Sunday 3 October 2010

How low can we go?



On this lazy Sunday, it is too wet to plant the bulbs or to do the laundry, so instead I thought we'd cross over to the Low Countries for some musical treats today...

First up is a lady who has scored a record-breaking 27 weeks at the top of the Dutch charts so far this year! Described by Mark Savage of the BBC as "like a modern version of Jane Russell or Bettie Page, sultry eyed and bedecked in elaborate antique jewellery", Miss Caro Emerald was turned down by all the major record companies in her attempt to launch her career, so she did all the marketing herself. It paid off in spades, and her album Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor is released next week in the UK. One to look out for, I'd say...


Next up, a song from the year 2000 that I had never heard before our French friend Thierry ("Kylie") sent a link. Hooverphonic were at one stage one of Belgium's biggest pop bands, and their song 2Wicky was used on the soundtrack of the hit 90s movie Stealing Beauty.


Their jazzy, trippy sound was originally influenced by artists like Massive Attack and St Etienne, but on this single they appeared to veer towards a more soulful style (more recently adopted by the likes of Duffy). It's beautiful - enjoy!


I really struggled to find any music of any merit from the third of the Low Countries, Luxembourg... So I fall back upon that staple fodder of the Grand Duchy - Eurovision! Winners many times, the little country has had a knack of producing perfect songs for the contest, not least this fabulous ditty. Enjoy Mmme Anne-Marie David!

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