Fantasia on Thomas Tallis - Vaughan Williams
Blew me away first time I heard it. I adore the string section when they’re on fire and this does the stuff.
Coldplay – Viva la Vida
Honestly, I couldn’t be arsed with Coldplay, I want some joy in my music so I basically ignored the dreary buggers. And then I heard this, and it’s joy personified. So I gave in.
Doves – Kingdom of Rust
A song I heard coming home in the car and was instantly smitten with. The vocals swoop around a lovely but brittle lyric as the strings soar and the rhythm before a suddenly heavy burst of guitar. Plus it has some of those notes that just jangle the nerves and send static charging through me. I would love to identify those notes.
Spiegel im Spiegel – Arvo Part
Feel the pressures ease away with the piano, before the entry of a husky voiced violin.
Diamond Music – Karl Jenkins
Persuasive, insistent violins climb with low tones towards their musical peak, rising to a glorious shimmering panorama of swooping strings. How Hannibal must have felt when he saw Rome after driving the elephants over the Alps.
Dr Mabuse – Propaganda
Could have been Fritz Lang’s long lost musical “Why does it hurt when my heart misses the beat?”
Leahkastin – Mari Boine
An amazing album.
No more tears – Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
One of the most amazing dance singles ever recorded.
I feel love – Donna Summer
Ditto. Got to dance whenever you hear it. Love the 22 minute version.
Planet Drum – Mickey Hart
An amazing set of rhythms and sounds from around the world.
Libertango – Grace Jones
An insane mix of classic tango and eighties funk. It completely passed me by originally. Now it sends shivers up my spine.
Hyperactive – Thomas Dolby
While we’re on the 80s, I have to mention this. It was fabulous in 1984 and it’s fabulous now.
Faerie stories – Peatbog Faeries
Fabulous Scottish folk/dance mix
Love like blood – Killing Joke
Grabs you by the throat and spins you round with haunting, and somewhat wobbly synth, while the bass, drums and guitar rampage around. Still got no idea what the lyric is, but I don’t care. Turn it up loud!!!
The unforgettable fire – U2
I liked the War album (couldn’t afford to buy it, but I liked what I heard), and then one day this came through the speakers. Phenomenal. For me, this is their finest moment.
Aquarius
I love the song Aquarius, but the problem is, nobody’s recorded a decent version. They’re all very polite, or twee or just wrong. Somebody please point me in the right direction.
I will not be sad in this world – Djivan Gasparian
Beautiful. I first heard of Gasparian when he played with Brian May at the 46664 Arctic concert. I was captivated, and subsequently scunnered, because I’ve been unable to find the concert on DVD anywhere. Thank you for YouTube (and get that concert released!)
Stanze – Ludovico Einaudi
First heard on VH1 of all places, minimalist harp in all its spiky glory.
All mine – Tome Jones and The Divine Comedy
Scary and spinetingling
Seven Wonders Suite – Stuart Mitchell
Mysterious, sweeping strings
The Visitors – Abba
It feels like not many people know about this album, but I think it’s their best, often leading to lumpen throat and goosebumpen skin. There’s a darkness running throughout, and there’s not much to dance to, but the production remains huge and majestic, and the voices are, of course, stupendous. Stand out tracks: When all is said and done, Soldiers, I let the music speak, One of us, Slipping through my fingers, Like an angel passing through my room .
