Tag Archive for 1980’s

Paul Simon – The Obvious Child

Revisiting Pet Sounds last weekend (in various forms) got me thinking about albums. Of late, they have lost all meaning to me. I can’t think the last time I listened to one from start to finish.

But there will always be a few that I can’t escape. One such is The Rhythm of the Saints, from which this is taken. It got me thinking about World Music before I even knew it existed. If you don’t know it I recommend you give yourself a treat and check it out.

The Rhythm of the Saints:

The Rhythm of the Saints/RjK

 

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

Laura Nyro – Mother’s Spiritual


I was talking with a friend a couple of weeks ago about Joni Mitchell and it reminded me of Laura Nyro (like Nero) who was a 1960’s contemporary of hers.

This is from her 1984 album of the same name and is simple and quite beautiful. Some nice mellow, Sunday listening.

/RjK

*Artist #567

30th November 2012

Neneh Cherry* – Buffalo Stance (GPF) (Helen Chandler guest post)

I know very little about Neneh Cherry – she wasn’t really on my childhood music radar, except with ‘7 Seconds’ which was played on the radio a lot in 1994. Buffalo Stance is a song I came across much later – but I instantly felt like it reminded me of something.

I’ve heard it a lot over the last few years and it seems to be experiencing a resurgence. A quick search for the track on YouTube reveals that it’s currently being used as the intro music for Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals. That made me re-think posting it, but let’s be clear – I love it in spite of Jamie Oliver, not because of him.

Parts of the song still sound amazing – the main hook is kind of melancholy in a way that only ’80s music can be and the beat is one of those that sounds fresh in a retro sort of way. The lyrics and the ‘scratching’ have dated the track a bit, but I love Neneh’s attitude.

This fits really nicely into a Friday afternoon playlist full of ’80s and ’90s classics or brightens up a dull Monday. Enjoy it with mug of tea and a Fruit ‘n Nut.

/HC

*Artist #565