The Black Cab Sessions are a wonderful idea. One artist, one song, one take. In one cab. This is Okkervil River last September, performing the Big Star song "Big Black Car". I think Will Sheff must have a thing for Big Star, as they previously recorded "O, Dana" for their last Australian tour EP. Which leads me to this. This upcoming week is another smorgasboard of madness. In four successive nights I will be seeing Stars, Okkervil River, Broken Social Scene and Feist. I am terribly excited by all of these artists, but Okkervil River is definitely numero uno. I have seen them twice before, but I am even more excited for their Manning Bar show this week. In my previous post I extolled the songwriting talents of Dan Bejar. Well I regard Will Sheff just as highly. The man has it all. Songs of great feeling and melody. Achingly real lyrics, and that voice. Oh, that voice. Not exactly a pitch perfect voice, it is however a voice of incredible passion and earthiness. He makes you feel each and every note. As if he wrote the song just for you. So, I can't wait for this week. And I get to see all these artists again, and more, at the Laneway Festival on Sunday.

If you are not a member of the Okkervil River congregation yet, maybe these will help you. And you can still buy tickets for Wednesday!!!
MP3: The Velocity of Saul at The Time of His Conversion

MP3: The War Criminal Rises and Speaks
MP3: For Real
MP3: No Key, No Plan
MP3: Our Life Is Not a Movie Or Maybe
MP3: The President's Dead