Today we leave geopolitics, power and political economy to concentrate on the power of music. We feature three songs by Lake Street Dive. The band is named after a street in Minneapolis with many dive bars, where band member Mike “McDuck” Olson (trumpet, guitar) grew up. (He grew up in Minneapolis, not in the dive bars or on the street). Rachel Price is the lead vocalist, Bridget Kearney plays the bass and Mike Calabrese is on drums.
The group explores jazz and soul with occasional country or folk. There is something decidedly old-fashioned about them, and not just because of the stand-up bass or Rachel Price’s vintage skirts. It is the “feel” of its music which, as with most jazz, is as important as any solo, lyric, or any one song.
This first song sounds like an old standard, but it was written by Rachel Price:
This song was published in April. The band was formed in 2004, so they are 10 years into their journey. It isn’t completely surprising that the video above is not really Lake Street Dive. It is Rachael Price in studio, backed by LSD. Let’s hope she doesn’t forget the fine horse she rode in on.
Next, Lake Street Dive performs “Use Me Up” at the great WFUV, Fordham University radio, live in Studio A. Recorded on 11/30/12:
Finally, a cover of Michael Jackson’s “I want you back” recorded outdoors in Boston where the band met:
Has a soul feeling. Good stuff.