My Top Twenty of 2020: #11

 

Another two I had to put together, as they both ended up in Nashville this year. 

Erin Moran, A Girl Called Eddy, returned from the wilderness with her first solo album in 16 years, and it was like she’d never been away. 

Meanwhile, Rumer recorded an album of songs by veteran country songwriter Hugh Prestwood, and it was as beautiful as you could imagine.

Two sumptuous records to soothe the unquiet mind. I needed that more than ever this year…

2020 Contenders: The Return of Eddy

Not this one.

Or this one.

Not even this one.

No, the Eddie... or rather Eddy... I'm most excited to see return in 2020, also goes by the name of Erin Moran...

But not that one.

This one...

Her first album since her self-titled, Richard Hawley-produced, debut album back in 2004... which was a firm favourite of mine back then. Where has she been all this time? The only answer seems to be that she's Been Around.

The new LP was co-written and produced in Nashville, though it's less a country record and more a Bacharachian / Carpenters-esque masterpiece that sits very nicely on the shelf next to the best of Rumer. It's got that edge to it too - you know how the best Carpenters records were kept from going full Stilton by the surprise guitar solos? Just like that.

I'm betting Alyson would love this record... though I've chosen the track below for Charity Chic, as it's right up his street.




This is as close as I get to a Valentine's Day post.

Saturday Snapshots #29 - The Answers

If yesterday's clues were all a blur to you... allow me to clear them up.



10. Oy! Rossiter! This is what James Bond might drink on the dark side of the moon.

Martin Rossiter is the lead singer of Gene. Bond would have his martini shaken, not stirred, with Pink Floyd.

Pink Martini - Hey Eugene

Charity Chic got the artist, Chris solved the song.

9. Bounce! Mrs. McCartney loses a: rare grown-up caterpillar.

If something is bouncing, it's bobbing up and down. Linda - a = Lind.

Bob Lind - Elusive Butterfly

Alyson broke out of her chrysalis to solve this one.

8. Women can be just like Van Halen. Crying Clitheroe or Weeping Watford?

A Girl Called Eddy - Tears All Over Town

And another one for Alyson!

7. Split up with your lad? Don't turn a drama into a Cold War crisis.

Fall Out Boy - This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race

And another one for... oh. Nobody. Guess that's a point for me then. (Unless it was answered after 9pm Saturday.)

6. Not Chubby Checker. Not New Order.

Fats Domino - Blue Monday

It never occurred to me before that Chubby Checker was just a rip off of Fats Domino. Perhaps it had occurred to Rigid Digit.

5. I'm overjoyed that you put everything you had into this.

Blood, Sweat & Tears - You've Made Me So Very Happy

Lynchie got this. Alyson kicked herself.

4. Make a big fuss while searching for Wonder Woman.

Hue & Cry - Looking For Linda

CC was this week's early bird... despite the fact that these guys had a lot more hair when they had their hits.

3. The next best thing to your daily song about Slash.

The next best thing to sliced bread?

Bread - Guitar Man

A point for C!

2. Swimsuits murder a song about Princess Leia.

Bikini Kill - Rebel Girl

Charity Chic solved this one eventually... though C and Chris were typing the title at the same time.

1. Jazz label gets mixed up with Bill Hicks musical.

The jazz label would be Bluenote. Mix it up and you get Bluetone. This song is named after a Bill Hicks record. Slight Return also owed a debt to Hicks, which was C's guess, but I prefer the track Rigid Digit eventually identified...

(This has a truly awful video - what were they thinking? - so I've posted the audio only.)


By my reckoning, this week's joint winners with 2 1/2 points each are C and CC. Well done, guys. Excellent teamwork as always.

More next week, double-decker buses permitting...