The LP Hour: Van Morrison, Tony Banks, Rush and the spaces inbetween
LP>Playlist #066. Deep cuts and quiet wonders, from Al Green to Mediaeval Baebes
Later than planned (I have a note and a good reason, honest) here’s a new playlist ranging across genres and inviting you to listen. Links to Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are at the end of the article.
LP returns on Wednesday 18 February, with some thoughts about a new super deluxe edition …
Listening Guide #066
Van Morrison - ‘Can’t Help Myself’ (feat. Taj Mahal) from Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge (2026)
Van Morrison is releasing albums on an extremely regular basis. This is album number eight in five years and continues an exploration of his blues roots. ‘Can’t Help Myself’ is a Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee song from 1958.
Tony Banks - ‘A House Needs a Roof’ from Bankstatement (1989)
I’ve been musing lately on the widespread idea that Genesis “went pop” when Gabriel left and Phil Collins contributed more songs. That’s actually far from the truth on several levels, not least because it assumes Collins was the only songwriter interested in pop. Yes, Banks is best known for his epic songs and keyboard solos, but ‘Roof’ shows he could write a ‘pop’ song with the best of them. I’m also reading the new biography of Banks (aff) which is published next week (reviewed in LP shortly) which, of course, is sending me back to his variable but sometimes excellent solo albums.
Beck - ‘Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime’ from his Valentine’s Day mixtape of the same name (2026)
Such a beautiful song, written by James Warren of the Korgis. Beck’s review of some of the love songs he has covered forms a lovely backdrop to this Valentine’s weekend, even if his interpretation suggests how relationships can offer too much learning.
Rocking Horse Music Club - ‘I Would Save You’ (feat. Caroline Carter) [single] (2026)
Tony Banks might not be so interested in releasing music of his own these days (he says he’s more interested in gardening, a little like Kate Bush, but at least she has suggested something new is slowly forming) but he did work with the RHMC on their most recent album The Last Pink Glow. This new single doesn’t include Banks but is a terrific song, designed to show they can do heartfelt pop as well as they can play complex prog. That said, this is a prog rock song squeezed into five minutes.
Al Green & RAYE - ‘Perfect Day’ from To Love Somebody EP (2026)
The goose-bumper of a Lou Reed song (from Transformer) sung by Al Green? What could go wrong? The answer is, of course, nothing, especially when he combines with the beautiful voice of RAYE. Nothing is perfect but some music comes damn close.
Mediaeval Baebes - ‘February’ from The Spinning Wheel (2026)
This heading from the Mediaeval Baebes website probably tells you all you need to know: “Mediaeval Baebes began when a group of friends broke into a cemetery and sang together, clad in flowing white gowns and crowns of ivy.” That’s exactly how they sound. They reinvent mediaeval and folk songs to great effect, as you can hear on this track for their new album, with a track for every month of the year.
AA Williams - ‘Wolves’ [single] (2026)
There’s little to be found about AA Williams online. Her website focuses firmly on the music, and that’s probably as much as we need to know. Listen. We do know she’s a London-based singer/songwriter, thanks to her record company, and there’s more music on Bandcamp. Wolves starts slowly and quietly, lost in a dream, and rapidly kicks into a guitar riff with William’s power, dark, vocal easily matching the change of gear.
David Myers - ‘Firth of Fifth’ from David Myers Plays Genesis (2007)
There’s a whale sub-industry of artists interpreting Genesis songs, beyond covers of the entire Lamb album as we’ve discussed before. Tony Banks is not an easy player to match; he’s recently commented that he cheats a little because he doesn’t write music he finds difficult to play (doesn’t everyone do that?) That’s of no help to those wishing to play the music he does have the technique for, and the introduction to ‘Firth of Fifth’ has a high degree of difficulty. Myers is equal to it, as he is to the whole song. It’s worth listening to the whole album because he has a feel for Genesis interpretation.
Jacob Roberge - ‘The Long Way Home’ from The Passing (2025)
Thrilling stuff from Roberge, who “gained great popularity thanks to his one-man band covers of popular songs on YouTube, notably with his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, which went viral in April of 2020.” That’s a video well worth six minutes of your time. The Passing demonstrates his musicality isn’t limited to following the well-trodden path. The is progressive music of his own making, including a 32-minute epic if that level of deep listen catches your mood.
Joe Bosamassa & Dion - ‘Never Make a Move Too Soon’ from B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, Vol V EP (2026)
Back to earth with more blues. If the blues needed anyone to keep it alive, Joe Bonamassa is as hard working as Van Morrison in doing his duty. Well, duty isn’t really the right word, because his love and feel for the music is always present. And Dion? Well, he just goes on and on, and has still got it after all these years.
Rush - ‘Kid Gloves’ (Live at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada, 21/09/1984) from Grace Under Pressure SDE (1984/2026)
Rush are back and touring, with drummer Anika Nilles joining Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. And the SDE programme continues too, with ‘Kid Gloves’ being the only track so far released. It’s interesting to be reminded of a much younger version of Rush as they put themselves under pressure one more (at least) time.
Peter Gabriel - ‘Put the Bucket Down’ (Bright-Side Mix)
Finally, the second track from o/i is here. This one is a grower and includes many classic Gabriel elements. It’s also another hint of his ‘brain’ project; it’s not clear what form that will take when (or if) it comes releasable. Meanwhile, this is the mix by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent, (as usual, the Dark-Side Mix is due on Tuesday’s new moon) and includes programming by Eno and a hint of the New Blood Orchestra.
Da hört jemand wirklich hin und ordnet ein. Saubere Referenzen, kleine Kontextfenster, Sprache mit Respekt vor Musik, ohne Uni-Vibe.
Dramaturgie sitzt: Blues als Basis (Morrison, Bonamassa), dann elegante Abzweige Richtung Prog/Pop bis Gabriel. Kurze Sätze, die Tracks schmackhaft machen, ohne Werbung zu sein. Top.
Thank you, Gina. Yes, Budgie. I’ll definitely find a space for them. I lived in Wales for a few years so there’s a lose connection for me (Man/Deke Leonard as well).