Those which touched me

 

Those of you who have read me for a while will know I listen to a great deal of music. My tastes are broad, from rock to jazz, hip hop to blues, R&B to classical, opera to indie, and many genres in between. And I enjoy music from all over the world.

I listen to a lot of new albums and these are my fifteen favourites from those released in 2021 that came to my attention. Each one, in its own way, excited, moved, touched, impressed and delighted me.

They are not in any particular order:

Sons of Kemet – Black to the Future

Wolf Alice – Blue Weekend

Little Simz – Sometimes I might be Introvert

Arooj Aftab – Vulture Prince

Lana Del Rey – Chemtrails over the Country Club

Nubya Garcia – Source + We Move

St. Vincent – Daddy’s Home

Swindle – The New World

The Killers – Pressure Machine

Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime

Lana Del Rey – Blue Banisters

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – Carnage

Arab Strap – As Days Get Dark

London Grammar – Californian Soil

Self Esteem – Prioritise Pleasure

 

If you ever get a chance to listen to any of them, I hope you enjoy.

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© the author writing as Romantic Dominant/Faded Romantic

Photograph found on the web, source unknown. If yours, please advise and I will remove or give credit.

 

 

Picture on her profile

 

Her picture on her profile.

It began with that.

His long finger was arrested in its lazy, languid, bored downwards scroll by her image.

A slight intake of breath. An appreciative lift of the eyebrows. A smile. An impossible sense of recognition.

He did not know her, but she seemed familiar.

He studied her face. The eyes, the mouth, the nose, the cheekbones.

He stroked the stubble on his chin, and leaned forward slightly in his chair.

With his eyes closed he imagined her.  And he could picture her completely in his head.

He guided the cursor and clicked the ‘follow’ button.

Her picture on her profile.

It began with that.

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© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

This photograph is obviously of the incredibly talented and very lovely Lana Del Rey, but she was not the picture in a profile. But for many reasons she, and this picture, were perfect as an illustration for the post at the time. It is used without permission, but I am sure she will not mind.

I wrote this six years ago. And I have repeated it around this time each year since. I like it, new readers might like it also. Now and again it is certain that a picture on a profile has much power. Hopefully, regular readers will not mind the repost.

 

Picture on her profile

 

Her picture on her profile.

It began with that.

His long finger was arrested in its lazy, languid, bored downwards scroll by her image.

A slight intake of breath. An appreciative lift of the eyebrows. A smile. An impossible sense of recognition.

He did not know her, but she seemed familiar.

He studied her face. The eyes, the mouth, the nose, the cheekbones.

He stroked the stubble on his chin, and leaned forward slightly in his chair.

With his eyes closed he imagined her.  And he could picture her completely in his head.

He guided the cursor and clicked the ‘follow’ button.

Her picture on her profile.

It began with that.

.

.

© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

The photograph is obviously of the incredibly talented and very lovely Lana Del Rey. For many reasons she, and this picture, were perfect as an illustration for the post at the time. It is used without permission, but I am sure she will not mind.

I wrote this five years ago. And I have repeated it around this time each year since. I like it, new readers might like it also, and a now and again it is certain that a picture on a profile has much power. Hopefully regular readers will not mind the repost.

 

Approval

She studies herself

in the full-length mirror.

She knows that he cannot see her, does not see her, may never see her.

Yet she turns through a three hundred and sixty degrees, Aware of her breasts beneath the shirt, her arse and her thighs, tight in her jeans, the way the morning light touches her skin.

She runs her hands through her hair and lets it fall.

She hopes he likes the way she looks.

And though his eyes may never find her

She still seeks his approval.

.

.

© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

Written three years ago. Reposted because I can.

Photo of talented and lovely singer/songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from Pinterest, provenance unknown. If you own copyright I will remove or credit.

 

Musical

 

I love music

It has been a constant joy throughout my life.

And my tastes are eclectic

Dirty, raunchy rock.

Desperate, yearning, aching blues.

Bold and brassy soul.

Eloquent, erudite jazz,

Opulent, rich, passionate opera.

Clever, cool classical.

Brave new country

Hypnotic trance,

Inspired indie,

Vibrant African,

Gorgeous Arabic,

Magical South American,

Fiery, Spanish flamenco,

Tortured French torch,

Powerful Portuguese Fado,

Earthy English Folk,

I love all kinds of music

Most of all.

I love music that reminds me of you.

.

.

© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

First posted this time three years ago. I realise that I missed plenty of genres and origins first time round : Indian, Caribbean, Grime. Soul, and hundreds of variations and fusions. It would be easier to list what I don’t like.

Portrait of Lana del Rey – provenance unknown

 

Picture on her profile

 

Her picture on her profile.

It began with that.

His long finger was arrested in its lazy, languid, bored downwards scroll by her image.

A slight intake of breath. An appreciative lift of the eyebrows. A smile. An impossible sense of recognition.

He did not know her, but she seemed familiar.

He studied her face. The eyes, the mouth, the nose, the cheekbones.

He stroked the stubble on his chin, and leaned forward slightly in his chair.

With his eyes closed he imagined her.  And he could picture her completely in his head.

He guided the cursor and clicked the ‘follow’ button.

Her picture on her profile.

It began with that.

.

.

© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

The photograph is obviously of the incredibly talented and very lovely Lana Del Rey. For many reasons she, and this picture, were perfect as an illustration for the post at the time. It is used without permission, but I am sure she will not mind.

I wrote this four years ago. And I have repeated it around this time each year since. I like it, new readers might like it also, and a now and again it is certain that a picture on a profile has much power. Hopefully regular readers will not mind the repost.

 

Woman

I have always been a fan of Cat Power (Chan Marshall). She has a voice full of warmth and sensuality and her songwriting is first class – a wonderful talent for melody.

‘Woman’ is off her current (2018) album ‘Wanderer’. This song features the fantastic Lana del Rey, and their voices combine beautifully. The whole album is very lovely.

I first heard this in the early Autumn driving back from the gym. It was a golden day and the car was filled with the honeyed magic of this track and of September and the world was suddenly a better place.

If you like it, do listen to The Greatest (from the album of the same name) – a song recored eight years ago – which is absolute heaven.

 

(this has been another of my songs that I like but you might not know’ series of sporadic blog posts)

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Song ‘Woman’ written by Chan Marshall © and performed by Cat Power.

This blog post © the author writing as Romantic Dominant

Woman

Woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman

If I had a dime for every time
Tell I’m not what you need
If I had a quarter I would pull it together
And I would take it to the bank and then leave
Yes, I would take it to the bank and then leave

If you know people who know me
You might want them to speak
To tell you ’bout the girl or the woman they know
More than you think you know about me
More than you think you know me
See you walkin’ in circles (circles)
See you talkin’ in circles (circles)
See your thoughts runnin’ in circles
And walk around all day long, followin’ me
The doctor said I was better than ever
Man, you should have seen me
Doctor said I was not my past
He said I was finally free

Taking the charge (taking the charge)
I took the lead (I took the lead)
I need you to believe

I’m a woman of my word, now haven’t you heard
My word’s the only thing I’ve ever needed
I’m a woman of my word, now you have heard
My word’s the only thing I truly need
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman

Your money’s like a weapon, a tool to get me
You think I’m like the other ones
Well, my money’s like a weapon (weapon), tool for me
No, I’m not like those other ones
A cage is like a weapon, a tool for me
You think I’m like the other ones
Well, my cage is a weapon, it’s perfect for me
It’s the one suit they seem to not see

I’m a woman of my word, now haven’t you heard
My word’s the only thing I’ve ever needed?
I’m a woman of my word, now you have heard
My word’s the only thing I truly need
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman

I’m a woman, woman, woman, woman
I’m a woman, woman, woman, woman
I’m a woman, woman, woman, woman
Woman, woman, woman, woman

 

Approval

She studies herself

in the full-length mirror.

She knows that he cannot see her, does not see her, may never see her.

Yet she turns through a three hundred and sixty degrees, Aware of her breasts beneath the shirt, her arse and her thighs, tight in her jeans, the way the morning light touches her skin.

She runs her hands through her hair and lets it fall.

She hopes he likes the way she looks.

And though his eyes may never find her

She still seeks his approval.

.

.

© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

Written two years ago. Reposted because I can.

Photo of talented and lovely singer/songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from Pinterest, provenance unknown. If you own copyright I will remove or credit.

 

Putting on a show

 

I picture you

pure paradise

perfectly poised

putting on a show

in a little black dress.

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© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

Art by Andre Kohn

 

Musical

 

I love music

It has been a constant joy throughout my life.

And my tastes are eclectic

Dirty, raunchy rock.

Desperate, yearning, aching blues.

Bold and brassy soul.

Eloquent, erudite jazz,

Opulent, rich, passionate opera.

Clever, cool classical.

Brave new country

Hypnotic trance,

Inspired indie,

Vibrant African,

Gorgeous Arabic,

Magical South American,

Fiery, Spanish flamenco,

Tortured French torch,

Powerful Portuguese Fado,

Earthy English Folk,

I love all kinds of music

Most of all.

I love music that reminds me of you.

.

.

© the author writing as Romantic Dominant

First posted this time two years ago.

Portrait of Lana del Rey – provenance unknown