soul

Elvis Costello remains the most fascinating songwriter Britain has produced in the past 50 years

14 September 2024 9:00 am

Song for song, line by line, blow for blow, Elvis Costello remains the most consistently fascinating songwriter Britain has produced…

Uneasy listening: Kathryn Joseph, at Summerhall, reviewed

19 August 2023 9:00 am

I have always been fascinated by artists who bounce between tonal extremes when performing, particularly the ones who serve their…

One of many soul acts looking back 50 years and doing very good business: Black Pumas, at the Roundhouse, reviewed

20 November 2021 9:00 am

No musician ever went bust overestimating the public desire to hear classic soul. Slapping on a Motown backbeat has revived…

Joyous perfection from a band that's sure to go far: Gabriels at The Social reviewed

30 October 2021 9:00 am

The bigger the next big thing, the smaller the room you want them playing in. You want the people who…

Could she be the new Sade? Celeste at Union Chapel reviewed

24 July 2021 9:00 am

Some years ago, when I was the music editor of a newspaper, I called a number of historians of black…

'Cocaine addiction is time-consuming': the rise and fall of Kevin Rowland and Dexys

8 August 2020 9:00 am

Michael Hann talks to Kevin Rowland about Dexys, insecurity and the cocaine years

Range and power – and amazingly she sang all her songs: Christina Aguilera at Wembley reviewed

23 November 2019 9:00 am

In every respect bar its austere pews, the Union Chapel is one of the best venues in London: beautiful and…

Mighty resurrection: Aretha Franklin in Amazing Grace

A mighty resurrection: Amazing Grace reviewed

11 May 2019 9:00 am

Each December in Washington DC, the Kennedy Center Honors anoints five performing artists who have contributed to American life. In…

How Seneca got to sleep

9 April 2016 9:00 am

As if we did not have enough to cause us sleepless nights, the Royal Society for Public Health has demanded…

Three tiny cheers for Mumford & Sons’ new album

13 June 2015 9:00 am

Like a lot of essentially cautious people, I like my music to take some risks, play with fire and damn…