The Blue Nile – From Rags to Riches

As I have mentioned before, Glasgow band The Blue Nile are one of my very favourites of all time. They make music of depth and beauty and I often find myself listening to them if I need to soothe a racing mind (as I do this morning).

This track is taken off the superb 1984 album A Walk Across the Rooftops which I listened to recently. It has become a very rare occurrence that I listen to a whole album but I was glad I did. I had forgotten how great it is. Seven songs of utter perfection.

I had a very enjoyable weekend. Great match and atmosphere and much fun had catching up with my two buddies. I really enjoyed the fact that a lot has changed for the three of us but at the same time nothing had changed.

The Blue Nile – A Walk Across the Rooftops:

The Blue Nile/RjK

Doves – There goes the fear

Having spent the weekend with two old school friends there are two reasons to post this classic track from favourites Doves. Firstly, it was a track I listened to endlessly during those days. Secondly, the fear is very much something I am feeling today…

It is taken from their excellent 2002 album The Last Broadcast. My final point about Doves is that they are one of the best live bands I know. If you ever get the chance to see them, I strongly recommend you take it.

/RjK

CHVRCHES* – The Mother We Share

That ‘V’ in their name is stylised, not pronounced. You just say ‘Churches.’

With that tiresome piece of administration out of the way, the real work of listening to the song can begin. Thought it’s not work at all, it’s easy peasy lemon squeezy.  Like a lot of the music that’s appealed to me lately, it’s a saccharine mix of melodies and synthesised beats.  It reminds me of Grimes and Purity Ring and a little of Haim. Grimes is really the only one out of those 3 whose music has had any staying power in my regular listening. It remains to be seen if CHVRCHES are going to stick as they have yet to release an LP.

The Scottish trio are ‘hotly tipped’ for 2013 and were featured on the BBC Sound of 2013 list, but don’t let that put you off.  Their other single, ‘Lies’ is also highly listenable so it’s looking likely that they’ll be able to pull off a solid album.

/HC

*Artist #602

Jeremih* – 773 Love | (NAT)

This track from Chicago rapper Jeremih was released toward the end of last year. It is a little insubstantial but it makes me want to move! Sometimes that’s I you need from a song.

/RjK

*Artist #601

Jah Youssouf* – M’Ami

600 and counting! I gave up trying to represent too much with one song and just picked my favourite song of 2013 that I hadn’t yet posted. It is probably fitting that it is from an African artist as World Music has perhaps been my most exciting discovery of the blog thus far.

Jah Youssouf is an artist from Mali, a region that I have been reading much about recently. Unfortunately most of it has been troubling.

This track is taken from his album Son Son Son and as with all the African music I love this sounds fresh and pure. Every time that I hear it I’m filled with joy.

If you are interested in some further listening check out this duet with his wife Bintou Coulibaly which was featured on the Okayafrica blog but alas I can’t find it on YouTube.

Jah Youssouf – Son Son Son:

Jah Youssouf

/RjK

*Artist #600!!!

Roni Size – New Forms

I’ll admit it – I’m completely bottling artist number 600. I just can’t pick one that represents the journey so far. Something new or old, obscure or cheesy. It’s too hard. Probably I should just man up and stop over thinking it!

I chose this track today for a couple of reasons (on top of the fact it’s a great song). Roni Size is a DJ from Bristol and that’s where I will be spending the weekend. I’m very much looking forward to watching Ireland play at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Secondly, my host for the weekend and old university housemate managed to fall asleep while watching Roni play live many moons ago, which was quite a feat! In his defence it had been a very long couple of days. At the same gig another buddy (who will also be in Bristol at the weekend) asked two songs into his set “why is the warm up act playing Roni Size songs?” All in all, it was a fun and very memorable night.

It’s taken from the 1997 album of the same name, which when I first came across it was just about the freshest thing I had ever heard. Heroes, a track which I have already posted would be in my top handful of tracks of the 90’s.

Roni Size – New Forms:

Roni Size - Heroes/RjK

New Order – Regret

As 365 days nears the milestone of reaching the 600th artist to be featured (599 and counting…) we have been taking stock of  what has been posted so far.

As part of this process I realised I had only posted one New Order track so far. Their legacy and lasting impact on the new music I hear today merits more than that.

Look out for artist number 600 in the coming days. Let me know if you have any suggestions…

/RjK

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah

Today finds me in a rather sombre mood and so the late, great Jeff Buckley seems a fitting choice. This is a cover of a Leonard Cohen classic and is taken from his startling debut album Grace.

It’s not a cry you can hear at night, it’s not somebody who has seen the light, it’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah…

Jeff Buckley – Grace:

Grace

/RjK

Björk – Unison (live at the Royal Opera House)

As I mentioned yesterday, I have been listening to lots of 90’s music recently. In the ‘Best of’ playlists I listen to and read Björk features prominently. While she did produce much great music in the 90’s it somehow doesn’t seem to fit with the other tracks. It just sounds so stark and futuristic. It is hard for me to process the fact that Play Dead was recorded before Girls and Boys.

This track is typical of what makes Björk so utterly great. If I was to try and summarise it I might suggest the depth of feeling and emotion along with the magnitude of imagination.

I don’t often find myself drawn to live versions of songs but, for a couple of reasons, I made an exception for this. I love the scale that setting together with the choir and orchestra gives this already epic track.

Bjork:

Bjork/RjK