Over the past twelve months I, like lots of you, have been able to make music a much more important part of my working day. Inbetween Zoom calls the stereo is on in my front room/office and I’ve evolved a listening pattern that helps me focus while also keeping me musically interested. Absolutely no ‘Working Acoustic Mellow Piano Focus’ playlists from Spotify.

The first thing on is always classical. After working through Tom Service’s 50 Symphonies list, and after complete Mahler and Sibelius symphony cycles it’s now a lot of Bach Sonatas and Partitas.

Then it’s jazz – Count Basie, EST, Ellington, Shorter – instrumental and nothing too way out there (or ‘Squonk’ as we say in our house)

After that I’m ready for something a bit more ‘focus’ – so longform electronica such as Underworld, Thievery Corporation is often the last thing before lunch.

In the afternoon I’m ready for vocals so it might be a bit of Specials, Surfjan Stevens or Stars (am on the ‘S’ artists at the moment).

Then as energy and focus wane I’m prepared to trade slight distraction for energy, Thin Lizzy, Sonic Youth, Weller or some Crazy Horse can help me eke out » Continue Reading.