Welcome to Ten For, a feature where I take a look at the discographies of artists who tend to be known in the mainstream for only a few songs (if that), offering up a collection of tracks that will either serve as the start of an education or a squabble, depending on how you feel about the artist’s catalog.
It’s been a few days now since I first started my look into the work of Robyn Hitchcock, so before we move onto Pt. 4 of my favorite tracks, allow me to offer up the links to the previous parts:
Pt. 1
Pt. 2
Pt. 3
Okay, so now that you can get caught up on anything you’ve missed, it’s time to move forward and kick off Pt. 4!
1. “I Saw Nick Drake” (2000 - A Star for Bram)
2. “One L” (2003 - Luxor)
3. “Television” (2004 - Spooked)
4. “If You Know Time” (2004 - Spooked)
5. “Adventure Rocketship” (2006 - Olé! Tarantula)
6. “(A Man’s Gotta Know His Limitations) Briggs” (2006 - Olé! Tarantula)
7. “‘Cause It’s Love (Saint Parallelogram)” (2006 - Olé! Tarantula)
Famously co-written by Andy “Two Sheds” Partridge of XTC fame.
8. “Your Head Here” (2009 - Goodnight Oslo)
Featuring harmony vocals from Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger.
9. “Saturday Groovers” (2009 - Goodnight Oslo)
Featuring harmony vocals from Colin Meloy of the Decemberists and guitar by Peter Buck.
10. “Ordinary Millionaire” (2010 - Propeller Time)
Featuring guitar work from none other than Johnny Marr, not to mention cor anglais by Kate St. John, best known (at least by me) for her work as a member of the Dream Academy.
So endeth Pt. 4’s 10 songs, in which we’ve covered yet another decade of Robyn’s career, thereby leaving the 2011-present era for our final installment…but, no, of course, that’s not all, because we still have our obligatory bonus track. In this case, one could argue that it’s not much of a bonus, since it’s a Bob Dylan cover that Robyn released as part of a 2-CD set called Robyn Sings, but look, do you really want this thing to go six parts, or do you want to call this a bonus track and be done with it?
That’s what I thought.
Anyway, just for your amusement / education, I’ll close by mentioning that this performance features guitar from Jon Brion and backing vocals from Grant Lee Phillips, proving yet again that Robyn Hitchcock has some very, very talented friends in his musical corner at all times.
Just your reminder that the video playlist is now up to date to include all 46 songs cited in the four parts to date! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsZIzQQF2_E&list=PLFNc2JHGZc4_-spiAPGjsnLS0ASWTEAQN