It has been a couple of months since I last did one of my round ups of what I had seen and heard on YouTube, so it feels about time for another. In no particular order, here are some of the tunes I’ve enjoyed hearing, all of which have been uploaded to YouTube within the past month.
Let’s get started with a band I have written about before and have played several times. They are Little Quirks, from Australia, and have just released a new single. It gets us off to a lively start:
Like everything Little Quirks do that video is a lot of fun, and you can see their enjoyment in making it. The song belts along too, with all of their usual energy. Game Boy is a track from their new album, She’s Wild, which comes out on 30 October. The band plays a lot of concerts in their homeland but occasionally venture further afield, and have been to the UK before, in 2023. To support this album they are touring again, in late November/early December, with two dates in The Netherlands and six in the UK. I’d love to see them but am unable to get out these days, but if you are anywhere near one of their shows don’t miss out: they are as energetic live as you would expect from this video!
Slowing the pace right down now. I’ve never played anything by this next singer before, which is a real oversight on my part, as this is beautiful:
That was Rhiannon Giddens with Hope Is The Thing With Feathers, the title track from her new album, which was released earlier this month. She is an American musician, actress, and author, and was a founding member of the group Carolina Chocolate Drops, where she was the lead singer and played fiddle and banjo. She now has seven solo albums to her name, and if this has given you a taste for her music I can recommend trying more: she is a quality act.
My next two tunes are both covers. The first of them is by one of the best Fleetwood Mac tribute acts, who go by the name of Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Not especially subtle, but it works! This is a lovely version of one of my favourite Mac songs:
A faithful performance of Songbird, which has always been one of the tracks I loved on the Rumours album. Christine McVie sang it beautifully, and I’ve played a version by her before, when it was the closing song at a Fleetwood Mac concert. Sophie Worsley really does it justice, I think, and the orchestral backing adds something too.
My second cover is a tribute performance. I posted my own tribute last month to the late, great Dolly Parton, and this is two of my favourite acts doing their tribute for her. This is from the recent Americana Awards event, complete with a pre-recorded introduction by the lady herself:
That was Brandi Carlile and I’m With Her playing Dolly’s Coat Of Many Colours. A lovely tribute to a lady who is much missed.
This next one is another from an upcoming album. I love this guy’s music, and he never disappoints:
That was Mike Rosenberg, better known as Passenger, with Boomerang, which is a track from his sixteenth album, Wild Love, due for release on 6 November. He is one of the more prolific acts around, as those records have been made in little more than nineteen years: no long waits for albums with him! I’ve enjoyed everything he has done: there is such a gentle, relaxing feel to his voice, and his songs are lovely. He currently lives in Brighton but chose to go further afield for this video, which was made in Polperro, in Cornwall, hence the lovely scenery: he wouldn’t have got that in Brighton!
Regular readers will know that I really like this next band and have featured them a few times recently. I couldn’t resist this one:
That was Blossoms with Husband, a track from their sixth album, Songs From The Wedding Cake, which comes out on 2 October. The song and video are typical Blossoms, with lots of fun and humour: I just love the “burn appetit” line at the end of the spoken intro! The album takes its name from Stockport Town Hall, which is nicknamed “the wedding cake”, and is where lead singer/songwriter Tom Ogden got married. The album was announced with a video last June, and in the following days the band crashed three weddings across the north-west, where they rocked up in a van to play short sets. This track hasn’t yet been released as a single though I expect it may be, as it is featuring in the new video game EA Sports FC 27, which is due out tomorrow. Footy fans everywhere will be hearing them!
I would have closed there, but then came across another in YouTube’s recommendations that I thought I’d play for you. A favourite song by a favourite band, given a new treatment with a great guest vocalist:
Little Feat released Willing on their eponymous debut album in January 1971, and then re-recorded it for their second record, Sailin’ Shoes, which came out in February 1972. The song was written and originally sung by Lowell George, who we sadly lost in 1979 at the age of just 34. I think Maggie Rose does a great job on this, and it’s good to see the band finally making an appearance at The Grand Ole Opry after all those years. The other main vocalist on this is Scott Sharrard, previously of The Gregg Allman Band, who joined Little Feat in 2019.
That’s it for today, and I hope you have found something here to enjoy. I’ll see you again for Song Lyric Sunday, so until then take care and stay well 👍

Cilve, so far, I have listened to the first two and will scroll back for the others. I love Rhiannan Giddens’ voice and this song. Also, Little Quirks are fun and high energy. The drummer is captivating with her hair bouncing around as she leans into the drums. Thanks for the introductions. Keith
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Thank you, Keith, I’m glad you enjoyed these and hope you’ll like the others when you come back. Young Mia beats the heck out of her drums, doesn’t she! Rhiannon is special, in my view.
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Clive, I loved the Rumors tribute band rendition – she sounded like Christine McVie. The Blossoms song surprised me at how good it was after the unusual beginning. Little Feat offers an enjoyable experience. Maggie Rose lifted the song up. Finally, I am a fan of Brandi Carlile’s so I enjoyed this one. I think need to listen to one more. Keith
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I’m pleased you enjoyed all of those, Keith. I think you just have Passenger left now 😉
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Wonderful playlist this morning, Clive. More new songs than familiar ones and they were all vey enjoyable. Rhiannon Giddens sounds a lot like Joni Mitchell, doesn’t she? Really nice to see/hear Little Feat; I’ve been a fan from the beginning and the female vocalist was a powerhouse. “Husband” was great fun …. totally enjoyed that number and the video was quite clever; whoever played the role of the husband knows his way around the kitchen and did a bang-up job preparing that Shepherd’s Pie! Fun, eclectic grouping of good music. Thanks, my friend. Have a great weekend! 😀
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I’m glad you enjoyed these, Nancy. Rhiannon is pretty special, and that’s a good comparison. I’ve also been a Little Feat fan since they started, introduced to them by a roommate at uni. I thought Maggie Rose added something to this, too. Blossoms are a lot of fun, aren’t they, a very enjoyable video and song.
You have a lovely weekend too. No doubt we’ll be ‘seeing’ each other again on Sunday 😉
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Yes, SLS will be here before we know it!
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I’ve already chosen my song!
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As promised, I have just listened in full to all the tracks, and here are my honest opinions.
The Quirks seemed to be channeling Blondie, and I would sooner listen to a Blondie album again.
Rhiannon Giddings. Just excellent, an amazing singer.
Brandi Carlile. Much too Country for me. (Probably expected.)
Passenger. I had a weird experience listening to this song, which left me imagining John Martyn mixed with Robbie Williams. Not a good mix, so I would stick with John Martyn.
The Blossoms seemed to me to be copying the B-52s, and with less talent.
The Little Feat song was far too Country for me. (Probably expected)
So Rhiannon ‘wins’ hands down. A huge talent indeed. Thanks for the introduction to her.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for listening to them Pete, and I appreciate your honesty on the songs. I’m not surprised that several were too country for you – it would probably be true in reverse if you were playing soul music!
I’m pleased that Rhiannon Giddens was your favourite among these. Far be it from me to mention it, but she has a folk/country/Americana background, so I live in hope 🤣
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Some great new finds, Clive. The only song I was familiar with was the cover of Songbird, though I know several of the performers. I would listen to each of them all a second time or more.
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Thanks, Pete, I’m pleased you liked these. I agree, they are all worth further hearing!
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Little Feat! And “Willin'” might be their signature tune. I have several Feat albums and luckily saw them live, twice (post-Lowell George, but with Barrere and Hayward still around). Good choice, Clive.
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I agree, a classic song. You were lucky to see them, I never got the chance!
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Great collection of music. I am sharing a new album release from one of my favorite singer/songwriters…always great to shin e a spotlight on those who are not Taylor or Beyonce!
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Thanks, John. Only four of these are new album releases, but I like them all! I’d play Taylor, and have done on many occasions, but Beyoncé does nothing for me, so you won’t be seeing her here anytime soon 😊
Looking forward to your post.
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Sorry, wasn’t; disparaging either Taylor OR Beyonce, I was just pointing out that highlighting Artists who don’t have the spotlight on them to that degree helps them, and I enjoy you giving me new people I don’t know about
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It’s ok, I knew you weren’t, and took your point. It’s a fair one, as that was what I was doing!
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Nice selection Clive. Love the Songbird cover Brandi Carlile. You’re right about Passenger and I have some fond memories of Polperro.
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Thanks, Di, I’m glad you liked them. Those are all good, aren’t they. I could listen to Passenger all day! I’ve never been to Cornwall but from the video it looks lovely.
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We liked Padstow too and spent a lot of time camping in Looe. Found the best pasties ever there!!
Passenger has one of those relaxing voices where he doesn’t have to try, yet you still take notice.
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I think I’ve missed out on those pasties!
Passenger is a favourite of mine, he just wraps me up in his music.
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Thanks for sharing some of your uploads with us, Clive. We have tickets for Brandi Carlile for October, but the concert was postponed to next year February. So, already something to look forward to next year!
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You’re welcome, Erika. It’s a shame about the concert but I’m sure Brandi will be well worth the wait!
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Thanks for featuring all of these, Clive. (I have only heard of Little Feat, none of the others) I will listen to them in a quiet moment tomorrow. Shared on Twitter.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for taking a listen tomorrow, Pete. Not even Passenger, who has had some big hits here? I’ll be interested in your thoughts, as these are a bit of a mix! Thanks for sharing 👍
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Not even Passenger. I never listen to the radio now, so new music tends to ‘escape me’.
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I don’t listen either. I find most of mine from YouTube recommendations: their algorithm is very accurate in predicting what I’ll like.
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I only knew half of those songs up till now. Good choices though.
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Given that four of these are brand new I’m not surprised! Glad you liked the selection 👍
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Great post Clive and I enjoyed them all 💜💜
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Thank you, Willow, I’m pleased you enjoyed them 👍
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Especially Passenger.. epic 💜💜
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He never makes a bad record!
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I agree never 💜💜
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Masterful selection, laid out a solid way. A real treat Clive.
Thank you.
Roger
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Thank you, Roger, I’m glad you liked them 👍
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Great bunch of tunes!
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Thank you, glad you approve 👍
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