Van Morrison – Sweet Thing


There are a few of reasons why I wanted to post this today. Firstly, it’s awesome. It is one of the best tracks from my favourite album of all time. Astral Weeks is a masterpiece, wistful and captivating – it has been beguiling me since the first time I heard it.

Secondly, a couple of days recently have felt like winter is finally coming to a welcome end and this song always makes me think of spring. Full of vivid imagery, when I listen to it I can nearly smell the “gardens misty and wet with rain.”

Finally, Van Morrison is one of my heroes and guilt about not posting him already had been gnawing at me. Also, he is also Irish and today felt like a good day to post a fellow countryman.

Happy St.Patrick’s day to one and all.

16th March

Kate Bush – Cloudbusting

Kate Bush is one of my very top artists from the 1980’s (and I have a few). She is a national treasure, an eccentric who makes excellent and eclectic music.

It was hard to single out one track in particular but this is certainly up there with my favourites. Typical of her it is mystical and engaging. Also another interesting video, alas it is no Wuthering Heights but still pretty good.

/RjK

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Delphic – Doubt

Internet problems persist. Another up tempo, up and coming Manchester band who owe some of their sound to the 1980’s.

The Emotions – Best of my love


Post-move internet problems mean I will keep this brief. This is one of my all time favourite disco tracks. Try listening to it and not wanting to bust a move. Go on – I DARE you.

/RjK

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The Four Tops -Reach Out (I’ll be there)

Another classic Motown single – Also one I have loved for a long time.

High Contrast – Lovesick


Went to Fabric last night. Great night, but I am still reeling somewhat. Particularly my ears which haven’t stopped ringing yet. The soundsystem in there was insane.

A million years ago when I used to do a radio show in university I got very into Drum and Bass, and this was probably my favourite tune. Listening to (or maybe feeling the vibrations of) lots of Drum and Bass last night I was reminded of it. It is kind of euphoric.

/RjK

The White Stripes – Fell in love with a girl


I never really had much love for the white stripes. They were a bit too strange for my liking. However, I was out and about trying to raise some hell recently and a DJ played this. It might have been the most perfect marriage of song and mood I had ever experienced (I was the better for a few pints of Guiness).

Short, energetic and raucous – if you need to get your blood racing, I suggest giving this a look. Also, the retro Lego video is a winner.

/RjK

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Bee Gees – More than a woman
 

I am in the process of moving house. It never gets any more fun does it? Anyway, I have just finished boxing up my records. In there I found the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, an LP I had forgotten that I owned. It is full of great tunes, but this one grabbed me most today.

An added bonus is the amazing video here. You can’t beat a bit of disco now and again.

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The Band – The night they drove old Dixie down

Similar to Cortez the killer, this is a history lesson wrapped in an excellent song. My school curriculum didn’t feature any Conquistadors or Civil Wars (not American ones at any rate) so tracks like these are illuminating for me. The lyrics weave a rich narrative. Also, Virgil (the protagonist) is an excellent name – both a classic Roman poet and a Thunderbird.

Finally, this song features in a classic concert and documentary – the last waltz, capturing the end of The Band’s touring career. It featured guest appearances from lots of the great and good from the mid-70’s including a performance from my ultimate musical hero – Van Morrison.

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Two Door Cinema Club – Undercover Martyn

These guys are a band from Northern Ireland, and are signed to the same label as Phoenix (I seem to have made several references to them recently – not sure why). Despite reading several glowing reviews I am yet to be wowed by too much of their stuff.

However, I have been enjoying this track a lot recently. What I most like about it is the intro, which I think is great. The rest of the song is pretty good too, jangly and energetic – two excellent qualities in a pop song.