Music I want my children to love - Urban Storytellers

I have been sharing musical tastes with Susanne at Ghost Writer Mummy and Becky at Hazel and Blue.  It started when I tweeted I was going through my old record collection at my parent's house: Dinosaur Junior, Ned's, Carter USM, CUD, Violent Femmes, Pixies, Blur.  Susanne challenged us to blog about the Music I want my children to listen to based on a post she did about Ben Folds -  I challenge any parent not to get misty eyed listening to Gracie.

I would like both my children to appreciate both these artists, but you may be able to guess why I have dedicated one to each child.  The two choices also have something in common.  I would describe them both as poets, as urban storytellers, as well as musicians.

Mr G, meet Gil Scott Heron.   Normally I have relied on friends, my little brother or boyfriends to supply me with New Musical Ideas.  Gil is an exception. I discovered him, all by myself, via an Acid Jazz compilation and I have always felt he was 'my' musical discovery. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is the classic many people have heard of.  I was lucky enough to see him play in Brighton.  He did not disappoint.

I am no music journo so in the words of people who are, he is  "the godfather of rap" and "the black Bob Dylan".  I'm not a big fan of rap or Dylan,  I like Gil because he led to Acid Jazz, but mainly because he gets across some seriously important messages.  His song Message to the Messengers encouraged a new generation of rappers to speak for change, to raise political consciousness.

Gil Scott Heron

Miss L meet Lily Allen.  She reminds me of sitting by the fan, in our old flat, seven months pregnant with you, in the hottest summer I have ever experienced.  Her track LDN reminds me of the city we left behind shortly before you were born. Part cynical, part celebration, LDN reminds me of my dilemmas with leaving London.

Most importantly Ms Allen represents some of my hopes for you to be a creative, feisty and imaginative young lady with her own take on the world.

Anyway kids, this will have to wait a bit because these two come with parental advisory.  But one day, I hope you'll enjoy them.

I also discovered my mum's i pod yesterday.  I am looking forward to a good listen and to adding some of her faves to my New Musical Revolution.  She likes a lot of folk, which maybe explains my love for storytellers.

Any recommendations gratefully received.

Have you got tunes you want to share?  Check out Susanne's blog to link up.