Music to my ears

I took the family to Cardiff on Saturday to see Ray Davies on the latest leg of his UK tour. En route, between bursts of Five Live, we listened to his 2006 album Other People's Lives. On the way home we listened to the new album by Ian Hunter. Davies is 62 and Hunter is now, remarkably, 67. Although the hits dried up long ago - and both men have endured long periods of creative inertia - recent albums have been well-received.

In Hunter's case this has been achieved by the adoption, late in life, of a more political approach to songwriting. (See also Rant, 2001.) Davies' lyrics are, perhaps, more observational, though a track from his new album (to be released later this year) is a typically humorous yet trenchant commentary on dehumanising bureaucracy.

Music, like politics, is personal so I wouldn't dream of recommending a particular album or artist but if anyone wants to suggest a song that could be included on a fantasy Free Society compilation CD, feel free (no pun intended). The more obscure the better!