Episode 103

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New music from Belle and Sebastian
Singer for New Pornographers Neko Case
The simple, sweet songs of Super XX Man
Contra dances: The Portland Connection
A medley of Irish reels from Lúnasa
Cuban jazz pianist Frank Emilio Flynn
John Coltrane as Latin jazz: Echu Mingua
Britain's punk-inspired Arctic Monkeys

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Belle and Sebastian defined the chamber pop sound of the '90s with precious, whimsical melodies set against a backdrop of richly orchestrated arrangements. The band's new CD is a bit of a departure from their previous work, drawing on a mix that includes classic Kinks and Motown.

Belle and Sebastian

CD: The Life Pursuit
Song: "The Act of the Apostle 2"
Label: Matador

Listen to "The Act of the Apostle 2"

As a singer for New Pornographers, Neko Case is known for artful pop. But as a solo artist, Case leans more toward classic country. Her new CD features the country rock band The Sadies (featured on All Songs Considered episode 69), members of Calexico and Garth Hudson, a legendary keyboardist for The Band.

Neko Case

CD: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Song: "Margaret Vs. Pauline"
Label: Anti

Listen to "Margaret Vs. Pauline"

Super XX Man (pronounced "Super Double X") is otherwise known as Scott Garred. Garred has been making sweet, simple songs under the Super XX Man moniker for ten years. His latest CD features newly-recorded versions of songs he's written during the past decade and includes vocals from Alison Wesley and accordion from Garred's wife, Michelle.

Super XX Man

CD: X
Song: "Collecting Rocks"
Label: Hush

Listen to "Collecting Rocks"


For more on this CD, visit the artist's Web site.

The Portland Connection is a contra dance band featuring Georg Penk, Clyde Curley, Creighton Lindsay and Susan Songer. The quartet performs a mish mash of music from North America and the British Isles. They were previously featured on All Songs Considered episode 58.

The Portland Connection

CD: Portland Selection 2
Song: "Camp Meeting on the Fourth of July/Grey Eagle/Walk Up Georgia Row"
Label: Self Released

Listen to "Camp Meeting on the Fourth of July/Grey Eagle/Walk Up Georgia Row"


For more on this CD, visit the artist's Web site.

Lúnasa is an Irish folk band from Dublin. On their sixth and latest album, the group offers a beautiful mix of traditional reels. Lúnasa was previously featured on All Songs Considered episode 67.

Lúnasa

CD: Sé
Song: "The Ballivanich Reel/Boy In The Boat/The Stone of Destiny"
Label: Compass Records

Listen to "The Ballivanich Reel/Boy In The Boat/The Stone of Destiny"

Frank Emilio Flynn is considered a grandfather of Cuban piano music. Born in 1921, Flynn started his music career in a ballroom orchestra. He would go on to help define traditional Latin and Cuban jazz, performing and recording for nearly seven decades. He died in 2001 and is remembered on this new collection of recordings made in 1959.

Frank Emilio Flynn

CD: Musica Original de Cuba
Song: "Anita"
Label: Empire Musicwerks

Listen to "Anita"

Miguil Angá Diaz takes John Coltrane's legendary 1965 recording "A Love Supreme" and reimagines it as a Cuban jazz tune. Diaz is part of the Buena Vista Social Club family. This new CD marks his debut as a bandleader, composer and arranger.

Angá

CD: Echu Mingua
Song: "A Love Supreme"
Label: World Circuit

Listen to "A Love Supreme"

Arctic Monkeys are the latest in a bevy of new bands resurrecting early '80s post-punk rock. Much like 2005's hit-makers Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys borrow heavily from bands like The Clash and The Smiths. When their debut CD first hit stores in January, it sold more copies than the rest of the top 20 chart makers combined, setting a U.K. record.

Arctic Monkeys

CD: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Song: "I Bet You'd Look Good On the Dance Floor"
Label: Domino

Listen to "I Bet You'd Look Good On the Dance Floor"

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