Joe Boyd is a music man, a vision guy, an individual that has nurtured and encouraged. He’s an American, but much of his best work happened in Seventies London, where he tended to Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Pink Floyd and the brief but priceless canon of Nick Drake.
Few people could have worked with Drake and his introversion, his intense needs and his morbidity. But the three Nick albums that Joe Boyd stood over are still emotionally alive. Hence a project that Joe has developed over recent years, called ‘Way To Blue’. Live performances by a selection of artists that are sympathetic to Drake, including Lisa Hannigan, Vashti Bunyan, Teddy Thompson, Danny Thompson and Green Gartside, all respectful of the work, using the old Robert Kirby arrangements and some fresh ideas from Kate St John. Mostly charming and available on CD from next Monday.
Happily, Joe is also headed to Belfast on May 11. He will present “an illustrated lecture” at the Black Box during the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. More information here . See you there.
Bobby Bland – Let’s Get Together (Soul Jazz)
Iron & Wine – Caught In The Briars (4ad)
Dexys – Geno (live at Other Voices London)
Desert Hearts – Aw Devastation (No Dancing)
Vashti Bunyan – Which Will (Navigator)
Kurt Vile – Wakin’ On A Pretty Day (Matador)
Neil Young – Rockin’ In The Free World (Reprise)
Pixie Carnation – Young and Free (Warner)
Billy Bragg – There Will Be A Reckoning (cv)
She And Him – Never Wanted Your Love (Double Six)
Shangri Las – I Can Never Go Home Any More (Red Bird)
The Charlatans – Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over (Beggars Banquet)
David Ford – Pour A Little Poison (Magnolia)
Master & Dog – Devil Knows How (white)
Depeche Mode – Broken ( )
Bill Ryder Jones – Hanging Song (Domino)
Cub Koala – Forgive and Forget (white)
Bessie Smith – After You’re Gone (Orbis)
Green Gartside – Fruit Tree (Navigator)
Kodaline – All I Want (white)
Milk Carton Kids – Heaven (Anti)
Little Bear – I’d Let You Win (live at Other Voices London)
Billy Bragg – Tomorrow’s Gonna Be A Better Day (cv)
James Blake, RZA – Take A Call For Me (Polydor)
