Paul Simon – Spirit Voices


I revisited Rhythm of the saints over the weekend and have been unable to stop listening to it subsequently. I was remiss to neglect it and Graceland when considering my favourite back to back albums recently.

What was odd was that I was able to recite the songs word for word despite the fact I can’t ever remember consciously listening to the album. It must have been a big hit with my dad and while I can’t remember when or where I listened to it (repeatedly, it would seem) I clearly heard it. Is it strange that some of my most vivid memories from my early childhood are musical?

I really struggled to settle on one song (in the end this just shaded it over Born at the right time). It is soft and dreamlike – full of rich images and eclectic sounds from around the globe.

And all of these spirit voices
Sing rainwater, sea water
River water, holy water
Wrap this child in mercy – heal her
Heaven’s only daughter

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Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy

Wow. I heard this for the first time in a long time over the weekend and it still made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. How can it be more than 20 years old? Also, how did only make number 13 in the charts (back then they even meant something)?

Additionally, I really like this video. The way she is just keeps walking along through the hustle and bustle compliments the otherworldliness of the song. Plus I am a real sucker for scenes from urban America.

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The Police – So Lonely

This is another classic 80’s video (Hello Sting’s glasses and mullet, along with all the other style around him, not to mention – what are those things they are talking into?) But more than that I really like the song.

Sting has become something of a pretentious caricature recently but revisiting the police I can’t argue with the fact that they made some great tunes.

23rd April

Ash – Kung Fu

I heard a live recording of this played on 6music this week and nostalgia washed over me. 1977 was a massive album in my early days of secondary school. Northern Irish lads riding the britpop wave and making great music, it was all quite exciting. On reflection Two Door Cinema Club remind me a little of them.

I don’t know if they have done anything as good since (although Free All Angels wasn’t bad) but listening to this track, or Goldfinger or Oh Yeah returns me to a simpler time.

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Errol Dunkley – You’re gonna need me

This has an old fashioned simplicity which I really like. Also, I thought it was about time I posted some reggae.

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Sam and Dave – Soul man

I’m a soul man. Or so I would certainly like to think.

I think the test of a great song, certainly a great soul tune, is that it makes you want to move. Well, this makes me want to MOVE. I can’t see how it wouldn’t. Those horns and that base. Yikes!

I was brought up on a side street. I learned how to love before I could eat…I’m a soul man

20th April

De La Soul – Eye Know

De La Soul, and 3 feet high and rising in particular changed the way I thought about music. It blew my mind. Creative, playful and funky – 16 year-old Rob had never heard anything like it. And I haven’t looked back since.

Posting Steely Dan a few days ago made me feel guilty that I hadn’t posted something by these guys already. The eagle-eared amoungst you will will spot the sample of Peg in this track.

Stevie Wonder – Signed, sealed, delivered (I’m yours)


It was a glorious day today in London, the weather felt like summer had arrived. I also had a fun evening catching up with an old friend over a couple of beers.

I thought I would post something suitably upbeat to match my mood and this came to mind.

/RjK

18th April

Muddy Waters – Mannish Boy

Muddy Waters is a bad ass. Not least because I think Muddy Waters is an all time great name for a blues man.

He wrote the song that gave The Rolling Stones got their name. Check this amazing video. It is great not least for the contrast between Muddy – poised in an immaculate 3-piece and Mick Jagger – hyperactive in a red shell suit.

If you like Soul or Blues I also recommend checking out Cadillac Records. It is the story of Chess Records (Muddy Waters, Etta James, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf…). I thoroughly enjoyed it and Muddy’s character just about steals the show in my opinion.

Aside

Caribou – Odessa

Sometimes you can’t escape the cosmos. When I heard from 4 or 5 separate sources that I should check out this guy curiosity got the better of me. And when his Wikipedia page charecterised him as a mathematician first and musician second, I couldn’t help but like him.

This track was particularly recommended by an old friend who often has to suffer me droning on about music, so cheers to him for that. It is mellow but dense with some dark undertones that give it an interesting and complex air.