RamblinMan

"It's about the songs, stupid!"

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    about me
    A 40-something father-of-3 who's got past the "what's cool" stage, and just likes what he likes. Mainly these days that covers folk, country, acoustic, jazz-y, rock-y, roots-y sort of stuff, but my tastes are eclectic, and can cover the loudest heavy rock to the subtlest ambient sounds. And most stops in between.
    why i'm a source
    Cos' there is just so much good music out there that is unsung (not literally, obviously!), and which deserves a wider audience. Plus I've got so much pleasure from that music, it's only fair that somebody else knows about it as well.
    i'm into
    Music (obviously), spirituality (esp. Greenbelt - see www.greenbelt.org.uk), photography, books (more non-fiction these days) and films. My kids and family. Hoping to start a little vegetable patch soon!
    state of mind
    Variable. Sometimes restless searcher for the truth, sometimes really can't be bothered and wish it would all go away. Not the happiest bunny on the planet, but I'm OK!
    favorite bands
    How long have you got?! Some or all of the following will be on pretty regular rotation: Natalie Merchant, Bruce Cockburn, Juliet Turner, Martyn Joseph, U2, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Prefab Sprout, Abba, Waterboys, Kate Bush, Beth Orton, Julie Lee, Pentecostal Bouffant, Rilo Kiley, Bob Dylan, The Band, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Lies Damned Lies, Iain Archer, Nick Cave, New Order, REM, Peter Bruntnell, Miles Davis, Julian Cope, Deacon Blue See my last.fm profile for what I'm listening to at the moment.
    favorite movies
    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Donnie Darko, O Brother Where Art Thou, Lost in Translation, Strictly Ballroom, Edward Scissorhands, Some Like It Hot, Spirited Away, Amelie, It's A Wonderful Life, Gregory's Girl
    favorite books
    Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, Anything by John O'Donohue, Most things by Douglas Coupland (esp. Life After God and Girlfriend in a Coma), Wishful Thinking, and Whistling in the Dark by Frederick Buechner, Godzone by Mike Riddell, Peace Like A River by Leif Enger, God Breathes His Dreams Through Nathaniel Cadwallader by Charlotte Fairbairn, If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor
    LOCATION: Southampton, UK
    PERMALINK:
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    Knowledge and Interest by Scritti Politti
    rock, reggae, post punk
    Those only familiar with Scritti Politti from their super-shiny pop perfection of the mid-80's will find this slice of discordant, disjointed, scratchy post-punk a revelation....  more »
    Modern Love by The Last Town Chorus
    country/folk
    In all his chameleon-like incarnations, I don't ever remember David Bowie going through a country phase. Maybe the east-end boy never really had an affinity...  more »
    Do You Feel Like I Do? by The People's Revolutionary Choir
    rock, psychedelic
    A psychedelic barnstormer of a song, this London-based 6-piece reminds me of early-80s Bunnymen, and certainly the more wigged-out moments of Stone Roses. This is...  more »
    Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole by Martha Wainwright
    country/folk, singer/songwriter
    Sister of Rufus, daughter of Loudon and Kate McGarrigle, Martha was never going to be a shrinking violet. And this little ditty from her debut...  more »
    California Brown and Blue by Denison Wittmer
    country/folk, acoustic, singer/songwriter
    Chum of Sufjan Stevens and Rosie Thomas, Denison Witmer specialises in a wistful singer-songwritery-ness. This gorgeous gem of a song fills the lazy sunday afternoon...  more »
    Chinese Vacation by steve poltz
    pop, country/folk, rock
    Already awarded mp34u accolades for the Rugburns immense "Dick's Automotive", Steve Poltz has carved out a niche with his wry, literate acoustic pop gems. Chinese...  more »
    Turn Down The Lights by Rosalie Deighton
    country/folk, singer/songwriter, acoustic
    OK, so the last thing the world really needs at the moment is another sensitive female singer-songwriter. But that's what it's got with Rosalie, and...  more »
    Sacred Heart by Deadstring Brothers
    country/folk, rock
    A country-tinged Stones, or a rocked out Gram Parsons? Either way, Detroit-based Deadstring Brothers storm their way through this loose and ragged slab of classic...  more »
    Highway One by Dead Rock West
    pop, country/folk, rock
    Equal parts country rock, power-pop and straight forward rock and roll, this highly accomplished Southern Californian outfit mix great harmonies with a massive chorus on...  more »
     
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    Chips Ahoy! by The Hold Steady
    pop, rock
    If you haven't caught this huge slice of tear-it-up rock, here it is in all it's unadulterated glory. Mixing equal parts Thin Lizzy, Springsteen and...  more »
    I Found A World Just Like Christmas by Chuck Prophet
    country/folk, alt.country, christmas
    The former Green On Red singer teams up with his wife Stephanie Finch to bring a slice of Christmas that stays just the right side...  more »
    Wellington's Reel by James Kelly
    country/folk, instrumental, Irish Folk
    Cited as "one of the most outstanding Irish musicians of this or any generation", this sublime slice of Irish fiddling may not be the standard...  more »
    Carol Of The Bells by Jonathan Rundman
    pop, rock, power pop
    There really aren't enough songs about church hand-bell players called Carol, and of those that there are, this must be the best of the bunch....  more »
    Nobody Loves You Anymore by Martyn Joseph
    country/folk, singer/songwriter
    Musically mellow, but lyrically biting, this carefully aimed number stays obscure enough to be interesting, yet direct enough that it should make somebody somewhere very...  more »
    Carolinah by Ox
    country/folk, rock, alt.country, americana
    Hailing fron Vancouver, Ox purvey a timeless sound that echoes the long, wide roads they have travelled, and owes something to fellow-countryman Neil Young's mellower...  more »
    Darling Corey by Crooked Still
    country/folk, bluegrass
    A moody slice of finger-pickin' greatness, Crooked Still work within the bluegrass traditions (this is a Flatt and Scruggs number) but give it their own...  more »
    Wild Is The Wind by Billy MacKenzie
    pop, rock
    I must admit to having a (very) soft spot for the Bowie version of this song. But this version, by the late ex-Associates singer, comes...  more »
    Portrait by Duke Special
    pop, rock, singer/songwriter, Vaudeville
    Self-confessed "hobo-chic" from Northern Ireland, Duke Special brings more than a touch of vaudeville to the singer-songwriter tradition. With a poet's lyrical sensibility ("kisses rain...  more »
    Up Above My Head by Sister Rosetta Tharpe
    blues, other, rock n roll, gospel
    Here is one rocking lady that really deserves more recognition than she seems to get. A glorious fusion of gospel and rock and roll, from...  more »
    Love Is A Blessing by Steve Dawson
    country/folk, alt.country, country-soul
    One half of the core of Dolly Varden, Steve Dawson produces a sublime piece of country-soul that sounds like an old friend the first time...  more »
     
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