Lord, Help The Poor And Needy

It's a lovely sentiment - and, indeed, a sentiment which Chan Marshall sings on the new Cat Power album.

The trouble is, though, she's not actually doing her part to help the poor and needy on this one - the album credits the song to the public domain, but it actually is still in copyright, and should be earning money for Jessie Mae Hemphill's estate.

Matador Records are putting the error right, although it seems their consciences needed some prodding by SF Weekly:

[Matador's Chris] Lombardi said he was aware of the letter and insisted the label had been in touch with [publisher David] Evans. But just twelve hours earlier, Evans told SF Weekly he hadn't heard from Matador. When SF Weekly pointed out this discrepancy to Lombardi, he paused awkwardly. "Really?" he responded after a few moments. "Well, that's weird."

Shortly after the Weekly interviewed Lombardi for this article, Matador contacted Evans and Mathus, Evans confirms.

It does seem to be a genuine mistake rather than a deliberate attempt to diddle anybody; what's more interesting is the way the case illustrates the difficulties in tracing copyright in music that existed outside the disc-and-sheet-music mainstream. A knock-on effect of copyright extension could, at least, have the unintended positive consequence of extending earning potential for people who really could use the money but - sadly - the chances of them even earning the money they're entitled to now seem slim enough as it is.

Download delights

Matador Records are currently offering a niftily-zipped downloadable version of their annual sampler album. Including Cat Power, The New Pornographers, The Jicks and - as they'd say if they were flogging it on the telly - much, much more.

Right this minute...

Cat Power is on Today talking about stage fright...

Blunty's needs

There's a big interview with James Blunt in today's Sun, in which he stresses how much he means it:

I got such a positive response to begin with. But, obviously, when I’d moved on from the early definition of underground, attracting more and more attention, there also seemed to be a negative reaction.

When was James Blunt ever "underground"? "Not having sold mainstream records" isn't the same as being underground, Blunt. It's not like you've ever been Richard Hell.

Sometimes, people can use quite strong words but I’m sure they don’t mean it as a personal affront. More they’re clear in their minds that it’s to do with taste and opinion.

It's a good point - there's no reason to hate James Blunt's personality. It's like hating elves or Atlantis.

I realised that I can’t please everyone, and nor should I. I don’t do music for that reason. I do it because I need to. Honesty and expression. I’m not trying to impress people and it’s nothing to do with image.

"Need" as in "am forced to create by my nature" or - as is more likely - "need" as in "otherwise they don't give me any bread and soup"?
Blunt does speak warmly of Cat Power, who he suggests is a "success" despite not selling as many records as he does. We wonder how many people who like Blunt will be sampling Chan Marshall's work expecting similar daytime ITV stuff.

Picking up the Pacha reference, why have you chosen Ibiza for your home?

It’s just a really special place. It not only has amazing nightlife but, more importantly, it also has incredible countryside and beautiful Spanish rural lands. And, as a songwriter, it’s a great place where I can go and be totally secluded.

You wrote most of the album there?

Yeah, in the winter. With only local Spanish farmers for company. There are a whole load of artists and musicians out there actually.

So, it's wild, secluded and there are only Spanish farmers for company. Except, erm, for all the artists and musicians. It's like all those people who live in the "real" Provence surrounded by English dentists and Welsh advertising executives.

In what way has she inspired you, Blunt?

James Blunt reckons Cat Power is "part of his life":

"There's a singer/songwriter called CAT POWER who's really inspirational. I listen to her a lot. She's part of my life but I've never met her."

Yes, we can see how she's inspired you, James. She writes songs, so do you; her songs have music and words, so do many of yours.

Oh, and she's actually called Chan Marshall, but since she's such a part of your life, you'd know that, wouldn't you?

Something to listen to: Cat Power

Thanks to Rolling Stone, right now: five live performances from Cat Power.