Just Heard: Who’s Gonna Miss Me? by Loretta Lynn

 

Once again I have to give a shout out to SiriusXM for sharing wonderful new music with me, songs that I simply wouldn’t hear for some time, if at all, if I simply relied on the presets on my car radio, half of which are reserved for the music(?) inklings of my 15-year old daughter.  My favourite channel on Sirius is the Loft and some of my best listening hours there are when I’m tuned in to their “In Spite Of All The Danger” sessions which showcase new music from a variety of genres.  Ironically, I’m listening to that show as I’m writing this post.  It was on the “Danger” show as they call it, that I first heard one of the songs from Loretta Lynn’s new album, Full Circle.  Found myself on Sirius’s Outlaw Country channel not long after and got to hear some more there.  Two new songs in and I was hooked, I had to go find some more of this gold over on her website and VEVO channel.  My listens there were what inspired me to write my last post, “Stolen Words: Annie’s Song”, a tribute to a lady who passed away last month and I know is missed by many now that she is gone.

Just Heard: Cass County by Don Henley

Okay, so I didn’t hear all of Cass County but still.  I heard enough to know I love it and will be buying it.  ASAP.

I don’t commit to buying music easily anymore.  Used to in my younger years when I would spend much of my paper delivery monies, allowance, or even real job paycheques on buying 8-tracks or cassettes.  But now I do a lot of ‘window shopping’ for music through radio stations, SiriusXM, and Rdio.com.  And I save up my hard-earned money to hear it live, going to several concerts a year and some music festivals too.  But it takes something that touches my heart, blows my mind, or sweeps me off my feet to get me to invest in a CD or vinyl.  Gee, seems like my relationship with music has mirrored my relationships with men over the years.  Interesting sidebar note to self there.

Just Heard: Irish Heartbeat by Van Morrison feat. Mark Knopfler

I’m a fan of Van Morrison.  Have been since I was a wee lassie in the early 70’s.  My favourite song of all time in the whole wide world is Brown Eyed Girl.  Whenever it comes on, wherever I am, I start singing along.  If I’m already in a good mood, it takes me higher.  If I’m in lousy mood, it turns my attitude around.  Love it.

What I’m also really loving is listening to Van’s latest album, “Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue”.  Released in March 2015, it’s his 35th studio album.  A ‘re-release’ of sorts, it has 16 tracks on it that were previously recorded, mostly on his albums from the 80’s and 90’s, but he intentionally stayed away from any of the classic hits, like Brown Eyed Girl.  You may have heard the tunes before if you’ve owned any of the albums they were pulled from.  But you haven’t heard the songs the way they’re presented on “Duets”.

Van hand-picked other artists for whom he has great professional and personal respect.  They were invited to not only sing/play with him, but also to put their own touch on his songs and help him re-craft them.  Some of his duet partners include Joss Stone, Michael Bublé, George Benson, and his own daughter, Shana Morrison.  Track #14 on the album is Irish Heartbeat, featuring Mark Knopfler.  It’s been getting a good amount of play lately on the Loft Channel on SiriusXM, a satellite radio provider that I subscribe to for in car and online listening.  Take a listen to it …