Albums that have been blowing my mind recently...

1. In Search Of Amelia Earhart – Plainsong, 1972
2. Voyage Of The Acolyte – Steve Hackett, 1975
3. Eat It – Humble Pie, 1973
4. Wind & Wuthering – Genesis, 1977
5. If You Saw Thro’ My Eyes – Ian Matthews, 1971
6. Nine – Fairport Convention, 1974
7. In Concert– Derek & The Dominos , 1973
8. Alone Together – Dave Mason, 1970
9. Minstrel In The Gallery – Jethro Tull, 1975
10. Pour Down Like Silver – Richard & Linda Thompson, 1975

April Playlist

1. ‘Heavy Horses’ – Jethro Tull
(From the album Heavy Horses)
2. ‘Thick As A Brick Part 1’ – Jethro Tull
(From the album Thick As A Brick)
3. ‘Nights On Broadway’ – Bee Gees
(From the album Main Course)
4. ’20 Million Things’ – Lowell George
(From the album Thanks I’ll Eat It Here)
5. ‘From A Silver Phial’ – Gene Clark
(From the album No Other)
6. ‘Here We Go’ – Joe Walsh
(From the album Barnstorm)
7. ‘Chelsea Monday’ – Marillion
(From the album Script For A Jester’s Tear)
8. ‘Like A Tumbleweed In Eden’ – Chris Robinson
(From the album This Magnificent Distance)
9. ‘Queen Of Hearts’ – Greg Allman
(From the album Laid Back)
10. ‘Over The Hills And Far Away’ – Led Zeppelin
(From the album Houses Of The Holy)

Graham Nash Old Grey Whistle Test, 1974

March Playlist

1. ‘I Used To Be A King’ – Graham Nash
(From the Album Songs For Beginners)
2. ‘Persuasion’ – Richard Thompson and Teddy Thompson
(From the album Action Packed: Best Of The Capitol Years)
3. ‘Song For Suzie’ – Heads Hands & Feet
(From the Album Heads Hands & Feet)
4. ‘Little Did I Think’ – Fairport Convention
(From the album ‘Babbacombe Lee’)
5. ‘Sit & Listen To The Rain’ – Whiskeytown
(From the Album Pneumonia)
6. ‘Yellow Roses’ – Heron
(From the Album Upon Reflection: The Dawn Anthology)
7. ‘Moving On’ – Flame Shark
(From the Album Raw Flowers)
8. ‘Blood On The Rooftops’ – Genesis
(From the Album Wind And Wuthering)
9. ‘Through My Sails’ – Neil Young
(From the Album Zuma)
10. ‘You’re So Good For Me’ – Humble Pie
(From the Album Smokin’)

A new masterpiece...

MIDLAKE
The Courage Of Others (Bella Union 2010)

I have been looking forward to this album (the follow-up to 2006’s The Trials Of Van Occupanther) for quite some time. After reading several recent interviews where the band have professed their love of Fairport Convention, Pentangle and other luminaries of 1970’s British folk, my anticipation was certainly heightened.
Laden with acoustic guitars, beautiful harmonies and guitar playing reminiscent of the great Richard Thompson, this album is simply stunning. I would go as far as to say it’s the best record I have heard in three or four years. There are no weak tracks whatsoever. The level of musicianship has been raised to a higher degree and the quality of songwriting is unusually high. Tracks such as the opener ‘Acts Of Man’ and the epic ‘Rulers Ruling All Things’ sound like no other band recording today. The chord structures and pastoral feel of the songs certainly evoke memories of Fairport’s classic Full House and elements of early King Crimson.
This record will be adorning my turntable for quite some time this year. And way beyond.

For sound clips of this album check out: http://midlake.net/blog

December Playlist

1. ‘Odyssey’ – Shelagh McDonald (From the album Stargazer)
2. ‘Pure Mountain Angel’ – Truth & Salvage Co. (From the Daytrotter Session)
3. ‘Poor Will & The Jolly Hangman’ – Fairport Convention (From the album Full House)
4. ‘Fear Of Falling’ – Golden Smog (From the album Weird Tales)
5. ‘Peace Anyway’ – The Black Crowes (Recorded Live from Council Bluffs, IA, 15/08/08)
6. ‘Cinderella Search’ – Marillion (From the album Reel To Real)
7. ‘Ohio’ – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (From the album Decade)
8. ‘Sometimes I Feel So Uninspired’ – Traffic (From the album On The Road)
9. ‘Sail Away To The Sea’ – Sandy Denny & The Strawbs
(From the album Sandy Denny & The Strawbs)
10. ‘Brave Awakening’ – Terry Reid (From The album Seed Of Memory)

Girl From The North Country

The Black Crowes
The Hammerstein Ballroom,
New York, NY, 28 October 2008.
An amazing version of my favorite Bob Dylan song. It was a pleasure to witness this in person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4liiBqKUME