Thanks for all your rural songs. As a devout city-dweller, I was pleasantly surprised by how many resonated with me, thus enabling me to enjoy the country spirit without actually having to go there. I was intrigued by the Dillards and reminded to buy more Pentangle.
I reckon this is one of those B-lists that really measures up: Vashti Bunyan (Diamond Day), the Kinks (The Village Green Preservation Society), Canned Heat (Going Up the Country), the Dillards (The Whole World 'Round), Traffic (John Barleycorn), Show of Hands (Country Life), Talking Heads (Nothing But Flowers), the Handsome Family (Peace in the Valley Once Again), Virginia Astley (From Gardens Where We Feel Secure) and Johnny Cash (Country Trash).
Next weekend sees London's Gay Pride parade, so the theme is homosexuality. I think there are enough explicit songs, whether or not they're by openly gay artists, to keep us busy without having to deal with debatable ones (some websites somehow read gay messages into Born Slippy and True Faith), but if you can make a good case, please do. We've had the Scissor Sisters' Take Ya Mama but I believe everything else is up for grabs.
Please investigate the A-Z and Readers Recommend archive and get your suggestions in by midday on Monday.
