I've been enjoying curating the Songs of Sunshine & Struggle playlist since late January when the nights were dark and long.
Now it's May and London is getting sunnier, and warmer, days. Much like the changing of the season, there are moments of radiant sunshine, and then long days of darkness and sadness. Which is where this playlist comes from in its outlook.
Here are just 5 of the songs, chosen from the 250, that have really gotten to me. Some are just about having a good time- thats the sunshine!- but some really identify with those times of suffering and trouble.
Meadows spent years trying to escape himself. He's anything but selfish, so he'd find a way to get away-- a bottle, a bag, a sermon -- and he'd share it with anyone. Underdogs is an encouraging clarion call to those who feel like they're at the back of the queue.
This took me straight to mid-west America, a close community, and a heck of a good time on the weekend
The Minneapolis singer takes us somewhere that people arrive and go - The Airport. Leaving our troubles behind, she suggests we 'leave our burdens at the boarding gate'
I'm a big fan of Courtney's album released earlier this year. Isn't the world be better with the Kindness of Strangers?
"He ain't coming back here again, they're passengers on a ship that can't go back from where it's come." - Will Overman
Monday 21 May 2018
Friday 4 May 2018
Folk Songs to Watch the World Go By
I've really been enjoying curating the seasonal folk playlist on the Bristol Funk channel recently, and over the last 6 months, these songs have really stood out ::
We all have someone we'd like to be at home again
The opening lyrics of Overland, recorded close to Bristol, cut straight to the heart. I love the harmonies and unity of the 3 band members here
As a fan of Agnes Obel and Lisa Hannigan Mree's 'In The Kitchen' really got to me. The chorus is so soothing, like Kate Bush but with a cup of herbal tea. A folk song that starts so light then progresses and builds with a certain depth and increasing purpose. A hell of a record.
"Hate can't be the face of the American Dream" pleads Raye Zaragoza. Herself part Native American Indian, she wanted to re-address the balance and like the classic protest songs of yore, it has as much hope as it does sadness. An under-rated record that deserves to be much bigger than it is.
Cat Stevens was there on so many car journeys with my parents so I was really pleased when he released a new album last year. This was my favourite track from his 'Laughing Apple' album
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