Happy Easter!

Michael Thomas will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but open from 10 to 5 on Saturday.  We wish everyone a Happy Easter!  Please check back early next week for some fantastic new pieces that we will be posting as they make their way into the shop.  In the meantime, we thought we would leave you with a seasonal tune to start off your Easter weekend.  We heard this song for the first time a couple of weeks ago sung as a traditional hymn.  This is a beautiful folk version of "What Wondrous Love Is This".  The hymn originated as an American southern spiritual and was first published in 1811 in Lynchburg Virginia.

BASTILLE // Pompeii at The British Museum

We haven't posted any music in a while, but we thought this would be a good song to start a new season of art, antiques, furnishings, and music from the road.  This was recorded exactly a year ago, on March 26, 2013, at the British Museum.  It's a beautiful acoustic version of a great song.... and kudos to The British Museum for trying to stay relevant to a younger audience!

Kathleen Battle - Swing Low Sweet Chariot - Boys Choir of Harlem

I was just getting into the Christmas groove and listening to one of my favorite performances of the Messiah with Kathleen Battle. Surfing on line, I found this performance of hers, with the Boy's Choir of Harlem. Pretty magical!

The Civil Wars - I Want You Back (Live)

More music from the road.  We heard this song on our trip over the weekend.  It's a really nice remake of a great classic.

Let it Snow

Last night while driving home from a couple of days on the road, I caught the beginnings of the snow storm.  I also heard this song, which I hadn't heard in years, on the radio.  For those who have seen "Bagdad Cafe", it will be familiar.  I think it may be the best song for driving through a snow storm.....a little melancholy but so beautiful.  I discovered this live version and like it a lot.  No lip synching here.  If you like the song, the Jeff Buckley and Holly Cole versions are pretty terrific as well.

If you don't have to go out today, enjoy the snow day.  We are in the shop and will be posting lots of great new pieces throughout the course of the day.  Please stop in over the weekend to see them in person if you have a chance.

The Jezabels - Endless Summer (The Amazing Sessions)

More music from the road.....  The Jezebels are a great new Austrailian band.  I heard this song for the first time while on the road last week.  It seems like a good post for today with the wind whipping and the snow falling outside.  What a difference a day makes!

Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye

Music from the road.....

Big Head Todd and The Monsters - Bittersweet (Live at Red Rocks 2008)

More music from the road.....I had never heard this song until this week.  It is sweet.  It is bittersweet.  It is a nice tune to usher in the weekend and the warm weather.  Enjoy.

Knocking on Heaven's Door

Heard on the road this week....I first heard Antony Hegarty's uniquely beautiful voice about four years ago as the lead singer for a band called "Hercules and Love Affair".  Instantly I was reminded of some of my favorite vocalists from the eighties like Alison Moyet and Marc Almond.  While in New York this past week, I heard this song and the unmistakable voice.  It was from an earlier band of Antony's that I didn't know called "Antony and the Johnsons"....a nice find.

Hercules & Love Affair - Time Will

......and more from Antony Hegarty.

Lana del Rey "Video Games"

More music from and for the road.... Initially (last year) Lana del Rey was hailed as "the next big thing and the it girl" by the critics.  By the beginning of this year she was getting panned, largely due to a few shaky, live vocal performances.  All of this happened before her first album was even released.  We'll see what the future holds for the 25 year old singer.  In the meantime, love this song.

Sufjan Stevens- Chicago

More music from the road.....I heard this song on my road trip this week.  It had been so long since I last heard it, I had forgotten how much I love it.  It is a beautiful song about one of the best cities in the world.   The music starts 2 minutes into the video.

Ella Fitzgerald _ I let a song out of my heart.wmv

Growing up in a home with a father who was in a band in the 40's called "The Jars of Jam", it pretty much goes without saying there was jazz in the house.  While "all that jazz" was a burden to bear as a kid, it is now an influence that is very much appreciated and part of what has shaped a love for a wide variety of music.  This was a regular on the Hi Fi., and now a favorite.  So smooth......

Reptar - Stuck In My Id [Audio Stream]

More music from the road.  Heard this song for the first time while traveling through the states yesterday.  It was 72 degrees and sunny.  Ah, what a difference a day makes.  It's a pretty good, upbeat song, for a chilly gray day as well.

LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change @ Jools Holland

2nd favorite tune heard on the road last week.  It's a little Depeche Mode, a little Thomas Dolby, a little Roxy Music....and a lot good.

M83 'Midnight City' Official video

Favorite new song heard on the road this week. 

Mumford & Sons - Home (NEW SONG HQ)

More music from the road. 

Maxwell - This Woman's Work (With lyrics)

I first heard Kate Bush's music in about 1979. It was on a local college radio station, WLVR, from Lehigh University. As a result, "The Kick Inside" was one of the first albums I ever bought. The original version by Kate of this song is incredible. This is a beautiful remake by Maxwell.

I just heard Kate is about to release her first new album in a very long time. Just another thing for which to be thankful today.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues Music Video

More music from the road.....I feel very fortunate to be able to be travelling around lots in search of great stuff.  While I'm on the road, I have my stable of places I visit and people I see.  I also have my stable of radio stations, mostly independent or college, from which I get exposed to some amazing new artists and songs.  This is one of the bands that is on my current playlist as a result of my trip this past week.

Ólöf Arnalds- Jonathan

I heard this song for the first time this morning while I was driving through the hills of Upstate New York. The fields seemed particularly green and lush for this time of year, but the leaves had already started changing. There was a misty rain, but I could see the sun poking through in the distance. It seemed kind of perfect.