Singer-songwriter-producer Son Little casts his eye on "Five Essential Albums" from Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers, and writes about the music that changed his life.
Son Little (photo by Marc Lemoine, PR)
Jon Batiste, a lifelong admirer of Mavis and Pops Staples and the Staple Singers, kindly wrote a "love riot" of his "Five Essential Mavis and Pop Staples Songs" for FUV Essentials.
Jon Batiste (photo by Sasha Israel, PR)
[June 2018 update: Jim James released his exuberantly eclectic third solo
Jim James (photo by Neil Krug/PR)
For Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne, one of those most significant watershed moments in her young life was discovering was this week's FUV Essentials artist, Kate Bush. Here she shares her picks of "Five Essential Kate Bush Songs."
Saint Etienne's Pete Wiggs, Sarah Cracknell and Bob Stanley (photo by Rob Baker Ashton, PR)
Joe Henry is on the brink of releasing his 14th studio album, Thrum, on October 27, and he happens to also be an enthusiastic admirer of this week's FUV Essentials artist, John Prine. When FUV asked Henry if he might like to choose "Five Essential John Prine Songs," he not only agreed, but wrote a loving and long assessment of the man and his music:
Joe Henry (photo by Glen Hansard, PR)
The North Mississippi Allstars joined the Tedeschi Trucks Band for that band's 2017 autumnal residency at the Beacon Theatre, celebrating Tedeschi and Trucks' 25th show at the venue on October 11. FUV asked guitarist Luther Dickinson if he might come up with a selection of his "Five Essential Tedeschi Trucks Band Songs."
North Mississippi Allstars' Cody and Luther Dickinson (photo courtesy of 7S Management)
First known as a founding member of Vampire Weekend, Rostam Batmanglij has also become a sought-after producer and he's just relea
Rostam (photo by Alex John Beck, PR)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band's Ben Jaffe worked with Ani DiFranco on a 2010 benefit album, but his admiration for this week's FUV Essentials artist extends over 25 years.
Ben Jaffe, center on double bass, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (photo by Danny Clinch, PR)
Matthew Sweet's songwriting might reflect predecessors like Big Star, R.E.M., and the rich Athens, Georgia scene that buoyed him early in his career, but his most vital influence over the years has probably been Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Sweet rounded up his selections of "Five Essential Beach Boys Songs" for FUV Essentials.
Matthew Sweet (photo by Evan Carter, PR)
Scottish singer and songwriter KT Tunstall was just four years old when the Pretenders released their eponymous debut album, but t
KT Tunstall (photo courtesy of the artist)
