Monday's Long Song

 

I recently listened to Fairport Convention's second album Unhalfbricking again and realized that I've never given this band the credit they deserve on this blog. 

In 1974, I watched a World Cup match at the home of Andreas, a school friend (I can't remember exactly which one, but I suspect it was one of the Dutch team, who played the best football at the time and who we will play again tonight). Afterwards, we retired to his older brother's room, who even then had exceptional taste in music. Whilst we were still listening to glam rock, he was already playing Velvet Underground and, in total contrast, Fairport Convention.

I was so impressed by this music that I bought this record. FC was the product of the very young Richard Thompson on guitar and Sandy Denny, who sadly died far too young, with her clear and expressive voice. 

The album contains many songs by Bob Dylan, taken from his Basement Tapes and introduced to the band at the time, as well as his own songs. These include A Sailor's Life, a traditional on which Thompson shows what an exceptional guitarist he is. At just under 12 minutes, it was an extremely long song even for its time, but with its gently driving rhythm it never gets boring. 

Fairport Convention - A Sailor's Life

If You're Going To The City

While searching for something other I found out that at the end of last year a tribute album to Mose Allison was released. I have to admit that I just know his name, that he was a blues/jazz pianist and Van Morrison recorded an album with his song. He passed away in November, 2016 and various artists gave some of their versions or recorded it for this tribute album. I am not a big fan of blues but listening to his songs in these versions makes me understand why he was some kind of musicians musician.

Reduced To The Limit

Richard Thompson is going to release another record with acoustic classics these days. I think that I don't have to tell you about him, his career, work and importance of British folk/blues music. A few years ago he released a record with acoustic versions of well known songs he made during his long time career. Now he's back with new songs in different versions played in a simple and easy way only a great musician can do. Just the perfect music to come down after a hard working day.

Not The Only One

Paul Brady, known as an Irish singer-songwriter, took over a well known Dublin venue for a month to play more than 20 concerts. He can  look back on a big career playing the traditional music with Planxty and collaborations with Richard Thompson and Bonnie Raitt. These days the first of series of these concerts in Vicar St. appeared. I like this record because it is just the man with his voice, backed with a good band presenting just the music he is. This one is a duet with the fabulous Bonnie Raitt.

Enjoy on Easter Monday

Paul Brady - Not the only one (feat. Bonnie Raitt)

This Year's List 10/15

Richard Thompson accompanied me during the last 30 years. And almost every new record is good one. This man and his guitar are cult by many artists a critical favourite. I don't have to lose many words about him, his career and his influences in music. By typing these word I remhttps://youtu.be/wZBoGcj9aHEember him and his small band playing live a few month ago. It was a magic evening seeing him playing his new songs and his classics. On my opinion he had as much fun as the audience. His last record Still  is once more a superb one. Filled with a lot of great songs. Ballads, up-tempo songs and his his reluctant guitar made some evenings complete this year at my place.

 

From The Inbox

Got some artists during the last weeks in my inbox. There was one that I really enjoyed. Chris Hornsby describes himself as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist originally from the wilds of Northumberland and now living in South London. His songs are lyrically inventive and cinematic, influenced by classics such as Leonard Cohen and Dylan but also by the contemporary folk composers Billy Bragg and Richard Thompson. A hint of Nirvana and Uncle Tupelo add a certain amount of alternative edge to the mix. He does have a very pleasant and accented voice urgently has not to shout. And really his songs have melodies and certain something that one rehears with pleasure. 

So enjoy

Chris Hornsby - Star Girl