15 songs that'll expand your musical audioscape from Coltrane to Seeger, a new tune from London Grammar, the always intriguing Agnes Obel, Haelos, Bird York, Matt Berninger and more
KURATED NO. 106
Readers’ Choice 2020
PART 8
CONTENTS
  • Winnipeg’s Doug Smith and Vancouver’s Jean Napali feature 15 songs that’ll expand your musical audioscape including Coltrane to Seeger (played by pianist David Berkman), a new tune from London Grammar, the always intriguing Agnes Obel, David Bromberg, Haelos, the underappreciated Bird York, The National’s Matt Berninger playing solo and more.
  • THE READER’S CHOICE 2020 PLAYLIST is on YouTube and Spotify. It samples a selection of the songs recommended in this year’s 10-part series.
Kurated is a music sharing project.
This is the third annual Readers’ Choice January series featuring subscribers’ top listens of the past year.
Stay tuned and enjoy,
Kris Sig Plastic V3

23 January 2021

Doug Smith
Winnipeg MB

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Four Songs

• David Bromberg doing far more than just blowing the bloody doors off of Big Road.
• Everything that rises, coverages. David Berkman: The Music of John Coltrane & Pete Seeger 
• Danish String Quartet has the Last Laugh
• The Matt Wilson Quartet with Hug!, the song that kicks COVID’s ass. 

About Doug: Doug Smith has been socially isolating for years

Jean Napali
Vancouver BC

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Michael Kiwanuka’s Cold Little Heart was one of contributor Jean Napali’s top songs of the year. (Phil Sharp photo)

Two songs I discovered this year and fell in love with are:
Bird York: Haunting You  
Michael Kiwanuka: Cold Little Heart  

A number of artists/groups that are in my frequent rotation put out new music this year, with songs worth a listen, though none of these have yet been added to my phone.   : )
London Grammar: Californian Soil  
Jason Isbell: Overseas  
Haelos: I’m There  
Boy and Bear: Telescope (acoustic)  
Future Islands: Born In A War  
Of Monsters and Men: Visitor 
Ane Brun: Closer 
Agnes Obel: Broken Sleep

And, one more: a new-to-me artist Matt Berninger – Serpentine Prison from the album of the same name.

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The National’s front man, Matt Berninger, released a solo album in 2020 (Suzanne Cordeiro/Shutterstock photo)

About Jean: Music, as a single person during this unusual year, you have  been my most constant companion. We’ve danced, laughed and cried together.  Sometimes I’ve not liked you, so ignored you, turned to another, or expressed frustration with your rhythm and/or lack of intelligent  conversation.  Sometimes I have to listen to you a few times before I come to appreciate the unique beauty you offer. Thanks for always being there.