Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

11. Offa RexQueen Of Hearts

Olivia Chaney is fantastic. Offa Rex are her and The Decemberists, and I’ve been aware of them as separate entities for years. Olivia’s done a lot of things with traditional music, including this, and her voice is just wonderful. [I mention her performing at Shirley Collins’ 80th birthday celebrations at London’s Southbank Centre a few years back]. Oh, Shirley! I haven’t seen her for years! I’m so so happy she’s back singing again, and encouraging younger musicians. That’s absolutely the way it should be. And I love this record, basically, because it’s folk-rock – taking those old tunes and sounds and making them really sing again. I know it’s a genre been around for decades now, but people are still making beautiful music from it.

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