(via Shutterstock) People often talk about music soundtracking their life but in my case, it really is what happens. I listen to music on the train. On the way to and from the train station. In shops. When exercising. When I need to just chill out and escape a very Continue Reading
Music
Merry pop culture Christmas to all … and to all a good streaming-reading-listening night! (Bonus The Penguins of Madagascar Christmas Special)
(courtesy Pinterest (c) Peanuts) Merry pop culture Christmas everyone! Another year has somehow zoomed right through, around and past us, offering up far too many books and movies and TV/streaming show and songs and graphic novels to consume in one lifetime, but reminding us as we gobbled what we could Continue Reading
On 10th day of Christmas … I listened to Sleigher by Ben Folds
(courtesy YouTube) I am, for all my love of upsetting apple carts and pushing envelopes, especially creatively, quite traditional when it comes to Christmas music. That’s not to say that this reviewer wants choral extravaganzas or hymn-drenched carols, though they can be delightful in a sparing context; no, traditional in Continue Reading
On 8th day of Christmas … I listened to When I Think of Christmas by Amy Grant & Vince Gill
(courtesy Apple Music) For many years, Amy Grant, an artist I have loved and admired back when I was in the church, and one of the few who came with me on my way out of it, was Christmas for me. Her Christmas albums – A Christmas Album (1983), Home Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more FESTIVE songs by Eurovision artists (#120): Poli Genova, Daði Freyr, Måns Zelmerlöw, Subwoolfer, Anna Bergendahl … plus “Happy New Year” by ABBA
(via Shutterstock) The artists who are selected to presented their countries at the Eurovision Song Contest like a festive song as much as the next person. When they are done with the glitter and the pyrotechnics and the big LED screen visuals, they often parlay their newfound popularity, and the Continue Reading
On 4th day of Christmas … I listened to Holiday Soirée by George Kahn
(courtesy George Kahn) There’s just something about jazz to put you in the festive mood isn’t there? Maybe it’s the chilled yet emotionally buoyant vocals, the relaxed but propulsive melodies or the sheer exuberant artistry of talented musicians losing themselves in the moment; whatever it is, and it’s likely all Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more festive songs #119: Brett Eldredge & Kelly Clarkson, Ingrid Michaelson & Jason Mraz, Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Canaan Cox and Alice Merton + special Jacob Collier live festive recording
(via Shutterstock) There’s so much Christmas music released each year, and while it’s a joy to a Christmas-a-holic like me, it can get challenging to get to it all, let along let yourself festively soak in it. So, I’ve picked four of the tracks that really struck a chord with Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #118: Five songs I love from Heartstopper S3 by beabadoobee, Baby Queen, Tom Odell, Griff + Angie McMahon
(courtesy Netflix) For anyone who’s ever struggled to make their authentic way into the world as a young adult because they didn’t match the world’s very restrictively narrow idea of what a person should be sexually, Heartstopper has been a liberating revelation. Warmly inclusive and funny and heartfelt to a Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #117: Breakfast Road, Maria Sur, Griff, Late June +Vlossom
(via Shutterstock) Want some fast songs, then a shwostopper slow one that sparkle with beauty and emotion and possibility and then a couple of mid-fi electronic numbers that keep the energy up while subtlely also dialling it down? You’ve got it! It’s a surprising mix of curated sounds but it Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #116: New songs from Eurovision’s class of 2024 – Nemo, Angelina Mango, Silvester Belt, Raiven + Baby Lasagna
(via Shutterstock) Some 163 million people around the world watched the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. That’s a lot of eager viewers and a brilliant way for any artist to get their name out there and raise their profile worldwide. But all of the personal brand building can come to nothing Continue Reading