Sad news this morning, with the announcement of Dory Previn’s death at the age of 86. The first thing I came across this morning at home was a useful comp from a few years back, “The Art Of Dory Previn”, which works well as a primer to this eccentric, wise and mostly undervalued singer-songwriter. It’s often easier to compare women singer-songwriters with others of their own sex, though not always the fairest way to adjudge their talents. Playing again some of my favourite Previn songs – “Beware Of Young Girls”, “Doppelganger”, “Angels And Devils The Following Day” – it’s striking how better they match up against contemporary work by Leonard Cohen, David Ackles, perhaps Randy Newman, too, rather than, say, Joni Mitchell. A fine artist: please check her out today – “Beware Of Young Girls” is here, “Doppelganger” here - if you’re unfamiliar. Apologies for the scarcity of blogs this week: we’ve been a little distracted by finishing up the next issue of our generously reupholstered magazine. The redesign is looking good, I think – though of course I would say that. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts when it goes on sale at the end of the month, anyhow. There has been time, of course, to put a few tunes on: much love, as a consequence, for the Ty Segall and White Fence hook-up, for the rejuvenated Dexys, and for Dan Auerbach’s gris-gris-heavy production makeover of Dr John. Elsewhere, though, it seems a particularly apposite week to point out again that I don’t always personally like all the records we play here and consequently include in the playlist. One or two tough spots to get through here, I found… 1 “Blue” Gene Tyranny – Detours (Unseen Worlds) 2 Ty Segall & White Fence – Hair (Drag City) 3 Lower Dens – Nootropics (Ribbon) 4 Rocket Juice And The Moon – Rocket Juice And The Moon (Honest Jon’s) 5 Rufus Wainwright – Out Of The Game (Polydor) 6 Dexys – Nowhere/Lost (?) 7 Julia Holter – Ekstasis (RVNG ITL) 8 Various Artists – Julia Holter Fact Mix (Fact) 9 Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts (Capitol) 10 The Men – Open Your Heart (Sacred Bones) 11 Hiss Golden Messenger – Fennario (Tompkins Square) 12 Dr John – Locked Down (Nonesuch) 13 Universal Energy – Universal Energy (Harvest) 14 Hannah Cohen – Child Bride (Bella Union) 15 Deer Tick – Divine Providence (Partisan) 16 Spiritualized – Sweet Heart Sweet Light (Double Six) 17 Dylan LeBlanc – Cast The Same Old Shadow (Rough Trade) 18 Howlin Rain – The Russian Wilds (Agitated) 19 Dory Previn – The Art Of Dory Previn (EMI) Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JohnRMulvey