TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 03/03/13 - Fyfe, Elbow, Rick Redbeard, Cat Power, Josephine
Cat Power Elbow Fyfe Josephine Rick Redbeard Tracks of the WeekFive tracks that were worth an Oscar in our eyes...Got any winners for us?
Shell Hunter:-
Josephine - 'Portrait' (2013)
After a long shift at work being subjected to the thumping repetitiveness that is Kiss FM, I heard this little beauty from John Kennedy's Xposure show which I normally catch at that time of night. In the darkness driving home, I turned it up and the stresses of the day slowly disappeared. By the time the song was over, I realised I had studied the lyrics so hard, I was a bit teary! I haven't been reduced to tears by a song since 'John Taylor's Month Away' by King Creosote (see the song here) last year! I thought Josephine Oniyama sounded slightly like Grace Slick or Joan Baez in the nostalgia that she brings through her voice. Well needless to say, I immediately listened to her album also titled 'Portrait' which was released at the end of last year. I enjoyed it and her voice really took centre stage. She'll be big. Sign up to her mailing list or get news on her current tour with Paloma Faith here.
London Scouser:-
Elbow- 'Running To Standstill' (2009)
Although not a new release, I felt that I had to include it here. It was originally recorded for the 2009 Warchild album Heroes, but has now been included on 'War Child 20: The Best Of' celebrating 20 years since the charity started. A cover of a U2 album track (The Joshua Tree) it gives me absolute chills whenever I hear it. It was my track of the year when it first came out, and thanks to the new album release, I get to hear it again. I dare anyone not to like it.
Old Pa's Corner:-
Rick Redbeard - Kelvin Grove (2013)This is a version of a Traditional Scottish Ballad Kelvin Grove and I just love this one by Rick Redbeard from the album No Selfish Heart (2013)
Rick Redbeard’s aka Rick Anthony, the lead singer with The Phantom Band. This is his debut solo album and is a collection of beautiful, melancholy, spartan folk, I am enjoying this one at the moment, quality stuff indeed, but an acquired taste I will have to say. My folk roots shining through.
'Should I fall midst battle's roar, bonnie lassie, O'
Sfw:-
Fyfe - St Tropez (2013)
There is no self-tanning here, just musical sunshine in the form of a tribute to the playground town on the French Riviera. Fyfe is the new solo project of 23-year-old Paul Dixon, who used to record as David's Lyre. With comparisons made with Miike Snow, I can hear a little bit of Two Door Cinema Club, it's worth checking out this and Solace on Soundcloud.
There is no self-tanning here, just musical sunshine in the form of a tribute to the playground town on the French Riviera. Fyfe is the new solo project of 23-year-old Paul Dixon, who used to record as David's Lyre. With comparisons made with Miike Snow, I can hear a little bit of Two Door Cinema Club, it's worth checking out this and Solace on Soundcloud.
I love New York, I do. Ever since I walked out on 5th Avenue to be confronted by the Empire State Building, I've been smitten. Next week Shell Hunter and London Scouser will take Manhattan for their joint birthdays, which they share on the same day, density or what? I'm green with envy but excited for them at the same time, forgedaboudit. I'm a bit of a late comer to the prowess of Cat Power and 'Manhattan' is the latest single and my favourite track from last year's excellent 'Sun' album. It has also been remixed by DJ Ryan Hemsworth featuring a verse from potty mouth NY rapper Angel Haze, I'm a fan of both but the mix, I feel, takes away the atmospheric 'I'm walking down Broadway in the rain' feel to the original.
I love you Chan Marshall!
Cat Power's website here.
Checkout previous Tracks of the week here
