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Hen Ogledd – Problem Child

January 4, 2019 Peter Kimpton
Hen Oggled, featuring Richard Dawson, second from right

Hen Oggled, featuring Richard Dawson, second from right

Song of the Day: It’s impossible to categorise this brilliant, heady mixture of folk and electronica with thudding bass, and oddball vocals, except it has an echo of late-70s Peter Gabriel about it

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In 2018, electronica, folk Tags songs, song of the day, Richard Dawson, Rhodri Davies, Sally Pilkington, Dawn Bothwell, Hen Ogledd
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Tom Waits – New Year's Eve

December 31, 2018 Peter Kimpton
New Year’s Eve fireworks with Tom Waits

New Year’s Eve fireworks with Tom Waits

Song of the Day: An annual theme from a perennial Song Bar favourite - Tom Waits’ and Kathleen Brennan’s gentle song captures some of the chaos, fireworks, fights, arguments and emotional turmoil as the year unstoppably turns

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In 2011, blues, folk Tags songs, song of the day, Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan
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Tracy Chapman – Hard Wired

December 21, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman

Song of the Day: The next song in min-series of brain theme is this prophetic number by the Cleveland, Ohio singer from her 2002 album Let It Rain, highlighting the effect technology has on our most precious and complex organ

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In 2002, folk, pop Tags songs, song of the day, Tracy Chapman, biology, technology, brain
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PJ Harvey – The Words That Maketh Murder / The Glorious Land / On Battleship Hill

November 12, 2018 Peter Kimpton
PJ Harvey and autoharp

PJ Harvey and autoharp

Song of the Day: Continuing on the First World War Armistice Day centenary, a trio of some of the finest songs about war from the British singer and composer from her acclaimed 2011 album Let England Shake

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In 2011, indie, folk Tags songs, song of the day, First World War, war, PJ Harvey, John Parish, Mick Harvey
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Armistice Day Centenary: No Man's Land (The Green Fields of France) / Last Post

November 11, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Lest we forget …

Lest we forget …

Song of the Day: Simply a song, a piece of music and a poem to mark 100 years since Armistice Day 11 November 1918, the end of the First World War, in which there were 40 million casualties

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In traditional, folk, classical, 1918, 1976 Tags songs, First World War, remembrance, Armistice Day, Eric Bogle, Robert Graves
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Burt Bacharach – South American Getaway (from Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid)

November 7, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Robert Redford and Paul Newman making their last stand in the 1969 film

Robert Redford and Paul Newman making their last stand in the 1969 film

Song of the Day: Today’s date, 7 November, is significant in all sorts of ways - elections, revolutions, births, deaths, but it’s the day in 1908 when two of America’s most famous outlaws were reportedly killed on the run in Bolivia

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In 1969, folk, soul, film soundtrack Tags songs, song of the day, Burt Bacharach, Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid, Russia, Bolshevik Revolution, women's suffrage, Franklin D Roosevelt, Richard NIxon, Watergate Scandal, film soundtrack, film, Robert Redford, Paul Newman
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Harry Chapin – Taxi

October 30, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Harry Chapin

Harry Chapin

Song of the Day: Next in the taxi line is this wistfully beautiful 1972 song from the American singer-songwriter’s debut album, Heads & Tales, about a driver who picks up a glamorous woman who turns out to be an old flame

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In 1972, country, folk, pop Tags song of the day, songs, Harry Chapin, taxis
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Jens Lekman – Black Cab

October 26, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Jens Lekman

Jens Lekman

Song of the Day: From Tim Buckley’s driver perspective to one from the customer, this time in the dry humour of the Swedish singer-songwriter who finds it a haven after missing the last tram home

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In 2004, 2005, folk, pop Tags song of the day, songs, Jens Lekman, taxis, Belle & Sebastian, The Magnetic Fields, Stephin Merritt, Jonathan Richman, depression
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Lead Belly to Nirvana and more – Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

September 18, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Lead Belly

Lead Belly

Song of the Day: Also known as In The Pines, and Black Girl, today we move onto another traditional song variously interpreted, dark and brooding, haunting in its melody, and simmering with suspicion and jealousy

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In 1941, 1948, 1964, 1965, 1975, 1990, 1994, 2015, country, blues, Americana, folk, goth, indie, pop, traditional, world music, bluegrass, cajun, 1944 Tags songs, song of the day, sex, jealousy, traditional, blues, Cajun, Lead Belly, Bill Monroe, The Bluegrass Boys, The Four Pennies, Marianne Faithfull, Nathan Abshire, Mark Lanegan, Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, Ralph Stanley, Marilyn Manson, Lasten Hautausmaa
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Son House … to House of the Rising Sun – various

September 17, 2018 Peter Kimpton
The Animals may have done the best-known cover version, but there are arguably others than better it

The Animals may have done the best-known cover version, but there are arguably others than better it

To some it’s a masterpiece, to others a dirge, but from 17th century England to 20th century New Orleans, with artists that include Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, The Animals and alt-J it’s a song that keeps evolving

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In 1933, 1931, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1971, 1981, 2017, 1991, 1946, traditional, swing, soul, rock, jazz, indie, gospel, folk, country, blues, avant garde, Americana Tags songs, song of the day, traditional, The Animals, Eric Burdon, Alan Lomax, folk, New Orleans, Tom Clarence Ashley, Gwen Foster, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Libby Holman, Josh White, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Nina Simone, Johnny Halliday, Frijig Pink, Dolly Parton, Doc Watson, Five Finger Death Punch, alt-J
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Various (Playing For Change) – Clandestino

August 14, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Some of the many musicians collaborating on the Playing For Change project

Some of the many musicians collaborating on the Playing For Change project

Song of the Day: Yesterday's pick was Cuban played by Africans, today's is an even richer blend with artists from Morocco, Hungary, Mexico, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Senegal, Egypt, India, USA, France and Serbia

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In 1998, 2014, African, calypso, dance, folk, reggae, salsa, world music, gypsy Tags songs, song of the day, Playing For Change, Manu Chao, Africa, Cuba, Morocco, Egypt, Argentina, Mexico, Senegal, India, France, USA, Serbia, Hungary, gypsy music, Subcommandante Marcos, Said Chraib
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Cesária Evora – Sodade

August 12, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Cesária Evora

Cesária Evora

Song of the Day: Moving now to and artist from Cape Verde and one of the most beautiful songs, from the singer's her 1992 album Miss Perfumado

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In 1992, African, chanson, traditional, folk Tags song of the day, songs, Cesária Evora, Cape Verde, Portugal, emigration
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Sona Jobarteh – Gambia / Jarabi

August 10, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Sona Jarbarteh

Sona Jarbarteh

Song of the Day: Moving from Ivory Coast and Mali to The Gambia, and the singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer who hails from a long line of Griot kora players with a song to mark her country's 50th independence anniversary in 2015

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In 2015, African, folk, fusion, traditional, world music Tags songs, song of the day, Sona Jabarteh, The Gambia, Africa, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, Toumani Diabaté, Femi Temowo, Robert Fordjour
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Rocky Mountain Mike – Mr Tangerine Man / Don't Think Twice They're Alt Right

July 13, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Go home, you fuckwit

Go home, you fuckwit

Song of the Day: To mark the unwelcome visit of the current US president to the UK, two ironic versions of the famous Bob Dylan song that capture the falsehood, narcissism, hypocrisy and divisive racism of the Donald

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In folk, pop Tags songs, song of the day, Rocky Mountain Mike, Donald Trump, Bob Dylan, politics, satire
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Fourth of July Special: Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan's 115th Dream

July 4, 2018 Peter Kimpton
From the cover of Bringing It All Back Home, Bob Dylan's fourth album (1965)

From the cover of Bringing It All Back Home, Bob Dylan's fourth album (1965)

Song of the Day: Some songs for Independence Day are patriotic, others heavily critical, but this American dream number sees the then great young lyricist capture his country with surreal, vivid, humorous irony

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In 1965, pop, rock, folk Tags songs, song of the day, Bob Dylan, dreams, Fourth of July, Independence Day, USA
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Nico – These Days

June 20, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Nico. Teutonic stony sadness.

Nico. Teutonic stony sadness.

Song of the Day: After Sibylle Baier yesterday, a better known, but in her own way, equally mysterious German singer, best recognised in the Velvet Underground, but here from her own 1967 solo album, Chelsea Girl

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In 1967, psychedelia, folk Tags Nico, Jackson Browne, The Velvet Underground, Gregg Allman, St Vincent, Elliott Smith, Lloyd Cole, Glen Campbell
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Judy Collins – Priests / Sisters of Mercy (by Leonard Cohen)

June 18, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Judy Collins with Leonard Cohen

Judy Collins with Leonard Cohen

Song of the Day: After a couple of nun-related songs, let's turn two ethereal songs written by Leonard Cohen, but performed by the singer better known for covering Stephen Sondheim's Send In The Clowns

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In 1967, folk, 1961 Tags songs, song of the day, Judy Collins, Leonard Cohen, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell, Jacques Brel, folk, religion, sex, relationships, Joshua Rifkin
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Jake Thackray – Sister Josephine

June 17, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Jake Thackray

Jake Thackray

Song of the Day: From yesterday's Ye Nuns, a gem from the Yorkshire chansonnier from his  about a nun who wasn't really one, filled with playful, suggestive images and written in a mock-innocent style

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In 1972, chanson, folk Tags song of the day, songs, Jake Thackray, folk, chansons, comedy
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Henry Burr / Leonard Cohen / OMD / Arcade Fire – Songs about Joan of Arc

June 15, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Who is Joan of Arc?

Who is Joan of Arc?

Song of the Day: After recent songs about the famous who died at a prematurely young age, four very contrasting numbers about the legendary French military heroine who was burned at the stake age 19 in 1431

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In 1917, 1971, 1981, 2013, electronica, dance, folk, pop, indie, traditional Tags songs, song of the day, Joan of Arc, Henry Burr, Second World War, Leonard Cohen, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Arcade Fire, history, martyrs, saints, religion
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Van Morrison – Bright Side Of The Road

June 10, 2018 Peter Kimpton
Van the man

Van the man

Song of the Day: After James Carr's soul classic, let's turn down down an unusually upbeat route written by by the Belfast legend for his 1979 album Into The Music, which includes a lyric inspired by it

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In 1979, soul, folk Tags songs, song of the day, Van Morrison, James Carr, Belfast, soul, folk
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Older Posts →

DRINK OF THE WEEK

Pink martini

Pink martini.jpg

SNACK OF THE WEEK

grilled artichoke hearts

grilled artichoke hearts.jpg

MORE MUSIC …

Featured
Feb 18, 2019
New albums: Chaka Khan, Ladytron, Piroshka, Methyl Ethel, Cass McCombs, Stats, Czarface and Ghostface Killah, Bis, Homeshake
Feb 18, 2019

Alongside full funk and pop from Prince’s great friend Chaka, experimental, indie and electronica dominate this week’s roundup, including Australia’s Methyl Ethel and long due return from Glasgow’s catchy popsters Bis

Feb 18, 2019
Feb 11, 2019
New albums: International Teachers of Pop, Yak, LCD Soundsystem, Elder Island, Mercury Rev (& various), Flat Worms, Jessica Pratt, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Panda Bear, Lemonheads
Feb 11, 2019

Electronic pop from the International Teacher and Elder Island, Yak’s long -awaited indie, covers by Mercury Rev and Lemonheads, slow beauty by Jessica Pratt and lo-fi live studio recordings by LCD Soundsystem are among this week’s bumper roundup

Feb 11, 2019
Feb 4, 2019
New albums: Beirut, The Specials, Ian Brown, Rustin Man, Tiny Ruins, Unloved, The Cool Greenhouse, Angel Bat Dawid, Cherry Glazerr
Feb 4, 2019

Brass beauty from Beirut, a 40th anniversary album from The Specials. and a new solo album from the Stone Roses frontman are among this week’s roundup of releases that are various experimental, rock, electronica and more

Feb 4, 2019
Jan 29, 2019
New albums: Toy, Swervedriver, Better Oblivion Community Center (Conor Oberst & Phoebe Bridgers), DAWN, Rat Boy, Sunflower Bean, Mike Krol
Jan 29, 2019

From an experimental album by New Orleans artist DAWN to a collaboration between Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers, as well as a return by 90s shoegazers Swervedriver, this week’s roundup has plenty of surprises

Jan 29, 2019

Featured
Feb 20, 2019
Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters – A Quiet Place
Feb 20, 2019

Song of the Day: Following Miles Davis with In A Silent Way, a beautiful ‘64 soul number pleading for silence on a noisy street by the artist who grew up in Philadelphia and developed his Sam Cooke-like voice in church and doo-wop bands

Feb 20, 2019
Feb 19, 2019
Miles Davis – In A Silent Way
Feb 19, 2019

Album of the Day: A special edition to mark the anniversary of a unique masterpiece recorded 50 years ago today on 18 February 1969 at New York’s CBS 30th Street Studio. Davis’s contribution was small, but key, fitting perfectly alongside the work of other greats

Feb 19, 2019
Feb 15, 2019
The Staple Singers – Bridges Instead of Walls
Feb 15, 2019

Song of the Day: On the day Donald Trump calls an attention-seeking national emergency to get funding for his controversial wall project, a song from 1973 by the great soul and gospel family with a message that’s loud and clear

Feb 15, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
The Beatles – Birthday
Feb 12, 2019

Song of the Day: Combining two birthdays, one for the Song Bar itself - now three years old, and less significantly, the Bar’s Landlord, this off-the-cuff rock number was written during the White Album recordings on 18 September 1968

Feb 12, 2019
Feb 3, 2019
The Groundhogs – Cherry Red / Eccentric Man (plus John Lee Hooker)
Feb 3, 2019

Song of the Day: Deliberately one day after the traditional date of Groundhog Day, life and music repeats itself with two songs by the British 60s band were inspired the great American bluesman and one of his numbers

Feb 3, 2019
Jan 22, 2019
Sandie Shaw / Ron Moody / Galliano – Reviewing The Situation
Jan 22, 2019

Song of the Day: To capture the current state of farcical flux and political impasse over Brexit and US government shutdown, a classic written by Lionel Bart for the musical Oliver!, which also became a feminist 60s pop hit for the female star

Jan 22, 2019
Jan 15, 2019
Alabama 3 – Woke Up This Morning
Jan 15, 2019

Song of the Day: After Miss Otis Regrets, another songs about a women who decided to stop taking abuse from a man, this time by the band from Brixton whose song eventually became synonymous with the Sopranos

Jan 15, 2019
Jan 14, 2019
Ella Fitzgerald / Ethel Waters – Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable To Lunch Today)
Jan 14, 2019

Song of the Day: After yesterday’s She Drew The Gun songs, let’s go back to an original Cole Porter number from 1934, which contains that shot line of defiance and revenge, a tragic tale about a society woman who simply would not take it anymore

Jan 14, 2019

Featured
Feb 17, 2019
Word of the week: flimflam
Feb 17, 2019

Word of the week: It means pseudo-intellectual nonsense, insincerity or a confidence trick perpetrated by elected officials, so while antiquated, always current and relevant, and with a lovely musicality where has it been used in lyrics?

Feb 17, 2019
Feb 9, 2019
Word of the week: gabardine
Feb 9, 2019

Word of the week: Let’s extend the lyrical wardrobe. It’s a smooth, durable, twill-woven worsted, rayon or cotton cloth material and also the name of coat, but is a also beautifully sounding, musical word, perfectly suited to sung words

Feb 9, 2019
Feb 2, 2019
Word of the week: harridan
Feb 2, 2019

Word of the week: It traditionally means a scolding, bossy, unpleasant woman, possibly with origins from the 17th century and related to the verb to harry, or hassle, and has a certain comical quality, but where does it come up in song lyrics?

Feb 2, 2019
Jan 23, 2019
Word of the week: ichthyosaur
Jan 23, 2019

Word of the week: After last week’s fictional Jabberwocky, a real-life deep-sea dinosaur, a fish-reptile with an extraordinary evolutionary history on land and sea, famous in fossils, but where can we dive to find it in song lyrics?

Jan 23, 2019
Jan 16, 2019
Word of the week: jabberwock
Jan 16, 2019

Word of the week: It’s best known as the mythical monster in Lewis Carroll’s poem from Through The Looking Glass (1871), but the word also means nonsense or gibberish, something that continues to be very much at large

Jan 16, 2019

Song Bar spinning.gif