New Song On Sunday

 

If someone calls their new album Renascent, there must be some significance to it. For me, the significance lies in the fact that Vini Reilly has returned to the scene after a long hiatus. After suffering a minor stroke 15 years ago, playing the guitar no longer came as easily or as fluidly to him as it had before.

Enough has been written here and elsewhere in the blogosphere about the significance and influence of Durutti Column. Although only one track from his album, due out next month, has been released, he has remained true to his music without repeating himself or becoming boring. Here too, Vini blends delicate guitar playing with ambient sounds and piano to create an extraordinary, atmospheric sound in which his voice is not superimposed on the music, but rather woven into it. In the text, he reduces interpersonal relationships to just two three-word phrases: ‘I love you’ and ‘I’m sorry’. Hats off to him.

Music Leeds Us

 

At the start of the week, I flew to Leeds for a few days to take part in this year’s BlogCon 26 meet-up. As always, I had a wonderful time spending those days with the brilliant bloggers Alyson, Cee, Ernie, The Swede, John and their partners. Among other things, we visited an exhibition on the evolution of the music scene in Leeds, which inspired me to post a short round-up on the subject.

It’s rather unusual to start with Soft Cell, who have carved out their own musical niche with their synth-pop.

Gang Of Four are a fixture on the Leeds music scene with their politically charged new wave funk.

Leeds would be a much poorer place without the magnificent Mekons, and few bands have struck such an impressive balance between new wave and country.

The goth scene is represented by the Sisters of Mercy.

I saw for myself last year that The Wedding Present are still relevant and brilliant today.

Utah Saints represent electronic dance music with their blend of rock and synths. 

I’d completely forgotten that Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, with their dark wave sound, are also from Leeds.

The Kaiser Chiefs were at their peak at the start of the new century.

Post-punk is represented by Delta 5, who appeared briefly in the late 1970s and, sadly, disappeared again all too soon.

Clap Your Hands

 

Another Wednesday with songs which, in some way, incorporate hand clapping as a stylistic device in songs. Let's start with 12:51 the first single form the second album by The Strokes, an overlooked album by the band which has not received the same overwhelming acclaim as their debut.

Those sharp, percussive sounds in the intro and throughout the songs are actually snare drum rim clicks, played in such a way that they sound exactly like rhythmic handclaps. In my view, that justifies the inclusion of songs by the Violent Femmes and T.Rex in this series.

That's What It Sounded Like When He Started

 

In the early 1970's, as the hippie and psychedelic era was drawing to a close, music began to shift towards heavy blues, glam and, to some extent, the electrified folk of singer-songwriters. It was around this time that John Prine released his self-titled debut album.

Born in 1946 into a working-class family, he grew up in a suburb of Chicago. By the age of 14, he was playing the guitar and writing his first songs; to earn some pocket money, he delivered newspapers. After finishing school, he was called up for military service. He was lucky and was allowed to serve as a mechanic at a base in Stuttgart. Nevertheless, he naturally witnessed how inexperienced young people like himself ended up in Vietnam and returned as adults broken both mentally and physically.

And it is precisely this keen eye for detail that runs through many of his songs, which deal with loneliness in old age, Vietnam veterans and the lives of ordinary people. Musically, he draws on the traditions of folk, country and a touch of R&B. His voice was not particularly appealing: it was rough, nasal, gruff and unpolished. 

John Prine - Hello In There

John Prine - Sam Stone

John Prine - Angel From Montgomery

John Prine - Paradise

P Stands For Paddy

 

During the last weekend I found time I decided to have a look through my inbox full of promotional emails and delete most of them. As always, there was a surprise to be found. London’s Heavenly Recordings label seems to have a knack for releasing great new music at the moment. Just recently, they announced the new – and presumably final – LP by Dexy’s Midnight Runners and released the fantastic album by The Orielles. 

With the release of their debut album, they have made a complete musical turnaround and introduce us to Absolute Lilt. An Irish vocal duo comprising Lisa Canny and Niamh Hinchy, who breathe new life into the traditional Irish singing tradition within a modern framework. Two voices move in close, circling motion, creating something hypnotic, playful and deeply Irish, situated somewhere between folk, gently pulsating club music and vocal experimentation.

Another song that, once you’ve heard it, you just can’t get out of your head.

New Song On Sunday

 

Rostam Batmanglij is an American producer of Iranian descent. Some may still know him as a co-founder of Vampire Weekend, which he left after their third album in order to focus more on producing. He recently released a new album, American Stories, in which he blends Americana with Persian instruments. On his latest single, Hardy, he has replaced the pedal steel guitar with strings. 

Sampled strings feature prominently throughout, appearing regularly in the song and lending it a cheerful feel. Alongside violins, the cello and piano can also be heard, giving the song an organic sound. The song is named after the French icon Françoise Hardy – only the artist knows why. A beautifully arranged pop song that really sticks in your head.

Sixty Seven

 

Time flies, and once again a year has gone by far too quickly. Looking back, I have to say that the past year has given me far more wonderful moments than I could ever have hoped for. At 67, I continue to look forward to the years ahead with confidence and am eager to see what lies in store for me.

Charles Aznavour would have turned 102 today. He was an Armenian-French chansonnier, lyricist, composer and film actor, and I’ve always had a soft spot for his songs, which often featured poignant lyrics and made a real impact thanks to his distinctive voice.

On their third album, the Hamburg punk band Abwärts took a more laid-back approach and delivered a superb cover of Aznavour’s song.