Thanks for for the music – Joana Cooke

“In this challenging year for so many, I found writing music and taking inspiration from others helped immensely.

Here are some songs I turned to and why.

Blues

As a little girl at home in Lyme Regis, my artist father played me his record collection by blues and soul greats.  I’ll start with some of those tracks. Buddy Guy’s ‘The First Time I Met the Blues‘ turned up again recently on an album left by the previous owner of our curent home. Listening to this bluesman pour out his haunting melodies and gut-wrenching guitar licks took me right back to my childhood years.

On that album too was Howling Wolf’s raw, driving blues epic ‘Spoonful’. Another throwback to the very first songs I heard and still hugely meaningful to me.

You gotta have soul

Next up is “Cry To Me” by Solomon Burke. I was only loaned this single wayback. Thankfully it’s now on Spotify. It’s one of those tracks that makes me want to dance around carefree. It’s a real hip shaker which lifted my spirits several times during lockdown. I couldn’t sing but could listen to great records.

Another two fine tracks come from Aretha Franklin’s ‘Yeah’ album, which was a gift from a fan. The Queen of Soul has been one of my biggest influences. Both ‘Muddy Water’ and ‘More’ are fine examples of her immense talent. They remind me of leaving Lyme Regis to study music and discovering her discography – which became the soundtrack to my studies.

Sound of summer

Next is Tom Misch and his song ‘Movie‘. It’s a personal tune for me and my partner anyway but last summer we decided to learn it. We included it in live streamed concerts from our home. They went really well and big thanks to all those who tuned in creating such a wonderful atmosphere!

Track 7 is Jo Harman’s cover of The Beatles ‘Don’t Let Me Down’. It was on repeat in the car last summer going to the few live shows I managed to grab during that period. My niece who is 4 loves this song too and always sings along! It’s terrific song, done great justice by Jo H!

Georgia’s on her mind

No 8 is by someone I’ve been following for a while and is playing at this year’s festival too!! Georgia van Etten’s live version of her song ‘Oh Mother’ moved me to tears. And plenty on her new album filled me with joy. Georgia’s an inspiring contemporary artist and, as an emerging artist myself, I’m really looking forward to catching her play live soon!

70s icons

I’ve been listening to the last two tracks since my teens. Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up” and Candi Staton’s “You’ve Got The Love” will always be on my list of go to songs to ‘shake it off & keep on’. They were blasted out most weekends over lockdown, when I missed performing myself!”

Featured artists: Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Tom Misch, Jo Harman, Georgia van Etten, Curtis Mayfield and Candi Stanton.

We’d love to know what you think of Joanna’s picks.  What would your list sound like? Join in the debate and comment below. 

Checkout:

 Jazzwise magazine’s  100 Jazz Albums that shook the world.

Gilles Peterson’s show on BBC Radio 6 

Ronnie Scott’s for live and streamed music