Hello bud 
Yeah, a real mixed bag to mull over I think.
Didn’t know that piece of trivia, that’s really bizarre isn’t it? Wonder who lives there now?
Still a couple or three more to come before we wrap it up for tonight…
No.522: “Night Owl” by Gerry Rafferty (1979)
Wasn’t 1979 a great year for music? The Police, Supertramp, Gary Numan, Ska, post-punk and the second solo offering from Gerry Rafferty.
Night owl was more of the same laid-back, mellow observations of life from the Glaswegian songwriter. This is the official video of the first single:
No.521: “The Crossing” by Big Country (1983)
Following the break-up of The Skids, guitarist Stuart Adamson (sadly now deceased) formed Big Country, a band who could only be from Scotland. Even the guitars sounded like bagpipes! A tremendous band live who hold the audience in the palm of their hand.
Second single was the first hit from the album, followed by ‘In A Big Country’ and the rather Springsteen-esque song ‘Chance’:
No.520: “Under The Iron Sea” by Keane (2006)
Second album from this excellent and durable trio fronted by Tom Chaplin who apparently match The Beatles for the record of their first six albums going straight in at No.1.
Last one for today, I’ve got a life somewhere to get on with. Thanks for looking in.
No.519: “Laid” by James (1993)
Tim Booth’s band of indie stalwarts with perhaps their best album. This is the glorious title song:
I’m trying my best to arrive at the half-way point by the end of the weekend, it will be close anyway.
I like Keane but didn’t realize they were that popular.
G.Thorogood just has to be played very loud.
Lots of good stuff there and lots more to come.
Keane have a very large following PS, I don’t know what sort of person is a fan but big following they have, so it’s all good I reckon. Tom Chaplin’s solo album is okay too.
I saw him live supporting Jeff Lynne’s ELO last year and he was very good. ELO were out of this world though. What a great gig!
Thorogood is brilliant isn’t he? Loved to have seen him live but he hardly ever comes to the UK. Wasn’t big here at all.
I’m gonna carry on with a couple more before I fall asleep. My body clock is right out of synch right now being off tonight, but I can’t complain it’s the weekend! Stand by…
No.518: The Book Of Souls" by Iron Maiden (2015)
One of the top three heavy metal bands in the world (the other two being AC/DC and Metallica), Iron Maiden have stood the test of time for nigh on 40 years now. Their most recent release is also one of their most thought-provoking and extravagantly-worded masterpieces.
Two tracks really stand out. The Red And The Black and Bruce Dickinson’s 18-minute story of the R101 air ship, ‘Empire Of The Clouds’.
No.517: “Time Out Of Mind” by Bob Dylan (1997)
We’ve had some of the works of Bob Dylan splattered around as we travel through this epitome and believe me, there are plenty more to come (mostly from the 60’s of course). Time Out Of Mind is one of his better releases from a decade which saw him fall apart creatively somewhat.
This one is now notable for featuring the song ‘Make You Feel My Love’ which has been covered by folk such as Garth Brooks, Billy Joel and the horrendously overrated Adele. The other song I have for you here is the excellent ‘Highlands’ from one of his ever-erratic concert appearances:
No.516: “Theme For A Dream” by Agnes Strange (1972)
http://www.freecovers.net/preview/0/2d1b7a86f5de474ea5f1d9a0f1f86422/big.jpg
Nom, are you there mate? …Because I have this very special offering for you. And Devo too, this could be your first overdue appearance in the thread. You don’t know what you’re missing lol!
I’ve been waiting for this one to come up. I know nothing at all about this trio apart from the fact that they play psychedelic wah-wah guitar like nobody else have ever done in overload on the title track of this amazing album. I discovered it about 10 years ago on a series of DVDs called ‘Electric Soup’ and I love it. The rest of the album is basic Deep Purple-style heavy rock, but it’s the title song that does it for me. Play this song VERY LOUD INDEED!!
More tomorrow. Good night.
Love the Truth album. Seen Jeff a few times in the last few years. I liked this with Imelda May, I was there.
Wow thats a surprise, Agnes Strange, early seventies tail end of what was known as hard rock, nice one.
Re Gilmore first album not too bad, bit like Manuel Gotterschings work at the time as Ashra. However oi agree About Face , a real disappointing effort.
Glad you mentioned Hendrix, i was wondering if he will appear.
Morning chaps
Jeff beck is a guitarist who casual listeners don’t even know about that much. They will mention ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’ then say “Oh, that’s all he did isn’t it?”. Morons.
Love his stuff with Imelda may
I thought you might like Agnes Strange, great album. I also have a follow-up ‘Strange Flavour’ too.
About Face suffered even worse than Gilmour’s first. I played it again recently in the car and thought it was a real disappointment. The single ‘Blue Light’ is abysmal and typical 80’s synth trash. It’s lucky it made my list tbh.
Yeah, Hendrix hasn’t been in yet. There were only three albums proper, so expect them to turn up…later
Time out of mind is good because it was so well recorded and produced.
Good to see Night Owl too.
Thanks Ffosse. Loads more Dylan to come and another from Rafferty too
Yeah, I like them, and their version of Under Pressure is unique (with no guitar!)
That’s right Bobby.
They don’t have a guitarist, or don’t use one very often.
Quite remarkable.
Rare for me not to go for a beer on a Saturday afternoon, it’s too bloody cold to walk to the pub. So:
No.515: “Sacred Spirit” (Chants And Dances Of The Native Americans) (1995)
You wouldn’t be expecting this sort of thing would you? I don’t know how authentic this album is, but apparently these are genuine traditional songs performed by these wise native Americans, who are anonymously uncredited on the album, save for the remix duties of various DJs.
I love this album as it’s a very mellow listening experience and has that melancholy edge to it all.
No.514: “Like An Old-Fashioned Waltz” by Sandy Denny (1973)
Ex-Fairport Convention, Fotheringay and Strawbs singer-songwriter who also duetted with Robert Plant on Led Zepp’s ‘Battle Of Evermore’.
Denny sadly suffered a fall down the stairs whilst under medical prescription during used to help alcohol issues. before that though she did leave us with some marvellous material, including this highlight. Two beautiful tracks from it:
No.513: “Ragged Glory” by Neil Young & Crazy Horse (1990)
Into the 1990’s with Neil Young, who could be from any time it wouldn’t matter and it wouldn’t make any difference to his sound. This one featured his trusty band Crazy Horse and is one of his full on rock albums. This is a track from the album performed live around the time:
