What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XI)

Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream, on vinyl...

Spotify Premium (US) only has an ep and several smaller one or two song releases.

But they have a playlist made by Rae of what she lis listening to (and no WHY !!!) and it is 44 songs and over 3 hours long.

Shall be listening to that today when I return from shooting hoops.  66 yoa and working on a killer crossover.  Steph Curry should be looking over his shoulder.

Jeff A

Early birthday present 

Analogue Productions  Mono Vinyl 

On CD:-

Streaming | CD FLAC rip

Annie Lennox ~ Diva (1992)

Because this is a lovely album that sets off her wonderful voice so well.

Natalie Merchant "Ophelia'. What a voice! 

Yep Denis you have been her champion on the forum. Great first album it is to.

If you haven't already try his first solo album as you may like that as well.

Thanks for the link to her tour dates Denis, I might try to get to either her Edinburgh or Glasgow gigs, giving T in the park a swerve.You spotted her way before me, It's good to know that her performances match the quality of her voice. Let's hope that she is well managed and goes as far as she deserves. 

On original vinyl...

This is just superb and lovely:

Villagers - Darling Arithmetic



Villagers is actually really the Irish singer/songwriter Connor O'Brien, and this the third album is a stripped down version of his songwriting, and he played all the instruments himself. However they played a concert last week at the Barbican where the music was performed by the whole band - all acoustic instruments, with some fantastic double bass, harp and piano etc. 

This is less orchestral and rocky than the first two albums and less immediately obvious and appealing, but it really grows, especially having seen and heard him sing them live. He has a powerful and liquid voice. Top stuff!

New purchase, on CD - can't stop listening. Listening to Mendelssohn's string quintets, quartets, and piano trios, I have found a new appreciation for the composer that I formerly knew only from his larger scale works, which mostly sound happy and trivial compared the excellence of most of the chamber music.

EJ

Streaming | CD FLAC rip

Annie Lennox ~ Medusa (1995)

Hi Steve,

Last May (2014), I saw Rae Morris at Wilton's Music Hall. I noticed someone who seemed familiar and it was Drummer, Andy Gangadeen (Massive Attack, Jeff Beck). Speaking to Andy after the gig, it was clear that Rae is in safe hands. Then in Feb this year I saw Rae at Electric Brixton and the stage set and sound quality had really raised the bar to first class. Atlantic are backing her well, so the future looks bright.

In 2011 Andy established his own company 101 Artists to facilitate the increasing demand  for his services as a Musical Director. With a special interest in breaking new electronic  acts, his current roster includes ‘Rudimental,’ ‘Clean Bandit’,  ‘Gorgon City’,  ‘Rae Morris’ and ‘Years and Years’.

RM videos - http://www.raemorris.co.uk/videos

Thanks Denis,

It's good to know she is in good hands and hats off to you for finding the low-down and identifying Andy at the gig. It's good to know that  the combination of Atlantic Records who have said that "they will take it slowly with her" combined with her management team will give her a sporting chance.

Streaming | CD FLAC  rip

Elkie Brooks ~ Pearls 

Another great female voice. Getting all nostalgic, I had a couple of great long nights chatting with her in the Hilton bar Malta, when she was playing a couple of the hotels and bars there circa 1981, happy days. 

A bunch of trax off her up and coming album

A terrific and distinctive voice.  Trouble is, when I hear him now I'm reminded of the Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara's efforts to mimic Richie!