The Bonus Track: Evan Dando, The Kinks, Warpaint and... Inspiral Carpets?

A sideways look at the world of music

Beautiful and damned

Tarka ­Cordell was the son of the record producer Denny (“Whiter Shade of Pale” etc) and hung out with (and dated) the “beautiful people”. He wrote a few film scripts and songs, modelled, travelled and lived life to the full until he took committed suicide in April 2008, aged just 41. Now a group of friends, including Lily Allen, have recorded a tribute album of Cordell’s songs (out next month) with all royalties donated to Calm, a charity to prevent male suicide in the UK. It is a fitting tribute and a beautiful record. Hear Evan Dando sing “Lovely New York”

Carpets, right?

Best remembered for that ­T-shirt and having Noel Gallagher as their roadie, sorry “guitar technician”, the Inspirals are back and Student Union bars everywhere should take note. Recently signed to Cherry Red Records, the band will release their first album in 20 years in the autumn. Need reminding? Watch the band perform their 1990 hit “This is How it Feels”

Choir education

What links Ray Davies, Andrea Bocelli, Oasis and Ennio Morricone? It’s the Crouch End Festival Chorus, which has backed all the above and, on Saturday, plays a unique show at London’s Barbican, featuring a world premiere of a new piece by Murray (Dr Who theme) Gold, ­alongside works by David Bedford and Robert Fripp. Info at barbican.org.uk, and see the choir perform at Glastonbury with Ray Davies

Cold comfort

There’s always much talk about the “song of the summer”, but not so much for the winter months. Regardless, here’s my nomination, a spooky slice of Swedish folk from a singer called AnnaMy.

Next week’s biggie

Kevin Harley reviews Warpaint. Watch the band perform the single “Love is to Die”