Posts Tagged Songwriter
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June 11, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Suzanne Vega to Play Two NZ Shows: August 2018
Anyone reading this will know I’m such a huge Suzanne Vega fan. So it’s huge news – to me anyway – that she is going to be playing two shows in New Zealand in August this year. I’ve already booked tickets to see her play in Australia in late-July. I’ll return home with the chance […]Archive
May 10, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 115 – Fane Flaws
Welcome to episode 115 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. Here’s a chat I had with Fane Flaws. This was a great conversation – and it was a long time in the making. I hadn’t met Fane, we’d corresponded, I grew up listening to Blerta and The Crocodiles, was […]Archive
April 27, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
His Evolution Was Never Televised: The Anger and Poetry of Gil Scott-Heron
The first I was really aware of Gil Scott-Heron – and I mean really aware– was hearing Paul Ubana Jones perform an a cappella take on Home Is Where the Hatred Is. (Here’s the Gil Scott-Heron original.) I had heard of Gil Scott-Heron; I knew this famous piece. But hearing Jones speak and sing the words…well, that really made me take notice. The compilation […]Archive
March 28, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 47: David Ackles – “American Gothic”
Here’s one of those ones – I’d heard the name David Ackles, knew about him, knew – vaguely – what to expect, the sound, etc. I’m sure I’ve heard a few songs here and there but I do know I had never heard this – nor any of his albums right through. And wow, this blew […]Archive
March 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
On: Giving Up Everything
Elton John had it wrong – or rather Bernie Taupin if you prefer. Sad songs are not the ones that say so much – it’s only a special type of sad song; where there’s hope peeking through, where there’s an attempt at stoicism – the head being held high, an aim to move on, an attempt at rebirth or a […]Archive
March 17, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 44: John Prine – “John Prine”
John Prine – class act. Songwriter’s songwriter. I feel like everyone knows this. Or should. Some don’t – but then they’ll know some of his songs at least. Like Sam Stone, famously covered by many and perhaps in particular Johnny Cash. But the original is here. This is Prine’s first album and I say all […]Archive
March 8, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 106 – Andrew Fagan
Welcome to episode 106 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and Le Petite Chocolat. I nabbed a wee chat with Andrew Fagan – he of the Mockers and of course his own career, poetry, songs, a life on the seas – a stint as a radio programmer and DJ, first as a Kiwi […]Archive
February 28, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Art Garfunkel: What Is It All But Luminous
What Is It All But Luminous: Notes From An Underground Man Art Garfunkel Knopf; First Edition edition Something like starting from the beginning feels like the right thing to do… Do you remember that clip of Art Garfunkel talking absolute-fucking-balderdash between takes in the studio? For his memoir he’s essentially done the same thing. Why […]Archive
February 1, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Marlon Williams Showcase: Make Way For Love Gets Previewed in Sydney, Monday, January 29, 2018
I was in Sydney for a few things – a chat on the radio, a Foo Fighters/Weezer gig, but mostly to catch up with friends and family. It turned out to be a more “work-related” long weekend than anticipated. Some meetings with various industry people – chatting about books and things and meeting two key […]Archive
January 19, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 27: Loretta Lynn – “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind”
Of all the artists/albums I’ve covered in this series so far, and along with Elvis Presley and perhaps Dusty Springfield, I’m most familiar with the work of Loretta Lynn. I’ve heard plenty of her records, I have a few. I like a lot. But…I hadn’t ever heard this one. I knew the song already. And […]Archive
January 8, 2018 by Simon Sweetman