I have to confess I’ve been a bit late getting into Michael Kiwanuka. Which is strange, because I saw one of his very first shows.

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Olivia Rodrigo and Elvis Costello share a fondness for the same riff that he used for Pump It Up and she recycled with Brutal.

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Sophie Thatcher not only co-stars in Heretic but contributes this gorgeous cover of Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door to the soundtrack.

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Ringo Starr releases the first track from a new album of country songs written and produced with T Bone Burnett at the age of 84.

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Garnet Mimms is the guy who sang the original version of Cry Baby, better known (to me, at least) for Janis Joplin’s overwrought version, back in 1963.

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October is the mellowest month, said no one in particular. But in a way it is: autumn settling in, the days getting shorter, the leaves beginning to turn, coats and scarves and hats coming out of closets. And here’s a suitably mellow playlist to soundtrack the darkening of the days. (more…)

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Happy Hallowe’en folks! And nothing says Hallowe’en like a Northern Soul banger with a spooky title.

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Twee indie-pop normally raises my hackles, especially when it comes along with a fey attitude and irritatingly catchy tunes. Belle & Sebastian spring immediately to mind.

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The growling blues-boogie of La Grange gave ZZ Top their big breakthrough in 1973, though they were already on to their third album by then – and would go on to enjoy a second lease of life in the ’80s.

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