“We chopped a billion trees, to print up eulogies,
But guys we should have guessed, the girls would say it best:
Moondog! …”
“Moondog” [Prefab Sprout 1990]
Back in 1990, Prefab Sprout released one of the most sophisticated Pop records of the decade, a sprawling double album called ‘Jordan: The Comeback’. A loose concept album dealing with Love, Elvis, Religion and Death, ‘Jordan’ overflowed with bright hooks, lush harmonies and the polished production of Thomas Dolby. In many ways ‘Jordan: The Comeback’ was a near-perfect creation. And outside the UK, it went largely unnoticed. Back then Prefab Sprout was a band, whereas now, it serves as the solo umbrella for lead singer and chief songwriter, Paddy McAloon. After more than a decade of creative hibernation, we caught Paddy McAloon on the Comeback Trail with the Prefab Sprout album ’Crimson//Red’. And you’ll hear what the fuss is about in this edition of JR.
It’s not all that often we feature Syrian Techno music on JR. Okay, so we’ve never featured Syrian Techno - but that all changes in this edition. In Syria, Omar Souleyman is a bit like the Elvis of the Middle East. He’s been bootlegged more than Dylan - mainly from his live performances as a wedding singer (yeah, really) and he’s just released his debut studio album, ‘Wenu Wenu’ (‘Where Is She?’). He’s performed widely in Europe, Australia and the USA. (Admit it you’re a little bit curious about this, aren’t you?)
We also feature a couple of forthright women with careers on the ascendant in Anna Calvi (from England) and Lissie (from America). Both began their professional careers at much the same time and both have just released a second album.
Also in this edition we check out some of the best of new Americana, from Texan songwriting craftsman, Guy Clark (‘My Favorite Picture Of You’) and Patty Griffin, whose album ‘Silver Bell’ was recorded more than a decade ago but is only now seeing its first proper release.
Now that it’s been officially released, we revisit The Arcade Fire’s new album, ‘Reflektor’ and, we acknowledge the newly expanded ‘Deluxe Edition’ of one of the most successful records of the ‘90s: ‘Unplugged’ by Eric Clapton.
Lissie: “The Habit” (from the album, ‘Back To Forever’)
Anna Calvi: “Suddenly”/”Eliza” (from the album, ‘One Breath’)
Prefab Sprout: “The Best Jewel Thief In The World”/”List Of Impossible Things” (from the album, ‘Crimson//Red’)
Omar Souleyman: “Warni Warni (Come To Me)” (from the album, ‘Wenu Wenu’)
Guy Clark: “My Favorite Picture Of You” (from the album, ‘My Favorite Picture Of You’)
Patty Griffin: “Truth #2” (from the album, ‘Silver Bell’)
Arcade Fire: “Afterlife” (from the album, ‘Reflektor’)
Eric Clapton: “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out” (from the album, ‘Unplugged’ [Deluxe Edition])
Just Released is heard Saturdays at 12pm and Sundays at 3pm (AEDT or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and via the streams of our metropolitan stations on the Gold Coast, in Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin.
You can also listen to JR on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.
To stream Just Released on demand, simply connect to our web pages via the hot links above. …(or even the shiny beast below):
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♫ {](-_-)[} ♫ Thanks for listening.
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