tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41338894770605192162011-07-07T23:13:36.177+01:00Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-47321541656352646562011-05-21T22:52:00.000+01:002011-05-21T22:52:24.451+01:00

A while back I did a post on songs with Salvation Army connections. Since then I've had a couple of songs I didn't mention brought to my attention: Jonny Cash's 'Understand Your Man' and 'The Bannerman' by Blue Mink. Today, however, I came across what is described as an 'anti-Salvation Army song'. As you can imagine, I found that interesting! Joe Hill was an American protest singer back in the

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-40862347286650966672011-02-13T15:24:00.004Z2011-02-13T15:39:03.190Z

It's a long time since Bob Dylan wrote a 'talkin' blues'. It's a shame because I find them amusing. My favourite is probably this one - Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues (1962). It's a great send up of the anti-communist group - the John Birch Society. The song's protaganist is so keen to root out the communists infiltrating the US that he looks everywhere for 'the reds' - even down his toilet!

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-66973790907907003002011-02-05T09:16:00.001Z2011-02-05T09:20:34.311Z

After a year's break - I appear to have come up for air again and climbed back onto my blog (this is my second post in a 2 weeks!). Having a spare 20 minutes I cast my eye over my previous work and on the whole still stand by most of it. Great to read a couple of comments that had sneaked through my radar over the last year. Also, realised that during my silence, I've been listening to more

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-71198400423909584822011-01-27T16:52:00.004Z2011-02-04T15:32:20.657Z

I just love it when a song just comes out of nowhere and hits you between the ears! Take, today for example. I'm in the car on a 30 minute journey to an appointment and catching up with a post Christmas sale CD that I hadn't had much of chance to listen to, yet - Upside Down (The Best of the Jesus and Mary Chain). Despite the obviously religious title of the band - I'm essentially listening to an

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-80041996894848424292009-12-21T22:05:00.007Z2009-12-23T16:56:36.949Z

As far as I'm concerned Christmas 2009 has been unparalleled for discovering new Christmas music. I've loved having a renewed soundtrack to Christmas and it's been great to say goodbye to Slade, the entire Christmas Crooner selection and the usual seasonal tat and replace it with music that is both original and yet still evokes that Christmassy feeling. Here's a few of my new favourites.Firstly,

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-80317672424822612442009-11-22T21:35:00.005Z2009-11-23T08:51:05.009Z

Christmas music is contentious in our household. My wife loves it so much that until recently it was not unusual in our home to hear it pretty much any time of the year. It all came to a head a couple of years ago, when coming into the house on a very warm sunny July afternoon I heard the strains of 'chestnuts roasting on an open fire' drifting from the lounge. Later that evening I gathered all

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-25198497461006877212009-11-08T20:37:00.003Z2009-11-08T21:27:20.964Z

Four nights ago I had the pleasure of seeing Steve Earle playing live in London. And for once I had a great seat at the gig - front row! I have to say I enjoyed it immensely when I strutted through the theatre past the lesser seats to park my backside on the front row and then neatly place my jacket and drink on the stage. Earle was pretty impressive - alone on the stage, in an auditorium that

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-86360041374587689232009-10-01T20:26:00.004+01:002009-10-01T21:21:39.279+01:00

If I'm really honest and come clean - the songs that mean the most to me - the ones that get under my skin and touch deep, deep down inside are the dark and moody ones. Don't get me wrong I like light and fluffy, too, but the ones that leave me satisfied are songs that when they've finished feel like they've gone right to the pit of my stomach and twisted me up inside. Some bands/songwriters

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-43160332746997284972009-09-14T18:20:00.009+01:002009-09-21T18:52:47.614+01:00

Thanks to Phil's recent blog post over at Philip's Tree House regarding my CAVEspers I've been spurred on to come up with a new Sunday Service. So here it is - The LEONARDiction.My long-held view is that the title of most inspired song-writers belongs to the holy trinity of Bob Dylan, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. Having compiled a DYLitANy and CAVEspers already, I felt it was time to give the

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-44001830997399278222009-09-02T22:02:00.003+01:002009-09-02T22:16:52.598+01:00

The summer's gone and my holidays are finished. On the whole August was a fabulous month - time spent with the family, lazing on the beach, watching the breakers roll in on the Cornish clffs, good food and of course England winning the Ashes. But amongst all the frivolity was the tragedy of Bimbo. He was our guinea pig - my 6 year old daughter's pride and joy. Travelling through Cornwall we sang

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-8560482085638304612009-07-21T20:35:00.003+01:002009-07-21T21:06:41.596+01:00

I have relatively few passions in this world but when two of them come together in such a great combination it certainly adds to life's rich tapestry. I've already confessed to my penchant for The Divine Comedy in an earlier post, so imagine my delight when I heard that songwriter Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy had just released an album inspired by my favourite sport - cricket. And just in

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-65550786491791010542009-07-08T20:59:00.006+01:002009-07-08T21:37:02.195+01:00

On the whole I've given U2 short thrift on this blog - I'm not really sure why because I've always been a big fan. I suspect it's because for the last couple of years I've found Bono's earnestness just a little too much. However, prompted today by my wife's departure for 8 days to Bosnia on an interfaith trip I checked out a song I've loved for a long time - Miss Sarajevo (The Passengers, 1995).

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-1782531270848688592009-06-23T21:44:00.005+01:002009-06-23T22:27:21.702+01:00

There was a time when I was convinced that Radiohead was the greatest band on earth. Now I would review that considerably - they're good, but short of a truly inspired critique, I will simply state that I find them a bit depressing! However, I find very little to criticize about my favourite song of theirs - 'No Surprises' (OK Computer, 1997). It's a masterpiece.Let me tell you why this song is

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-28604945611609806372009-06-06T20:27:00.007+01:002009-06-06T22:23:02.868+01:00

Well, here's to the song with the longest title I'll probably ever attempt to write about! If you know anything about American singer-songwriter and player of pretty much every instrument you can imagine - Sufjan Stevens - you'll know that long song titles are one of his fortes. A lot could be said about Sufjan and his religious connections but no time for that right now - what I'm particularly

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-17871815871269518222009-06-03T22:00:00.006+01:002009-06-03T22:53:56.450+01:00

It feels appropriate for a post on Townes Van Zandt to be followed by one on Steve Earle given his recent TVZ covers album and general hero-worship. Also, as I write the news is on in the background and I'm being told that President Obama is currently in Saudi Arabia trying 'to reach out to the Muslim World'. Obama would do well to listen to Earle's 'John Walker Blues' (Jerusalem, 2002) as a

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-77694740132857728162009-05-25T11:38:00.003+01:002009-05-25T12:09:40.980+01:00

If you're feeling slightly low or depressed please click away now! If you're in a emotionally-secure enough place to be moved - read on.The East End of London is just the most vibrant, interesting, and sometimes challenging place to live, work and raise a family. After 6 years of being here it takes a lot to surprise me about people and the way they live - but there's always one place that just

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-91604700709257911272009-05-13T22:05:00.004+01:002009-05-13T22:40:41.138+01:00

Now to my favourite song on Dylan's new album. If Together Through Life's opening track 'Beyond Here Lies Nothing' sounds like a denial of any form of heaven; if 'Life is Hard' takes us into Dylan's dark night of the soul; if 'Forgetful Heart' seems pretty conclusive about Dylan's state of faith with the final lines: 'The door has closed forevermore/If there ever really was a door'; - if all this

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-57113736270376279712009-05-09T11:16:00.008+01:002009-05-09T13:26:00.330+01:00

Slowly but surely the official lyrics from Together Through Life are being released. There's been nothing printed on the CD sleeves so most reviewers and commentators have had to use their ears - not as simple as it sounds when Bob's voice is so ragged. I noticed today that one or two of the song lyrics had been put up on BobDylan.com but not the one that has caused some discussion. In the song I

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-24764322061046645932009-04-30T20:07:00.004+01:002009-04-30T21:15:14.672+01:00

Bob Dylan appears to like ironic titles for his more recent albums. Take his previous release, Modern Times (2006), for example - clearly nothing modern about it since it's a collection of songs (mostly great songs!) based on structures and themes of times gone by. So what should we make of Together Through Life his latest effort? Well, not be taken in by the title that's for sure. I've been

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-11898781939947047692009-04-28T22:04:00.004+01:002009-04-28T22:15:42.435+01:00

Well, my two most loyal readers have commented that they haven't heard from me for a while so it's time to put fingers to the keyboard. Now let me say, there's also a VERY good reason to post something and that is that Bob has released a new album - something that was only a wild web rumour last time I put up a post. Today, my CD dropped through the letterbox - one day after release date thanks

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-35269661649485606522009-01-19T20:29:00.004Z2009-01-19T20:51:01.985Z

I recently finished reading Johnny Cash's autobiography. It was good read - gave some insight into what drove the man. Most interestingly he talks frankly about his faith and his failings - clearly evidenced in his music. On the one hand you have the whole 'man in black' thing, his drug addictions and the singing of songs about murder, death and pain. Then suddenly you have what sounds like a

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-69354207807390448332009-01-05T20:28:00.006Z2009-01-05T21:23:42.335Z

Happy New Year! A resolution and a track to talk about. First the track. Kate Rusby is a youngish British folk singer who has provided the soundtrack to our Christmas. On recommendation from my friend Pete I bought my wife a copy of Rusby's new album - Sweet Bells - a collection of Yorkshire carols. I love all the songs but particularly for New Year I suggest you try and get hold of 'The Miner's

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-72317961458476408392008-12-15T20:24:00.010Z2008-12-15T21:28:03.388Z

To say I'm bored with the Christmas songs that you find on the radio at this time of year is an understatement (even 'Fairytale of New York' is failing to hit the spot). This year, along with the Cockburn track from my previous post, I've put together a mini-playlist of alternative songs to wile away the Advent nights.Firstly, the excellent Fleet Foxes' 'White Winter Hymnal' (Fleet Foxes, 2008)

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-20407483421455902592008-12-09T20:41:00.006Z2008-12-09T21:19:30.492Z

Let me begin by clearly stating that I'm no expert on Bruce Cockburn. I've met real fans of his music who have all 27 (or whatever it is) albums and believe me in comparison I can't really call myself a fan. My brief flirtation with Cockburn's music began and ended with one album - Nothing But a Burning Light - which was given to me by one of my university band members back in the early 1990s.

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-71099180541210815662008-11-29T17:19:00.007Z2008-12-02T09:16:06.900Z

I fear I've been duped. Actually I'm a little annoyed because I was stupid enough to listen to others without checking it out myself - I should have known better than that. The word 'out there' was that Saved - one of only 3 Dylan albums I don't have (others are Knocked Out Loaded and Down in the Groove) - was a terrible album. I'd heard it wasn't worthy of the great man, it was far too full of

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-37904066001794209802008-11-18T20:10:00.007Z2008-11-18T20:56:05.502Z

I first discovered the joy of Tom Waits amazingly scary voice about 10 years ago. A friend of mine used Gavin Bryars 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me yet' (featuring Waits) in a church service. After that I realised that it would be a complete travisty on my part if I were to ignore more music featuring a man who sang like that. It took me a few years to follow it up and I was re-acquainted with

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-58215685589542294392008-10-25T21:16:00.007+01:002008-12-08T11:31:16.243Z

The Red River Shore post generated a little bit of interest amongst some Bobcats. Most intriguing perhaps was an email from 'Daddio' that I thought was worth a post of its own. Here it is:'When I was talking to my son recently about 'Red River Shore', I didn't admit that it brought tears to my eyes - because I didn't want to look like too much of a Bobbyphile. Glad you young guys shed a tear too.

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-44535586887559424052008-10-18T22:05:00.008+01:002008-10-20T10:00:12.643+01:00

I've been feeling a reluctant blogger for the last month - however, Dylan's latest release Tell Tale Signs has forced me back to the keyboard. Almost everybody has received this album enthusiastically - seems like his Bobness can do little wrong at the moment. The only grumble is the extortionate price for the 3 disc set. I only got the double album edition, I simply can't afford £80 for an extra

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-65160171332481254772008-09-23T21:55:00.004+01:002008-09-23T22:26:31.842+01:00

One of my favourite bands of the last decade has to be The Divine Comedy. Standing somewhere in the line between The Smiths and Pulp, they are a band with their tongue firmly in their cheek. Well, when I say 'band' basically I mean the work of Neil Hannon - who is just a great songwriter. If you've never heard one of their songs, then think again because if you've seen the great comedy Father Ted

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-4099672510178218182008-09-10T21:11:00.003+01:002008-09-10T21:34:55.312+01:00

What's the greatest break-up song ever? Thing is, I'm looking for the best because today is a momentous day. At 3pm I kissed goodbye to the love of my life over the last few months - my dissertation! And as I passed it over to my tutor I could hear strains of Roy Orbison beginning in my head: 'your baby doesn't love you anymore.'I'm no expert on break-up songs but I just cannot believe there is

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-71356827714141141902008-08-27T19:38:00.006+01:002009-06-06T22:17:03.368+01:00

Well, the challenge was laid down to include a French song following my holiday in Brittany and so here it is.Now technically, this song isn't performed by a Frenchman, but by the Algerian and 'King of Rai' Cheb Khaled. However, Khaled is massive in France and the lyrics are in French, penned by a Frenchman and so I think it counts. Anyway I make the rules here!'Aicha' (Sahra, 1997) is a simply

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-80799335060310524872008-08-04T11:37:00.004+01:002008-11-13T03:31:44.338Z

Well, it's holiday time tomorrow. Two weeks in a tent in Northern France. And I've seen the weather forecast! We're going to be taking blankets, duvets, heaters, hot water bottles etc. So, Badly Drawn Boy's 'Camping Next to Water' seems an apt send-off song. It's from the fantastic album, Hour of the Bewilderbeast, (2000) well worth listening to if you missed it. The song sounds a little

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-91730069017639270122008-07-26T09:17:00.008+01:002008-11-13T03:31:44.518Z

I'm always intrigued to find songs that have links to where I live. It's fun to see what connotations they give to the area that I love - the place I call home! I use an exclamation mark here because most songs about the East End of London are less than flattering. Anyway here are the few I've found, all bar the last one within a mile of our house...1. The Rolling Stones - 'Play With Fire' (Out

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-88548576330341050052008-07-18T19:15:00.006+01:002008-11-13T03:31:44.644Z

For 6 months I have had one event in my diary that I've been waiting to come round - and last night it arrived! My Dad and I went to see Leonard Cohen. All the reviews of his current tour (the first for 15 years) suggested that it was going to be a great night - and we were not disappointed.The band playing with him were impeccable and you might have expected his 73 year old voice to have

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-27282219471685160102008-07-10T20:41:00.001+01:002008-11-13T03:31:44.777Z

I know it's The Boss again, but last night provided a good reason for including this song. In our family we like a whole range of music but I've taken it on myself ever since my children were born to make sure that they have ample opportunity to listen to quality music. It sounds snobbish but in my opinion it's just as important as making sure your kids read decent books or eat good food. Because

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-87995202320837346122008-06-30T20:42:00.010+01:002008-11-13T03:31:44.902Z

Since I seem to be on a run of 'dark' songs I thought I'd make it a trilogy. Also, rj has been in touch and I've taken a look at his great blog: 'Love Comes To Town' and he seems like a big Springsteen fan. Finally they were giving away a book of the 'greatest lyricists' in the newspaper this week - Springsteen was one of the featured artists and it reminded of just how good a song-writer he is.

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-72141171493015489072008-06-18T21:47:00.006+01:002008-11-13T03:31:45.063Z

I heard a song yesterday that simply blew me away. It just came out of the blue. I was doing the domestic chores - clearing away the dishes, washing up - and for once I decided to put some music on in the background instead of Euro 2008 football. At first I thought about putting on Coldplay's latest album that I recently bought, but was so disapointed with the first listen that I've not put it on

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-38636101049688639822008-06-05T20:47:00.005+01:002008-11-13T03:31:45.298Z

There are songs that have a certain feeling to them that capture a particular mood or sentiment perfectly. It's almost as though you don't even need to hear the lyrics to know what the song is about. For me, this song by Suzanne Vega is a case in point. 'Tired of Sleeping' (Days of Open Hand, 1990) is a brilliant song - there's no two ways about it. Brilliant because everything just comes

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-35193504590110537312008-05-30T20:05:00.012+01:002008-11-13T03:31:45.533Z

A highlight of my life over the last couple of weeks has to be my entry into the 'Never Ending Pool' (sad I know). This is a Bob Dylan related game - where particpants choose 12 songs from the master's back catalogue and get points if he deems to play them on the latest leg of his tour. I'm not doing so well at the moment but there's plenty of time for a comeback. Anyway, checking out my score

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-33588178832677894232008-05-18T15:35:00.007+01:002008-11-13T03:31:45.828Z

Perhaps you've heard about 'U2charists'? In case not the 'U2charist' is a church service that uses church liturgy interspersed with U2 songs instead of traditional church music. Firstly, a quick word on this. I get the concept - somewhat in line with this blog - and I do like U2. However, in my mind it's cheating slightly! Using U2 is pretty much like using church music or at least Delirious? and

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-1498893937040593002008-05-11T15:05:00.009+01:002008-11-13T03:31:46.056Z

On Friday I went to see Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. They gave a simply magnificent performance and were so loud that even two days later my ears are still ringing. Cave might be 50 but I don't think I've seen such an animated lead singer - the drink and drugs don't seem to have taken too much toll on him.The centrepiece to the gig was the song 'We Call Upon the author' from the Bad Seeds' recent

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-63702828430900106442008-05-01T20:41:00.004+01:002008-11-13T03:31:46.371Z

I love The Rolling Stones for the stuff they did in the '60s and very early '70s. Unlike Bob Dylan, for example, they just haven't been able to mark every passing decade with some classic material. They're legends of course as the recent Scorsese movie, 'Shine a Light', no doubt proves but for me the '60s and early '70s is when they peaked.The infamous 'Sympathy for the Devil' appeared on the

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-89049236755577308772008-04-23T21:27:00.005+01:002008-11-13T03:31:46.481Z

I've only just discovered Josh Ritter and I'm very glad to have found him. Not least because you can legally download a few of his tracks on his website - and I don't mean just the ones not worth listening to. I became interested in his music after reading an article describing him as a 'new Bob Dylan' - probably not a title Ritter would choose for himself and even though I can see why parallels

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-14568943526930678622008-04-04T20:41:00.010+01:002008-11-13T03:31:46.632Z

Thanks to my brother and sister in law, I was aware of how good this song was before it won an Oscar this year. They brought the DVD of the movie 'Once' with them for the Christmas holidays, and we watched it one evening in our lounge after the children had gone to bed. It's a touching film that reminded me a little of the brilliant 'Before Sunrise' and 'Lost in Translation'. Although I really

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-80799045493590162242008-03-26T20:22:00.016Z2008-03-26T22:46:56.440Z

As a part of the rather idiosyncratic movement known as The Salvation Army, I'm always interested to note songs with references (however oblique) to the organisation. Thus I have compiled a playlist featuring songs that have some connection with The Salvation Army. It's quite surprising to see the variety of artists I've discovered over time. (And by some of the greatest names ever!)1. The

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-20842398910624012132008-03-19T20:38:00.005Z2008-03-19T21:05:10.599Z

Some songs for Holy week....It's interesting how much attention Judas gets in songs. U2 have an interesting take on the last supper and Garden of Gethsemane in the song, 'Until the end of the World' (Achtung Baby, 1991) - well worth a listen. Bob Dylan also asks a good question about Judas and betrayal in 'With God on our side' (The Times they are A-changin', 1964) and explores the theme further

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-86247545646297803892008-03-12T14:36:00.006Z2008-11-13T03:31:47.015Z

I must admit the inclusion of this song in my Lent playlist is a slightly underhand way of sneaking a Bob Dylan song in through the back door. However, from the perspective of standing on the brink of Holy Week, I can think of few songs that lyrically hit the mark like this one.'Death is not the end' (Murder Ballads, 1996) also brings together a kind of supergroup - Bob Dylan song, reworked by

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-23077521321460633562008-03-05T20:21:00.006Z2008-11-13T03:31:47.183Z

And so we're into week 5 of Lent already. This song brings back a lot of memories from when I first heard it, after buying it on the day A Rush of Blood to the Head (2001) was released. We were new parents, getting no sleep and struggling with how to look after this baby that had invaded our lives. We both commented on the chorus of the song at the time, and that before we had children people

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-77548005566035721662008-02-26T20:29:00.009Z2008-11-13T03:31:47.274Z

Next up on my Lent playlist is a song by Moby. It's a song from Play which was a really successful album and one I enjoyed when I bought it on recommendation from friends shortly after release in 1999. Strangely, I don't feel the same way about it now - I don't really feel much inclination to listen to it at all. However, the one track that I never seem to tire of is 'Why Does My Heart Feel So

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-81143662684858752262008-02-19T23:03:00.005Z2008-11-13T03:31:47.494Z

The Velvet Underground are one of those bands that have a very distinctive sound - even if you've never heard the song before you know it's them almost immediately. Personally I prefer their more mellow songs (although they do some cracking upbeat ones, too) and the album The Velvet Underground (1969) has plenty of them - 'Pale Blue Eyes', 'Jesus' and 'I'm Set Free'.'I'm Set Free' is a very good

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-78867979536838421312008-02-14T20:13:00.009Z2008-11-13T03:31:47.671Z

Having been tagged by my brother-in-law and most avid reader, I felt it my duty to keep it going so in the true style of Arvo Part I'll 'festina lente'. (Find out more about tagging on his blog: Views From a Coffehouse).The rules of the tag are:1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).2. Open the book to page 123.3. Find the fifth sentence.4. Post the next three sentences.5. Tag five

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-38011090878395967382008-02-13T22:47:00.006Z2008-11-13T03:31:47.886Z

For week 2 of the Lent playlist, I've chosen Arvo Part's 'Festina Lente' (Miserere, 1990). This is a Songs for the Journey first because I'm going highbrow with a 'Classical' piece (although a misnomer of course because it's not classical but modern, but you know what I mean). I bought my first Part CD about 15 years ago, under the influence of my wife who was heavily into Gorecki and Taverner at

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-76359899312228069412008-02-06T09:43:00.000Z2008-11-13T03:31:48.014Z

This is the first song on my Lent playlist. If there was ever a song made for Lent this seems to be it. Could just be the song Jesus' Abba sang over him during the 40 days in the desert. It's almost as though God had to put Jesus through the test to see what he was made of. Take a look at the full lyrics and you'll see how it fits with the Biblical account. Perhaps God was even 'scared' about the

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-55125017280769673872008-02-05T22:43:00.001Z2008-11-13T03:31:48.192Z

There are 40 days in the Christian season of Lent or roughly six weeks and so here are 6 top tunes (one a week) to help reflect during a period set aside for fasting, self-examination and prayer. I picked these 'songs' because they somehow resonated with the main themes of Lent, or at least looked like they might. I plan to post some thoughts each week on my own reflections and these tracks....

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-70485342157476404892008-02-01T20:06:00.001Z2008-11-13T03:31:48.404Z

Consider this quote from Nick Hornby: 'I try not to belive in God, of course, but sometimes things happen in music, in songs, that bring me up short, make me do a double take... I just mean that at certain spine-shivering musical moments - and you will have your own inevitably - it becomes difficult to remain a literalist. (I have no such difficulty when I hear religious music, by the way, no

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-57288764555371212372008-01-31T19:43:00.001Z2008-11-13T03:31:48.658Z

Ok, so it's Bob again - but I'm the one who makes the rules here - and he's the only one who can bring the kind of catharsis I need right now. There's something I just have to get off my chest and although I nearly went with 'Idiot Wind' I decided to opt for something a little more cerebral - thus 'Ballad of a Thin Man' (1965, Highway 61 Revisited).In Scorsese's No Direction Home, you get amazing

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-53948165466960948692008-01-23T17:20:00.000Z2008-11-13T03:31:48.982Z

I'm going to break with my own self-imposed convention and make a post about a movie rather than a song. It is however, a movie named after a song, so that's enough for me. In my opinion I'm Not There is a great film. Admittedly I'm a huge fan of Dylan (increasingly so as I get older) and I know a bit about his 'story' but what gets me about this film, is that it doesn't really matter what

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-21466949359414983792008-01-05T20:25:00.001Z2008-11-13T03:31:49.098Z

I've been avoiding Coldplay since this blog began. Like U2, I felt a bit snobbish towards them - it all seemed too obvious when it comes to songs with a spiritual edge. Still, I love both Coldplay and U2 and enjoy listening to pretty much everything they've written (although X&Y (2005) is ultimately very disappointing compared with the first two albums).The first time I heard Coldplay was on

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-30280419719609900982007-12-07T20:13:00.000Z2007-12-07T20:33:18.377Z

Now we're in the Christmas season it's only right to feature a Christmas classic. Frankie Goes to Hollywood were just one of those bands that defined the '80s - add The Smiths and The Cure and you've probably got the trinity of '80s music.'The Power of Love' is simply a great song. My brother had bought the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984) and played it endlessly in the house and car. If

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-14720201809963578372007-12-01T11:43:00.000Z2007-12-02T14:24:30.902Z

New month so time for something different. From time to time I thought I might offer a playlist on a particular theme (in Bob Dylan theme time radio style) - gives a chance to increase the variety of songs without full explanations. Every one is a cracker - what can I say! If you have time, check them out.And the first theme is: War and Peace1. Give Peace a chance - John Lennon2. Peace on Earth -

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-82791957615361794052007-11-25T21:12:00.000Z2007-12-03T09:56:59.324Z

I love this song whichever angle you approach it from. The lyrics are clever and quirky, it has a great tune, the music builds brilliantly throughout and even the video is pretty good. In fact the album it's from, Different Class (1995) is an excellent all round effort.Apparently the song is Jarvis Cocker's take on those who attribute glamour to poverty. Well, living in the East End of London you

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-40456471827250336302007-11-18T21:20:00.000Z2007-11-18T21:42:39.890Z

Strangely, I fell in love with this song when it appeared as a karaoke track in the fantastic movie 'Lost in Translation' (2003). I've posted the clip below, and it's sung by the brilliant Bill Murray whose deadpan performance in my humble opinion pips Brian Ferry's original to the post. In the context of the film, and you have to see the whole thing to really get it, the song just hits a nerve

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-2188325740264766182007-11-13T21:41:00.000Z2007-11-13T22:12:48.682Z

'In My Life' probably isn't my favourite Beatles' song, but it is certainly one of the most lyrically moving and searching. Released on Rubber Soul (1965) it became one of the Beatles' favourite songs. Interestlngly, Paul McCartney once claimed that it was one of only two Beatles songs that he and John Lennon disputed composing (the other was 'Eleanor Rigby'). The lyrics certainly belong to John

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-50615503615101733322007-11-02T20:58:00.000Z2007-11-09T12:30:29.631Z

Of all the bands around at the moment, The Killers stand out from the crowd. This became plainly evident to me whilst watching the otherwise dull Live 8 concert in 2005 (good cause of course, but hijacked from the real Make Poverty Campaign and the music got in the way of the issues as well as being decidely mediocre). I'd never even heard a Killers' song before they took to the stage that day.

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-86880950123758281872007-10-27T21:48:00.001+01:002008-03-26T22:23:21.905Z

There's no doubt that Nick Cave causes great problems for Christians looking for fellow journeyman in the world of music. On the one hand he promises so much: his lyrics are laden with biblical references and gospel-style songs - many of his songs could comfortably accompany the now obligatory powerpoint presentation mid-service. On the flip side there are few artists who write with such venom

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-71154066900782648022007-10-18T21:10:00.000+01:002007-11-09T09:04:20.680Z

Johnny Cash is a legend, that goes without saying. Whilst tracks like 'Walk the Line' and 'Ring of fire' are undisputed classics, his last two albums American IV (2002) and American V (2006, released posthumously) are for me the most moving as he reached the end of his life. Whilst the power of his voice in the later albums has faded, there is a depth that can only be detected in a man nearing

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-1503103717036301232007-08-29T20:42:00.000+01:002007-08-29T21:23:59.068+01:00

When I need a real lift few bands are better to listen to than The Strokes. Almost every track from their first album Is this It? (2001) is a cracker. Most of them I suspect glorify a lifestyle closer to that of Sodom and Gomorrah than John Calvin's Geneva or the Taliban's Kabul but boy do they get your foot tapping!On my first hearing of The Strokes all I could hear was The Velvet Underground

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-25265447974044465012007-08-29T10:31:00.000+01:002007-08-29T20:36:52.851+01:00

I figured it was time for a song written and performed by a woman. I know nothing about Bird York, but she looks a tad more beautiful than Shane MacGowan. I came across this song from the fantastic movie Crash and it is featured on her album The Velvet Hour (2005).The lyrics and music of this track get me everytime and is the perfect soundtrack for postmodern Christians struggling to get to grips

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-37862025106822221432007-07-27T15:29:00.000+01:002007-08-29T20:37:26.584+01:00

The Pogues have written some fantastic songs, not least 'Summer in Siam' from the album Hell's Ditch (1990). How they managed quite such an impressive output with the chaotic Shane MacGowan at the helm is to their credit. Like many creative individuals, staying on the straight and narrow is rarely a prerequisite for producing quality art. You have to question, though, how can someone who looks...

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-656860575327551472007-07-23T09:52:00.000+01:002007-08-29T20:38:04.288+01:00

Trying to decide on a Bob Dylan track to include here, is like trying to decide which Shane Warne delivery was his best. Was it his first ball in Test cricket to remove Mike Gatting or the one that got Andrew Strauss in the 2005 Ashes? Or was it... and the list goes on from one great moment to another. Such is the way with genius. In Bob Dylan's case, should it be something from his early period

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-19421917396441238962007-07-19T21:46:00.001+01:002009-06-06T22:14:33.140+01:00

Nusrat, the late Pakistani Qawwalis singer, is my first entry of 'devotional' music. I must admit, ashamedly, that I'd never heard of him until earlier this year. How I wish I could turn back time - to have discovered his music earlier, to have perhaps had a chance to see him perform at one of his legendary London concerts. See what I missed in the video below.Nusrat is a singer in the Islamic

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-79489323090559853962007-07-19T20:50:00.000+01:002007-08-29T20:40:41.027+01:00

In 1990, in a small village in Switzerland, a Saudi prince introduced me to The Sisters of Mercy. For the next 3 years they became one of my favourite bands, forming the backdrop to my early days at university and the overiding influence of my uni rock band - Drag (yes you did read that correctly. And no, we didn't wear it when playing live.) We even did a cover of their mysterious 'Alice.'The

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-53174921667366771912007-07-17T09:22:00.001+01:002008-06-30T21:29:40.068+01:00

Sometimes it's the spirit of a song rather than the lyrics that sets my spiritual pulse racing. The Boss' 'Thunder Road' (1975), from the album Born to Run, is in this mould (not that the lyrics aren't fantastic, because they clearly are). It was my friend Pete who reminded me recently of what a great song this is. There are other songs that have the same effect if I'm in the right mood: Doves '

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4133889477060519216.post-33080456895396093112007-07-16T19:22:00.001+01:002007-08-29T20:41:57.678+01:00

This is the first of many songs for me that inspire, challenge, motivate and encourage faith. I've deliberately chosen a challenging one first-up. It's Canadian Rufus Wainwright's 'Going To A Town', second track off his excellent 3rd album - Release the Stars (2007). His previous albums, Want One and Want Two, contain various gems and I'm sure another of his tracks will feature at some

Nick Cokenoreply@blogger.com1