Gardening From The Ground Up Part 1 is Houston native Sarah Elizabeth Foster’s first collection of deeply charged tunes. Filled with raw emotion and wistful reflection, her songs are the product of a vision almost stalled when she was challenged to persevere through the intensive vocal therapy necessary to arrive at what her doctors called a “miraculous recovery” when she was diagnosed with a benign, vocal chord polyp. The record is an unusual acoustic blend of 60s inspired pop, fresh folk and classical motifs wrapped around Sarah’s deep vocals and emotionally rich lyrics.
Joni Mitchell / Both Sides Now The orchestral arrangement of Both Sides Now is so moving, paired with Joni Mitchell’s voice. The intro starts so perfectly and quietly then you immediately grasp her life experience the second you hear her voice. At the 2:40, mark when the horns come in, I always feel my heart swell.
The Beatles’ pop music and the wide spectrum of jazz music at large played an instrumental role in the musical upbringing of Brisbane-based singer-songwriter-interpreter and four times platinum selling Australian songstress, Katie Noonan. This facet of her musical education has never been more evident than in Katie’s new album, Blackbird — the music of Lennon and McCartney.
Joni Mitchell / Little Green This song is about one of the saddest things, choosing to give your child up for adoption. I can’t imagine the anguish and the pain and the guilt attached to such a decision. But this song is about that and it is beautiful. Somehow it is joyful though, also. It is from the incredible record, Blue, which I really think is a masterpiece. She was so young when she wrote these songs and they are simply amazing.
Our favourite retro-hipsters — and the only band to make Hawaiian shirts look at least kinda fashionable — The B52s have been doing it for more than thirty years, and they’re still writing great pop music. Their latest album, Funplex, is just that: fun plex twenty. Sorry, plus twenty. We like it. And we’re not surprised given the rather old-school Secret Playlist that Kate Pierson [first six songs] and Keith Strickland have assembled.
Jane Siberry / Bound By the Beauty Jane Siberry changed her name to Issa, sold her home and most of her possessions (although she owns a pair of fabulous boots), and sells her music — digitally only, to cut down on plastic waste — by a self-determined pricing policy. She’s an incredible, profound songwriter and singer, and is doing it her way, for sure.
My Secret Playlist is a music discovery website and weekly email publication. We invite our favourite bands and musicians to give us the rundown on their eight favourite songs right now. These are their words on the music that inspires them.
