The second instalment of Later…with Jools Holland goes out with a taster tonight followed by the full version on Friday. This week’s episode appears to be as eclectic and as interesting as the first one. Later…Live is on BBC Two at 10.00pm tonight and the full show is on Friday at 11.35pm
The big draw on this week’s show is Doves who’ve just released their fourth album, Kingdom of Rust. Their first two albums were nominated for the Mercury Music prize, though I prefer their third, Some Cities. This is my favourite song of theirs, which was only released for one day but managed to reach #3 in the UK singles chart in 2002
I’ve written about Marianne Faithfull previously here and here. She’s promoting her latest album, a double, of covers from old and new artists. Easy Come Easy Go features songs originally recorded by Billie Holiday, Morrissey and Jarvis Cocker, amongst others. I really like her version of The Decemberists‘ song, The Crane Wife 3. The Decemberists have a new album out as well, so hopefully they’ll make an appearance before too long
The Crane Wife 3 (Decemberists cover) – Marianne Faithfull
I’m looking forward to hearing Madeleine Peyroux (pictured above). Her earlier albums blended elements of jazz, blues and country and featured a fair smattering of cover versions. Her new one, Bare Bones, is composed of original tunes and is very much a jazzy affair. Here is the title track
Bare Bones – Madeleine Peyroux
The Noisettes are one of the newer acts appearing on the show. It seems that this track, Don’t Upset the Rhythm, was used on a TV commercial and reached #2 on the UK singles charts. All this was news to me, but I quite like its sound and I look forward to hearing it performed
Don’t Upset the Rhythm – Noisettes
The least well known act, to me anyway, to appear on the show this time is Rokia Traore, a singer-songwriter from Mali. She is well-known, however, in African music and has been performing for over a decade. She has received numerous awards in her own continent as well as recognition from the New York Times and the BBC. She is the daughter of a diplomat, which makes her foray into music quite unusual in Mali. Her most recent album, released last December, is Tchamantché. Sabali is from earlier in her career
Finally, the show features one of the most influential figures in hip hop, Grandmaster Flash. Apparently, he’s about to release his first solo album, having previously been associated with the Furious Five. He was born Joseph Saddler in Barbados on New Years Day, 1958. The song he is most associated with is The Message (1982) and here is a stripped-down cover of that tune by Willy Mason
Town Full of Losers 