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36 DECEMBER 2016
MUSIC
Rid Of Me (1993)
Darker and more difficult than her demanding debut Dry
of the previous year, this collection catalogues some of
the deeper recesses of a troubled mind (a relationship
had ended) and is full of vengeance, rage, punk anger
and dense blues. Twisting melodies and Steve Albini's
production only add to the allure.
To Bring You My Love (1995)
This belated follow-up to Rid Of Me was even more
complex lyrically, owed debts to Captain Beefheart and
Patti Smith, and again turned the microscope on her
emotions after another relationship came apart. But in its
weave of dense poetry, compelling music and producer
Flood's atmospheric settings, it was picked as the year's
best by many writers and magazines. Essential in any collection.
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (2000)
By this time she was “Polly”, parading a confident sexuality,
and from the chiming guitar jangle of the openers Big Exit
and Good Fortune there was a more mainstream pop-rock
ethic in play, and – although she still explored some nooks
and crannies – you sensed she was emerging as a new
person, more comfortable in her own skin. It won her the
Mercury Prize after two previous nominations.
Let England Shake (2001)
Another Mercury Prize-winner and an album inspired by
her readings about the folly of historic and current wars.
But again, she wrapped her narratives and thoughts
in engrossing music. She subsequently released a
series of short films for the songs using images by war
photographer Seamus Murphy.
PJ Harvey
And also...
Check out this year's The Hope Six Demolition Project, the result of her
trip to Afghanistan, Kosovo and a beleaguered suburb of Washington DC
with photographer Murphy. Also the risky, sometimes uncomfortable
but ultimately engaging AWoman A Man Walked By (2009), her second
collaboration with producer/multi-instrumentalist John Parish.
For more interviews, reviews and overviews from Graham Reid visit
.
When she first emerged under her own name
in the early '90s with the album Dry we called
her “PJ Harvey”, because “Polly” seemed rather
too familiar for someone so tightly wound and
sharply poetic. She changed over time, but even
in 2001 when I interviewed her before a Big Day
Out it was with some trepidation. But she was
funny, personable, quite charming and amused by
the image she had. In advance of her upcoming
tour dates, here's our buyers' guide to PJ.
he Rolling Stones Blue & Lonesome
ou hear it from the opening notes: they’re doing
his for real. Sure, it’s a little slicker than what we
ould have liked… but it’s sincere and from the
lackest heart of their collective experiences –
ith love. When a group has been ‘The Coolest
and On Our Planet™' for the past 50 years, one
an forgive the ultra-perfect production values
and instead dive into the reason for the release; this is exactly how they
started, people!
The tracks presented are amazing, dangerous and alluring songs
dealing with all manner of what you need within the genre; loss, sex,
revenge, anger and regret (sorry: the blues are, indeed, ‘blue’). Handled
with effortless panache and a driving vocal seriousness thanks to Jagger’s
God-given gift, this is the Stones’ best album since Tattoo You. Magic
Sam’s All Of Your Love is no better example of how these cats don’t steal,
but rather guide you, gently, into waters uncharted. What you do from
there is up to you.
A covers album that tips its hat to Howlin Wolf (a regular go-to with The
Glimmer Twins), Little Walker and Memphis Slim can’t really let you down,
right? Buy this; listen to it ear-bleedingly loud. You’ll smile and want their
entire back catalogue. If this is an epilogue, it makes complete sense.
Chris Murray
Gillian Welch
Boots No.1: The Official
Revival Bootleg
Back in 1996 Gillian Welch released
her debut album, Revival. To
celebrate its 20 year anniversary,
Welch and music-making partner
Dave Rawlings have curated an
official bootleg, featuring songs
they recorded from the making of
the album. This is a meaty double
CD offering eight previously
unreleased songs, 21 outtakes,
alternative versions and demos. If
you’ve missed the magic of these
outstandingly talented folks, start
here, and you’ll soon want to catch
the whole journey of music that
has been a major influence on alt-
country, old time and Americana
music since. Songs that have
stood the test of time and will
continue to be timeless.
Denise Hylands
Bruno Mars
24K Magic
Can I preach? Can I preach? Bruno
Mars is back and bringing the
Uptown Funk on his latest, 24K
Magic (yeah, it’s pronounced "24
karat"). Those hooligans who have
been hanging for some classic
Bruno since his last release back in
2012 (Unorthodox Jukebox) won’t
be disappointed, as his latest disc
is sending shivers down our spines
the same way When I Was Your
Man did. Too Good To Say Goodbye
has some Locked Out Of Heaven
vibes reverberating off the chorus,
and title track 24K Magic is a classic
Bruno single, from the ‘pop pop’
balladry to the private jet in the
film clip. You’ll wind up a hopeless
romantic even if you didn’t think you
had it in you. #blessed
Alesha Kolbe