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Oct 9Liked by Valerie Smith

The song “Dress” is a favorite of mine. 50’ Queenie, Man Size, Rid of Me are other great songs from her punk era. I love the album Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. She is the only artist to win the coveted Mercury prize twice: for the album above and for Let England Shake. I also love her albums Is This Desire and White Chalk. Her music is so different through time! I read her book of poetry called Orlam out of which her current album - I Inside the Old Year Dying - and tour sprang. It has darker themes, set in her native Dorset, England dialect. Interesting stuff. Sheela-na-gig = classic early PJ! To Bring You My Love was the first album I ever purchased of hers. Enjoy your meanderings through her catalog, Valerie! And thank you for your interest.

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Marvelous, I appreciate that! A little listening tour is in order :)

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Oct 8Liked by Valerie Smith

Aww, thanks! The concert was, in a word, SUBLIME. I was truly transported, and completely forgot about time/space at one point I was so transfixed! What an exceptional artist. Been following Polly Jean Harvey for a long time, admiring her unique arc of creative genius.

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I’m so glad to hear this! Those moments of musical transcendence are so powerful and stay with us forever. I wish I could say I followed her; when I first heard down by the water as a child I knew she was a powerful artist. I explored her catalog a bit when I heard she had a song titled ‘sheela na gig’. What are some of your favorites I can look up?

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Oct 8Liked by Valerie Smith

Much to say regarding your post. But since you asked... right now, I am in Portland attempting calm my nerves at the hostel before getting on public transportation to cross the river to go see PJ Harvey at a huge venue/sports complex. Big cities are a lot for my nervous and digestive systems! I tend to get a powerful urge to bail on big plans/events, but always override it and have fun.

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Wow that sounds monumental! You’ve got this, cheering you on and admiring your adventure. She’s amazing, oh please do tell later :) xo

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