Berrycakeness

I’ve forgotten how much I am in love with fantastic music. That’s what the shit music from the ’90s does to you, it makes you miserable, and you forget about how music can make you feel.

Reintroducing myself to Aretha Franklin this week has been marvellous. Especially her early work, the rawer the sound is, the happier I am. I finally am beginning to understand why people love vinyl and collect records. It’s about so much more than the music, I’m with you guys.

I would like to start collecting a mini collection of Vinyl, only small because I don’t have space, but I do know precisely what I want. I would also require a player, and that is why currently I only have two records (both Prince), and who doesn’t, right?

(OK, I know you don’t have two Prince records but maybe you should consider it. Maybe it could be some wall art, something to gaze at longingly on a dark night, you know the routine.)

I may start collecting and stashing records somewhere until I have the space to actually display and play the damn things. Of course, collecting is one of my favourite things to do, followed by donating all the crap to charity. This time that won’t happen though, because it’s not crap.

Anyway, today I’d like to recommend some favourite albums. I may have already recommended them, but it’s my blog and I really do not give a shit. So here we go – I’m feeling particularly in love with music today so you even get some byline:

1. Blues – Etta James. Maybe it’s the first time you’ve heard the name, but the first song by Ms James you most likely heard was “I just want to make love to you” ( Diet coke advert). This is not a bad thing, in fact, I am jealous. Go away and listen to this huge album full of greats. It’s a compilation, yes, but it’s one of the best out there. I only wish I discovered her earlier.
2. Who’s Zooming Who? – Aretha Franklin. I could recommend any of her albums with glee – this was her comeback album. Try it out and have a bit of fun. I could go on waxing lyrical about this woman, but I don’t need to. Her music speaks for itself.
3. Tapestry – Carole King. A game changer, and her breakthrough album. If you’ve never heard of her, I’m not surprised. But it’s OK, let me introduce you to one of the best songwriters ever. She wrote “You make me feel like a natural woman”. “You’ve got a friend” – that was Carole’s too. The album is hit after hit, and so poetic. If music is “meh” to you, this album will change that.
4. Kite – Kirsty MacColl. Where to start. It’s hard, I discovered her music through French and Saunders, so she’s extremely special to me. This is a breakthrough album and she has an infectious charm about her. Honest, fun and sad lyrics, the album is a sensation. Maybe I’m biased, but I don’t think I’m wrong.
5. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones. Don’t pretend you hate her, she’s incredible. Her debut album is beyond beautiful, I know every song on the album as if she released them all as hit singles, please give it a go.

Each of these albums lift me up when I’m feeling as if the world is against me. Maybe leave them for your worst hour, let them guide you through and allow them to become some of your favourites too.

Aside from this, it happens to be a list of some of my favourite female singers. Of course there’s plenty more I could add to this list (Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Adele, and that’s just the A’s). Eventually I’ll get a list of my favourite all time artists/albums together….once I’ve finished every other project I have going.

How to end a blog that I really don’t want to end… Maybe with this:

Tina Turner – I might have been queen

Rock out xoxo