A curation of tracks that have resonated with me recently. In the Listening Guide I explain why. The videos included here are live versions where possible, with the released track in the full You Tube playlist. Links to Apple Music, Spotify and the entire YouTube playlist follow the Guide.
Elvis Costello - ‘Watching the Detectives’ (Pathway Studios Trio Version) (2026 remaster) from My Aim is True (49th anniversary edition)
This is the song that took me from someone who liked Costello to becoming a committed listener (at least until he started exploring genres that weren’t always right for me). It’s lovely to rediscover it in several versions on the new box (even if it wasn’t actually a My Aim is True track). A unique piece of songwriting and the Attractions are shown off in all their versatility.
The Undertones - ‘Hypnotised’ from Hypnotised (1980)
Not the first Undertones song most people think of, and it only came back to me because of the subject of the next track, but it’s a snappy little pop song even if it’s not ‘Teenage Kicks’. When a band begins in the way the Undertones did it’s very hard to maintain that energy and originality, but they have a good stab at doing so here.
Suede - ‘Trance State’ from Antidepressants (2026)
I’ve never been much of a Suede fan but maybe I should listen more because. There are some very positive reviews of their new album. I’m just one listen in so far and I can hear why. I selected ‘Trance State’ because it took me back to my days of working as a hypnotherapist, including as it does the warnings about not operating heavy machinery in the coda. Music induces a trance state no matter what genre it is. This is somewhat more lively than the music I put under my guided trance CDs. If you’re listening along you might be well under by now.
Steve Hackett & Steve Rothery - ‘Red Dragon’ from The Roaring Waves (2026)
The second track to be previewed in LP Select from the two Steves. Music with no vocals allows our imaginations and subsconsciouses to range wherever they may wish. It will be interesting to hear the whole album and discover how their different guitar tones and melodies interweave and lead us through the story they are telling - or will we write our own story? If we do follow our own path, does that mean their musical storytelling has failed? Anyway, you might simply experience this as a fine instrumental by two master guitarists. That’s no issue.
Pete Roth Trio & Bill Bruford - ‘Full Circle’ from Group Chat (2026)
Great to have Bill Bruford back drumming again. As with Robert Fripp, he’s as interested in the act of performing as in the performance himself, and Bruford has written a PhD thesis to academically study this endlessly changing aspect of human psychology. Dive deeply into that if you wish, or you might be content to enjoy a fine few minutes of jazz rock played live with the Pete Roth Trio.
On their web page, the Trio says this: “The music unfolds as a conversation between players and audience, where every performance becomes a unique exploration of sound, texture, and connection.” This is partly what Pete Townshend was exploring in his Lifehouse project in the early 70s, so I’m fascinated to hear more when the full album is out. (Shameless plug for my Lifehouse book - anyway, moving on …)
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts - ‘Second Song’ from Second Song (2026)
A lovely long trance with Neil Young. As he frequently does in these long acoustic tracks, this sticks to the same basic melody and weaves changes around it, allowing us to be drawn into the full eleven minutes without the song outstaying its welcome. It’s very welcome for me, anyway.
Young’s website: “Every song on the new album feels like Young is confronting a new way of viewing the past, the present and the future.” Back to hypnosis again. Such time travelling seems to be the zeitgeist at the moment. For example, listen to the new album by The Anchoress I covered recently.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds & Kylie Minogue - ‘Where the Wild Roses Grow’ from Murder Ballads (2011 remaster)
Nick Cave gigged at Brighton’s Preston Park last week (having warmed up with a rooftop concert above Resident Records in the city centre). Kylie Minogue could probably have had an alternative career singing murder ballads - okay, it might have been less successful, but it could have been an artistically fulfilling venture. She guested with Cave in Brighton to sing this, with real emotion.
Bryan Ferry - ‘It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue’ from Frantic (2002)
In the UK, BBC Four is a TV station that often trawls the archives and has themed music nights. A few weeks ago they featured Bob Dylan covers (of varying quality e.g. a bizarre reading of ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ by Lulu. Follow the link if you’re feeling brave). Bryan Ferry, who has a shadow career as a Dylan interpreter, was there. A brilliant arrangement on record, and his version for Top of the Pops was full of subtle energy.
Kirsty MacColl - ‘In These Shoes?’ from Tropical Brainstorm (2000)
I don’t know why I thought of this just now. I do remember playing the CD on the first release and my Mum - who didn’t often spontaneously give her opinion of the music I or my Dad listened to - was taken by this song, and then the whole album. She must have had good taste but kept it buried. Kirsty MacColl knew how to write a humorous and meaningful lyric (on this album, especially if you’re still withdrawing from the World Cup, see also ‘England 2 Columbia 0’.)
Nina Simone - ‘Ain’t Got No/I Got Life’ (Groovefinder remix) from Nina Simone Remixed/Reimagined (2006)
You already know this, but if the heat is getting to you, or you’re not feeling right in your mind for any other reason, pop this track on as an instantly effective medicine. This remix gives the Hair song an extra punch, but the Nina Simone original is just as effective.
Big Big Train - ‘Counting Stars’ (acoustic live) from Woodcut (deluxe edition) 2026
Another beautiful acoustic track from the deluxe edition of the latest Big Big Train album. In its magnificent beauty it’s as life-affirming as ‘Ain’t Got No’ and Alberto Bravin’s voice soars upwards to the stars with spine-tingling effect. The rest of the deluxe edition consists of demo versions of the Woodcut songs, but there are demos and there are demos. These are like slightly different versions of the completed record.
Runrig - ‘Loch Lomond’ (feat. The Tartan Army) from 50 Great Songs (2007)
Lastly, a track that has been featuring on our in-house playlist lately. Jane is from Glasgow and I’m from about as far south as you can get (not quite Brighton, but only about twenty miles short). I must have Celtic blood in me, though, because I’m deeply moved by this. One day there will be massed bagpipes in LP Select. For now I’ll pop some Big Country into #078 in a couple of weeks.
After an unscheduled gap, it’s the return of the essay. This time it’s a deep dive into Echo and the Bunnymen’s Ocean Rain.
Then in two weeks, it’s LP Select #078. Would links to the tracks on Qobuz and Tidal be useful? Do you use the Spotify embed? Please let me know - cheers!
See you next Monday,
Ian
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