Wednesday 13 January 2010

Aural Balm…

I'm a fan of Cara Dillon. She doesn't do anything spectacularly innovative with her brand of Irish folk (unlike, say, Kila), but sometimes a soothing voice, elegant arrangements and some melancholy lyrics are all you want. This is a live version of 'False, False'.

I've been in a folk and classical mood all week. Apart from listening to Anjali's The World of Lady A (corking), it's been all Tosca, Media Vita and Unthanks. I'm off to see Spiers and Boden with Anita tomorrow. It's not all work, work, work!

3 comments:

Graham Quirk said...

Bit of a folk week for me too. Been listening to Shelagh McDonald a lot, The magical world of the strands demos (legitimately available for free on the shack forum). Massively into L.A Turnaround by Bert Jansch at the mo too and its sister album Santa Barbara Honeymoon (ignore the badly advised steel drums on a track or two). Also rediscovered The Sundays first album which i loved as a teenager but had kind of talked myself out of liking for years because of its obvious influences. Turns out it is a work of bona fide genius. Camille's second album 'le fil' has also been getting a proper listen. Mainly because her voice makes me go a bit funny.

The Plashing Vole said...

Hi Graham. I don't know Shelagh's stuff - will check it out. Thanks for the Strands tip too - must get those. Zoot Horn and I love Bert Jansch too. As for the Sundays - jangly guitar/female vocals - swoon. Know where I can get Tallulah Gosh? Their stuff isn't available anywhere as far as I can see. All I have is a couple of 7"s.

Graham Quirk said...

Tallulah Gosh didn't release an album as far as i know. Just had a look on amazon and you can buy a collection of 7"s and session tracks, but that's about it. Suspend your hatred of wiki for a moment and check out the entry for Shelagh McDonald. It's a lazy comparison, i know but she really is the female Nick Drake. There are two albums 'album' and 'stargazer' and they are amazing. 'Liz's song' and 'city's cry' are among the standout tracks and are as good as anything Joni Mitchell ever produced. No doubt she will appear on a car or toaster advert soon. Actually, i wouldn't object to that as she sounds like she could do with a bit of a windfall.