American Beauty

It's been all about American legends lately, as the following flurry of hyper-links suggests.

First up there was an examination of the roots of Elvis (P not C) featuring contributions from the wonderful Paul Buchanan; then fascinating chats with Rosanne Cash and Kris Kristofferson, plus a review of the latter’s recent Edinburgh show over at theartsdesk, where I also contributed to a round-up of the month's best new albums. I’ve also reviewed some telly: a great documentary on Merle Haggard and new BBC Four comedy The Great Outdoors.

P.S. I’m now on Twitter (oh yes, always one step ahead of the throng) if anyone fancies dropping in.

Top Bird

“Initially you could sense that it would be more convenient for other people if I were to continue to collaborate with Tricky,” she says. “‘That works, why change it?’ I try to gravitate to people who are less fearful than that and will get behind you. You have to keep a strong mind and not be limited by other people’s bullshit and perceptions. No one can know your potential until you show them.”

A chat here with Martina Topley-Bird, who is back with an utterly beguiling new album Some Place Simple; and some slightly woozy words with the equally fearless Rickie Lee Jones here

Art & Acorns

“It’s not incidental that No Ghost was recorded in a cottage in the back of beyond in Quebec, the kind of place where phone signals peter out into static. On occasion the songs here are almost hypnotically hushed. At other times they’re both louder and more unhinged than ever before. There’s always been muscle in The Acorn’s music, now it’s simply more pronounced.” My Uncut review of The Acorn’s No Ghost is now online.

Also, a ton of my film, music and TV reviews can be viewed over at theartsdesk.

Steady As She Goes

Glancing up from a Dickensian pile of work so tall and precarious it's threatening at any moment to topple down to the ground like one of those over-sized pub Jenga games that used to be all the rage, I note with a moderate degree of interest that my Uncut review of the new(ish) Hold Steady album, Heaven is Whenever, is now online. That is all.

Thorny Questions

"Tracey Thorn’s new solo album, Love And Its Opposite, is a quietly extraordinary record, eschewing the fireworks of grand passion to explore the niggles and neuroses bubbling below the surface of many long-term relationships." I talk to Thorn about her ace new album here.

I also recently caught up with Sandi Thom, who’s gone from much-maligned internet ‘sensation’ to gnarled Blues warbler. Odd. More here.

There’s some wonderful YouTube footage of Kris Kristofferson receiving a gong at the 1970 Country Music Association awards. He lopes on stage with his hair covering his shoulders and his trousers hanging from his hips, scratching his head and grinning at an audience of bow-ties and comb-overs who gasp and giggle at this upstart hippie freak. He’s monosyllabic, but the message to the Nashville establishment is clear: welcome to the future. We’re going to start doing things a little differently around here.

On today of all days, it feels comforting to be in the company of an old leftie firebrand. I talk to Kris Kristofferson for the Guardian here.

Simon Says, Hold Tight

A couple of pieces appearing in the Herald this week. One an interview with Craig Finn of the mighty Hold Steady, who have got themselves back on course with Heaven Is Whenever; and another with Harper Simon, son of Paul, who has made one of the year-to-date’s most elegant and engaging albums.