1) Today’s listening is ‘Valley Of Abandoned Songs’, the 2024 album by The Felice Brothers. This album consists of songs that were recorded by The Felice Brothers in 2018 and 2023, which had not found a place on previous albums or were just unfinished demos. This resulting album sounds...

Well, as it's 'Christmas Day' here in Germany (Weihnachten) today, I hope you are all spinning your favourite tunes for the time of year and I wish you all the very best!

1) Today’s listening (Part 2) is ‘Blinking Lights And Other Revelations’, the 2005 album by Eels. LPs 2 and 3 from this excellent set continue the very personal themes of this album, which at times turn very dark due in part to the tragic family history of Mark Everett. However, the...

1) Today’s listening (Part 1) is ‘Blinking Lights And Other Revelations’, the 2005 album by Eels. In particular I have been/will be listening to the 2008 4 LP box set version of this release. The box set is ‘signed’, but as that signature is just...

Today’s listening is ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’, the 2022 album by Drugdealer. This is an enjoyable, ‘easy listening, soft rock’ album of groovy tunes with a definite 1970’s feel to them. Features the excellently-named Shags Chamberlain on bass guitar!

Sad to read that Mick Abrahams has died. Though I never followed his career, he played an important role in the early days of one of my favourite bands, Jethro Tull.

Today’s listening is ‘To Shoot Another Day’, the 2024 album by Rosalie Cunningham. In my opinion, this is Rosalie’s best album to date! A terrific listen, it’s hard to single out tracks, but the title song, ‘Spook Racket’ and ‘Stepped Out Of Time’ are particular favourites. Highly recommended!

1) Today’s listening is ‘If Only I Could Remember My Name’, the 1971 album by David Crosby. Recorded during a difficult time in his life after the death of his girlfriend, David Crosby was supported during the sessions for this, his wonderful first solo album, by his wide group of ‘heavy musical..

1) Today’s listening is ‘That Santa Fe Channel’, the 2018 album by Cordovas. Cordovas are a band formed by the American musician Joe Firstman and their music is maybe described as being Southern US/Mexican rock with a country tinge? In any case, this is a very enjoyable, fairly...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Lime And Limpid Green’, the 2017 4-track EP by The Claypool Lennon Delerium. This is an enjoyable 33rpm EP from Messrs Claypool and Lennon, consisting of fine cover versions of songs by Pink Floyd, The Who, King Crimson and...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Under The Skin’, the 2006 album by Lindsay Buckingham. This excellent album was Lindsay’s first solo release since 1992 and finds him a changed man. With a wife and three young children, many of the songs reflect on his new lifestyle, as well as how to exist out...

Today’s listening is ‘Aladdin Sane’, the 1973 album by David Bowie. A great album, this, from The Dame. I always think that the last track ‘Lady Grinning Soul’ sounds like David Bowie’s take on a James Bond theme song! “Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters”…

1) Today’s listening is ‘Revolver’, the 1966 album by The Beatles. The Beatles’ best album, in my opinion. Not a bad track on it. Whenever I play this record though, after a few seconds of ‘Taxman’ I always have a little panic that something has gone wrong with the stylus on...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Different Light’, the 1986 album by The Bangles. The Bangles’ second album contains the hit singles ‘Manic Monday’ and ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’, both of which songs unfortunately were not written by any of the group themselves! Other than those, I...

Today’s listening is the self-titled album by The Autumn Defense from 2006. This was the third album from Wilco’s John Stirratt and Patrick Sansone and is typical of their style, comprising lovely melodic songs, beautifully arranged. Perhaps my favourite track is ‘Estate Remains’. Lovely stuff!

Today’s listening is ‘Animation’, the 1982 album by Jon Anderson. Recorded during his ‘not currently a member of Yes’ years, there is plenty to enjoy here, as long as you can cope with Jon’s typically odd lyrics! I especially like the tracks ‘Olympia’, ‘Boundaries’ and ‘All God’s Children’.

1) Today’s listening is ‘Old Ways’, the 1985 album by Neil Young. This is kind of a ‘country duets’ album from Neil, being very laid back and very country in style. Neil is vocally accompanied mostly by Waylon Jennings and on one song by...

Today’s listening is ‘Suzanne Vega’, the self-titled album from 1985. This was Suzanne’s debut album and it is great stuff! There are many highlights on this record, but my personal favourites are ‘Small Blue Thing’ and ‘The Queen And The Soldier’ (which may well just be her greatest song?).

Today’s listening is ‘Pop’, the 1997 album by U2. I was never really a fan of U2 in the 1980’s, but the 1990’s music of U2 I do like! This is an interesting album with some great individual songs, such as ‘Staring At The Sun’, ‘Gone’ and ‘Wake Up Dead Man’…

Hi folks, I just wanted to let you all know that I have recently been diagnosed as suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Not the best of news, I know, but it’s not going to stop me from posting random thoughts about my record collection!

1) Today’s listening is ‘Travelling Wilburys, Volume 1’, the 1988 debut album by this hitherto unknown group of (mostly American) musicians. For a debut album, this is great stuff, and the half-brothers Otis, Nelson, Lefty, Charlie T. Jnr. and Lucky Wilbury really hit the ground...

Today’s listening is ‘Tangram’, the 1980 album by Tangerine Dream. In particular, I’ve been listening to this from the excellent ‘Pilots Of Purple Twilight’ box set from 2020. Joining Edgar Froese and Chris Franke on this fine album was new member of the band Johannes Schmoelling. Great stuff!

1) Today’s listening is ‘Bad For Good’, the 1981 album by Jim Steinman. Jim Steinman’s first and only solo album was intended to be the follow-up to ‘Bat Out Of Hell’, but for various reasons he took over lead vocal duties from Mr Loaf and sang all his songs himself. The results are...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Sir Henry At Rawlinson End’, the 1978 album by Vivian Stanshall. Sir Henry had first been brought to our attention when Vivian was still with the Bonzos, but here on Viv’s masterwork, the full lunacy of the inhabitants of Rawlinson End is given...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake’, the 1968 album by The Small Faces. My copy of this tricky-to-handle-without-wrecking-the-circular-cover album is a 2012 reissue. Side 1 of this record has a great selection of psychedelic rock tunes, if you can handle the ‘comedy’ Cockernee....

1) Today’s listening is ‘Street Fighting Years’, the 1989 album by Simple Minds. For a while there, back in the 1980’s, Simple Minds held the world in their hands, but somehow it slipped through their fingers… This is a great album, but perhaps...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Outta Sight’, the 2022 album by The Sheepdogs. This is another fine album of feel-good, 1970’s vibe, rock ’n’ roll from Canada’s finest. One problem-the album outer sleeve is...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Down To Earth’, the 1979 album by Rainbow. For me, ‘Since You Been Gone’ is one of THE great rock singles and it’s the sole reason why I have this album. I hear that song and immediately I am transported back to the ‘rock clubs’ of my youth. As far as the...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Wings At The Speed Of Sound’, the 1976 album by Wings. For this album, Paul McCartney tried to convince the world that Wings was a ‘real band’ by getting the individual members (including Linda!) to take turns at singing lead vocals on various tracks. This ploy...

Today’s listening is ‘Diva’, the 1992 album by Annie Lennox. Annie’s first solo album is a fine affair, but she could sing straight from the telephone book and it would sound great! ‘Walking On Broken Glass’ is probably my favourite track. Features past member of Jethro Tull, Peter-John Vettese!

1) Today’s listening is ‘Beginnings’, the 1975 album by Steve Howe. During 1975/76 all the then current members of Yes each released a solo album. This one is the worst of the lot!
 I assume that Frank Zappa got the idea for...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Sophisticated Beggar’, the 1966 album by Roy Harper. In particular, I’ve been listening to the remastered 2019 release of this, Roy’s debut album, which comes with fascinating liner notes from Roy. All the ingredients of Roy’s music are already present and...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Genesis Live’, the 1973 album by Genesis. I wonder when was the last time that Peter Gabriel played the flute on stage? For those of us who were too young, for a long time this album was the only way to hear what Genesis sounded like as a live band with...

1) Today’s listening is ‘The Alternate Fleetwood Mac’, from the ‘Fleetwood Mac - The Alternate Collection’ 2022 box set. To my ears, this collection of early takes/versions of the tracks from The Mac’s 1975 album, stripped of all the gloss, sounds better than the finished record!
 Worth it for...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Eagles’, the 1972 album from the band of the same name. This was the decent debut album from Eagles (though almost everybody calls them ‘The Eagles’, that was never their name). For me the best tracks are ‘Take It Easy’ and...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Best Of’, a 2008 double CD compilation of the ‘greatest hits’ of Creedence Clearwater Revival. If, like me, you only have a casual interest in John Fogerty and his band, a compilation such as this one is probably as much as you will ever need. There are some...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Stories Don’t End’, the 2013 album by Dawes. In particular I’ve been listening to the 10th anniversary reissue of this album, from 2023. This is another enjoyable album from Dawes, very much at the ‘laid-back’ end of their style. Lead singer Taylor Goldsmith is...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Let’s Make Up And Be Friendly’, the 1972 album by the Bonzo Dog Band. This was the Bonzo’s ‘contractual obligation’ album, which never bodes well, and it’s for the most part a pale shadow of their former glories. The best thing is probably ‘Rawlinson....

1) Today’s listening is ‘Homo Erraticus’, the 2014 album by Ian Anderson. A Jethro Tull album in all but name and also the last of the trilogy of Tull albums where the lyrics were written by that former child prodigy, Gerald Bostock (!). I like this ‘late-period’ IA...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Talk’, the 1994 album by Yes. This was the last of the 3 Trevor Rabin-era Yes albums that began with 90125 and, for me, it’s by far the best one! It would also be the last Yes album on which Tony Kaye appeared. The track ‘Walls’ offers...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Songs From The Capeman’, the 1997 album by Paul Simon. Paul Simon’s musical ‘The Capeman’ was described as being ‘one of the biggest flops in Broadway history’ and listening to this album, you can kind of see why. However, the songs themselves are very good and...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Law And Order’, the 1981 album by Lindsey Buckingham. This, Lindsey’s first solo album, is a bit of a mixed bag. Some of the songs sound like they could have appeared on ‘Tusk’, whereas others, such as ‘Trouble’, sound more like ‘Mirage’ era...

1) Today’s listening is ‘CSN’, the 1977 album by Crosby, Stills and Nash. The original ‘yacht folk-rock’ album, if you will. This is a very mellow album from the 3 amigos and although it’s not a patch on their previous effort as a trio, it still has those wonderful vocal...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Beast Of Horns’, the 2024 album by They Might Be Giants. This is a live album from TMBG, recorded around the USA in 2022-23 when their live band was supplemented with a 3-piece horn section (hence the album title). It’s an enjoyable listen, with...

1) Today’s listening is ‘Bachelor No. 2 (Or The Last Remains Of The Dodo)’, the 1999 album by Aimee Mann. This, for me, is Aimee Mann’s best album. Nearly all the tracks are excellent, especially ‘Red Vines’, ‘Deathly’, ‘Calling It Quits’ and...

So farewell Danny Thompson. As well as all the great music, I have fond memories of his "compering" several Cropredy festivals back in the day..."GET ON WITH IT!".

1) Today’s listening is ‘A Little Light Music’, the 1992 album by Jethro Tull. This live album was compiled from shows Tull played across Europe on this tour. I was at the London show (Wembley, 2nd May), which provides the version of ‘Living In The Past’ to this album, so maybe that is partly....

Today’s listening is ‘Perspex Island’, the 1991 album by Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians. This is a fairly mainstream rock album by Robyn Hitchcock’s standards and is an enjoyable listen. Peter Buck makes a guest appearance and plays on most of the tracks.

Today’s listening is ‘Pentimento’, the 2025 album by Carson McHone. This, the new album from Carson McHone is an interesting listen. The songs were recorded directly onto an 8-track cassette tape recorder, resulting in an earthy, low-fi sound. Fragments of poems appear between most of the tracks.

1) Today’s listening is ‘Elite Hotel’, the 1975 album by Emmylou Harris. I can’t listen to this album without thinking about Emmylou’s relationship with Gram Parsons and what it must have been like for her to come to terms with his death (and what happened to his corpse!)....