Adrian Crowley - “Bless Our Tiny Hearts”
Adrian is the finest songwriter in Ireland. The fact he’s a hidden gem makes his songs all the more delicious when you stumble across them. As good as Michael Hurley.
Michael Hurley - “The Question”
What right does this guy have playing tiny venues around the UK when he should be as lauded as The Most Lauded? What right does anyone have to write a song this good in their 60s? How many 5/5 albums does a man have to release before the general public turn away from their white bread and listen in?
U/N/P/O/C - “The Icelandic Leopard Cat”
Do we think he’ll ever finish LP #2? Probably not before he’s 40, but this taster is as good as anything on The Fifth Column.
The Pictish Trail - “Song of Marie O’ Broughton”
In which the Pictish Trail takes the legend by the scruff of its neck and turns it inside out, cat skin jacket like. A truly wonderful voice for a man so young,
Nic Jones - “The Humpback Whale”
If there was ever a guitar player vocalist that I’ve ripped off more than D’Gary it’s this guy. If only I was 1/5th as good. Hmmph. Mind you, I’m not the only one…
Oumou Sangare - “Ko Sira”
When I was a bairn I painted to this lady’s music for long, long Edinburgh afternoons. I wish she’d release something new. The recent (ish) double CD was a right royal rip off. Bah!
King Creosote - “I Blamed The Wine On The Welders”
Fife’s finest songwriter sings a hangover blues, its bile directed at the ship fitters who drugged him Moses-like and forced cheap Irish whisky down his neck until he sang “and we all have an Amish uncle.”
Morgan Lebus - “Cut Me”
If Morgan Lebus had only got it together to write 3 more songs he’d have been a star. 7 is all you need, Morgan. The rest is filler and cover versions, adverts and hype.
Leo Ferre - “Monsieur William”
Leo Ferre started in the early 50’s and he looked like an old man. He continued and got older and older until by the early 80’s he looked like a gnarled walking stick. His early music I prefer but his latter can still knock Dylan and all into a cocked hat.
Graeme Jamieson - “The Problem with the Fishing”
One of Scotland’s finest traditional singers, Graeme keeps things up to date with this tongue twisting opinion on farm fished salmon.
Sheena Wellington - “Watch it I’m Frae Dundee”
Where our hero confronts a Canadian lorry driver who’s just about to drive over her suitcase full of under linen. Perhaps not the title of the song, but the CD is worn out to billion.
Brian Jackson - “You’ll Manchester it Up!”
Brian’s a Yorkshire singer in his mid 70’s who I met by chance and recorded singing in his kitchen, whilst his wife made vegan apple pie. This is his song about the planned road changes in Leeds.
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The year of the Leopard is released on January 30, 2007 by Domino Records.
http://www.jamesyorkston.co.uk
http://www.dominorecordco.com
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