1. Bird On A Wire, Leonard Cohen.
When ever is song it creates a picture in my mind. I can imagine every character that Cohen sings about. He is a lyrical painter.
2. Today Has Been Okay Emiliana Torrini.
The songs starts with the words ‘Home alone and happy, today has been okay’ and that’s it, the mood is set. I can’t believe I only discovered Emiliana a few years ago.
3. River Man, Nick Drake.
I absolutely love the strings on this track, so very haunting. It’s the song that I would have loved to have written. Melancholy magic.
4. Intoxicated Hands, Damien Jurado
I discovered this song when it was given to me on a compilation for my birthday. I love his voice. It has a drunken, stoned feel, and the lyrics are very evocative, you get drawn in.
5. Nightly Cares, Mum
When I gave birth to my son at home, I made myself a playlist of mellow songs and this was one of them. I love the production of this song and her unique voice. It’s very sweet.
6. Autunm’s Child, Devendra Banhart
Sometimes, a voice and piano is all you need. This song is simplicity at its best. This song always stops me in my tracks. It’s music that helps me to breath, it makes me take a deep breath.
7. Solid Air, John Martyn
I’ve been a huge fan of John for almost twenty years. He sadly passed away in 2008. It was an absolute honor to record a version of this song for a Tribute Album which should be out later this year. Still, nothing beats the original. He is the ultimate late night chill king.
8. Over The Hillside, The Blue Nile
I always return to this song when I need a late night mellow ‘send me off to sleep’ song. Me and my husband listened to this song when we first started dating. We now use it when it’s time for our baby boy’s afternoon nap. It always helps to get him off to sleep.
9. Shadow Blues, Laura Veirs.
When she sings ‘Gonna build a coal mine, climb down deep inside where my shadow has no place to go, no place to hide’ it just breaks my heart. I love Laura Veirs. She is the lyrical queen of my music castle.
10. Two Sleepy People, Blossom Dearie
A good few years ago, I was asked to do a cover of Peal Me A Grape, by this wonderful lady. That’s how I discovered this gem of a song. Nothing beats this for the last song-to fall into. Big yawn, Good night everybody x
The new album “Blood Like Lemonade” is out this week on [PIAS] Recordings and if you could include the video:
