Some things Old, some things from the News, some things Borrowed, and some Blues: (Take 5)

Friday is fun, because it's all about music - and there's links and playlists. Today, another dive into the occasional featurette where I ramble about all sorts of things under a loose thread or two.

First time I’ve done this for 2024, I think. So a reminder of the format. Here’s the first time I tried this and here’s take two. And here’s take three. And then take four. So you know what that means…

It’s a long weekend here in New Zealand — we’ll have Monday off in celebration of the King most of us don’t really believe in. So, let’s have some music recommendations to get us through. I’ll follow the format I’ve set up for myself. You don’t have to. But I’m definitely interested in your picks — recent lists, watches, reads, old and new, borrowed, and blues….

Some things Old

I’ll be honest, I do like Roxy Music, sometimes I even love them. But I’m no completist. I’m no great knowledge there. I’m more “Bryan Ferry” than “Roxy Music” really, but I should be more Roxy Music — and I think that will change. I know some of the albums, but I’ve often been a greatest hits sort of a chap when it comes to Roxy. So this week I decided to start at the start. And, well, so far, I’m just completely stuck on the self-titled debut. Because it’s just so fucking good. Talk about arriving fully formed. What the fuck is this album? It’s just amazing. Now, I’ve heard it before. Several times even. But I just found that this week it really got under my skin. And I love when that happens. Looking forward to the rest of the catalogue of course.

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My other big deep-dive for right now, it’s already in full swing (pardon the sometimes pun) is the music of Keith Jarrett. I’ve been at it for a couple of weeks now, listening to his music in order of release, and I’m only just coming to the mid-70s. He might be one of the most prolific artists of all time. And what incredible stuff. Almost every album has some genius on it. And many of them are just phenomenal. I know loads of them already, but there’s twice as many I’m hearing for the first time. It’s exhilirating. Nearly daunting. Of course I’m arriving at my all-time favourite just in time for the long weekend:

Some things from the News

Firstly, it was a horrible way to start the week, hearing about the death of Rodger Fox. I loved Rodger. And everything he was about. I always enjoyed seeing him around town, he’d toot the horn and give a big thumbs up out the window. I shared many thoughts about him and the podcast I once did with him in my tribute piece, which I’ll share here again for any that missed it.

In happier news, what a lovely edition to Tiny Desk is the Bob James episode:

You lot will know I’m a huge Bob James fan. I’m also a big Tiny Desk fan, most of the time. And I couldn’t wait to see this full episode. It’s charming. It’s lovely. He’s funny, and kind, and the band subtly cooks beneath him. And there’s a nice new take on his old gem, Nautilus. Let this brighten your week.

Forgive the indulgence, but this is music news — in my world. Dirty Spoons, the duo I’m very proud to be part of — my mate Sam writes great songs — played an instore at Music Planet the other week. And you can watch the wee gig we offered on their YouTube channel. I sent it around here already, and again, sharing here too in case you missed it the first time:

And, a couple of weeks now with Beth Gibbons’ new album and I am really loving it:

I haven’t even watched this yet but I will — it’s a fun long-weekend music-nerd thing for sure, an interview with a couple of the Steely Dan guitar players, known for some of the legendary solos and parts across that mercurial catalogue:

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Some things Borrowed

I grabbed a few Keith Jarrett CDs from the library, and this excellent DVD, The Art of Improvisation:

But I have slowed down on my music borrowing, because I have more than enough to be getting on with, I guess.

However, my friend Pete loaned me both of these books (above) and I cannot decide which one to start. They both look great. I was lucky to see OFF! (Keith Morris’ most recent band) at the very start of this year.

So I should read that book, striking while the iron is hot, the band announcing their farewell shortly after coming to NZ.

But I’ve never read a book about The Stooges, and theirs is the perfect finite catalogue to get back on board with, while diving down under the hood of what it’s all about. And, maybe this is not the right thing to say, but that Jim Jarmusch doco about them was just a bit shit. Also, I loved the Paul Trynka biography of Iggy Pop which I read quite some time ago. So that bodes well for an investigation of the Stooges in book form I reckon.

Between them, that might be my long weekend reading sorted then.

And some Blues.

I dug out the soundtrack to Ghost World this week — I’d only managed to find it on CD relatively recently (well, second time around of course, I owned it back when it was first released). I’ve not returned to the film any time recently (but I probably should), but woah, this soundtrack remains full of absolute treasures.

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I sometimes feel like 12 Songs the second Randy Newman album, is as close to the blues as he got. Ry Cooder on there. That sure helps. Songs like Let’s Burn Down The Cornfield (I love the Etta James version of that). I have decided to roll through Randy’s catalogue from start to finish — for the first time in a wee while. This was triggered by my recent phone chat with Jon Ronson (which will be coming to the Substack podcast soon). Anyway, 12 Songs was one of the first of Randy’s albums I bought when I was discovering his music (pretty sure it was my second CD of his, after 1977’s Little Criminals (the one with Short People, duh). It’s hard to pick a favourite Newman album — and it might be the one that came after 12 Songs, but for right now it’s definitely this.

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And of course we have this week’s playlist. Which is ‘borrowed’ by nature, and features some old, some things from the news or that at least are new/ish, and some blues…Happy listening. Happy long weekend. Happy Friday first of all. Let me know if you like the return to this format. And let me know what music’s currently floating your boat while you’re at it.