Everyone who reads a music blog must know the pleasure that comes from listening to your favourite music. Some people even think that music is an effective therapy for a wide range of mental illnesses. But is it a miraculous cure for all your ills, or is it just snake oil being peddled by unscrupulous and unqualified medicine men? I haven’t explored the scientific evidence, but I suspect there’s nothing particularly special about music – anything pleasurable is likely to reduce stress and, hence, improve mental wellbeing. The British Association of Music Therapy and the American Music Therapy Association may well disagree, though.

Kaia Kater is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist and banjo player who has just pulled into town offering her unique brand of medicinal compound. The Crotchety Overseas Correspondent reports that it is Strange Medicine. And it has done him a power of good.

The magic ingredient is the banjo, but there’s much more goodness in these songs. Brass and woodwind arrangements soothe away aches and pains. The lyrics remind you that there’s a world of literature and poetry out there to be mined for therapeutic insights into other people’s lives. Sonic memes from traditional folk songs and cool jazz come and go with cheery greetings. Like a spoonful of maple syrup, it completely masks any bitterness in these potions.