(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
Music
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
Songs, songs and more songs #115: Łaszewo, Orla Gartland, Bea and her Business, Lauren Mayberry + King Princess
(via Shutterstock) Do you like your upbeat songs with a side order of intensely personal lyrics? Or perhaps you just want some effervescent fun to light up your day? Whatever is floating your musical boat, it’s wroth diving into these five songs which give you infinitely repeatable music, cleverly incisive Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #114: Charli XCX, Tobtok & Hanne Mjøen, Jamie xx and The Avalanches, BOVIY + Meg Smith
(via Shutterstock) We are always in motion; it’s the nature of being alive. But how often do we truly cut loose, surrender ourselves to beat and lyrics and just let our heart and feet take us where they will? Not often enough; there’s usually too much motion of the humdrum Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #113: Hollow Coves, KAZIMI, flowerovlove, Tears For Fears, FAUN + Eurovision 2025 update!
(via Shutterstock) Life is fast … and noisy … and unceasing in its demands and challenges. No news flashes there, of couse. So, in amongst all the tumult and chaos and cacophony of everything seemingly happening all at once, we need moment, many moments in fact, where we just slow Continue Reading