New Mix: Bob Dylan, Frank Turner, Daughter And More
Clockwise from upper left: Bob Dylan, Big Grams, Bill Ryder-Jones, Daughter Courtesy of the artists hide caption
This week on All Songs Considered, Bob Boilen and Robin share a few of their favorite things: choice tunes from cherished artists. We've got all the bases covered, from a devastating song about dementia from Daughter to an energetic anthem from Frank Turner on the power of positivity. Toss in a Bob Dylan bootleg, the long-awaited return from electronic artist St. Germain, a propulsive new track from Bill Ryder-Jones and, from rapper Big Boi and the duo Phantogram, the best collaboration ever inspired by an Internet popup ad. The only things missing are the doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.
Songs Featured On This Episode
Daughter
- Song: Doing the Right Thing
- from Not To Disappear
Moody and beautiful, Daughter explores the heartbreak and anguish of dementia and lost identity in this, the first song from the band's second album (as far as we know, it's the first 2016 release we've played on the show). See the emotional music video here.
Big Grams
- Song: Goldmine Junkie
It's a good thing Big Boi doesn't have an ad blocker, because hearing Phantogram streaming from a pop-up Internet ad led to this unusual and exciting collaboration. Together they are Big Grams and "Goldmine Junkie," from their self-titled EP, is chock full of rich rhythm and harmony.
Bill Ryder-Jones
- Song: Satellites
- from West Kirby County Primary
Bill Ryder-Jones is constantly evolving. His first album, If... was all instrumental; on A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart, he added vocals. His third album, West Kirby County Primary, raises the volume, electrifying his sound to make it that much more momentous. "Satellites" is thoughtful and propulsive with lyrics firmly rooted in reality.
Frank Turner
- Song: Get Better
- from Positive Songs for Negative People
These days, Frank Turner is a positive person. Each song he writes is a charismatic singalong, and "Get Better" from Positive Songs For Negative People is perhaps his most anthemic of them all. Urgent and exciting, it's sure to make even the most negative person crack a smile.
Bob Dylan
- Song: It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
- from The Cutting Edge 1965-1966: The Bootleg Series Vol. 12
In 1965 and 1966 Bob Dylan released three iconic studio albums that redefined him as a musician and continue to define his career. He also recorded enough music outside of those to fill an 18-CD set of bootlegs, alternate takes, demos and more, soon to be released as The Cutting Edge. This alternate take of "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry" is more lively and lush than the version originally released on Highway 61 Revisited in 1965, but it's still Dylan at his best.
St. Germain
- Song: Hanky-Panky
St. Germain's Tourist was the go-to record for countless dinner and dance parties in 2000. Fifteen years later, St. Germain is finally back with a new record, one he says took him six years of daily work to complete. Rather than recreate Tourist, he took inspiration from his time in Mali to create an album worthy of another dive deep, or to let linger as the perfect backdrop to your day.
Hear the full album in our First Listen series until its release on Oct. 9.