I was thinking the same MCDL ie productive . I'd love a deluxe album option, perhaps new songs or I do enjoy some acoustic versions, original demos infact.

I really don't know if everything will be completed ready for the planned tour, I was wondering Infact if we would be witnessing some more road tested songs, in a live setting? It not been promoted as a new album tour as such. Who knows?

For me registering new songs is a sign of the upcoming album, no more correcting and changing. Blue and Human Nature were only recently added, no sign of Don't hold back yet. Last added songs are not necessarily the latest written.
I hope for a new single around May maybe, it would be an opportunity to promote the tour and new album. I am counting on support of BBC2, all three singles from Porcelain were on the playlist A

Radio 2 support is definitely something that Matt will be hoping for and is partly where my curiosity about the singles comes in. Quite a few songs we've heard so far almost certainly couldn't be playlisted at all because they're too dark/intense/electronic for the station ! The single will have to be something closer to "easy listening", like Nirvana. Blue and Hallelujah probably have the right sort of sound too, but the fact the underlying subject matter has been made public would probably be an obstacle.

Shoreditch tickets booked !

When it comes to choosing a single, I should probably say as little as possible. My favorite song from Fire is All that matters even I know that this is not a single material. Porcelain for me - This trouble is ours and Porcelain song. But I think that When you were my girl is superb produced with great video, I prefer this song than Loving you. I wasn't a big fan of Hit my heart, but once I heard it playing loud at the mall, and it struck me that it sounds really, really great
Actually I want to say that the choice of the single is very difficult and must lead to compromises unfortunately. It would be ideally secure a support of BBC2 and release beautifully sounding song reflecting the mood of the entire album.

Imagine people getting up for work, still sleepy, impacted at 6 am by the Higher Power (song I mean)

I agree antologia, something that reflects the mood of the album while ticking the appropriate boxes for Radio 2 support would be nice. Nirvana comes closest to that so far for me, but I think it's almost certainly going to be an unheard song - it would be unusual to hear live versions of a lead single ahead of a debut on "pop" radio.

What I liked about When You Were My Girl is that it sneaked in a bit more of Matt's musicality than the more straightforward songs do. There's a place for both, but I always like the thought that the singles leap out from the surrounding playlist a little. I think This Trouble Is Ours would have been a great single from Porcelain actually (there were country influences in a few songs around at the time), but understand why the other 3 were chosen first.

Interesting about Don't Hold Back not being registered yet. I was really happy with the production on that one and would rather think it was finished :P !

EDIT:


Haha what a thought! My ideal contemporary radio station would be inflicting Higher Power on listeners on a regular basis, mind you !

Generally I agree with this, but there are exceptions. For example I'm Yours (Jason Mraz song, big hit) was originally released on a limited edition EP as a demo in 2005 to promote his second studio album. It was performed in his 2004 and 2005 gigs and already became a crowd favorite before its release. Eventually song became single (but not leading) from 2008 album. But I think such a situation rarely happens.

I'm warming up to idea of Nirvana as a single for the spring, with light, cool video full of beautiful nature, humans and dogs afterthought - and skateboards (but i don't think this would be reflecting a mood of the album)

Yes, you're quite right and that's a good example of an exception. I actually went back and edited the bit you put in bold to say "lead single" not long before you replied as I figured that would sound a little bit more accurate !

The thing with Nirvana is that while I'm not sure it'd even make my top 5 out of the songs we've heard, I can already hear it on the radio in my head. I don't think any of us have managed to pin down exactly what it reminds them of, but there's something comfortingly familiar and breezy about it. Weirdly, the other day I kept thinking "it's something like (but not) Luther Vandross' Never Too Much" but I don't know that I'm any closer - just that there's definitely a soul influence in those verses!

Nirvana reminds me of something too, but I can't work out what. I hate that.

I listened to this yesterday and some of his other songs. And I agree, Nirvana has a good retro-soul flavor.

It feels like the reference should be as obvious as in Mouth to Mouth - hopefully one of us will get it eventually !

I also realise I'm contradicting myself a bit in general, saying on the one hand that I'm hoping for a single that stands out a bit and on the other that "this sounds really familiar so I could imagine it doing well". It's a fine balance though, isn't it? For example, while both would be considered easy-listening/Radio 2-friendly, there's a reasonable distance between the average young boyband release and a Jamiroquai song, and I'd rather Matt tread in that area where he's covering the catchy songwriting while showing off his musicality too. I'll be very grateful for whatever we get to an extent, though

I adore your way of writing
It's like golden grail of songwriting - looking for a catchy song with a message, timeless, with beautiful melody.
I have to listen to Mouth to Mouth carefully once more...

Mouth to Mouth does not remind me anything... The similarity is in instrumentation, melody, or in the way of singing?
Just a few days to Yolanda's concert

Well done Crabbie, have a fantastic evening.
Can't wait to hear if Matt will sing any jazzed up songs.

Haha no sooner had I said that than I started doubting my memory ! The melody/rhythmic vocal delivery in Mouth to Mouth's verses bring to mind the music in Chaka Khan's Ain't Nobody, and something more specific I'm sure *looks shifty*! The chorus and (especially) the harmonies in the latter sections of the track are quite Michael Jackson-esque, which I think Matt mentioned in one of the track-by-track commentaries. I probably shouldn't be trying to compare these things/point to influences though, because it can take away from the simple enjoyment of nice songs - not to mention that sometimes these similarities are 100% coincidental and haven't even bubbled up through the subconscious!

I'll look forward to hearing reports about the Yolanda concert! Presumably he's a featured guest vocalist, in which case we'll probably be hearing some covers he hasn't done live before

I hear Michael Jackson' vibe in Anyone Else Personally I like to look for influences and inspirations of song or album. Of course, my interpretation may be wrong, but it does not take me the pleasure of wondering For example for me Adele's 25 is so american, All I Ask is so Mariah, Sweet Devotion is so country, Lay Me Down is so Gladys Knight, but I just completely love this album, and just as you said it is all about pure enjoyment of music

I see that there is no Mica Paris on Yolanda's concert on March 23. Hmm Summertime..... it's so iconic song, I used to be obsessed with this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDOEsQL7lA Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Summertime

Yes, there are certain songs where you can really hear the MJ influences - Not Over You is another one, and Your Kind of Love has something too (minus the lyrics haha!). It's more of a general sensibility though, I think - for example, the moment that might link the two most in my head is the middle 8/bit before the final chorus in Higher Power. The background synths playing through such baroque/classical-sounding chords is something Michael would have done in one of his darker tracks (which were my favourite) and really adds to the power of the song. There was also his lesser-known track "Whatever Happens" which I mentioned on Twitter where he actually sounds quite a bit like Matt in the chorus !


I haven't listened to much Adele myself, but I definitely hear a lot of the American influences, like you say. Mind you, I get a lot of that from Matt's music too - the blues/country/gospel leanings would probably register better in some parts of the US than they do with the UK audiences. It's not that music over here doesn't cross over into that territory from time to time, but there's something in the actual execution of it - and I can't quite work out how to describe it. It feels like there's a very genuine understanding/connection with those roots rather than it just being a gimmicky thing.


That's interesting - do you know whether Mica usually collaborates with her on particular songs/possible Matt implications?


Mm, Summertime has been covered in so many different ways. I really enjoy the original orchestral arrangement from the Porgy and Bess opera https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7-Qa92Rzbk, but love the way it transitions to jazz so well. I can hear a version in my head that would sit perfectly in Matt's vocal range and allow him to slur into a big chest note at the end, though it'd probably be taking its cues from some of the femme fatale-inspired/big band versions.

Ha, so many thoughts...
I will try not to guess the songs, because the guest singers are changing and concert repertoire is also likely to change. I saw that Mica sang Summertime with Yolanda, hence my suggestion,but I could be completely wrong.


Yes and yes (listening to Ten Ten I'm always wondering who arranged vocal harmonies in the chorus, is just so gospel), unfortunately I can not write more now,
so... to be continued...
and looking for Whatever Happens

Anyone planning on going to Edinburgh? I'm hoping to go but won't know for a few weeks.

After hearing Whatever Happens, I think I know what you mean MCDL. I think also, that feeling of similarity may result from their natural sad, melancholy, emotional voices (I do not know exactly how to put it in words) and a higher than typical vocal range.
Actually I would love to see Matt spending some time in America, playing in different places, cooperating with crazy people But I know that it's not so easy to do, family, gf, fans, MT, connections, everything is in UK, and that's fine. I just wish for new album THIS YEAR (quietly going away to listen to the Higher Power)

Ticket sale date for Yolanda's Northampton gig:

@UnitedMusic: March 31st on sale confirmed for @YolanDaBrownUK Reggae Love Songs feat. @mattcardle @RoyalDerngate 23rd June


Hope you can get to the Edinburgh gig Lea.

Instagram was kind to us today. His tattoo fits him very, very well

Really looking forward to hearing what Matt is going to sing tonight

NB also got to say I'm loving the new pictures

He sang Set Fire To The Rain - there was a live stream on Yolanda's FB - can watch the video here:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...id=67740595653