Daryl Hall, one half of soft rock/yacht rock/generally smooth guys Hall and Oates, gets together with King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp in 1977 and records a weird, sonically challenging album. RCA Records shelve the album, as while it is pretty catchy, it is also strange enough to potentially scare off the legions of Hall and Oates fans. The album, Sacred Songs, is finally released in 1980. And there’s your context. Read the rest of this entry »
I could do with more than 16 seconds of this – a very brief teaser of the new Jenny Lewis album The Voyager. Her first solo album Rabbit Fur Coat is up there as one of my favourite albums ever. It is rare to have such great lyrics, such a great voice and so many great songs all working so well together, yet time and again Lewis manages it. This new album sees her working with my all-time favourite Ryan Adams. So, I’m rather excited about this release. Probably too excited. Anyway, enjoy the 16 seconds.
In Woody Allen’s Manhattan the protagonist Issac Davis talks into a tape recorder, listing what he believes makes life worth living. It is a key scene and a clever device. The list gives us an insight into Davis’ personality, his motivations, his desires:
“Why is life worth living? It’s a very good question. There are certain things I guess that make it worthwhile. Like what…okay…For me, I would say… what, Groucho Marx, to name one thing…and Willie Mays…and the second movement of the Jupiter Symphony…and Louis Armstrong, recording of Potato Head Blues…Swedish movies, naturally… Sentimental Education by Flaubert…Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra…those incredible Apples and Pears by Cezanne…the crabs at Sam Wo’s…Tracy’s face…” Read the rest of this entry »
A new Sharon Van Etten track, a taster for her new album Are We There, due for release in late May. Her previous album Tramp is one of my favourite albums of the last few years. Van Etten can clearly write great songs, but can also create a mood. It is a kind of nebulous concept, but her songs have this feel that you just don’t hear elsewhere, sort of smoky, monochrome, but also heartfelt. Rough around the edges without just sounding a bit baggy. Read the rest of this entry »
I think I’ve reached the age where I have this small group of favourite bands, will listen to whatever they produce, and be happy with that. Read the rest of this entry »
Wait until next year 