Desert Island Album #3

Jeff Buckley-Grace

Released in 1994, this was Jeff's only completed studio album. This could quite possibly be the best vocal delivery ever recorded. For me, this is such a complete record. From the moment 'Mojo Pin' begins to the second that 'Dream Brother' ends, you've been taken on an emotional journey that leaves you feeling completely drained.

Jeff's voice is so on the money throughout: empowering, delicate, fragile, natural, encompassing and extremely haunting. For many, the only experience of Jeff is most likely to be in the form of his great cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'. Whilst this is, of course, brilliant....there is so much more to the record. Look no further than the opening six seconds of 'Lilac Wine', surely enough to get you interested.

The strongest memory that I have of this record is of walking at about 1am in the morning, in the pitch black, having just left my university house. The album was on full blast through some great headphones and I completely lost myself. I could have carried on walking endlessly without knowing (or caring) where I was headed for. I remember finding it quite spooky at first, all alone in the dark back streets of a not-so-great area, listening to Jeff screaming midway through 'Lover You Should've Come Over'. I recall the moment so clearly and remember finding it so strange having a conversation with another person after i had turned it off. It felt like being knocked back down to earth all too abruptly.

At the age of 30, Jeff accidentally drowned in the Wolf River (Memphis). I would've loved to have had more albums from him; but this one was so perfect, that anything else would've struggled (big-time) to match up. Such a great musician, with undeniably one of the most powerful records of the 90s.

Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child

I'm sure many of you caught this last night, but for those who didn't, it's definitely worth a watch:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tw2db/Jimi_Hendrix_Voodoo_Child/

Nothing needs to be said about Hendrix's talent. 'Electric Ladyland' is one of my favourite 60s records and just about tips 'Are You Experienced' and 'Axis: Bold As Love' for me.

John Prescott on music

Why not?

Whether it's your thing or not, I think that anyone who watched Jools last night would have enjoyed her beautiful vocals:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/sep/22/john-prescott-rumer-karen-carpenter

currently listening to...Camille

Camille-Le Fil

I was recommended this by a good friend who has recently spent a year in France. Right from the initial note that carries throughout the album (the singer calls this 'her note'), you are drawn in by the home-made beats and sexy vocals.

Brilliantly, some people took the record back asking for a refund, thinking that the note in the background was a fault: http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1743651.htm

Fans of Bjork should take note.

New Music # 11 John Grant

After his time fronting The Czars, and not quite making 'it'; John Grant released his debut solo album 'Queen Of Denmark' earlier this year on Bella Union.

The record has been received extremely well by the press, most praising the thought-provoking nature of its lyrics, rooted in John's feelings of isolation and alienation. Although it is driven by a predominantly folky sound, each track has a poppy feel to it, which make it very listenable and easy to get through.

Don't be fooled by some of the lighthearted melodies, this is a record filled with the thoughts of a man who has recovered from painful addictions and struggled with the contemplation of suicide.

'I Wanna Go To Marz' is the obvious one to listen to first. Great track.

John is on tour with Midlake over the next few months.

Atoms For Peace footage

Live footage from Fuji Rock Festival 2010:

http://www.nme.com/news/atoms-for-peace/53093

Desert Island Album #2

The Smiths-The Queen Is Dead

The Smiths were one of the 2 bands that got me into music (properly). I remember, (extremely well), being in my friends room early one evening, and their name came up. It seems so funny now, but I asked him to play me a song, to see if I liked it. I can't imagine where I'd start if someone were to ask me the same question now, but I guess it would have to be with 'This Charming Man', which is where it all did for me. As I listened, I remember thinking that I'd never heard anything quite like Johnny Marr's guitar. It was sort of weird, quirky, playful, yet utterly listenable. As the track finished, I asked for more. This is where it started.

It may be cool to like The Smiths. It may be uncool. They're one of those iconic bands where if you like them, you tend to love them, live by them and swear by them. Each of their 4 studio albums that were released between 1984-1987 were brilliant. 'The Queen Is Dead' has always just about stood out (marginally). Beyond the obvious 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out', 'Bigmouth Strikes Again', 'The Boy With The Thorn In His Side' and 'I Know It's Over', there are so many other gems. 'Cemetry Gates is arguably my favourite Smiths track. 'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others' makes me laugh out loud every time I hear it, and 'Frankly Mr Shankly' shows Morrissey (lyrically) at the top of his game.

You may have read my earlier blog on Morrissey and his antics today, and think I'm a hater. This couldn't be further from the truth. Having seen him live, you can't help but love him. He may have fallen down my list a bit these days, but his work in The Smiths is untouchable and unforgettable. Having said this, I do fall on the Johnny side (if/when it comes down to it). I don't know anyone else whose guitar sounds like his. I can try a million times, learn every song, every chord progression, but it just doesn't come close.

Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce's involvement often goes unnoticed, which is stupidly unfair. Without them, they simply wouldn't have been The Smiths.

The day I discovered Radiohead's cover of 'Headmaster Ritual' was one of those days you don't forget. Your favourite band (superbly) covering your second favourite band. For those of you who haven't enjoyed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtmS2ePSSdU

I think they're one of the only bands that are a constant for me. Whatever mood I'm in, whatever week I've had, The Smiths can, and usually do, fit into it. The lyrics are so humorous and farcical, whilst touching on such important issues, that you can't help but cling onto every single word.

They may have only released four (sublime) albums, but there's tons of great tracks lying about. 'Is It Really So Strange', 'Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want', 'Jean', 'Half A Person' and 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' are just a handful of others that deserve a religious kind of attention.

I love thinking about the day when I didn't know who they were. I think about how long I've spent listening to the music, reading the lyrics and discovering the stories.

PS. 'Vulgar Picture' had to come from somewhere. A Smiths album track is never a bad place to start.

Unequal Opportunities with John Humphrys

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00txmtm/Unequal_Opportunities_with_John_Humphrys/

'All this talk about equality. The only thing people really have in common is that they are all going to die'. Bob Dylan

New Music #10 Detroit Social Club

The Newcastle-born quintet, Detroit Social Club, have been hotly tipped by NME and other excitable music reviewers. In spite of this, they sound great. More often than not a band that is overly-hyped in the press, fails to live up to it. They may not have taken the world to storm quite yet, but a bright future is looking more and more likely.

'Northern Man' has some relationship with SkySports which gets them a pretty big audience itself, and the track has been gaining airtime of its own recently. The album, 'Existence', fuses messy rock with playful guitar lines, mixed together with some rather gripping harmonies.

The record is saturated with influences. The obvious ones include De La Soul, The Velvet Underground, Kasabian, Oasis, The Coral, Beck and Iggy Pop. You can hear bits of each throughout, amongst many others. To be honest there isn't a weak track. 'Rivers and Rainbows' catches you immediately, whilst 'Kiss The Sun' and 'Chemistry' build superbly. So many great ones to choose from.

Touring the UK at the moment, they're worth catching live before they evolve into bigger venues.

currently listening to...Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers-Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Released in 1991, this is such a hard-hitting album. Groovy, funky, rocky and raw. Great musicians giving it their all. Probably has to be my favourite Chili Peppers album.

currently listening to...Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd-Wish You Were Here

Every time I listen to this album I think it's the best ever. The sound of Gilmour's guitar is perhaps my favourite of any guitarist. It may only have 5 tracks on it (2 being over 12 minutes in length), but it has such depth, such concept and such imagination.

Floyd seem to be one of the only bands where total silence for a few minutes adds to the song. 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' has to be the most patient yet intense rock song of all time.

Rolling Stone placed it at 209 on their list of the best albums of all time. I'd struggle to find 10 better, let alone 208. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/6862/35223/36265

Tricky: 'I can still be really dark in my mind'

'Not a rapper...more of a whisperer or a ranter or a rasper, master of not one voice but many'.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/sep/19/tricky-mixed-race-interview

Cakehead Loves Evil

It may not be as interesting as this one, but it comes close.

Some great, weird, random shit going on:

http://cakeheadlovesevil.wordpress.com/

Some great news

Also couldn't agree with Colin more:

http://www.nme.com/news/radiohead/53046

currently listening to...Neil Young

Neil Young-Harvest

Released in 1972, it's Neil's fourth solo studio album.

I've always had a weird fascination with the song 'Old Man' (feeling it was the song I would have written if I had his talent). Adore the lyrics. Obviously there are other greats on the record with 'Needle And The Damage Done' being the song that got me into him; (another one with great lyrics, telling the tale of musicians he knew who fell into heroin addiction traps).

some brilliant covers

I stumbled upon these two a while ago and think I've watched every cover they've ever done now! They manage to make even the hardest and most personal of songs sound great.

Here's just a few:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juJdGVxnMDM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/user/mikemassedotcom#p/u/17/uQcnedcNTes

http://www.youtube.com/user/mikemassedotcom#p/u/30/om1U2GlgpIY

Probably the least appreciative croud of all time.

currently listening to...Kris Drever

Kris Drever-Black Water

This is the debut album from Scottish folk singer-songwriter Kris Drever. I first heard about Kris through his work with Roddy Woomble. Their album with John McCusker (who produced this record) was fantastic and I look forward to seeing them live at the Union Chapel in a couple of months time. Like Woomble, Kris has such a great distinction to his voice, and this is the defining feature of the record.

Think warm fires, small cottages and ageing newspapers.

One for travellers...Eddie Vedder

If you've seen 'Into The Wild' you'll have caught on already.

The film itself is brilliant. It's one of my favourites. The music couldn't be more appropriate. I was played the album before I saw the film and knew from the record that I was going to love it.

Directed by Sean Penn, the film is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless. As the film develops, and the protagonist travels further into the wilderness befriending all sorts of characters, he faces endless challenges, both physically and mentally.

Every time I listen to the record I think of the film. I also think of someone walking the world alone, testing the strength of their mind and discovering nature in the most brutal way.

If you're going travelling, or venturing to discover, then take this album with you.

A Turner Prize for new music? Blog

Read an interesting blog this morning that I thought I would share.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/charlottehigginsblog/2010/sep/17/classicalmusicandopera-turnerprize?

Have to admit that the Organ of Corti sounds like a pretty innovative idea!

currently listening to...Kelly Jones

Kelly Jones-Only The Names Have Changed

A few years ago Kelly Jones (lead singer of Stereophonics) released his debut solo album. The album was recorded over two days and mastered a few days later. It's only just over half an hour in length but shows off some great whisky vocals and delicate melodies.

'Phonics fan or not, you're more than likely to enjoy this all the way through.

Favourite track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15DON9vhDBM