Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Castaway Choons - Charles' Picks

Welcome to the second instalment of our totally non-copyright infringing “Castaway Choons”, where one of the JW staff picks 10 tracks that they would like to take with them should they be on some sort of desert island…with some discs. This week, Charles washes up on the shores….

This was a very hard task and I’m pretty sure this list will have changed by tomorrow. Anyway, below is a list of 10 tracks that I would take with me to keep me company on a desert island.


Let Down – Radiohead
My interest in Radiohead came fairly late. They were never a band that really interested me as a teenager. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I really started to appreciate their craft and song writing. This track has always been a highlight for me.

Fake Empire – The National
Always been a big fan of The National. I’m not sure if this is my favourite song of theirs but I would definitely say it’s one of their more upbeat songs. I think it might help me feel a bit more optimistic on a low day stranded on a desert island. Listen to those trumpets!

Something – The Beatles
I’ve always thought George Harrison was an interesting character and I think that often his song writing ability was overlooked, maybe because he was in a band with one of the most successful song writing duos in history. However, this has always been my favourite Beatles song and I think it has undoubtedly the best guitar solo ever.

Your Hand In Mine – Explosions In The Sky
I imagine this will be a perfect soundtrack to any desert island sunsets. 

Olsen Olsen – Sigur Ros
I saw Sigur Ros perform this at Jodrell Bank a few years ago, whilst they projected on to the telescope at the side of the stage (terrible photo below that doesn’t do it justice). Definitely one of the best live performances/spectacles I’ve ever seen.






Atlantique Sud – M83
Bit of a strange choice maybe. I just can’t stop listening to this song since it came out recently. By no means is it M83s best song, I just have a soft spot for it. It’s cheesy, a bit ridiculous and often sounds like a Disney/Elton John ballad but it’s still great.

Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Maybe an obvious choice but I don’t know how anyone couldn’t like this song, it’s pretty perfect and full of nostalgia.

Berlin Song – Ludovico Einaudi
His stuff has become a bit overused and maybe a bit cliché but I’m still a fan. I’ve always loved this track and I got to see him play it live a few years ago which was amazing.

Let It Shine – Al Green
Bit of a feel good track for those rainy island days. Also, Al Green is too cool not to be included.

The Downtown Light – The Blue Nile
I’ve played this song to people many times and they never seem to connect with it in the same way that I do. It’s quite long and a bit of a slow burner but the payoff is worth it. The last 60s is incredible.


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