No.717: “As Is Now” by Paul Weller (2005)
The title of this album sums up Paul Weller’s way of doing things. He doesn’t hark to the past, everything is of the moment and As Is Now contains a smattering of urgent, relentless tunes reminiscent of The Jam’s heyday. Tremendous first single, ‘From The Floorboards Up’:
No.716: “High Infidelity” by REO Speedwagon (1981)
Taking their name from an American motor firm who began making fire engines (Oldsmobile), REO Speedwagon were treading the boards for years until this smash catapulted them into the big time of the AOR scene and FM rock in the early 80’s.
Combining the soaring vocals of Kevin Cronin (still with the band) and the terrific lead guitar of Gary Richrath (sadly now deceased), they released two major singles from this. In fact, I couldn’t decide which to post on here for you, so here are both:
Back tomorrow when I’ll be beginning with The Clash.
This must be such a huge project for you, Floydy, and I certainly couldn’t put all the effort in to come up with a likely dynamic top 1000.
I do have my 50 favourite Neil Young/Crazy Horse songs, though, plus a few minor other lists.
Assembling and compiling the list was the hardest part, posting it is enjoyable finding all the videos etc, but time-consuming. As long as people enjoy it, I’m happy with that. It does seem strange that the ladies on this forum can’t find any interest though!?
We spoke about your Neil Young compilations a while back on here bud. Always been one of the best songwriters. 
I dunno why but Argus is the only Wishbone Ash I’ve bought, because it’s really good.I played it a lot at one time but like a lot of my stuff it’s disappeared.I can certainly recommend it anyway.
It is one of the classic prog rock albums. Martin Turner’s version of Wishbone Ash is touring it at the moment.
The first one is really good too on a repeated listen but I get lost after that. There’s a hell of a lot of them.
Interesting. I have often wondered if men are more into music than the ladies.
I’ve always noticed that the majority of women are more interested on pop and disco music because they want to dance. Also, they like bands if the lead singer is a ‘sexy hunk’ rather than a serious songwriter.
How many woman like progressive rock bands for interest, or even listen to thought-provoking lyrics? Men and women appear to have a different form of attention span when it comes to analysing serious music.
I don’t know any women who are Pink Floyd fans.
It’s very interesting and perhaps should be a new thread rather than digressing on this thread. we have both said we like Abba for instance for their music and song writing whereas I get the feeling that females like it to make them feel happy.
Very true mate, but I know if I started a thread on this subject I’d instantly get called a male chauvanist pig by some of the more sensitive female members of the forum who can’t see beyond the facts of a discussion.
Leave 'em to their disposable dross I say, we in here know what good, well made music sounds like at least
Not much time today. See how we go until my granddaughter gets in from school and demands the use of my PC…
No.715: “Combat Rock” by The Clash (1982)
https://images.store.hmv.com/app_/responsive/HMVStore/media/product/224313/01-224313.jpg?w=500
The Clash’s final album with Joe Strummer, Combat Rock got some stick from the purists saying that the band had ‘sold out’ and abandoned their original ‘punk spirit’ in favour of the big bucks of breaking the USA. True, this album was more commercial with big singles such as 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go? (belatedly a UK No.1 by default due to a TV advert) and the dance-y ‘Rock The Casbah’, but it also included trademark socio-polical epics such as this classic, ‘Straight To Hell’:
No.714: “Shine On Brightly” by Procol Harum (1968)
Procol Harum’s band (named after a cat, incidentally) with their second album of high quality semi-progressive music was a more latent affair than it’s wonderful debut, but included the single ‘Quite Rightly So’ and this live version of the title track:
Addition:
The following single wasn’t released on a studio album by the band, but it’s too bloody good to not be mentioned. This is the magnificent single, ‘Homburg’:
A couple more, briefly.
No.713: “Lucky Town” by Bruce Springsteen (1992)
Following the mega stadium rock of Born In The USA and its milder follow-up Tunnel Of Love, The Boss disbanded his erstwhile E Street Band (giving them a couple of million dollars each!) and formed an MTV-friendly outfit for two albums released on the same day (taking the notion from Guns N’ Roses recent success I imagine). The album Human Touch was released along with this one Lucky Town earning him No.1 & No.2 placing the world over with a collection of personal stories detailing his observations on local folk, places and what goes on in their lives. A fine album.
No.712: “New Jersey” by Bon Jovi (1988)
Just had Slippery When Wet by Jon Bon Jovi’s ensemble and this follow-up was even arguably even better. A full-on hard rock record, it sealed their position as kings of FM radio in the late 80’s and throughout the 90’s, only equalled by Def Leppard.
No.711: “Nashville Skyline” by Bob Dylan (1969)
In the late 60’s Dylan would explore some of his folk roots with the album John Wesley Harding, then the following year show a country music side to his songwriting with this album (which features Johnny Cash on ‘Girl From The North Country’) and this big single:
If you wish to add videos from albums by those bands I only mention briefly, please feel free to do so. Thanks 
Women do like (as I do) Jackson Browne who has always been the ultimate song-writer’s songwriter with his lyrics.
Any room for Towers Van Zandt on the big 1000?
Finish off with this one today.
No.710: “Live At Wembley '86” by Queen (1986)
Fresh from their totally dominating appearance at Live Aid the previous year, Queen put out this mesmerising set on double album and video showcasing their mighty talent and Freddie’s knack of holding an audience in the palm of his hand like nobody else ever could.
I’m no massive fan of Queen, but this does show their expertise at what they did.
I like Jackson Browne too Ffosse and I’m sure so do many women. I’m veering more towards their appreciation of progressive rock music, which is more of a man’s world possibly?
Townes Van Zandt. Like him bud, but unfortunately I don’t have any of his stuff apart from a good compilation. Never really explored his music too much, dunno why tbh!
Yes, I think prog is a man’s world mainly. Even I can only handle so much prog.
Same here, Ffosse.
I like a lot of prog but it’s got to have some kind of melody to it. I can’t be doing with really self-indulgent stuff like Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
I suspect that there are several of us watching…
In my case, my music tastes are so crazily eclectic that it might be better to listen than to speak. 
