Listening to.......

[GubGub (Al)]

Proxy Music by Linda Thompson which is wonderful. It seems to be a vey autobiographical album which is ironic considering that Linda doesn't sing a note of it. The opening track is so good that I almost wish Linda had asked Kami to sing the whole album. Warning for those of a nervous disposition, Rufus Wainwright is very Rufus Wainwright.

Ironically, I have been listening to nothing but Rufus Wainwright since seeing/ hearing him on Saturday…it truly was the greatest performance I have ever experienced.

Don't get me wrong.i like Rufus and have a number of his albums but some find him an acquired taste. He can be a bit ripe sometimes.

[davidmjs]

Proxy Music by Linda Thompson which is wonderful. It seems to be a vey autobiographical album which is ironic considering that Linda doesn't sing a note of it. The opening track is so good that I almost wish Linda had asked Kami to sing the whole album. Warning for those of a nervous disposition, Rufus Wainwright is very Rufus Wainwright.

Ironically, I have been listening to nothing but Rufus Wainwright since seeing/ hearing him on Saturday…it truly was the greatest performance I have ever experienced.

I know some crazy Rufus devotees.  He can definitely do no wrong.  I've tried, but nah...I'll stick to listening to his Mum and Dad (and even sister) over him, I'm afraid.

[fat Billy(Bill)]

Proxy Music by Linda Thompson which is wonderful. It seems to be a vey autobiographical album which is ironic considering that Linda doesn't sing a note of it. The opening track is so good that I almost wish Linda had asked Kami to sing the whole album. Warning for those of a nervous disposition, Rufus Wainwright is very Rufus Wainwright.

Ironically, I have been listening to nothing but Rufus Wainwright since seeing/ hearing him on Saturday…it truly was the greatest performance I have ever experienced.

I know some crazy Rufus devotees.  He can definitely do no wrong.  I've tried, but nah...I'll stick to listening to his Mum and Dad (and even sister) over him, I'm afraid.

Yup, me too

[Alan2]

I can't get along with Rufus's voice.  I'm sure he has talent, but I heard him do 'Who knows Where the Time Goes' and that was definitely where he lost his last chance with me.

[ColinB]

I can't get along with Rufus's voice.  I'm sure he has talent, but I heard him do 'Who knows Where the Time Goes' and that was definitely where he lost his last chance with me.

I find the same thing with Teddy Thompson. I'm a big fan of his sister Kami who has done some fine stuff with James Walbourne in The Rails but I only have one of Teddy's albums and haven't felt the need to listen to any more of his music.

But his contributions to his mum's records have been invaluable. I get the impression that he's been the driving force behind Linda's releases since Fashionably Late. I'm enjoying Proxy Music. Love the track with The Unthanks.

Currently listening to Tom Kitching's new release Where There's Brass. He's joined by Marit Falt and the tunes have been inspired by his time living on a narrowboat on the London canals.  

[davidmjs]

I can't get along with Rufus's voice.  I'm sure he has talent, but I heard him do 'Who knows Where the Time Goes' and that was definitely where he lost his last chance with me.

I find the same thing with Teddy Thompson. I'm a big fan of his sister Kami who has done some fine stuff with James Walbourne in The Rails but I only have one of Teddy's albums and haven't felt the need to listen to any more of his music.

But his contributions to his mum's records have been invaluable. I get the impression that he's been the driving force behind Linda's releases since Fashionably Late. I'm enjoying Proxy Music. Love the track with The Unthanks.

Definitely the best track on it.  I've got to be honest, I don't really agree with the inflated hype around this album.  It's mostly (there's a couple I can't abide) enjoyable but I can't imagine it being listened to for any great length of time.

[GubGub (Al)]

I can't get along with Rufus's voice.  I'm sure he has talent, but I heard him do 'Who knows Where the Time Goes' and that was definitely where he lost his last chance with me.

I find the same thing with Teddy Thompson. I'm a big fan of his sister Kami who has done some fine stuff with James Walbourne in The Rails but I only have one of Teddy's albums and haven't felt the need to listen to any more of his music.

But his contributions to his mum's records have been invaluable. I get the impression that he's been the driving force behind Linda's releases since Fashionably Late. I'm enjoying Proxy Music. Love the track with The Unthanks.

Definitely the best track on it.  I've got to be honest, I don't really agree with the inflated hype around this album.  It's mostly (there's a couple I can't abide) enjoyable but I can't imagine it being listened to for any great length of time.

Hype? I am unaware of any hype. I think it is a genuinely charming album. I don't love every track but I really like most of them and don't dislike any. It is certainly a damn site better than that Thompson farrago from some years ago.

[davidmjs]

I can't get along with Rufus's voice.  I'm sure he has talent, but I heard him do 'Who knows Where the Time Goes' and that was definitely where he lost his last chance with me.

I find the same thing with Teddy Thompson. I'm a big fan of his sister Kami who has done some fine stuff with James Walbourne in The Rails but I only have one of Teddy's albums and haven't felt the need to listen to any more of his music.

But his contributions to his mum's records have been invaluable. I get the impression that he's been the driving force behind Linda's releases since Fashionably Late. I'm enjoying Proxy Music. Love the track with The Unthanks.

Definitely the best track on it.  I've got to be honest, I don't really agree with the inflated hype around this album.  It's mostly (there's a couple I can't abide) enjoyable but I can't imagine it being listened to for any great length of time.

Hype? I am unaware of any hype. I think it is a genuinely charming album. I don't love every track but I really like most of them and don't dislike any. It is certainly a damn site better than that Thompson farrago from some years ago.

I'm not slagging it off (although it probably sounds a bit like it, for which apologies).  There's a huge amount of publicity out there - multi page articles and 5-star reviews in every publication going.  Ok, hype is the wrong word but the amount of words written about it seems disproportionate to what it actually is.  But, yes, 'charming'...

[Alan2]

Joni Mitchell  :  The Asylum Albums  1976-1980  (Asylum  6LP boxed set, 2024).

A joy and a delight.  My first  time purchases  in ye olde format for Shadows and Light and  Don Juan's Reckless Daughter.   Every album (there are 4) is well mastered and pressed and the artwork looks good.  The exception is DJRD, which has new artwork for more enlightened times 🤔.    The original sleeve showed a drawing of Joni in blackface.

[Jules Gray]

The exception is DJRD, which has new artwork for more enlightened times 🤔.  The original sleeve showed a drawing of Joni in blackface.

Wow - I had no idea that was Joni.

Jules

[davidmjs]

The exception is DJRD, which has new artwork for more enlightened times 🤔.  The original sleeve showed a drawing of Joni in blackface.

Wow - I had no idea that was Joni.

Jules

The new cover is kind of 'nothing' though, isn't it?

[Alan2]

The exception is DJRD, which has new artwork for more enlightened times 🤔.  The original sleeve showed a drawing of Joni in blackface.

Wow - I had no idea that was Joni.

Jules

The new cover is kind of 'nothing' though, isn't it?

Let's say it doesn't do the album any favours.

[Alan2]

Tanita Tikaram  :  The East West  albums, 1988- 1985  (Cherry Red  5CD  boxed set, 2024).

She played Glastonbury this year apparently.

A talented singer and writer imo, who seems to go  just below the radar.

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

Tanita Tikaram  :  The East West  albums, 1988- 1985  (Cherry Red  5CD  boxed set, 2024).

She played Glastonbury this year apparently.

A talented singer and writer imo, who seems to go  just below the radar.

She was on the Acoustic Stage, as were many other great acts. Such a shame the BBC doesn’t show that stage.

[Alan2]

Tanita Tikaram  :  The East West  albums, 1988- 1985  (Cherry Red  5CD  boxed set, 2024).

She played Glastonbury this year apparently.

A talented singer and writer imo, who seems to go  just below the radar.

She was on the Acoustic Stage, as were many other great acts. Such a shame the BBC doesn’t show that stage.

According to her Facebook page, the performance went down well but she was struck down with covid straight afterwards.  Get well soon Tanita  😊

[Alan2]

Greenslade:  At the BBC  (Repertoire 2CD, 2024).

Well I've got all the Greenslade on CD I need now. This is well.put together and the recordings are mostly very good.  You get the voices of Alan Black and Whispering Bob Harris too .

[Alan2]

Fairport Convention: A Tree With  Roots - Fsirport Convention play Dylan. (UMC CD, 2018).

I've said before I don't care for Dylan, so get used to it,  people.  But this is a satisfying listen, I find. Apart from the 3 or so off air recordings, i like every track to some degree, and one or 2 are priceless-  Sandy solo doing  'It Ain't  Me Babe' for instance.

[GubGub (Al)]

I have for many years wanted to get into Phil Ochs, having heard covers of his songs by others but it is a bewildering catalogue and I have never really known where to start so I haven't.

However I have this week been listening to Far Rockaway, the new album of Phil Ochs songs by Phil Odgers and John Kettle and it is a really beautiful album which has of course resurrected my desire to hear the originals. For the time being, this is heartily recommended. Maybe my favourite record of the year so far.

[Jules Gray]

I have for many years wanted to get into Phil Ochs, having heard covers of his songs by others but it is a bewildering catalogue and I have never really known where to start so I haven't.

I'm a huge Phil Ochs fan. His greatest two albums are Pleasures of the Harbor and Rehearsals for Retirement, both from his more poetic and introspective late 60s period when he recorded for A&M Records. Both are now out of print, but if you see either going for a fair price (in any format) my advice would be to snap them up immediately. Utterly wonderful records.

Jules

[David V B]

Totally agree. There is a very good compilation, There But For Fortune which has most of his best known material. Can also recommend Days of Decision, a tribute album to Phil Ochoa released by Martyn Joseph a few years ago and available from his website. Comes with the seal of approval of Phil Ochs’ sister.