A varied menu for you this month, pop, soul, country, electronica, rock, jazz, but hopefully cohesive, nevertheless. Fewer albums than normal, instead a number of interesting singles, perhaps previews of albums to come. And for the nostalgic, two albums that will never fade, from Eagles and Paul McCartney & Wings.
If you want to go straight to the list, follow the Short List below. If you miss tracks from previous blog posts, click on the The Long List. And if you want to listen to a specic reviewed album and suggested single, click on the title.
This is already a contender for top ten albums of the year. Such confidence of two brothers and their band! San Fransisco Cronicle said it better than I can: a novel sound with the «heavy sadness of Towne Van Zandt, the light popo concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the energy of the Ramones.»
Amanda Mammana became a star on Americ’s Got Talent, with her story of how her speech impediment, stuttering, limited her in every way except singing and performing. Her debut album with her major hit, Back to Life, must surely be inspiring to everyone with a similar infliction.
Remi Wolf is a feisty artist, performing what she herself calls funky soul pop, an accurate description in mye view. This is music bursting with mood enhancing energy and exhaltation.
The Bygones are Allison Young and Joshua Lee Turner, two musicians stuck in the past, and thank god for that. Their mostly original music stretches from the sound of the 1930s to country to South American bossa novas.
A fairly new genre that emerged from the democratization of recording music, is bedroom pop. Social Media is full of examples, and some artists make the transistion to an even larger format. deClair is one of them, and one of the most interesting.
One of my favourite voices belongs to Richard Hawley, a Sheffield boy, who has collaborated with bands like Pulp, Elbow and scores of others, but he is in his home territory on his solo albums, with his silky Roy Orbinsonesque rockabilly sound. I can’t get enough of this, and love his latest album.
Tucker Harrington Pillsbury, started his professional career as a rapper, but realized he was a better singer than rapper. We should be very happy he changed from the artist Tucker to the artist Role Model. Kansas Anymore offers spicy pop with some really catchy tracks. You’ll find them in the playlist.
I discovered the talented pianist Steve Dobrogosz when he collaborated with Radka Toneff in the 1980s. Their Fairytales is still one of my favourite albums of all time (coming soon to a playlist near you, I imagine). Dobrogosz has continued recording, mostly giving us new versions of popular music. His latest album, Relived, is no exception. I love how he uses familiar themes, but presenting them to us, often in a totally new way. I bet you’ll recognize most songs from the album.
This 1976 album by the American group Eagles is considered by many to be one of the best albums of all time. I don’t think it is, there are quite a few run-of-the-mill tracks on it. But I still consider it ground breaking and a true classic, with its allegorical lyrics that will keep any drunken afterparty debate alive for hours. The title track is the most memorable, but I take great pleasure in a number of lesser known tracks, all of wich are in the playlist.
Can you believe it is 50 years ago? Half of the music press who hated McCartney who they blamed for the Beatles breakup, suddenly agreed with the other half that this album was McCartney’s masterpiece. Recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, it is truly great and so impeccably produced it is almost like a symphony, with repeating themes and a wholeness to it that lacks in most other albums.
Once again I must start with an apology (yes, it has happened before…) – actually two apologies. First, sorry for being late with new music. Second, sorry for having to be very brief this time around. These are busy times, but I vow to come back stronger and make it up to readers and listeners. What I can promise, is that there’s a lot of great music in this blog playlist! So listen, read my ultra-short notes on each album, enjoy the singles, the classic and the 50-yearold and yes – the best of Eurovision Song Contest. New list as soon as I can get my head around it. Promise.
From to left to bottom right. Click on the almum to listen to it.
AUDIO VERTIGO – Elbow. Indie band/Alternative rock from England. One of the best.
Bright Future – Adrianne Lenker. Indie folk. Quiet and marvellous.
Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves. Needs no introduction. Nu-country, New brilliant album.
Iechyd Da – Bill Ryder-Jones. Welch whisper-singer. The songs are magnificent, but a little disturbing with the whispering. But you get used to it.
Leslie Stevens – Leslie Stevens. LA sound, reminding one of Lana del Rey, perhaps. Love the sound.
Liam Gallagher & John Squire – Liam Gallagher & John Squire. Need no introduction either. The return of Oasis in many ways.
Natural I – ALEPH. Japanese chanteur. Quiet and fragile. Great songwriting.
The Pendelum Swing – Katherine Priddy – English folk drifting in to pop. Again, this woman can write.
Salvage Enterprise – The Polyphonic Spree. Rich pop music. Summery and kind.
Tigers Blood – Waxahatchee. American verging into rock. One of the best vocalists in the business.
Until We Meet Again – Sy Smith. Soul and jazz. Maybe not be to everyone’s taste, but I find it interesting and cool.
Singles
Barefoot . Jo Benoit
Don’t Forget Me – Maggie Rogers
Heavy Rain – Richard Hawley
On the Corner – Charlie Rowe
So Sick of Dreaming – Maggie Rogers
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé
Tokyo Laundry – Keaton Henson
Used to Lovin’ You – Diane Birch
Young Days – Annprincess
Bridge over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel. Can you believe it took me so long. Thankfully I never said I would do them in order of importance. There’s not a weak track on this album. If you get a chance, watch the documentary about how it was made. You’ll be even more dazzled. My favourite track is Song for the Asking, I can’t listen to it without sensing a tear on its way.
50 years ago Queen released the worst album in their career, in my view. The only reason it was worth listening to, was because it portended what brilliance was waiting for us out there in the future. There are some half decent tracks on the album – I have hidden away the rest, but click on the cover if you want to listen to the whole thing.
This month’s earworm is actually an ESC-entry, from France, the song by Slimane that perhaps should have won. When I have listened to it, it sticks to my brain for at least a day. It is annoyingly simple, but beautiful and moving in its simplicity. Here’s the rest of the decent entries from ESC:
La Noia – Angelina Mango – Italy
Fighter – TALI – Luxembourg
Pedestal – Aiko – Czechia
Hollow – Dons – Latvia
Jako – Ladaniva – Armenia
Always on the Run – ISAAK – Germany
And the winner, of course. Switzerland. The Code. With Nemo. Had you forgotten?
50 years ago this month, the Carpenters siblings made it to the top with their singles collection. There are virtually no tracks on that record that one wouldn’t consider true classics 50 years later, including Yesterday Once More. Karen’s silky voice and Richard’s backing vocal arrangements were trademarks of their music that no-one could copy. Perhaps a bit overused today, but still worth listening to properly. You’ll find eight songs from the album in this month’s playlist.
Yesterday Once More is a good title for the playlist this month, for both new and old artists have looked back to yesterday for either inspiration og actual tracks
No, it is not Don Henley of the Eagles, it is Dylan LeBlanc from Louisana, with a concept album – rare these days, Coyote, a story of a man on the run. It was not the story itself that drew me to this album, but the pure quality of the music, an exceptional country rock album that reminds me of Eagles in more ways than the vocals.
Great songwriting is the trademark of Real Estate’s 6th album Daniel as well. Although some of the tracks are a bit bland, most of the album is enjoyable, with its soft rock feel, melodic and sunny.
Blog followers know I am a fan of Gaby Moreno, even when she lacks a certain direction, like on her new album, Dusk. At least you’re never bored, as Gaby jumps from latin to pop to rock and back, and she does it all in style, with her warm and expressive voice, whether she sings in English or Spanish.
Everything I Know Kai WarriorHold The Girl Rina Sawayama
There’s a bit of direction confusion on Rina Sawayama’s second album as well, Hold The Girl. But as with Moreno, perhaps it doesn’t matter that much. I am at least glad she has added more ballads and less run-of-the-mill r&b this time. It is a daring move, she could easily be up there with the Lady Gaga crowd, but like Gaga she refuses to stay on track. I will keep listening.
There is considerably less punch in Kai Warrior’s voice, and that’s the point. The songs on Everything I Know were mostly written in their bedroom and sounds like it, but they are lifted by a band that surrounds and embraces the fragile songs.
Bombay Bicyle Club from England has released a new EP, Fantasies, a happy album with catchy tunes and great harmonies.
ITEIAD Sessions The Japanese HouseHurray For The Riff RaffGruff Rhys
In the end it always does is the name of The Japanese House’s album of 2023, and she (yes, her real name is Amber Mary Bain) has rerecorded some of the songs on ITEIAD Sessions, including a unlikely and different version of Super Trouper by ABBA, defintely worth listening to.
Another artist that performs as a band is Alynda Segarra, aka Hurray for the Riff Raff. Although the theme of The Past is Still Alive is quite sombre, about growing up under difficult circumstances, the music is feisty and positive indie with a touch of Americana.
Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals has issued nearly as many solo albums as with his more famous band. On his latest, Sadness Sets Me Free, the songs are again built around his dark and introvert voice, with a calming effect, at least on me. But if you’re looking for fireworks, go elsewhere.
We end this month’s album reviews with three albums that defintely look back at yesterday. Nouvelle Vague is a French band specializing in covers of New Wave music but with a very different take. They could have fitted right in at a night club with music that wouldn’t be there otherwise. Should I Stay or Should I go contains tracks that extend from the interesting to the bizarre.
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland’s brilliant big band stay on the rails when recreating some of the great songs of the big band and rock’n’roll era on Swing Fever. No surprises here, just hipswinging, delightful rhythms, with Stewart’s crooner voice at its best.
Joe Jackson goes one giant leap further, flawlessly recreating the music hall sound on What a Racket!, even creating an alter ego in Max Champion, a performer from that era. I love artists who allows themselves to leave the safe area that have created their fame. Jackson had a number of major pop hits as far back as in 1979, like Is She Really Going Out with Him.
New Singles
I have put a lot of enjoyable singles in the jukebox for you, from Florence + The Machine’s almost hypnotic White Cliffs of Dover to Walter Trout and Beth Hart’s power ballad Broken, with a guitar solo the way they used to make ’em. And the rest covers more genres than you can name: ballads, classic piano, world music, country, rock’n’roll, latin… I’ll stop there. Just jump in.
One of my favourite singers, Kirsty MacColl, recorded Tropical Brainstorm in 1999. The songs had a true Cuban/Latin feel, but the lyrics were feisty, funny and literate, mostly about men who didn’t match up to MacColl’s standards. Like with all albums I call classics, I never tire listening to Tropical Brainstorm, but always with a certain sadness of what could have been. Kirsty MacColl was killed only months after its release, by a speedboat in Mexico while out swimming with her two sons. She probably saved her son’s life by pushing him out of the way, but died instantly after being hit by the boat. Because this album turned out to be her last, it is even more precious to me.
1974
I wrote about this amazing album in the intro. But even Singles 1969-1973 brings out a certain sadness in me when I listen to it, because Karen Carpenter, like Kirsty MacColl, also suffered a premature death, a heart failure at 32 following a long fight with anorexia, probably caused by dealing with fame. Richard’s career as a superstar also in effect ended with her death, although he continues to perform and produce.
I can’t get Turn the Lights Back On out of my head, so it’s abolutely this month’s ear worm, the first release from Billy Joel in 17 years, and I would argue one of his best songs ever, co-written with Freddy Wexler. It is an amazing, well-written ballad that feels true and real, whatever meaning you decide to give it. The video, directed by Wexler, is equally amazing, using AI to recreate Billy Joel from the 70s (when I saw him perform) the 80s, the 90s and today.
Unless we are to wait until January to release the best albums of the previous year (perish the thought!) , we have to accept that a «year» in blog terms will run from about December to November. So this short list – as wonderful as it is – contains songs from last calendar year. Naturally. Enough said.
New year requires new feature. Well, it was kind of introduced last year in the «best of»- blog : Ear worms, but from this month I’ll test it out on you on a more regular basis, songs that stick in your ear – in a good way.
I am leaving to others to review this time, a kind of army of substitute reviewers. I promise to return with my own reviews soon, when I have more time on my hands…
I do hope you still enjoy the new look and the slightly altered way of presenting the music to you. The links to Spotify are now found in the text itself.
Jazz group Come Shine’s return after many years, with Coming Home, reviewed by Jazzlandrec, «Come Shine is always on the hunt for a new way into an old song, finding small keys to unlock big doors»
Jonathan Wilson’s new album Eat the Worm, reviewed by No Depression «Fearlessly experimental and deeply immersive, Eat the Worm is the distillation of a true artist in all his wacky, visionary glory.»
Randi Tytingvåg Trio’s Hjem (Home), Norwegian folk/Americana, reviewed in Norwegian by Stavanger Aftenblad. «Do you need comfort? Try this.»
Chanteuse Emeli Sandé’s new album How Were We To Know, reviewed by Pop Passion, «Full of fresh new sounds, How Were We To Know mixes elements of dance, reggae, and gospel music with commercial pop.»
The National is already out with a suprise new album Laugh Track, reviewed by The Guardian, «it’s challenging to write about middle-class malaise and make it sound so gripping»
Delara’s Shahrazad, reviewed by Intersect, «a rising multifaceted artist with a rich Iranian heritage and a global perspective, has created a distinctive musical identity and emerged as a local sensation.»
Tate McRae’s THINK LATER, reviewed by Irish Times, «not one track you wouldn’t want to hear again.»
Sondre Lerche’s Understudy, reviewed in Norwegian by Puls, «a cover album that in every way makes it an original Sondre Lerche album. Overwhelmingly, overwhelmingly good.»
Finally Krissy Mary’s Americana album, Virago, reviewed in Norwegian by Aftenposten, «The best album you missed last year came from Krissy Mary.»
As has become a yuletide custom, I give you a list of the ten albums that I have enjoyed the most in 2023, albums which I have kept coming back to throughout the year. The value of music, as the value of any art, lies in the eye of the beholder, so my list may not necessarily be equal to your list. Still, I hope it inspires many of you to listen to albums you might otherwise have missed.
80% of of all the listening on Spotify is supposedly to no more than 20% of the tracks available. Which means you are probably missing a lot of good stuff. The whole purpose of my blog is to bring to the forefront new music that wouldn’t normally get the attention it deserves. As my logline says: I hunt the best music so you don’t have to. (I have added Metacritic’s total rating out of 100 and Pitchfork’s out of 10, when available. The fact that only a fraction of the albums are universally reviewed, tells a story of how difficult it is to break through for an artist or an album that doesn’t break the surface. And hopefully proves the point that a blog like mine serves a purpose)
Below you will find a number of great runners-up albums (in alphabetical order) , followed by my final 10. Click on the album cover, and you will be taken directly to the whole album on Spotify. I have also put together a separate playlist with the top 10 albums, found HERE
Blómi Susanne Sundfør Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not rated
Late Developers Belle and Sebastian Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: 7.6 of 10
Love And Money Kate Melua Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Luna Ingrid Jasmin Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely Lola Young Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Seraph Tine Thing Helseth & Ensemble Allegria Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Studio Ghibli Anime Music Joe Hisaishi Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Then on to my special favourites. Albums that stood out and that I enjoyed more than anything else I have listened to this year.
So, these are my top ten choices of 2023. (Some of the albums were released in 2022, but reviewed by me in 2023. )
To see how others review the album, I have added quotes from other blogs and publications.
You’ll find a link to the individual albums by clicking on the cover.
Sensibility Bill Cantos Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
«Featuring artistic collaborations with legends like Burt Bacharach and Johnny Mandel, Bill Cantos’ latest album ‘Sensibility’ takes you on a journey into the beautiful realm of Brazilian-infused pop and jazz symphonies. This phenomenal album is a tapestry of Cantos’ original pieces as well as soulful renditions of tracks like “No Halfway” and “This Can’t Be Love”, and a stirring cover of Cole’s song “That Sunday That Summer”. Rooming the mastery of various talents, this magical house, crafted over the past few years, boasts an exceptional team of musicians that bring a diverse range of elements to the table. Bill Cantos has breathed new life into the album.»
Muse Chronicle, August 3, 2023
Gullokk Solveig Slettahjell Quartet Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
For many vocalists around the globe, it has been a natural exercise to pay The Great American Songbook a visit at one time or another during their career. Slettahjell has also done it – in her own way. It can be heard, among other things, on «Live at Victoria». Now she has made a totally great twist on this concept and created a songbook album that is totally unique both in terms of repertoire and way of interpreting it. Slettahjell, with a voice that is very much her own… has covered several of her favourite Norwegian and Swedish songs and spiced them up with two of her own.
Tor Hammerø, Nettavisen, February 2023
First Two Pages of Frankenstein The National Metacritic: 79 og 100 Pitchfork: 6.6 of 10
«First Two Pages of Frankenstein is yet another dose to remind you why – and how – the band have managed to carve their own special place out in the cultural landscape»
Apr 27, 2023 The Line of Best Fit
Voice Notes Yazmin Lacey Metacritic: 89 of 100 Pitchfork: Not Rated
Voice Notes is conceptually and musically accomplished, flourishing with inspired narratives and sensuality at every turn. It seamlessly blends jazz, soul and electronica without overpowering the singer-songwriter’s supple vocals. There’s so much to love and savour.
The Observer 18 April 2023
I Don´t Know What Love Is Stacey Ryan Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
I Don’t Know What Love Is is a strong and unique debut from Stacey. It melds elements of jazz, pop, and R&B together flawlessly. Creating her own distinct sound and niche in the pop scene, the six tracks feel and sound similar to a few of the tracks on Ariana Grande’s debut album, Yours Truly (2013). Something back in 2013 was rarely heard and seen as unique. It still hasn’t been replicated at all since that particular album -until now. Unquestionably, this debut from Stacey Ryan is not a copy of anything in the past but an ode to her upbringing of influences. Stacey Ryan is rising in popularity as the days go by.
Samuel Stephens, Crucial Rhythm, April 2023
TIMBRE Salvador Sobral Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
«Salvador Sobral, the Portuguese winner of Eurovision 2017, has made a comeback with his latest album, TIMBRE. This album features 11 songs that blend a unique mixture of genres: jazz, soul, and alternative music. Compared to his previous releases, TIMBRE exudes a more joyful and experimental vibe. Salvador provided a glimpse of this new direction with his heart-warming previous release, «pedra quente» (hot stone)… Notable collaborations are also featured on the album. Salvador collaborates with Mexican star Silvana Estrada on «de la mano de tu voz» (from the hand of your voice), he joins forces with the globally recognized Uruguayan singer Jorge Drexler on “al llegar” (arriving), reunites with his sister and composer of his Eurovision entry, Louisa Sobral, on “a distância não é lugar” (distance is no place), and teams up with the French artist Barbara Pravi, who represented France in ESC. «
Ruxandra Tudor, Wiwibloggs
Driven Gilbert O’Sullivan Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
In the decades after his mid-’70s commercial peak, Irish singer/songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan maintained a prodigious output of well-written, quirky piano pop records, somehow sticking it out long enough to enjoy a career renaissance with his self-titled 2018 album…. His 2022 follow-up Driven is, if anything, an even better record. At age 75, O’Sullivan sounds half his age, delivering sharp-witted rockers like «Love Casualty» and «You Can’t Say I Didn’t Try» with infectious energy and zeal. Produced this time by Andy Wright (Simply Red, Simple Minds), Driven retains some of the fuzzy, laid-back ’70s charm that characterized his 2018 set while also harking back to the tasteful soft rock orchestrations of his heyday, especially on standouts like the marvelous «Blue Anchor Bay» and the piano-and-strings ballad «If Only Love Had Ears.» Driven also benefits from an inviting group energy with lively backing vocal interactions, a nimble rhythm section, and scintillating guitar leads«.
Timothy Monger, AllMusic July 2023
Be the Wheel Theo Katzman Metacritic: Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
Opening an album with the title track is a bold move, a statement that you’ll start strong and only get better. For his fourth studio album, Theo Katzman takes the menagerie of ballads and rock classics he’s known for, and refines them into a masterclass of storytelling through song.
Jonah Lefkoff, WRBB March 2023
Everything Harmony Lemon Twigs Metacritic: 87 of 100 Pitchfork: Not Rated
«The songwriting never dips below classic. The teen stars of the late 50s would have coveted the midtempo ballad Any Time of Day, with its ripe key change; What Happens to a Heart’s period-detail harpsichord builds to an orchestral chorus that puts it among the most gloriously histrionic breakup songs ever written; In My Head reminds us that in an age of copyright lawsuits, there are still so many new and perfect songs waiting to be written. In love with the past but making the present so bright, the Lemon Twigs are, in the end, timeless.»
Marina Hyde, The Guardian
The Reset Macy Gray & The California Jet Club Metacritic:Not Rated Pitchfork: Not Rated
«Her new album, The Reset, is her best and rangiest work in years, with a renewed sense of purpose and a mix of styles that gives plenty of scope for her outsized personality to shine.»
Alan Pedder, Best of All Fit
«The Reset reveals 360 degrees of Macy Gray at her lyrically introspective and vocally exuberant best. The trio of Tamir Barzilay, Billy Wes and Alex Kyhn wraps around Macy like a glove. And she, in turn, provides them full license to shine as bright as front of stage spotlights… The album is titled The Reset because Macy, like so many of us, feels like that’s what this awkward, often painful period is like to live through. “God is telling us to rethink the things that we are doing… How we’re livin’. Like Pandora’s Box, a lot of things have sprung out that people had stopped paying attention to. The world is having a reset. Whether it’s a good one or a bad one, we’ll find out. I use to believe everything happens for a reason. Now…I just don’t know.»
Ronnie Scotts review
Earworms 2023
As an added feature this year, I would like to introduce you to the songs that more than any others have stuck in my ears this year. Earworms are considered a nuicance by some, but I am not implying that these songs are annoying, rather that they are brilliant and will outlast the year. The five songs have a common theme: love. Perhaps the best theme to bring with us into 2024, together with a sense of community, security and freedom.
Looking back fifty years and digging in my memory for albums I consider classic, naturally leads one to artists of bygone years. But even among new releases there are men and women of considerable age contributing to the last regular blog entry in 2023.
That doesn’t mean you should shy way if you consider yourself young and forward-looking; I promise lots if interesting albums and singles from artists who are still in their sexual prime. And that doesn’t only include Mick Jagger….
I do hope you still enjoy the new look and the slightly altered way of presenting the music to you. The links to Spotify are now found in the text itself.
The Astronomer’s Dream Bjørn TomrenGold Cleo SolI Hope You Can Forgive Me Madison McFerrinJoe Hisaishi
The opening album, The Astronomer’s Dream (fun fact: the title is taken from a live animation silent movie from 1898) by Norwegian artiste extraordinaire Bjørn Tomren, takes us into his peculiar musical universe. Tomren went from obscurity to fame two years ago, when he won the contest The Ultimate Entertainer, thrilling the audience with his mixture of crooning, yodeling and Mongolian throat singing (no, I’m not kidding). The album is less iconic than it sounds, you might enjoy it even if throat singing is not your thing.
Remaining in Norway for a bit more, Team More is a 8 piece band who write and perform well crafted and optimistic pop tunes with strong harmonies and a feel-good attitude throughout. Their new album, Return to the Riverside, does just that: taking them back to their childhood and being raised in a small town.
Harmonies are the trademark of the folk-pop duo Lily & Madeleine as well. The two have created sweet, almost too sweet, pop music before, starting very young. Now they have matured, and Nite Swim is their best album yet.
And finally there’s a proper album from Salvador Sobral, not only random single releases! The Portuguese jazz singer who won Eurovision Song Contest some years ago, has not taken any advantage of the publicity from his strong victory, but have kept touring, recording a single now and then, performing with people he likes. I went to a concert with him a few years back, and it is still among the best stage performances I have ever experienced. But he obviously doesn’t want fame and fortune, and good for him! Timbre is a terrific album, showing off his creamy soft voice and excellent execution. If you enjoy it as much as I do, don’t tell anyone – I don’t think Salvador wants you to do that.
Canadian singer Laila Biali is seeking fame in a more traditional way, releasing an album of covers, mostly, naming it Your Requests. There are some original and interesting takes on songs you probably know. I have picked a bouquet for you.
Can you believe old fogey trumpeter Herb Alpert is 88 years old? This energetic and craftful Wish Upon a Star certainly isn’t giving his age away. The smooth trumpet sound that gave me such delight back in the 70s, is still there, and he has brought other brilliant musicians with him into the studio, plus The American Songbook.
Joe Hisaishi, the brilliant Japanese composer and orchestra director, is a young man compared to Alpert, with his 72 years. He has just released a collection of his compositions for Animé cartoon films together with The BBC Concert Orchestra, and what a thrill it is. It is almost impossible to pick only a section of this album to do it any justice. There are few if any contemporary composers who can rival him.
The Lilac Time (fun fact: name taken from the lyrics to a song by Nick Drake) with the Duffy brothers Nick and Stephen at its centre, seem to aspire to join Salvador Sobral’s club of brilliant unknowns, which they can never be. The dark and poltically heartfelt lyrics and music dominate their latest album Dance Till All the Stars Come Down. No pretenses, just pure audience communication and strong beliefs.
Liverpool’s folk-rock band The Coral has a new album out, Sea of Mirrors, bursting with British folk guitar-based music, lovely songs down to earth, no frills, timeless and mature music.
One ought to leave some space between album releases. Cleo Sol definitely seems to disagree. Not only did she release a new album completely out of the blue in September, two weeks later she released another one, Gold. I blinked, so I missed the first one, thus it is the latter I have added to this month’s playlist, an amazing soul album, eerily beautiful. Now it’s time to «go back» and listen to her previous release, Heaven. Can’t wait.
Madison McFerrin‘s claim to fame is of course her father, Bobby, (Don’t Worry Be Happy), but more troublesome: a rendition of The Star-Spangeled Banner during a political rally in 2016, supposedly out-of-tune (I have heard it and it is not that bad, but rumours stick). She’s in no way out-of-tune on her new album I Hope You Can Forgive Me, sophisticated pop and soul, lush and with an amzing range in style. Bobby makes an appearance as well.
New Singles
The most talked about single – by far – is the AI-aided Now and Then, labelled a single by The Beatles. And it’s very close so: This is a demo Lennon made but never finished, Harrison did some overlays but left it at that, and McCartney and Starr finished it. The result has all the characteristics of The Beatles, and I’m glad they did it despite the artificial method.
Three interesting two-person teams this month: Sam Ryder brings us a power balled together with Queen- guitarist Bryan May, and Lady GaGa teams up with Mick Jagger and Rolling Stones on Sweet Sounds of Heaven, while Lucy Schwartz teams up with rising star Jared Palomar on Ghost In My House.
Winner and runner-up in this year’s Ultimate Entertainer in Norway, Odd Renée Andersen and Mari Bella are in the list, a young very promising talent in Bella with a decent pop single, and one of the best blues/rock-voices anywhere on the planet in Andersen, performing My Girl.
Maria Kannegaard would probably have been considered one of the world’s finest jazz pianists if it hadn’t been for a debilitiating psychological disorder. A podcast (in Norwegian, sorry, some of you…) out about the brilliant musician has introduced many to the horror of schizophrenia, but also to the wonderful universe of her piano compositions. A single from her hopefully forthcoming album, Bortimot, is out.
Francis Ford Coppola rarely bombed as a director, but «One From the Heart» got a severe beating by most critics when it was released in 1982. It was not a particularly great film, so I think there were some truth to the reviews. The soundtrack, however, was a different matter. I consider it one of Tom Waits‘ best albums, even though it take some getting used to his duets with country singer Crystal Gayle. But when you do get used to it, you might also accept that it is a brilliant choice. The two of them create a peculiar atmosphere together almost like being in a seedy bar somewhere in a big city. I have never heard anything like this before, and never have since.
1973
When Elton John released his album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, he was already one of the greatest stars on the planet. It was hard to image he would undo himself after his first albums, but when this double album came out in 1973, it became very clear that he had done just that, and had created something close to a pop masterpiece. I never tired of it, still haven’t, but some of the tracks are so much played even today, that I have tried to focus on the less known songs. But if it is a trip down a yellow memory lane you’re craving, go for the whole album as I did preparing for this blog. Oooh!
Well, next stop is the annual countdown of this year’s best albums. Then, see you over in 2024 for what hopefully will be a great new music year. Fingers crossed!
Even the most hardened of rockers soften, particularly when they get older. In this month’s blog list we’ll be exposed to some of them and listen to the beauty of softness.
Lots of recently released albums are on display for your ears’ content, some you may have heard of, some well-hidden in the inner vaults of the streamers.
This month my blog has been through a slight facelift, I do hope you enjoy the new look and the slightly altered way of presenting the music to you. The links to Spotify are now found in the text itself.
This month’s blog title refers specifically to Blur and The National, both bands out with mostly mellow albums, and both with close to career best. I enjoyed Blur when they were playing britpop and rock, they still do, but some of the best tracks on their new album are beautiful ballads. The National have always be dark and moody, they still are, but I have never enjoyed them more than now. The last track of the album, Send for me, is a particularly mesmerizing love song. Both albums are impeccably produced, lovely harmonies and exquisite orchestrations.
I have not yet seen the Barbie movie, but having listened to the album, I get the gist of the story. Most tracks are not worth spending listening time on, but I enjoyed the fun in among others Lizzo’s Pink and a slightly new side of Billie Eilish.
This month’s most bizarre album – in a good way of course – is Because, a collection of gospels and spirituals performed by a countertenor and a jazz pianist, a countertenor being a classical male singing voice with a range of a female mezzosoprano. Reginald Mobley recreates some of the classical spirituals in a way that you just have to listen. Sometimes it is too much, but on most tracks there is a beauty there that I have never before heard. Babtiste Trotignon does his bit to give these songs a completely new coating.
I do like quirkiness, and Joanna Sternberg’s I’ve Got Me offers me more than I bargained for on what feels like a homemade album – in a good way of course. Her voice is raw, edgy, close to the microphone and close to a lived life. Similarly (but still very different) Lola Young invites us into her not so average life on a brilliant new collection. I have been a fan of her since she started recording. It is still beyond comprehension that she does not get more attention than she gets.
Another favorite artist of mine is Ricky Lee Jones. It is a long time since Chuck E was in love, and many of the songs on her cover album go equally far back. Her peculiar, attention-grabbing voice does not fit all the classics on the album, but there are still many interesting gems here. I have tried to mine the for you.
When I was a student, I was for a brief period lucky to work with Bill Cantos, who has gone on to be a brilliant interpreter of both his own and other artists’ jazz compositions. His work with Burt Bacharach is legendary, and now he has also been involved with another classic artist, Herb Alpert (watch this space), but this month I want you to lend your ears to his solo album, Sensibility, that really shows off both his piano skills, his warm and flexible voice and his perfectionist compositions.
Ben Folds has been in the business as long as Bill, starting out in the early 90s with his own group Ben Folds Five. It is great to have him back, with his first album in 15 years, What Matters Most. This is accessible pop music at its best, piano driven and lush arrangements around his pleasant voice. And if you like this album, my guess is you will also enjoy the latest from The Lemon Twigs, sweet, melodic, and well-crafted pop music. If you like slightly more edgy and tougher, listen to Paper Sparrows, a trio from Edinburgh, or the highly energetic self-titled album from Cut Worms. I have added spicy songs from both great new albums.
Bruno Major offers a more rounded taste on his third album, pop music heavily soul inspired, with Bruno’s sad voice lamenting about lost love and lost time.
The last album on this month’s list is from Norwegian chanteuse Susanne Sundfør, who is also known for her melancholic music. This is not necessarily the case on her latest album Blòmi, her strongest release to date. Although there are new age elements, poetry readings and such, most of the album is a joy to listen to. She is a rare artist, one of the many Norwegian female artists that has made an impact internationally.
New Singles
Lots of interesting new singles in the playlist! (I have also sneaked in Kris Kristofferson’s homage to Sinead O’Connor, “Sister Sinead”, as a tribute to her from me as well; I was devasted to hear she had left us – more about that later.)
I have added a preview of master pianist Yuja Want’s collection of Rachmaninoff’s greatest, plus new singles from favourites Cigarettes After Sex,Zaz, Daisy Dash, Nellie McKay and Ian Shaw. You can also listen to attention-grabbing and stimulating single tracks from Fountaines D.C., King Princess and Judith Hill. Actress and singer Bridget Everett of “Somebody, Somewhere” fame (catch that wonderful TV series if you haven’t already!) has released her lovely “Home” and Susanna (of Susanna & The Magic Orchestra) sings with my employer NRK’s own symphony orchestra. Finally, relax and enjoy singer Ashnaa and the smooth Usuru Narambulay.
The Classic
This month’s classic work can be no other than I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by Irish superstar Sinéad O’Connor, who sadly left us this Summer. This LP marked in many ways the peak of her career, although she released many brilliant albums afterwards, including her latest album “I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss” from 2014. But I Do Not Want… shows off all her strengths at once, her convictions, her inspiring resilience – she never gave in whatever they threw at her. It hurt, though, and there is a lot of pain visible and audible on the album, both in her lyrics and in her voice. Have we ever had a female singer with a more insistent and yet beautiful voice? I don’t think so. We will never forget her.
1973
1973 was the year many of us brought home the hand of George Harrison, the iconic cover of “Living in the Material World” (perhaps inspiring Madonna’s Material Girl a few years later?). Harrison had made the final break with The Beatles and created his own sound with lots of self-esteem. His Eastern philosophy-inspired anti-materialism flowered, creating memorable songs like “The Light that Has Lighted the World”, “Give me Love” and “Bangla desh”, while “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” showed there were som remnants of old bitter conflicts.
It’s been a while. I know, and to make matters worse (at least for those of you who enjoy reading about the music I have chosen; that may not be all of you), this month’s playlist comes without many details. Still, I can promise you an exciting list of new albums, new singles – and a quite unknown album from the past that I hope you will lend your ear to: Mike Batt’s 1980 masterpiece «Waves». I have also included a few tracks from Led Zeppelin’s 1973 album «Houses of the Holy», celebrating its 50th anniversary.
I apologize for the lack of information. It has been a very busy three months, and I thought it would be better to publish the new music to you rather than delay it further, so you can refresh your playlist and liven up what remains of your holiday.
Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.
Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.
You may also listen to the singles and albums reviewed by clicking on the covers.
Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.
Brand New Life Brandee Younger
The Deep End Susanna Hoffs
Drop Cherries Billie Marten
Golden Oldies – More Favourite Encores Brodsky Quartet
I Don’t Know What Love Is Stacey Ryan
Love & Money Katie Melua
Piano Day 2023 Steve Nieve
Plus Ultra Chappaqua Wrestling
Racing the Storm Emiliana Torrini & The Colorist Orchestra
The record Boygenius
A River Running to Your Heart Fruit Bats
When Violent Hot Pitch Words Hurt Polly Paulusma
Where You Wish You Were Bill Laurance & Michael League
What Is It About Me Lola YoungMaria Joana Nuno Ribeiro, Calema & MarizaThe Bend King PrincessAl llegar Salvador Sobral & Jorge Drexler
Paul McCartney & Wings met their critics ,who argued that all substance had vanished from Macca’s music, by writing and performing a homage to the love song, Silly Love Songs, that has become on of the classic love songs of all time (listened to more than 65 million times on Spotify alone).
The song popped up in my head when preparing for this month’s blog playlist, because love is still the #1 ingredient in so much of contemporary music, inspiring the pop geniuses and the hit seekers alike. Perhaps we the audience need the love song more than ever, countering the sorry state of things around us.
So lower your guard and let the love flow, from the brilliant classic albums I have added this month to our annual look at the best of Eurovision – to a revival of the romantic composer Chopin.
Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.
Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.
You may also listen to the singles and albums reviewed by clicking on the covers.
Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.
Be the Wheel – Theo Katzman & 10 Good Songs
Californian Theo Katzmann knows how to write a song, and on his new album he has almost overdone himself, one catchy pop song after another, and with a clean backing track letting his voice and his lyrics dominate.
Bouquet Champêtre – Fleur
We are in a time capsule, taken back to the French chanson tradition of the 1960s by young Dutch singer Fleur. This bouquet of flowers is charming throughout, catchy tunes with just the right nostalgic touch.
Chopin: Piano Works – Anastasia Yasko
Frédéric Chopin wrote some of the most wonderful piano music ever composed. Young Russian pianist Anastasia Yasko, now reciding in Austria, has picked some of the (for me) lesser known pieces. Yasko makes thise beautiful and imaginative pieces come to life.
Desire, I Want To Turn Into You – Caroline Polachek
Competent vocalist Caroline Polachek has released an amazing collection, bursting with energy, imagination and variety. Although she has herself contributed to artists churning out bland contemporary pop music, there is nothing remotely bland on this album.
Gullokk – Solveig Slettahjell
One of jazz’ finest contemporary vocalists, Norwegian Solveig Slettahjell, has released a collection of cross-over songs, from Grieg to Swedish folk songs, and even for listeners who can’t understand the lyrics, I must assume ther beauty of the music and her velvety voice must send shivers down the spine of every listener. Another album that proves that there is no need to pour heavy arrangements on artists and songs that can handle the beauty of nakedness.
Living It Up – The Real Thing
A few months back I introduced The Real Think’s 90s album as a true classic. Now they’re back, sadly missing some band members, but with substitutions that really fits in with the groove of the remaining members. I know jazz isn’t for everybody, but I find it hard to understand those who can’t find anything enjoyable in this foot-thumping exercise.
Rainbow & Monsters – Maggie
Maggie is a Norwegian-Serbian young singer, releasing her first EP, some good and powerful pop songs, a bit on the bland side, but that goes for many new artists that tends to copy what they hear from the top 40s of the world. Still there is something extra on Rainbows & Monsters that lifts the collection a bit above the rest.
The Reset – Macy Gray & The California Jet Club
The actor, activist and musician Macy Gray has been with us for decades. With her new album The Reset she has brought her activism with her into her music in more ways than one. The themes of the songs are at times political statements, including the album cover – she has argued for a redesign of the American flag, by adding colours to the stars and adding two more, for Washington DC and Puerto Rico. It is a terrific and thought-provoking album.
Strange Dance – Philip Selway
Radiohead’s drummer Philip Selway has many strengths as a songwriter and lyricist, but not necessarily as a singer. As with another famous drummer in a famous band, Selway deserves, like Ringo (and here ends the comparison), to be listened to. Strange Dance offers many sad love songs with beautiful arrangements.
Voice Notes – Yazmin Lacey
Yasmin Lacey’s music is hard to pin down. She effortlessly jumps between genres and mesmerizes us with her peculiar but interesting voice, with funny, quiky lyrics and interesting musical leaps.
I am offering you a true smorgasboard of singles this month, many of the with a promise of new music soon to come.
As Long As You’re With Me – Amy Stroup & Andrew BelleAway From You – Charlotte dos SantosCooCool – Róisin Murphy & DJ KozeInfinity – Hohnen FordDeath In The Family – CocoEverywhere is War – The So So Glos & Conor OberstFreight Train – Van MorrisonGirl Crush – Luke Laird, Lori McKenna & Barry DeanHaunted House – Josephine FosterHilton – Emiliana Torrini & The Colorist OrchestraThe Day That I Met You – Matilda MannThe Procession – PHILDELRed Desert – DownpilotSeptember Song – Rickie Lee JonesSoltar Pra Fora – tigerstate & Gabriela GarruboSugar Plums – Suzzy Roche & Lucy Wainwright Roche
So, readers and listeners, back to the annual exercise of listening to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest entries. I am not apologizing for taking you on this trip, because every year there are songs there that may not win – probably won’t win – but may be worth listening to anyway. This year there are no obvious winner, although both Sweden and Ukraine seem to be favourites. Loreen from Sweden takes part with a song that might become a hit, the rest will probably not make it even as far as the final. My slight personal favourite is Austria, with a quirky song about Edgar Allen Poe (!).
PS. I should tell you that I listen to all songs without knowing which country they represented, so no bias here…DS.
Latvia – Aija – Sudden Lights Estonia – Bridges – ALIKAFrance – Évidemmant – La ZarraPortugal – Ai Coracão – MimicatUkraine – Heart of Steel – TvorchiUnited Kingdom – I Wrote a Song – Mae MullerSwitzerland – Watergun – Remo ForrerMoldova – Soarele si Luna – Pasha ParfeniSweden – Tattoo – LoreenAustria – Who the Hell is Edgar? – Teya & Salena
Painted From Memory – Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach
Not too long ago we received the sad news that Burt Bacharach has left us for good. His catalogue of songs is nothing less than remarkable, perhaps only Paul McCartney can match him in the history of pop music. His unlikely collaboration with Elvis Costello marks in my view the peak of his career. There is not one weak composition om Painted From Memory from 1998, this is pure brilliance. Any emerging songwriter should spend a week deciphering every single track, because song writing never gets better than this. I will never tire of this album.
Billion Dollar Babies – Alice Cooper
50 years ago, in 1973, record buyers made this album go to #1. Many albums from this era still stay with us, hopefully Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies is not one of them. The truth is I never bought into his weird universe; it is all a sham if you ask me. But to stay true to my promise to give you an historical lesson of what occurred back then, I have carefully picked a few tracks that a remotely playable even in 2023.
Although there are some very-much-contemporary-2023-albums and tracks in this month’s blog playlist, I realize that there is an unprecedented amount of musical back gazing as well, even from contemporary artists like Måneskin and The Lemon Twigs.
Maybe it is not so unprecedented. Artists have always been inspired by more than their contemporary peers. Still, the music business has changed, (for the worst in my opinion – sorry), since Elton John released his dazzling Piano Player album 50 (!) years ago. Would he have been able to have it released today? Would it have become first a hit, then a classic? My guess is that it would have been released, but I doubt it would have found its way into every playlist in the world, like it did in 1973. It is not 2023-mainstream enough.
Nostalgia is not only an unhealthy craving for the past. It is also a sign of an arid present. Still, there are oases to be found.
Welcome to this month’s playlist.
Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.
Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.
You may also listen to the singles and albums reviewed by clicking on the covers.
Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.
Gabi Hartmann Gabi Hartmann Jazz/Folk
French chanteuse Gabi Hartmann follows in the tradition of many, performing songs in a wide spectre of genres – and in many languages. Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot and Zaz ought to watch out.
Honey Samia Pop/Soul
American singer Samia follows in the footsteps of other contemporary artists as well, the likes of Billie Eilish, with very personal lyrics and a sad voice. Still, there is something quite original in Samia’s music, some of the arrangements are bordering on being a capella, and a true vulnerability shines through to the listener.
I Love a Love Song! Rachael & Vilray 40s & 50s retro
There are retro music and there’s Rachael & Vilray who recreate the music of the 30s, 40s and 50s to a tee. And nearly all songs are written today by Vilray Bolles himself, even more impressive, because the duo and the exquisite studio musicians make it sound as if we’ve dug out old 78s and played them on granny’s gramophone.
Late Developers Belle & Sebastian Pop/Rock
The Scottish indie-band Belle & Sebastian keeps on surprising, with an uncanny ability to turn out great pop songs again and again. They’ve been at it since the 1990s, and on Late Developers they sound fresher and more energetic than ever.
The Loneliest Time Carly Rae Jepsen Pop
Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is back with a truly contemporary pop album (and from my first paragraph you know that’s not only a compliment…) But as with Samia above, there is a certain amount of zest and originality in some of the tracks, and a lust for life feeling to the music. I think I have picked some tracks you may like.
Luna Ingrid Jasmin Folk/World/Flamenco
If it is originality you want, go no further. The mix of Costa Rican/Spanish/Norwegian background gives us an artist who sound as if she is experimenting, but all she does is dip into her own gene pool and drag out a wonderful mix of flamenco, world music and Norwegian folk.
RUSH! Måneskin Rock
Is it possible to build a career on an ESC win? Absolutely. ABBA did it. And Italian band Måneskin try to do the same. This is their second album after the win, a rock’n’roll purist dream.
I keep my promise to include a classical album every month. Tine Thing Helseth is a trumpet player, releasing a soft spoken album with some evocative tracks of old and new compositions. An album to fall asleep to – in a good way – far away from marching bands and fanfares that many of you may think about when you see and hear a trumpet.
Songs Without Jokes Bret McKenzie Pop
Bret McKenzie was part of the duo Flight of the Conchords, who you may remember from the hilarious television series with the same name. Now Bret is back, without the comedy and his partner. We are left with an exquisite and well crafted pop album that doesn’t make you laugh.
Only eight singles made the list this month, but your listening pleasure will not be harmed. Listen to Grammy winner Samara Joy, John Lennon’s talented son, The Lemon Twigs with a song that won’t leave your head anytime soon, plus many more.
Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player Elton John Pop
Re-listening to Elton John’s 50 year old album brought a ton of memories back to me. But it also proved again what an amazing songwriter Elton is, together with his partner Bernie Taupin. Elton reached his creative peak this particular year, the first of two peaks – his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was just as amazing. I might come back to that later.
The Commitments The Commitments Soul/R&B/Blues
How can you match Elton’s album? Well, a different kind of classic was the soundtrack of Alan Parker’s The Commitments, perhaps the best music film ever. An unforgettable story with a soundtrack that rekindled the interest in Soul and Blues for a completely new audience. Andrew Strong was the shining star. Mustang Sally and Try a Little Tenderness became evergreens once more.
Music Hunter 