One of the few positives to come out of Covid was that it forced me to listen to artists I had long since given up on. Billy Joel, J. Geils Band, ABBA, Genesis. An artist I gravitated to frequently on my walks around Battersea Park with my dog Manchas in tow was Suzanne Vega. I had been a big fan while attending Columbia University and I even got to stroll past the actual Tom’s Diner every day on my way to class. Obviously, that song and Luka were the big hits, but the whole album is a masterpiece. Sitting on top of this magical music is Vega’s breathy, precise vocals and her pixie, arthouse looks. A true original. The video is the title track of the album Solitude Standing. Some old albums don’t stand the test of time, but Vega’s masterpiece sounds as fresh today as it did 30 years ago.