It's been a busy time here at Dolores Delargo Towers! Instead of, as one might have expected after a fun-packed holiday in Spain burning the candle at both ends (as is our wont), taking a bit of a breather and a wind-down - with the combination of a garden rocketing away before our eyes and needing to be sorted-out and the "party of the year" for Eurovision pending this weekend, there's been loads of work to do.
Today alone, while cleaning, I tackled an unwanted infestation of moths and their grubs that I found have half-eaten the carpet behind chairs in the bedroom and I built a new set of garden shelving that we hope will make a big difference in accommodating our rapidly-expanding collection of plants (all Spring I have been splitting and dividing overgrown specimens, which inevitably increases the volume, and (obviously) shopping for more - especially on my Easter jaunt to Essex). The Madam's been back at work, but still embarked on scrubbing-down the front room in anticipation of guests. Phew!
Time, methinks for a bit of a musical interlude, with some of the "newer" choons that have caught my ear of late [thanks, Mr DeVice for spurring me into actually finishing a draft blog idea I have had pootling around for ages]...
Let's open with a pleasant surprise! I have always had a soft spot for Dame Elton John, but when I found out that his newest choice of collaborator was a country'n'western artiste, I dreaded the outcome. I was entirely wrong - I love this! A real nod to his heyday:
A singer who never disappoints is Our Sophie - here's her brand new (and rather good) single:
The engimatic Ms Goldfrapp's new one's pretty catchy, too:
It's been a bit of a cavalcade of "welcome returns" in the past few months - not least for none other than the Mael brothers!
...and here's another:
At last! The hoo-ha about the reformation and return of the original trio of Sugababes has so far been a bit of a "damp squib" - however, this one has their full signature hit-making sound, so let's hope it becomes one:
Here's an oddity that I have been hanging on to for too long without sharing it here - it's an absolute work of genius!
And finally - saving the best for last, it's Our Princess!
Enjoy! And, as ever dear reader, let me know your thoughts...
PS
My post about the posthumous premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Here We Are, that we went to see the night before we flew to Spain, is over at the Dolores Delargo Towers Museum of Camp...
Now THAT was a great interlude, Jon!!!! I just caught Brandi Carlile on a concert series here called Austin City Limits, which was phenomenal. And what's not to like about Ellis- Bextor and Minogue? They can do no wrong. And Goldfrapp?!?!?! There is not a thing they have done I don't like.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am pleased you found some things to enjoy here, Maddie! Jx
DeletePS I am not, and will never be, a country music fan (unless it's Dolly Parton, of course!), but this collaboration really works.
I love Brandi Carlile and, of course, Elton John, but this song doesn’t do it for me for some reason. I finished with my fave Kylie but I have to rush off. Need more time later today to listen to all.
ReplyDeleteThe Elton/Brandi collaboration is definitely more of his style of music than hers, so a lot depends on whether you're a fan of his back-catalogue or not, I guess.
DeleteKylie really is a "stayer", isn't she? I don't think many artists could remain so fresh-sounding and popular as she over a 38-year career! Jx
I'm in a mood with music at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI always like Andy Bell, and I like the Franz Ferdinand cover.
It's me, not the selection!
Sx
Is Barney singing/howling/woofing along with any of them? 😂
DeleteThe Franz Ferdinand one knocked me sideways - I never thought anything of them nor their music before... Jx
Ooh, I hadn't heard "Taste" or "Find Xanadu" until now - Brilliant both (of course)!
ReplyDeleteI am not an Elton fan, so his collaboration with Brandi Carlile left me cold. Not much warmer was Andy Bell's effort - I've been listening to a lot of late 80s-mid 90s Erasure in Car lately, and this just doesn't compare, sadly.
As for Franz Ferdinand's cover of "Toxic", I'm sure with a bit of spit and polish (i.e. someone in a mixing studio meddling with it) it's fine, but I'm not a fan of (most) live performances either, so I feel a bit unfair judging this one somewhat harshly.
I liked the Sugababes, though, and "Jungle" is definitely them. And I really liked Sparks and Alok & Kylie.
Thank you for the selection , Jon - I've added some to my YT list!
Glad to be of service, Mr DeVice!
DeleteAndy Bell could never - solo or with Vince - live up to Erasure's heyday nowadays, but I still quite liked this one - and although I understand your aversion to "live versions" (some can be tedious), I reckon the combination of Franz Ferdinand, the BBC Concert Orchestra and a Britney hit was a winner. Maybe they might polish it up for a future release; who knows?
Either way, onward and upwards. Lets see what further "musical discoveries" 2025 will bring us, shall we? 😊 Jx
Elton left me cold too.
ReplyDeleteDame Sophie was jolly as always but could do with a good remix.
Godfrapp; I enjoyed that, the best thing she has done for ages.
Sparks; fab and good to here something new from them.
Andy Bell. Love him to bits and Love this a lot.
Sugababes; Wow, Fab ! and I am dashing off to get my nails done as we speak.
Franz Ferdinand; great fun. I kept thinking I would love to hear him cover 'walk like a panther'
Kylie can do no wrong and this is über fab.
Oh, I am pleased. You enjoyed most of 'em..!
DeleteNow I wait to see how those nails turn out... Jx