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:
    1-13 of 13
    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 »
    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 »
    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 »
    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 »
    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 »
    At The Centre by Lies Damned Lies
    pop, acoustic
    A lazy autumn sunday evening of a song from one of Scotland's most frustratingly under-achieving bands. Think The Blue Nile meets Crosby, Stills and Nash...  more »
    Sights and Sounds of London Town by Richard Thompson
    country/folk, singer/songwriter, folk rock
    A live take of a track from the 1999 album, Mock Tudor. This is Richard Thompson in full flow - an urgent series of snapshots...  more »
     
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    Lovers In A Dangerous Time by Michael Occhipinti
    jazz, contemporary
    The songs of Bruce Cockburn have always been imbued with a shot of jazz - sometimes a whole lot of it. So a recording of...  more »
    Tony Blair by Chumbawamba
    pop, sixties girl group
    Probably even more pertinent now than it was when it was first released 6 years ago. The Chumba's dress up a simple but damning message...  more »
    The Obscenity Prayer by Rodney Crowell
    country/folk, rock, singer/songwriter, acoustic, pop rock
    The SXSW website is a great source of free mp3 downloads for a wide variety of artists. One that I've been particularly enjoying over the...  more »
    I Would Never Do Anything In This World To Hurt You by Martyn Joseph
    country/folk, singer/songwriter
    Martyn Joseph is just one of those guys I can't help but love. The man is a true hero of mine - he's been plugging...  more »
     
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