R2OK!

Cherskiy

(A little late since I couldn't listen again at my normal time last Sunday....)

This edition started off with the Mock Turtles’ “Can You Dig It?”, harking back to the Manchester scene of the late 80s/early 90s, the song being the B-side from the band’s previous single that was re-worked and became a hit in February 1991.
After “Love You More” by The Hours (reminiscent of The Stranglers’ early work in places), Bob revisited his favourite track of 2007 so far, namely the Draytones’ “Keep Loving Me”, which is released this weekend, and he is trying to get them to come in to play live one weekend. If you haven’t heard it yet, I’m sure you will, as it will surely end up on the daytime airplay list. Sounding like a throwback to the 60s, it probably wouldn’t seem out of place on SOTS, although the guitars do go off on one in the middle!
Bob played “Cross the Line” from Colleen McFarland’s excellent new album “Beautiful Lie”, also featured last week, immediately followed by “Ocean Night Song” from Laura Veirs’ forthcoming “Saltbreakers”, which he also played last weekend. Bob was raving about Colleen McFarland’s alt-country release, which he promises to play tracks from on both his weekend and Thursday programmes. “Cross the Line” was a beautiful slice of Americana, her strong yet accessible voice coming across extremely well and sounding like a very slightly softer version of Tift Merritt, who I’ve also liked for some time. Laura Veirs is another artist who Bob introduced me to, her backing band’s usual understated accompaniment allowing her quirky voice and lyrics room for manoeuvre.
Jesse Malin seems to have shaken off his punk labelling of late, revealing a slightly gentler but still grittier performance, especially in “Love Streams”, from his third solo album “Glitter in the Gutter”. This work also features contributions from Bruce Springsteen and Ryan Adams.

Bob has featured tracks by UK singer-songwriter Rebecca Worthley over the last few months, and jumped at the chance to invite her onto the programme to play three live tracks from her album “Myths and Elegies”. Even Jeremy Vine is a fan, although I’m not sure whether he’s yet to play her songs on his show. I have to declare bias here as I’ve enjoyed the songs Bob has played recently, so was looking forward to another great set and interesting conversation. Rebecca has been described as performing a blend of jazz, folk and rock, the sublime “Coming Home” from “Myths” leading us into the three track live session. Two guitarists (one being her brother) provided accompaniment and backing vocals. “Consumed” and “Myths of Competition” provided the first two acoustic tracks, both from the album, whilst “Castles” ended the session. “Consumed” was a beautiful song, an excellent take on what it would be like to have to work all day, every day, and Rebecca’s distinctive vocals almost resembled a harder edged Neko Case here. Early inspiration came from Bread, the Carpenters and James Taylor, simple story-telling later bringing her an awareness of Janis Joplin and other female singer-songwriters. Some interesting conversation ensued regarding the ‘vacuous content’ of some modern music as opposed to songs with meaning and emotion. “Myths of Competition” is one of Bob’s favourites, and the track that introduced me to her music since he’s played it a few times over recent months. Her rich voice shines through strongly here, its range contrasting with the slightly more involved acoustic backing from the two guitarists. The album is a true family affair – the guitarist brother is also a co-producer of the album; two more family members provide piano and more backing vocals. “Castles”, she explained, tells of the ‘privilege of being exasperated by the one you love’, a simple yet effective song. I can see I’m going to have to bump this album up from its current position on my Amazon wish list, perfect accompaniment for driving home from the hills. She’s got plenty of gigs lined up in the future, along with providing support for Thea Gilmore in May. A new album is being considered – she says she has a list of songs in her head at the moment! Another great set of live tracks and conversation – I’m so pleased that Bob decided to introduce this segment into the weekend show.

Bob is responsible for introducing me to Anne McCue, a wonderful Australian singer-songwriter who is no slouch with the guitar. Her album “Roll” was Bob’s Album of the Year in 2004, and after acquiring it myself last year and it practically living in my CD player for the following month, I’m not surprised. Americana, folk ballads and a Hendrix cover, what more do you want from an album? He played “I Want You Back”, as the second track in the final hour, this being the first song from “Roll”, although any of the others would have been welcome. Her follow-up, “Koala Motel”, is equally as good!
The Bittersweets were a bit of a surprise, a five-piece band from San Francisco that has been described as offering ‘enlightened country-rock’. “Rapture” from their debut album “The Life You Always Wanted” provided food for thought, so much so that it’s now on my wish list.
I don’t usually go in for soul and funk but I was impressed by Amos Lee’s “Shout Out Loud” which I’ve heard a few times on the daytime play list. He has provided support at an Aimee Mann gig in the past: that would have been an interesting combination, Aimee Mann confessing that she’s never performed a happy song in her life!
My musical education is obviously harbouring plenty of gaps, since Jeff Buckley has managed to pass me by although that was rectified by listening to “Everybody Here Wants You” from “Sketches From My Sweetheart, The Drunk”. The son of the prolific Tim Buckley (featured straight afterwards), Jeff died early after only one album and “Sketches” was put together as a tribute, pulling together unreleased studio sessions and home demos. Described as ‘the link between Led Zeppelin and his cult folk father’, Jeff Buckley had an incredible falsetto voice and that was demonstrated on “Everybody Here Wants You”.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd was another new name for me, an outrageously talented 12-bar blues exponent although even if you’re not a fan of the blues per se, his gutsy, rock-influenced style would easily draw you in. “What’s Going Down?” from “Ledbetter Heights” was an excellent introduction to his band and I’d like to hear more so hope Bob will play other tracks in the coming weeks.
Klima, a French but London-based performer, was yet another unknown for me, although on the strength of the lovely “Fluorescent Stars” I can see I am going to have to splash out on the her album due out in March. Bob mentioned that if you liked Rebecca Worthley, you’d like Klima – although she actually reminded me of Laura Veirs more.
Finally, Bob wrapped things up with John Mellencamp's "Our Country" from "Freedom's Road". Having dropped his 'Cougar' tag, he still continues to deliver an enthusiastic take on heartland America, complete with political sideswipes and nostalgia trips. Great stuff, which must re-establish him as one of the great exponents of Americana.

Next week's live session? Tuung.... hmmm, heard their track tonight. Never mind.
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)