Song: That Home
Artist: Cinematic Orchestra feat. Patrick Watson, England
Album: Ma Fleur, 2007
Notes: Brief but sensational, 1:43 seconds of pure aural magic from fluid British collective featuring guest singer, Patrick Watson from Canada (recalling Chris Martin). Also check out the guitar version and full blown treatment listed below.
Song: I Will Remain
Artist: Matthew and the Atlas, England
Album: To The North EP, 2010
Notes: Cool nu-folk and shades of Mumford & Sons - with good reason: band is signed to Communion Records in London which was co-founded by Mumford member, Ben Lovett. Five-piece combo, their first album 'Come Out of the Woods' is terrific.
Song: Sit Down
Artist: James, England
Album: Gold Mother, 1991 (re-release)
Notes: Madchester' group formed in north of England fronted by Tim Booth. Sorely overlooked modern rock nugget (band's major US hit was 'Laid'). Reunited in 2007, recently performed at 'Lollapalooza' in Chile.
Song: Hold On
Artist: Angus & Julia Stone, Australia
Album: Down The Way, 2010
Notes: Way cool Aussie siblings duo from New South Wales securing a burgeoning following on these shores. Splendid wispy vocals by Julia. Also check out their fun revision of 'Grease' soundtrack confection, 'You're The One That I Want'.
Song: A Little Bit Of Everything
Artist: Dawes, Los Angeles
Album: Nothing Is Wrong, 2011
Notes: Old-school California soft rock channeling Jackson Browne big time (he also appears on the album, their second). Lovely piano by Alex Casnoff and strong lead vocals by Taylor Goldsmith.
Song: You Have Been Loved
Artist: Sia, Australia
Album: Some People Have Real Problems, 2008
Notes: Ethereal, sad ballad by an artiste often featured on L&F. Diagnosed with Grave's Disease in 2010, but now mercifully recovered, touring around the US now - well worth seeing in concert.
Song: Beauty and the East
Artist: Bombay Dub Orchestra, England/India
Album: Bombay Dub Orchestra, 2006
Notes: Bollywood-style symphonics and British/Asian electronica underground grooves, a splendid mostly instrumental musical stew. British composers/producers, Garry Hughes and Andrew T. Mackay record in Mumbai and Chennai, and sometimes use up to 75 musicians to make up their lush Indian orchestra.
Song: Friends and Family
Artist: Trik Turner, Phoenix, AZ
Album: Trik Turner, 2002
Notes: Bit of a modern rock hit about nine years ago. Hip-hop/rock combo featuring two lead vocalists, Doug Moore and David Bowers. Latter left the lineup in 2005 so they haven't released any new material since then.
Song: I’ll Be Your Man
Artist: Clive Gregson, England
Album: Welcome To The Workhouse, 1990
Notes: The original solo demo by the former frontman founder of top underrated new wave combo called Any Trouble. Clever Clive went on to forge a sterling solo career, so much great undiscovered music: more at www.clivegregson.com.
Song: Love Is In Season
Artist: Spinners, Detroit
Album: Crossfire, 1984
Notes: Cracking, deeply lost R&B rumber from the veteran soul greats. Features the lead vocals of John Edwards who replaced the group's seminal lead singer, Philippe Wynne - who took the main mic on all their amazing '70s hits for Atlantic Records.
Song: If You Run
Artist: Boxer Rebellion, England/Australia/USA
Album: Going The Distance (Soundtrack), 2010
Notes: Shades of several bands, but building their own sound, Two Brits, an Australian and a chap from Tennessee. Alternative rock quartet based in London, this cut specifically written for the Drew Barrymore-staring movie.
Song: Riverside
Artist: Agnes Obel, Denmark
Album: Philharmonics, 2010
Notes: Trademark Nordic reserve in a wonderful performance, delightfully simple and evocative. Classically trained Danish singer-songwriter and pianist brought up on a steady diet of Chopin, Debussy, Bartok and Joni Mitchell.
Song: Bad Liver and A Broken Heart
Artist: Tom Waits, Pomona, CA
Album: Small Change, 1976
Notes: An acquired taste, the distinctive growl of one of the best songwriters of the popular music era. Unmistakable whiskey-drenched genius from one his finest early albums. If you have $15 lying around his 'Asylum Years' double album compilation is an essential purchase for any serious music lover.
Song: Magic
Artist: MoZella, Detroit
Album: Belle Isle (deluxe edition), 2010
Notes: Pitch-perfect summer pop-soul from one of the most underrated female singer-songwriters out there. MoZella writes and performs one catchy nugget after another, far superior to much of the current dross which becomes popular - too good for prime time.
Song: Why Can’t It Wait Til Morning
Artist: Phil Collins, England
Album: Hello, I Must Be Going, 1982
Notes: Simply superb lost gem by ex-Genesis tunesmith, the closing track on his 1982 opus. Turned 60 this year but he's semi-retiring due to a neck problem which currently prevents him from playing piano or drums.
Song: The Thief
Artist: Sarah Harmer, Canada
Album: Oh Little Fire, 2010
Notes: Wispy vocals, finely observed, deft lyrics and a neat rolling melody, a cut from one of her five good albums. Songstress Sarah is big-time environmentalist, very active in protecting the Niagara Escarpment and its Falls.
Song: We Don’t Eat
Artist: James Vincent McMorrow, Ireland
Album: Early In The Morning, 2011
Notes: Understated quality evident throughout Irish singer-songwriter's freshman album. He'll be touring around the States throughout September - for the full schedule and more on young James head to jamesvmcmorrow.com.
Song: More Than Letters
Artist: Benjamin Francis Leftwich, England
Album: A Million Miles Out, EP, 2010
Notes: Deftly channeling the music of folk-heroes Elliott Smith and Nick Drake. 21-year old newcomer, very much part of the nu-folk movement currently bursting out of west London. First full-length long player titled 'Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm' just released.
Song: Desert Island
Artist: Architecture In Helsinki, Australia
Album: Moment Bends, 2011
Notes: Wacky but worthwhile electronica-pop-reggae from down under. Indie quintet who've been around for about a dozen years - they've toured the US a few times - opened for Death Cab for Cutie and David Byrne.
Song: All Mixed Up
Artist: Red House Painters, San Francisco
Album: Songs For a Blue Guitar, 1996
Notes: Dreamy, overlooked cover version of an old Cars track by one of San Francisco's most under-appreciated bands, who called it quits in 1999.
Song: Sister
Artist: Mumford & Sons, England
Album: Not available
Notes: Rare studio recording of a slow number they often play live, originally available as a download from their website, but now hard to find.
Song: To Build A Home
Artist: Cinematic Orchestra feat. Grey Reverend, England
Album: Ma Fleur, 2007
Notes: The acoustic guitar version of an unbelievably good lost pearl (which also opened and closed this week's show), this one featuring Reverend (real name, Larry D. Brown).
Song: I Believe In You
Artist: Jude Cole, Carbon Cliff, IL
Album: I Don't Know Why I Act This Way, 1995
Notes: Just too good: terrific lyrics, simple rolling harmonies, the real deal from largely underrated singer-songwriter. Subsequently became a top producer and manager - taking care of the careers of the likes of Lifehouse and a L&F favorite, MoZella.
Song: All Is Not Lost
Artist: Yvonne Lyon, Scotland
Album: Ashes and Gold, 2009
Notes: A tad new-agey, but a lovely lilting performance - Scottish songstress flies well under the radar, but has opened for fellow folksters Kate Rusby, Patti Griffin and the superb Juliet Turner among others.
Song: Don’t Dream It’s Over (live)
Artist: Neil Finn, New Zealand
Album: Not available
Notes: A solo cover of his own signature song which he originally wrote for his band, Crowded House who had a huge hit with the original version back in 1986. Top tunesmith and all-round good chap, both Neil and brother Tim were awarded OBEs by Her Majesty in 1993.
Song: Peter
Artist: Daughter, England
Album: Demos, 2011
Notes: Extraordinary, literate, self-empowering folk nugget by new female singer-songwriter, Elena Tonra, aka 'Daughter'. More at www.myspace.com/ohdaughter - where you can link to her free 'Demos' download.
Song: Change
Artist: Lightning Seeds, England
Album: Jollification, 1994
Notes: Fabulous pop-rock number buried on their superb album from the mid-'90s. Band is modern pop-rock combo led by singer, songwriter and producer, Ian Broudie who first emerged from the vibrant Liverpool music scene in the early '80s.
Song: Lost and Found
Artist: Kim Taylor, Cincinnati, OH
Album: Little Miracle, 2009
Notes: The best song title - ever - minimalist but superior balladry from achingly talented songstress who's originally from Florida. Been getting it done for more than ten years, just dripping with talent. More at www.kim-taylor.net.
Song: Open Up The Light
Artist: Shore, Silverlake, CA
Album: Light Years, 2008
Notes: Yet another act who should be more popular, this West Coast group records one knockout mainstream rock nugget after another. Lead singer, Ben Ashley could (should) replace Liam Gallagher in Oasis.
Song: The Dumbing Down of Love
Artist: Frou Frou, England
Album: Details, 2002
Notes: Too sad for words, the saddest song of all time (until next week). Grossly overlooked British duo of ace producer and keyboard whiz, Guy Sigsworth and popular alternative artiste, Imogen Heap.
Song: Swords of a Thousand Men
Artist: Tenpole Tudor, England
Album: Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary, 1981
Notes: Fun 'yob-rock' from the British post-punk era released by the seminal New Wave, Stiff Records label. Band emerged at the tail end of the punk explosion fronted by their manic and always entertaining frontman, Eddie Tenpole - real name, Edward Tudor-Pole.
Song: Cold Coffee
Artist: Ed Sheeran, England
Album: Songs I Wrote With Amy, EP, 2010
Notes: Remember where you heard him first, one of the finest new singer-songwriters to emerge in recent years. Recently snapped up by Atlantic Records, listen out for superb new cut, 'The A Team' on next week's show.
Song: It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over
Artist: Lenny Kravitz, New York
Album: Mama Said, 1991
Notes: Splendid retro-soul smash which hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, still the most successful single to date from one of the most derivative artists of the rock era.
Song: Regret
Artist: New Order, England
Album: Republic, 1993
Notes: Mighty Manchester-based band formed from the ashes of Joy Division, the group lasted for 25 years before an acrimonious split in 2007 - shame, we all miss them.
Song: Forever Love
Artist: Anna Nalick, Glendora, CA
Album: Wreck of the Day, 2005
Notes: Delightful slow cracker from 'Breathe (2 am)' hitmaker from her maiden effort. Following long quarrel with former major label, now finally releasing fresh material. Check out long-awaited followup album, 'Broken Doll'.
Song: Suitcase
Artist: Joe Purdy, Arkansas
Album: Only Four Seasons, 2006
Notes: Exceptional ballad from sturdy singer-songwriter. This terrific song started the worthwhile 'The Voice Project' after impoverished women in a Ugandan refugee camp (which Purdy visited in 2008) learned to sing it. Dozens of great artists then helped out, each recording cover versions of songs by the previous musician. Check it all out at: www.voiceproject.org.
Song: Hey Lord Don’t Ask Me Questions
Artist: Graham Parker, England
Album: Howlin' Wind, 1976
Notes: Thumping rock treat by exceptional soul-tinged New Wave singer-songwriter from the UK who got lost in the rush for Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson in the late '70s. Still going strong after more than 20 albums.
Song: To Build A Home
Artist: Cinematic Orchestra feat. Patrick Watson, England
Album: Ma Fleur, 2007
Notes: The full monty, the complete extended version of the song that opened this week's show. If you don't like this outstanding cut, you're listening to wrong program. Enjoy.