia” helped launched Laura Marling’s third LP, A Creature I Don’t Know, and now the set’s next official clip is here: “All My Rage,” in which Marling performs in a room flanked by her folk troupe backing band, dolls, various toys, and a ventriloquist dummy, all of which come to life in time for the second chorus.