My latest curated playlist, LP Select 074, is live now on streaming services. Tracks from @theanchoress.bsky.social @pjharvey.net, @stevehacketthq.bsky.social & Steve Rothery and six more. My Listening Guide to each track goes to members of my Long Play Project.

What happens when you take a selection of 70s Tony Banks/Genesis sounds and include them in new music? That's what Ian Neal has done on his new album, the topic of my latest essay for The Long Play Project on Substack. Link follows.

Louder Than War on my book 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse': "Essential reading for any serious fan of the Who." — Den Browne louderthanwar.com

Some unexpected tracks connected with Peter Gabriel’s So feature in my new curated playlist, LP Select #073. Listen via Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Paid subscribers to The Long Play Project also receive my critic’s notes. Links below.

My book 'Pete Townshend’s Lifehouse' is reviewed in the current issue of Classic Rock magazine. "Brick-by-brick excavation of Who Maestro's megaproject … makes the case that Lifehouse advanced rock's limited boundaries." 7/10. #petetownshend #thewho #lifehouse #classicrock #musicbooks

Thank you for all the memories and experiences shared from the time of *A Trick of the Tail.* If you have anything you’ve not shared yet, we’d love to see it.

A section of my new book 'Pete Townshend’s Lifehouse' is about legacy (UWL), and how @theanchoress.bsky.social used vintage synths on her new album 'As Once We Were' “... an epic 14-track widescreen exploration of the nature of time &transformation.” The Lifehouse legacy in action. Link below.

"Gabriel’s key learning from his work post-Genesis was how possible - and yet how difficult - it was to be true to yourself as an artist and still play by the rules of the industry." From my latest Long Play Project Essay - iansharp.substack.com/p/gabriel-so #progrock #classicrock #petergabriel

The Long Play Project was inspired by an answer Steve Hackett gave when I interviewed him recently for our book A Tale of the Trick. “... everyone was learning to write. This learning thing goes on even today. It doesn't stop here.” It’s why I write The Long Play Project. Links in comments.

Underpinning my new Long Play Project is the Zen concept of ‘shoshin’, often known as ‘beginner’s mind’. What assumptions did Peter Gabriel have to move beyond to make So? Join the Long Play Project by subscribing now - link in bio and comments. #rock #music #shoshin #petergabriel

Thanks to www.phoneboxmagazine.com, in Olney, UK, for the below about my new book - link in bio to buy a copy. "In my humble opinion, this is a must-read for any serious fan of The Who and Pete Townshend." - Greg Roensch, serious Who fan. #olney #thewho #petetownshend #lifehouse #musicwriter

From the listening guide to LP Select #072: "... opens with a remix that sets all my alarms ringing. The Who’s epic Quadrophenia closing track, ‘Love Reign O’er Me’. Don’t doodle on a masterpiece. And yet here it is." (And it's terrific). Link in bio. #classicrock #playlist #musicwriter

I've just posted my review of the new book by Philipp Rottgers - 'Genesis Song by Song', in LP. LP publishes essays and curated listening built around albums that reward sustained attention. Link in bio. #genesis #prog #musicwriting

New in LP: 'Pete Townshends Lifehouse' extract #3. The legacy of the project. Free to read. Link in bio. #classicrock #petetownshend #thewho #whosnext #lifehouse #musicwriting

My new curated playlist is now on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. An hour of tracks including @itspetergabriel, @paulmccartney & @ringostarrmusic, and @officialthewho. #classicrock #playlists #prog Link in bio.

The second of three extracts from my book 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse' looks at some of the demo recordings. Read it here: iansharp.substack.com/p/pete-towns... #classicrock #thewho #lifehouse #petetownshend

What happens when you decide to send Pete Townshend a message on Instagram asking him to play on your new album? Inge Lamboo tells us what in this teaser for Season Three of Talking About The Who, which starts this week Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast app

My book 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse' is published today. Links in bio. An extract for subscribers to my publication LP: Inside the Album is ready for you to read at iansharp.substack.com/pete-townshe... #classicrock #thewho #petetownshend #musicwriting

LP Select 070 is a curated playlist featuring, this time, The Canterbury Scene. Music includes Gong, Soft Machine, Steve Hillage, Caravan, and Robert Wyatt. Link in bio.

The latest piece in my Album's Tale series for LP: Inside the Album is on 10cc 'The Original Soundtrack'. iansharp.substack.com/p/10cc-sound... #classicrock #10cc #musicwriting

Yes — “The older I get, the more I realize, I don’t want a busy life. I want a deep life. Slow mornings. Focused work. Calm people. Meaningful progress. Good books. A quiet mind at night. Nothing flashy. Nothing trendy. Just a life that feels good to live. Depth over noise. That'll do.“ Karun Pal

Listen to my audio review of Spriggan Mist's album 'The Glare', as part of The Prog Mill on Progzilla Radio progzilla.com/the-prog-mil... #progressiverock #podcasts #musicwriter

LP>Playlist #067 is live. XTC → Elvis Costello → Ian Dury plus Buzzcocks, Squeeze, Magazine, and more. An hour of new wave. 🎧 iansharp.substack.com/p/067

LP>Playlist #066 is live. Van Morrison → Tony Banks → Rush plus Beck, Al Green, Peter Gabriel. An hour of deep listening. 🎧 iansharp.substack.com/p/066

Many listeners are saying the new @bigbigtrain album 'Woodcut' is a #progrock masterpiece. My review of the album and the book is new on 'LP'. iansharp.substack.com/p/bigbigtrai...

Phil Collins celebrated his 75th birthday on 30 January. @bbcradio2 are running an 'Eras' series hosted by @zoetheball. My contribution is a revised post for Substack, where you can also read my series on his solo albums. iansharp.substack.com

NEW RELEASE FRIDAY @thecure.com ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ is reissued in a version not featured on the Three Imaginary Boys album, as a CD, 7” and 12” single. Great song, and an excellently spooky lyric video too. More my writing at linktr.ee/ianpaulsharp youtu.be/isNztTjXQsQ?...

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

This week in LP, a review of @davidbowie - 'Station to Station' as the Thin White Duke reaches 50. Link in bio.

The first Style Council record, Cafe Bleu, has been expanded into a 6 CD super deluxe edition, one I’ll be reviewing fully in a couple of weeks. To be going on with, here’s the long version of ‘The Paris Match’, featuring a gorgeous vocal by Tracey Thorn. youtu.be/c6NYXNAcsj8?...

Protest songs never really went away but, unsurprisingly, these days will bring many more. Lucinda Williams, except it from her new album World Gone Wrong which is a protest album. Remember the words on Woody Guthrie’s guitar. Never underestimate the power of music. youtu.be/T6c8oLWr9kI?...

This week's prog playlist features @jeffbuckleymusic, @lyrband, @stevehogarthonline, @northsearadioorchestra, @davidbowie, @zappa, @gratefuldead, @pinkfloyd, @bigbigtrain, and Discipline. An hour of music and my listening guide - iansharp.substack.com/p/065

Your annual reminder that “Blue Monday” is a complete fiction invented by a company that wanted to sell you more holidays. Enjoy January! It’s quiet and cosy and time for semi-hibernation, reflection and being kind to yourself!

Genesis split their 1993 live album 'The Way We Walk' into two volumes - one with short(ish) songs, the other with some longer prog compositions. Was that a good idea? iansharp.substack.com/p/genesis-lo... #progrock #genesis #rock #music

A new hour of prog from 'LP' featuring @itspetergabriel, @iqhqlive, @finallygeorge, @wooddemons, @mostlyautumnband, @ebbband, @gazpachoband and more. Link in bio.

I’ve just seen the news that Chris Rea has died. What a songwriter! I’m not going with ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ because there are plenty of opportunities to hear that just now. A great song and video: ‘Auberge’. Rest well, Chris. youtu.be/hakXug2FNkc?...

'Christmas Eve and Other Stories' (LP>Playlist #063) is out. Listen now. Link in bio.

My latest review for The Progressive Aspect - Thea Gilmore’s excellent seven CD boxed set ‘My Own Private Riot 2008-2015. theprogressiveaspect.net/blog/2025/12...

A piece about Marillion's 'An Extended Collection of Recycled Gifts' and Les Penning's and Rob Reed's 'Christmas Collection'. linktr.ee/ianpaulsharp

Now live on LP - some thoughts about the latest boxed set from The Who: 'Who Are You'. Link in bio.

Andrew Latimer (of Camel) sent a gift to his listeners today, which he describes as one from the vaults; he’s reviewing tracks for a possible acoustic album. We hear Latimer accompanied by Guy Lebanc on a 13-minute understated, beautiful, epic song. andrewlatimer.bandcamp.com/track/lady-f...

Radiohead in the round in Madrid. An unusual staging incorporating a striking video presentation. Musically, it’s a straight reading of ‘No Surprises’ from their peak album OK Computer. Will you be catching Radiohead on this tour? Read 'LP', link in bio. youtu.be/XvtOPJUxsk8?...

I’m getting some preliminary ideas together for the next LP>Play, due on 17 November. New release Friday is always exciting, and this was one of those rare days when there was a surprise: a new single by Big Big Train. A progression in their sound? Read 'LP': link in bio. youtu.be/EvfelPfJ51U?...

My Note yesterday was about the Grateful Dead. There’s another group with a loyal fanbase: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Have you ever followed a band from gig to gig? youtu.be/hiLlkwE-NwQ?...

LP>TRACK: Grateful Dead - From the Heart of Me/Sunshine Daydream 12-31-78 Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay passed yesterday. She sang with the Grateful Dead in the seventies. youtu.be/Zh7sYUNkPic?...

Every couple of weeks, a new playlist, using the algorithm in my brain. This one includes Camel, Spock's Beard, The Who, and more. Listen and read my guide at iansharp.substack.com/p/060

My review of the new Spriggan Mist progressive folk album 'The Glare', written for The Progressive Aspect, is now live. Spoiler: It's excellent. #progrock #progressivefolk #paganrock #reviews #musicwriter www.ianpaulsharp.uk/reviews/

LP>TRACK Dyble Longdon, ‘Astrologers’ Judy Dyble was a member of Fairport Convention. David Longdon was probably best known as the lead singer of Big Big Train. Both are no longer with us. For Halloween, that gorgeous album cover by Sarah Ewing feels right. youtu.be/-3kQLMl7hMs?...

LP>TRACK: Ghost of the Machine, ‘The One’ (Official Lyric Video) From their second album, Empires Must Fall, released earlier in the year, this is a lively, melodic prog rock track. There could well be another track in LP>PLAY in a few days (subscription link in comments). youtu.be/jBAYfl6iL14?...