When I turned on my NPR podcast and it had a guest DJ who was a female rapper my heart went sinking. Not that I have anything against women (being one and all), or rappers, it’s just not really my bag. I was happily surprised with Kate Tempest, because she seems intelligent and most of all hugely engaged with the world around her. It’s refreshing and inspiring. I’ve since read her book of poetry Hold Your Own and although I won’t listen to her music on a regular basis (still not really bag) I’m open to see what she comes out with.
In general I am not one for Valentines. This morning I listened to NPR’s ‘Songs You Love to Love’ segment, the chat made me laugh a lot. I also love the Bright Eyes song First Day of My Life that weirdly made number one. It’s also good to know that other people would also skip Ed Sheeran (yes I’m a music snob, I’m over it). This song reminds me of being young and full of hope.
I’ve talked about my love of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts before, so it’s probably not surprising I stumbled across this collaboration between Cuban pianist Omar Sosa & Sardinian trumpet player Paolo Fresu performance.
So utterly beautiful I could listen to it all day. Treat your ears.
If there is one thing it easy to love, it’s the festive season. I’ve been listening to Christmas songs since November, the kind that fill you with a want for snow, to be curled up by a roaring fire eating a mince pie, jingling some bells or wearing a Christmas jumper. Scottish artists seem to move towards the more gloomy and contemptuous at this time of year, it’s oddly more acceptable to be honest about how you hate someone/thing if it has a festive tinkle. Cue a round of up new discoveries, old classics and a playlist for your listening pleasure…
Olive Grove Records – Christmas Sampler
The Scottish label’s charity EP, which features the hymnal ‘As a Child I Awoke’ from Jo Mango, a loveable cover of the Muppets ‘One More Sleep Til Christmas’ courtesy of Randolph’s Leap and the first original festive songs from the The Son(s) – you’ll see what I mean about contemptuous – ‘Christmas Song’ and State Broadcasters‘ ‘Wounded Waxing.
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & Dawn McCarthy –Â Christmas Eve Will Kill You
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s (aka Will Oldham’s) first Christmas song with long time collaborator Dawn McCarthy, despite it’s troubling title it’s filled with nostalgia and sentiment. It’s also the first Everly Brothers cover from the duo, who are releasing a whole set entitled What the Brothers Sang next year.
Which also reminds me…this song of theirs ‘Dreams’ might not technically be a Christmas number but it’s a classic.
William Bell – Every Day Will Be Like a HolidayÂ
A timeless and highly underplayed track from soul legend William Bell, this is one of the best Christmas songs you’ll ever listen to.
The Killers – IÂ Feel it in My BonesÂ
The latest of their annual Christmas singles it sounds similar to what you may have heard before…I like it anyway. Featuring Las Vegas based singer Ryan Pardey as Bad Santa the video is an absolute eighties throwback, cue dry ice and a weird Santa cackle…
Mogwai – Christmas Song
This came out a long while ago, but I only just heard it. Like most of Mogwai’s material it’s an extraordinarily beautiful instrumental which you can sink right in to.
Check out NPR Music’s Jingle Jams for much more, below you’ll find a playlist featuring most of the above plus some old and out and out favourites. Embed it, share it, play it at a party – Merry Christmas!
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