I’m off for two weeks hols in rural France on Thursday. Please recommend one album each for me to download from Spotify. You must know my thing by now. Tip – currently loving Bonnie Young Horsemen.
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To anyone who’ll listen to me (and that’s not many) my absolute recommendation at the moment is:
Sparks – A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip
I’m listening Rigid. Could be their best yet.
Just listened on Spotify. Great album
Watkins Family Hour – Brother Sister might be to your taste.
Can’t recall if you have listened to Jackie Leven if not try Creatures of Light and Dark.
If you have heard Jackie, ignore the above and try Harp and a Monkey – Victorians
Blue Rose Code – With Healings of the Deepest Kind.
Absolutely bloody lovely.
Seconded.
Kate Bush – The Dreaming
Absolutely nuts but her most prog album.
Not sure Kate is prog at all, but if she is The Dreaming would not be the best example, Hounds of Love (side 2), Aerial (disc 2) or 50 Words for Snow would be. The Dreaming is a brilliant album though.
If you’ve never heard Nanci Griffith properly, at the exact intersection between folk and country, Last of the True Believers, a great place to start.
Ghostland by Ghostland (Justin Adams trio with John Reynolds and Caroline Dale)
Roberta Flack: Chapter Two.
That’s How Rumours Get Started from Margo Price.
Seconded
Deep Down Happy by Sports Team.
Get hip!
Oo … that’s a good one.
3 listens in a week, it’s very good
It’s great isn’t it.
“Ironside” by Ruby Rushton.
Try Beauty in Madness by Hobotalk. I think it would be right up your street. It’s from 2000 and was well received critically, but nobody bought it. I saw them at Dingwalls supporting Shivaree, shortly after its release, and they were fab, as was Shivaree.
If you already know the album, as I recall speaking with someone on here about it some time ago, the one that Shivaree was promoting would make a good substitute, I Oughtta Give You A Shot In The Head For Making Me Live In This Dump (which funnily enough is what my teenage daughter said when she realised she was born in North London, before we moved to Barnsley when she was 2).
Here’s a taster from each album.
That Hobotalk album is a lost gem. I missed them supporting The Go-Betweens when I got stuck on the M6 coming back from a motor show at the NEC – gutted.
Love that Shivaree track, it’s such a good song that the rest of their stuff always suffered by comparison . I think I’ll dig out the album I have [Rough Dreams] and give it another go.
Charlie Harcourt just passed away I hear, so Lindisfarne.
Cheers all, downloading furiously – some exciting eclectic choices. Keep ’em coming!
Trails and Tribulations (sic) by Martin Simpson. I don’t think he’s ever brought out a flawless album but this, his last but one, is the closest thing to it.
This stopped me in my tracks when it was played on Radio 3 today. The parent album is called The Joy of Living.
Now when I make my travel plans, they include the lyrics and melodies of songs I intend to learn. I am in barely post-lockdown Shetland, so there’s plenty of time! Anyway, the title track from that album is on my to-do list, once I got past crying through every verse.
Folklore – you know it’s right
Can I suggest Deux by Enzo Enzo? Les chansons francaises, n’est-ce pas?
As well as requiring recommendations for your two weeks in France, you’ll need further recommendations for your two weeks quarantine on your return……..
So, two from me…
– the new Pretenders albums, “Hate For Sale” is excellent. Short (only about 30 mins) and sweet, it’s their best since Get Close in my opinion.
– the new one by Scottish prong rockers Abel Ganz, “The Life Of The Honey Bee And Other Moments Of Clarity”. Much stronger than their debut, it has the usual prog bits but is also very ‘folky” in parts. A good eclectic mix of influences and impeccably produced.
Love a bit of prong, me?!
Yeah – it’s forking great…….
“Bee” isn’t on Spotty so I’m going with the last one, “Abel Ganz”.
OK settled in. First up Abel Ganz, really love it. Already a hit – makes the same miraculous transition Big Big Train managed – prog Mrs. T likes!
Gentle Stream – The Amazing.
Not exactly new and a terrible band name but I was introduced this lot a couple of years back. Brilliant Swedish neo-prog with a bit of early John Martyn also thrown into the mix
Brilliant trees from David Sylvian. The summer heat has made its way onto this album. You could probably warm your hands to it. Suits both the city and the countryside. Have a fabulous holiday. Are going to be able to meet up with Monsieur Lodestone?
Here’s a taster.
Seconded….
How are you traveling to France? Boat,Train, Aeroplane? (Starts singing)
I’m fascinated by Travel plans.
You should write a blog.🤔
Also maybe download something from Nick Heyward.
This one. France 🇫🇷 likes a boogie too.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kyDm-Vb2Ppg3TNPie3mfm2XchMKHqeCOI
Wolcensmen – ‘Fire In The White Stone’
(produced by John Rivers who has worked with Dead Can Dance)
Very pagan folky. Very good indeed. One for Tolkien heads. Try this song for a starter.
As you’re enjoying the Bonnie Light Horseman album [fab, but you know that] why not investigate Fruit Bats, the band of BLH member Eric D. Johnson. You might also be familiar with another BLH member, Anais Mitchell, [Hadestown – amongst others] if not she is well worth your attention, although her voice is not to everyones taste.
Fruit Bats ‘Ocean’
Oh yes I know Anaïs. I love her voice though I understand who don’t. See also: Iris Dement.
Rebecca Tornqvist – Travel like in Songs. Yes she is one half of the Steely Dan Fire in the Hole covers album and has a lovely set of albums under her own name but I think this one the best.
I’ll recommend ‘A Wonderful World’ by Tony Bennett and K.D. Lang. Nice versions of standards. Katherine’s solo rendition of ‘Lucky Old Sun’ is just beatiful. Pity the title track has been done to death by too many other singers but the other tracks are great.
A Girl Called Eddy, “Been Around”
Seconded. You’ll love the ‘Dan influence, Twang
Jedward, ‘Voice Of A Rebel’. To cite just one of the reviews on Amazon: “Surprisingly brilliant, Inspiring, heartbreaking and totally relatable, Voice Of A Rebel is an album with hidden depths, some tracks stick out as instant hits, whilst others are more slow burners, but each one will eventually become a part of your life soundtrack..the 22 tracks, all written and produced by Jedward, start with the moving Soul Crushing, followed by such tracks as the seductive bodies in action and inspiring Respect Your Dreams, finally ending with the defiant title track Voice Of A Rebel! These twins have come a long way in the ten years since they first hit our TV screens and with this album, I feel, they have earned serious respect! I hope this Voice Of A Rebel gets the attention it deserves. 10/10”.
And to cite the other one: “I love this album so much! I’ve been listening to it non-stop since it first came out! Well done Jedward, it’s an absolute masterpiece!”
So.
@gary arf!
Here’s one that seems to slip under most people’s radar, but is an absolute stonker:
Orixé by Saturday Sun.
And here’s their song ‘Seagull’ on the youtubes…
My fave two French albums:
Les Négrésses Vertes – Famille Nombreuse. Think a French Pogues.
Mano Negra – either of the first two (Patchanka or Puta’s Fever). French/Spanish/Arabic and completely bonkers.
Hi Twang. Here’s a recently released album which seems to have passed The Afterword by but might be ideal listening when reflecting, as the sun goes down. It’s Forever Just Beyond by the ever overlooked Clem Snide.
Good shout. That track, Roger Ebert is beautiful and the rest of the album sounds promising. I see another of my favourite artists was involved, Scott Avett [of The Avett Brothers] producing and singing BV’s.
Speaking of The Avett’s, there’s another band worth a look for your trip, Twang. [Although best to avoid the most recent one]
The Avett Brothers ‘January Wedding’
Morning Twang. Not sure if it’s your thing but mention of the Go-betweens ⬆️ reminds me of their best album 16 Lovers Lane. Great well crafted songs and a lush production. Or failing that the debut album by Cherry Ghost, “ Thirst for Romance,” much admired by a few on here.
Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits.
12 Afterword friendly chanteuses (inc Aimee Mann, Phoebe Bridgers, Shelby Lynne & Alison Moorer, Corrine Bailey Rae, Patty Griffin, Roseanne Cash, Iris Dement and Courtney Marie Andrews) take on some of Tom’s top toe-tappers. I’m currently obsessed with this album and picking a favourite track is almost impossible.
One that I think might be up your strasse if you love Bonnie Light Horsemen is Three Queens in Mourning.
Basicaly it is Alex Neilson, Jill O’Sullivan, Alasdair Roberts and Luigi Pasquini (me neither) singing the songs of Bonnie Prince Billy and then he covers 4 of their songs at the end. There is an absolute belting version of I see a Darkness which was an essential song to begin with that they may just have improved upon.
I am amazed there are no reviews of this album – definitely up there and one I am sure @thecheshirecat may enjoy too and @retropath2
Missed that (recent) release, soundclouding it now! Sounds promising.
Not on Spotify though it seems
Some things less contemporaneous:
Louis Armstrong Hot Club period
Django Reinhardt
Ali Farka Toure – any album though you might prefer the smoother album with Ry Cooder
Derek Gripper – classical guitar plays West African kora
Toumani Diabate kora
Toumani Diabate and Ali Farka Toure
Something new:
– Nicole Atkins “Italian ice”
– Julianna Barwick “Healing is a miracle”
Something old:
– Camper Van Beethoven “Telephone free landslide victory”
– All that jazz (Music from the original motion picture soundtrack)
Well, I can’t do more than recommend some of my favourite ever French music: XXIII Fantasies by Eustache du Caurroy, which was shooting up the album charts in 1610.
Formidable!
I don’t think we have ever discussed Lori McKenna, so I don’t know if you’ll already have her in your library, but her latest The Balladeer sounds pretty good (I have only heard it twice, but it sounds up to her high standards).
If you’re not familiar with her but you like the new one, you could do worse than go back to The Tree and The Bird and The The Rifle
Here’s the title track of the new album
You clearly have enough here now Twang for your holiday, but I would like to recommend the new album by Jonathan Bree called ‘After The Curtains Close’. He’s a bit like Jarvis.
I think you’ll enjoy Rose City Band’s suitably titled Summerlong.
Have a great time!
It’s great, innit: very Deady I think.
I know you like your guitar so I’m going to suggest these three (sorry to be greedy)
Creedence Clearwater Revival Live at Woodstock. John Fogerty thought it wasn’t good enough for the film and soundtrack album. He was wrong.
Acoustic by Oumou Samgare. Brand new and utterly gorgeous
The Intercontinentals by Bill Frisell. My favourite album by one of my favourite guitarists
Have a go at Tom Hickox – Monsters In The Deep. Very good indeed.
Oh yes, good shout. Seconded although I’d probably marginally go for its predecessor ‘War Peace and Diplomacy’ if only for the excellent track ‘Out of the Warzone’. Great baritone voice. He’s the son of the revered orchestral conductor the late Richard Hickox.
Both are great aren’t they. Love a baritone – gives me a chance to sing along.
Just discovered he’s also done this track for the BBC as part of their Filmed in Lockdown series
https://www.facebook.com/BBCArtsOnline/videos/271977487468980/?vh=e&extid=njEF10Y2LsbUhJtT
Just caught up with this – very lovely indeed. Thanks for posting.
The Lemon Twigs ‘Go to School’. Absolutely brilliant. Beatlesque/Rundgrenesque and all manner of other great esques. Could easily have been released in 1971.
And, as we all know, there’s no praise higher than that.
👍
Awesome team, thanks. I’ve downloaded pretty much everything other than stuff I’ve got or know I won’t like (which isn’t much). What a great thread. Thanks.
Final thought – not much jazz there…
Got to be Coltrane’s Ballads album, then….suitable for all forms of travel….
Try Yesun by Roberto Fonseca and Wu Hen by Kamaal Williams.
Both have been played to death at my drum recently.
Ruby Rushton is jazz.
(Deliberately?) misleading name for an all-male quartet. Sax/flute, trumpet, keyboard, drums.
Actually, I thought of something else that might appeal to you and is there on Spotify.
Bill Nelson’s “Noise Candy”. A 6-CD set of unreleased ’90s stuff. That’d keep you busy.
Here’s some (mainly guitar) jazz for you – some of my all time favourites which I believe should be in every home!
Jimmy Giuffre –
Charlie Byrd –
Herb Ellis with Jimmy Giuffre
Jim Hall –
Herb Ellis & Charlie Byrd –
John Scofield –
I also recommend this
and this
https://youtu.be/cajSxnjQC00
Also, as you’re going to France . . .
Big Cabrel fans chez us.
You’re probably on your way now but I just remembered ‘Bellybutton’ by ‘Jellyfish’. Fabulous summertime album.
Here’s a taster.
Haven’t heard it yet, but the new Zara McFarlane is just burning time be played……
A bit like Melody Gardot’s The Absence, it’s a ‘musical departure’, exploring rhythms, styles and song structures outside of her comfort zone. It, therefore, requires patience and perseverance from the listener. It took me a long time to fully appreciate The Absence. I suspect Songs of an Unknown Tongue will continue to reveal secrets as time goes by.
Yes, it’s certainly a gear shift away: I had sped read the reviews and assumed dub reggae, as opposed to slightly dubby and electronica pre-reggae pre-ska pre-soca Jamaican folk. The wife told me to take it off, so that has to be a good sign. Her voice is as gorge as ever.
And you’ve made me want to look out the Absence too. I think I have it one play.
And you need this implanted into your head at volume.
You know, I adore TT and think she’s one of our greatest singers but that album did nothing for me. It’s the only one of everything she’s done I don’t have.
I agree. It’s disappointing on the whole but there are a couple of belters. Sister being one of them.
Not sure I got that far but on your platinum recommendation I’ll give it a go.
Not an album as such, but you might want to check out Robert Fripp’s “Music for Quiet Moments” series. He’s releasing a single piece every week on Spotify, and has been since lockdown started. Brilliant ambient Frippertronic stuff. I’ve put them all in a playlist (and I bet I’m far from alone in doing that!), so it’s kind of an album isn’t it?
Ooh could you post the playlist?
seconded
Let’s see if this works
Someone give it a try?
Yes it does! If you tap the Spotify icon you can Follow it. Thanks!
Just realised we have been to a few gigs together with @feedback_file!
We have indeed! And hopefully once live music becomes viable again there will be more!