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When worlds collide... the only band that is as important to me as Fairport is XTC, so when I learned that Fairport's Dave Mattacks was the drummer on a new XTC album...! It's in my Top 3 of their albums - banger after banger.
XTC: 'Nonsuch' (1992)
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2 albums, but combined as one CD years later. Adding a book of the tunes, they served as a useful primer for your correspondent to learn guitar accompaniment, and some basic mandolin. Swarb at his finest.
Dave Swarbrick: 'Swarbrick' (1976)/ 'Swarbrick 2' (1977)
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Sandy's final studio album is a rather sad affair. Her pristine voice was beginning to crack, and she just sounds... tired. There is a standout track - the epic 'All Our Days' - but a cover of 'Candle in the Wind'? No thanks.
Sandy Denny: 'Rendezvous' (1977)
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Apple Music uses the US version of this album, not the UK version with which I was familiar. It includes 'Woodstock', so 👍. It's a beautiful album, from Ian (now Iain) Matthews' first post-Fairport band.
Matthews Southern Comfort: 'Later That Same Year' (1970)
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Judy's late career renaissance was a joy to behold - such a shame it was so cruelly cut short. This is my favourite of her later albums.
Judy Dyble and Andy Lewis: 'Summer Dancing' (2017)
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I've always thought the ultimate 'only us Brits will get it' joke is '668: The Neighbour of The Beast', but the title of Fairport stalwart Simon's 2nd album is cut from the same cloth.😊
Simon Nicol: 'Consonant Please Carol' (1992)
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Streaming Richard & Linda yesterday has suggested a new 'theme' - albums from Fairporters and Fairport-adjacenters. 1st up, Tyger's first post-Fairport effort, which I love.
(Whatever happened to this band...?😊)
Steeleye Span: 'Hark! The Village Wait' (1970)
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Sitting out in the garden, the springtime sun beating down, headphones on, streaming one of the all-time greats.
Richard and Linda Thompson: 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight' (1974)
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Thought I'd give both remixes of GUP a stream today, and gotta say, I prefer both of them to the '84 mix, which sounds rather dated. More oomph, as the technical term goes. More to the point, sharper Alex....
Rush: 'Grace Under Pressure' (1984/2026)
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To bring March to an end, how about GG's wonderful 3rd? Pictured is the appalling UK cover, which is still preferable to the confusing US version, which repeats the cover from the debut. Why? Who knows?
Gentle Giant: 'Three Friends' (1971)
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While browsing 'new releases' on Apple Music last night, I was surprised and delighted to find a newly-released album from Ashley Monroe, mere months on from her 'Tennessee Lightning'. And rather splendid it is, too.
Ashley Monroe: 'Dear Nashville' (2026)
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Like many others, I've had a fraught relationship with TfTO over the decades. However, the new 2026 remaster breathes new life into it.
(I still wish Steve would STFU during the early part of 'The Ancient' though....)
Yes: 'Tales From Topographic Oceans' (1973)
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Somehow I missed the recent sad news of the death of the great Dolores Keane. Much as I love her work with De Dannan, this is my favourite of her albums.
RIP Dolores.
Dolores Keane and John Faulkner: 'Sail Óg Rua' (1983)
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Back home once again...but since I streamed 'A Song For All Seasons' quite recently (see what I did there?), let's go with the first Renaissance album I heard. It's still my favourite.
Renaissance: 'Turn of the Cards' (1974)
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A long car journey today, so it was time to 'randomize' the iPod, and first up was 'When the Levee Breaks'. So, it would be churlish now I'm home not to, wouldn't it?
'Led Zeppelin IV' (1971)
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Morning soundtrack. Before a certain other album exploded a couple of years later, this was regarded as the Mac's finest post-Peter Green album. I still love it.
'Fleetwood Mac' (1975)
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Well, it had to come....
'In the Court of the Crimson King: An Observation by King Crimson' (1969)
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'Trespass' was good, this is great, but the next few were stratospherically brilliant. (Is that a word?) And then 'there were three'...😱
Genesis: 'Nursery Cryme' (1971)
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Following Rick Wright's excellent 2nd solo album, let's cop an earful (see what I did there?) of a Floyd classic.
Pink Floyd: 'Meddle' (1971)
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With the TV signal in this hotel wiped out by thick fog, I need no further excuse to plug in the 'phones and give a listen to yet another old friend, which I will never - never! - call 'Car'; I'm British, don't you know.😊
'Peter Gabriel' ('1', if you must) (1977)
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It may have been conceived as a piss-take, but the result was a work of musical genius. (Not for the first time, the Steven Wilson remix breathes new life into an old friend.)
Jethro Tull: 'Thick as a Brick' (1972)
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Yet again I'm left wondering how an album I've been listening to for over half a century can still sound so fresh.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer: 'Brain Salad Surgery' (1973)
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On holiday for a week or so, which usually means it's time to dig out old favs such as this. Hearing it was life changing for me; it showed that rock could be as advanced and complicated as the classical music I was hearing at home.
Yes: 'The Yes Album' (1971)
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2nd purchase from the weekend was the new one from the Softs. This is far, far better than it has any right to be - remarkable for such a vintage band. An early evaluation, I know, but I think it's up there with their best.
Soft Machine: 'Thirteen' (2026)
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Interrupting the British Metal theme for a couple of days; firstly, for the latest Gong album, which is bloomin' marvelous, another triumph for Kavus and the boys. A fine addition to a fine discography.
Have a cup of tea to celebrate!
Gong: 'Bright Spirit' (2026)
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A college friend was evangelical about DH, but was disappointed with this, their 'Big label' debut, on the grounds that they had moved away from their heavy roots. I quite liked it at the time, but I don't think it's aged well.
Diamond Head: 'Borrowed Time (1982)
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Never really thought much of Def Leppard; too clinical, over-produced, soulless. Haven't heard the first 2 albums before, though. But, I'm afraid the warning signs are there in this 2nd effort. Not my cup of metal, I'm afraid.
Def Leppard: 'High 'n' Dry' (1981)
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It was only a matter of time... The album that brought NWOBHM to the attention of the wider music public. Seeing Maiden on TOTP was a game changer for the likes of me whose musical tastes had moved away from heavy rock.
Iron Maiden: 'The Number of the Beast' (1982)
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Lazing in a hotel room chilling to the 2nd album from the TPT lads, their first with John Sykes. Great stuff!
(Best. Band. Name. Ever.)
Tygers of Pan Tang: 'Spellbound' (1981)
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Earlier today, I checked out Samson's debut, expecting to hear the 'iron' lungs of Mr Dickinson. Imagine my surprise when I realised he's not on it, even though he's pictured on the cover! Another excellent debut, though.
Samson: 'Survivors' (1979)
