Spotlight Artist: Aretha Franklin

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

We hope you’ve been enjoying our tracks from this week’s Spotlight Artist, Aretha Franklin. Here’s a treat, if this doesn’t touch you – well I’d head to the doctor!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHsnZT7Z2yQ

Spotlight Artist: Aretha Franklin

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

On this premier week, our first Spotlight Artist is The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. There wouldn’t be more artists of the past century who have been as prolific, and as successful. It is extraordinary to think thata seminal album like I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You from way back in 1967 was actually her eleventh. The daughter of an itinerant preacher father, she got her first major label recording contract in 1960, but it wasn’t until 1967 when she joined Atlantic Records that she achieved major success. It has’t really stopped since. She has sung for Presidents, and the 76 year old is true showbiz gold. We look forward to exploring some of her fantastic body of music this week.

Album of the Week: Kimbra – Primal Heart

New Zealand Net Radio plays a song from our #albumoftheweek every hour from 9am to 12pm Monday to Friday. Listen in @tunein at https://tunein.com/radio/New-Zealand-Net-Radio-s305138/

This is Kiwi singer Kimbra’s third album (she’s from Hamilton), following on from 2014’s The Golden Echo. We’ve been playing several tracks over the past couple of months, and the album as a whole lives up to the expectations set by those tracks. This is a great collection of melodic pop but with an edge and inventiveness that take it beyond the ordinary. The critics have been complementary:

Primal Heart takes listeners on a smoother journey than The Golden Echo‘s wild ride, and if some of these tracks are a little more straightforward, they’re also great showcases for Kimbra‘s soul-baring. Her writing feels more personal than ever as she tackles getting older, wiser, and stronger on songs that range from “Lightyears”‘ soaring exuberance to the defiance of “Everybody Knows.” The album’s ballads are some of Kimbra‘s most compelling yet

The tracklist:

  1. The Good War
  2. Top of the World
  3. Everybody Knows
  4. Like They Do On the TV
  5. Recovery
  6. Human
  7. Lightyears
  8. Black Sky
  9. Past Love
  10. Right Direction
  11. Version of Me
  12. Real Life

Just Added: Pete Yorn + Scarlett Johanssen – Bad Dreams

First release from a forthcoming EP (Apart due June 1) this song by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johanssen is simply phenomenal. We know its Sunday morning tomorrow but can’t wait to give it a spin – is just after 9am a respectable hour? It is now … listen on @tunein https://goo.gl/VL6m3N for “Bad Dreams”.

 

More info about the project here.

Just Added: Prince – Nothing Compares 2 U

B0nesmFascinating to hear Prince’s original studio recording of Nothing Compares 2 U (of course a huge hit for Sinead O’Connor a few years later). Its just been released by his estate. We’ll give it a spin after 4 – listen on @tunein https://goo.gl/VL6m3N

https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/2018641550/prince-s-original-version-of-nothing-compares-2-u-released

Now Playing Highlight: U2 – One Tree Hill

30 years ago today this song was sitting on top of the Kiwi singles chart – and deservedly so. Bono wrote the song in memory of a Māori friend Greg Carroll who had been a roadie for the group. Such an incredible song – shivers down the spine stuff. We’ll play this just after 12. Listen ad-free to our great mix of music on @tunein https://goo.gl/VL6m3N