10 Songs: Thursday, December 10th, 2015

1 – Steel And Feathers (Don’t Ever) – Nikki Jean – I don’t know how I ever missed this, it is better than the entire New Basement Tapes Band album combined, half completed, it didn’t make it onto “Shot Of Love” and Nikki polished it off in 2011 – A+

2. John Gotti – Kevin Gates – Not bad at all gangsta rap with deep haunting backing track – B+

3. Dust – Van Hunt – Play this next to the new d’Angelo and tell me which you prefer – A

4. Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pts 1 – 5 – Govt Mule – The intro alone is stunning, four and a half minutes of stunning guitar – A

5. G.O.M.D. – J. Cole – The album isn’t standing up to repeat listenings, however this song is a really good song, with an African intro and a fine scratchy rap and great hook – A-

6. Steal My Girl Live Acoustic Session – One Direction – One of their truly great songs, the equal of “Kiss Me” and this piano headed version is just as good – A

7. Meeting Crocker Fenway – Jonny Greenwood – Yeah, and meeting him in Norman Bates house apparently – C

8. On The Steps On The Palace – Anna Kendrick – She makes an impressive Cinderella and those run on lines where Sondheim repeats a thought again and again is worth the price of admission alone – A-

9. Fair Game – Cosmic Gate, Orjan Nilsen – That ever upwards synth spiral is money in the bank – B+

10. Short Movie – Laura Marling – The title track off the upcong March release, there are two kinds of Laura songs, the bright shiny folk melodies, and the dark brooding rhythm songs, this is the former – A-