Listening to.......

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

A French radio station “fip”. A truly eclectic mix of music.

So far this morning I’ve had a reggae version of Paranoid, Forest by Tudor Lodge feat Linda Peters (wonder what happened to her?) a classical piece I recognised but can’t remember the name, Bob Dylan singing I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You, some great jazz & loads of other stuff I didn’t write down.

I haven’t listened to another radio station since it was recommended to me.

[GubGub (Al)]

Two new albums from artists well into their sixth decade of making music.

Seven Psalms - Paul Simon

He is one of the absolute touchstones of my musical life and I love everything from The Paul Simon Songbook to The Rhythm of the Saints. After that things get patchier. There are songs I like but rarely complete albums. He seemed to forget how to write memorable tunes and this one continues in that vein. Melodic certainly but largely devoid of hooks. From his back catalogue it reminds me most of all of Songs From The Capeman. Sadly it is not going to displace Still Crazy After All These Years or One Trick Pony in my affections.

O Sun, O Moon - Bruce Cockburn

By contrast, quite simply one of the best records of his career. Deeply spiritual and confronting his mortality as many records by older artists seem to now but it has melodies and lyrics that instantly lodge in the brain and is an album of enormous compassion and dignity.

One thing that connects both records in a negative way however. Lyrics about Covid that will date them faster than yesterday's newspapers. I never want to hear a song about or be reminded of the depths of the pandemic and I am sure I am not alone, so Simon's repeated "The Covid virus is The Lord", though possibly not intended the way it reads, is not helpful.

[Paul B]

I was waiting for a review GG as yours are always interesting and thoughtful -I am expecting the Paul Simon CD today and will listen with an open-ish, pretty sceptical, mind -the consensus of the on-line and print reviewers is overwhelmingly positive, which is sometimes a red flag for me.
As for Mr Cockburn I will investigate as I have not really explored his work in any depth unlike others -Neil Y, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell, Dave Alvin etc

[Nick Reg]

Two new albums from artists well into their sixth decade of making music.

Seven Psalms - Paul Simon

He is one of the absolute touchstones of my musical life and I love everything from The Paul Simon Songbook to The Rhythm of the Saints. After that things get patchier. There are songs I like but rarely complete albums. He seemed to forget how to write memorable tunes and this one continues in that vein. Melodic certainly but largely devoid of hooks. From his back catalogue it reminds me most of all of Songs From The Capeman. Sadly it is not going to displace Still Crazy After All These Years or One Trick Pony in my affections.

O Sun, O Moon - Bruce Cockburn

By contrast, quite simply one of the best records of his career. Deeply spiritual and confronting his mortality as many records by older artists seem to now but it has melodies and lyrics that instantly lodge in the brain and is an album of enormous compassion and dignity.

One thing that connects both records in a negative way however. Lyrics about Covid that will date them faster than yesterday's newspapers. I never want to hear a song about or be reminded of the depths of the pandemic and I am sure I am not alone, so Simon's repeated "The Covid virus is The Lord", though possibly not intended the way it reads, is not helpful.

I too have been listening to new albums by oldies, in my case Paul Simon and Graham Nash. Both myself and Mrs Reg have been long time fans of Paul Simon and have seen him twice (plus 2 tribute bands -Gary Stewarts Graceland are rather good). The new album is excrutiating and we couldnt even get half way through. Dull in the extreme. On the other hand the Nash on first hearing is pretty good. No over complications and bottom disappearing there at all. I am making up somewhat for grossly undervaluing him throught the latter part of the 70's , the 80's and 90's. Finally seeing him with Crosby and CSN made me realise how much he brought to the whole. Well worth a listen.

[Will S]

Just listening to the Paul Simon album on Spotify.  Will withhold judgment till I've heard the whole thing.

Thanks for the review of the Bruce Cockburn album - will definitely follow up on that one (I hadn't realised it was out already).

[wayne stote]

Two new albums from artists well into their sixth decade of making music.

Seven Psalms - Paul Simon

He is one of the absolute touchstones of my musical life and I love everything from The Paul Simon Songbook to The Rhythm of the Saints. After that things get patchier. There are songs I like but rarely complete albums. He seemed to forget how to write memorable tunes and this one continues in that vein. Melodic certainly but largely devoid of hooks. From his back catalogue it reminds me most of all of Songs From The Capeman. Sadly it is not going to displace Still Crazy After All These Years or One Trick Pony in my affections.

O Sun, O Moon - Bruce Cockburn

By contrast, quite simply one of the best records of his career. Deeply spiritual and confronting his mortality as many records by older artists seem to now but it has melodies and lyrics that instantly lodge in the brain and is an album of enormous compassion and dignity.

One thing that connects both records in a negative way however. Lyrics about Covid that will date them faster than yesterday's newspapers. I never want to hear a song about or be reminded of the depths of the pandemic and I am sure I am not alone, so Simon's repeated "The Covid virus is The Lord", though possibly not intended the way it reads, is not helpful.

I too have been listening to new albums by oldies, in my case Paul Simon and Graham Nash. Both myself and Mrs Reg have been long time fans of Paul Simon and have seen him twice (plus 2 tribute bands -Gary Stewarts Graceland are rather good). The new album is excrutiating and we couldnt even get half way through. Dull in the extreme. On the other hand the Nash on first hearing is pretty good. No over complications and bottom disappearing there at all. I am making up somewhat for grossly undervaluing him throught the latter part of the 70's , the 80's and 90's. Finally seeing him with Crosby and CSN made me realise how much he brought to the whole. Well worth a listen.

Agreed on the new Graham Nash album. Very enjoyable on early acquaintance. His last one, This Path Tonight, has been one of my highlights of the last decade, and it's looking promising that Now might match its impact.

[Ian_]

Two new albums from artists well into their sixth decade of making music.

Seven Psalms - Paul Simon

He is one of the absolute touchstones of my musical life and I love everything from The Paul Simon Songbook to The Rhythm of the Saints. After that things get patchier. There are songs I like but rarely complete albums. He seemed to forget how to write memorable tunes and this one continues in that vein. Melodic certainly but largely devoid of hooks. From his back catalogue it reminds me most of all of Songs From The Capeman. Sadly it is not going to displace Still Crazy After All These Years or One Trick Pony in my affections.

O Sun, O Moon - Bruce Cockburn

By contrast, quite simply one of the best records of his career. Deeply spiritual and confronting his mortality as many records by older artists seem to now but it has melodies and lyrics that instantly lodge in the brain and is an album of enormous compassion and dignity.

One thing that connects both records in a negative way however. Lyrics about Covid that will date them faster than yesterday's newspapers. I never want to hear a song about or be reminded of the depths of the pandemic and I am sure I am not alone, so Simon's repeated "The Covid virus is The Lord", though possibly not intended the way it reads, is not helpful.

 Personally I'm liking the new Paul Simon album, took me more than one listen to get into it but it has many exquisite moments both musically and lyrically. Not a 'pop' album by any means but it rings with spiritual depth  

[mickf]

Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society.

A little late to the 'Holy Crape ! Do You Remember Walter is Mr Blue Sky party (or the other way round),' but it's about time I listened to a proper Kinks album, as opposed to Greatest Hits collections.

I was more familiar with some of the songs than I realised, and I'm enjoying wallowing in the Sixties nostalgia of that weird green carpet my parents bought that provided city streets for my Matchbox cars while I listened to the radio on the Grundig stereogram.

Good stuff from way back when.

I love that album, must give it another listen

[Jules Gray]

Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society.

A little late to the 'Holy Crape ! Do You Remember Walter is Mr Blue Sky party (or the other way round),' but it's about time I listened to a proper Kinks album, as opposed to Greatest Hits collections.

I was more familiar with some of the songs than I realised, and I'm enjoying wallowing in the Sixties nostalgia of that weird green carpet my parents bought that provided city streets for my Matchbox cars while I listened to the radio on the Grundig stereogram.

Good stuff from way back when.

I love that album, must give it another listen

In another dimension, every track on VGPS was a hit single.

Jules

[Peter Allen]

I think I bought an expanded version of VGPS , I need to dig it out to try the bonus stuff , I didn't bother at the time as the original album on CD1 well that seemed to say it all...but maybe worth a revisit if I can find discs 2 + 3

[Jules Gray]

I think I bought an expanded version of VGPS , I need to dig it out to try the bonus stuff , I didn't bother at the time as the original album on CD1 well that seemed to say it all...but maybe worth a revisit if I can find discs 2 + 3

Remarkably, that old 3 disc edition still had some crucual tracks missing. I made my own expanded double album length version.

Jules

[Nick Reg]

Fenne Lily - Big Picture. What a find. A tip off from a friend living in Germany where she has toured with Lucy Dacus. Fans of Lucy , Boygenius or Mazzy Star will love this.

[Andy]

Peter Gabriel albums

[Poor Will (Bill)]

Barclay James Harvest “Once Again” 4 disc version.
The 5.1 remix is stunning!

[Phil Perry]

I never quite forgave the VGPS for making a list of all things quintessentially English ... and then including Mickey Mouse  

[Jules Gray]

I never quite forgave the VGPS for making a list of all things quintessentially English ... and then including Mickey Mouse  

Donald Duck, to be accurate.

Jules

[Alan2]

Renaissance  :  A Song for All Seasons  (Cherry Red LP,  2023).

[GubGub (Al)]

A bunch of John Hiatt albums to accompany a biography that I am currently reading.

Interested to learn that Gerry Conway played on one of my favourite of his albums, Slug Line. I wonder how that connection was made as the album was recorded in the UD and it is not the sort of music I would normally associate with Gerry.

[ColinB]

Meg Baird - Furling.

I'm new to her music having heard a track from this album on the latest Mojo cd. It's one of these records that occasionally makes you pause for thought because you're reminded of other artists but you can't think who. This review does mention Sandy Denny and Fairport so that could be the link.

https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2023/01/meg-baird-furling/

[Yorkshire Chris]

Meg Baird is amazing. I saw her at the Brudenell in Leeds when she was over here promoting 'Don't Weigh Down the Light' in 2015. Met her after the gig and she's lovely.