Tags
A Year in Music, Ace Records, Alabama 3, Amy Winehouse, Barrie-James, Beyond Black, Blue Banisters, Charlie Watts, Chemtrails Over the Country Club, Choctaw Ridge, Documentaries, Instead of Dreaming, Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, Kate Solomon, Lana Del Rey, Lives of the Musicians, Lyndsy Spence, Madame X, Madonna, Maria Callas, Marissa Nadler, Naomi Parry, Nico, Rickie Lee Jones, Riverside, Rolling Stones, Sleep Walk, Tyler James, Yolanda
As the world’s big sleep entered its second year, Lana Del Rey turned away from social media and gave us not just one, but two albums: Chemtrails Over the Country Club and Blue Banisters.
The latter blends her most candid song-writing to date with unreleased fan favourites, some co-written with old flame Barrie-James. Lana also joined him on ‘Riverside,’ the closing track from his latest album, Strange Desire.
The storytellers who preceded Barrie and Lana – from Lee Hazelwood to Bobbie Gentry – can be heard on Choctaw Ridge – New Fables of The American South 1968-1973, compiled for Ace Records by St. Etienne’s Bob Stanley.
Covers albums are in vogue, and with Instead of Dreaming, Marissa Nadler offered gorgeous takes on popular classics like Santos & Johnny’s ‘Sleep Walk‘ and Metallica’s ‘Nothing Else Matters.’
In October, Madonna’s long-awaited Madame X concert film rocked the small screen …
This year’s music books included biographies of Maria Callas and Nico; a memoir by Rickie Lee Jones; and ten years after she left us, a slew of tributes to Amy Winehouse.
Legendary drummer Charlie Watts – arguably the coolest Rolling Stone – passed away in July.
And so for now, I’ll leave you on a rousing note with Brixton’s finest – Alabama 3 – and the barnstorming ‘Yolanda,’ from Step 13…
You must be logged in to post a comment.