Chapter One: A potted history 1963–1967 An ambitious but ultimately doomed attempt to summarise the early days of blues legend John Mayall John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers started playing London’s famous Marquee Club in late 1963. In the following year they released a first single and backed John Lee Hooker on his British tour. In […]
They fold, they open, they arise, they reveal. Those hinged bits of a record sleeve that give you something to study—or play with—while the disc spins. Here are some favourites. * US rockers Grin featured Neil Young collaborator and (later) Bruce Springsteen guitar slinger Nils Lofgren. What’s behind the toothy smile? Why gums, of course. […]
Walking down the corridor between the Counselling Service and Student Housing it was not uncommon to encounter a colleague. Greetings were exchanged and sometimes a brief chat ensued, before each continued on their journey. Over time you got to know each other a little better, making life easier when it came to the end-of-year lunch. […]
Peter Gabriel. PG. Left Genesis after The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, telling his bandmates of his decision during the extensive tour for that album. Spent a couple of years largely out of the spotlight, before releasing his first solo album, Peter Gabriel, in 1977. The album cover was created by Hipgnosis. Just over a […]
“Most of you won’t like this, and I don’t blame you at all” – Lou Reed, cover notes to Metal Machine Music, released July 1975 “An appalling rip-off” – Critic William Howard in the Boston Globe, 1975 “Worst album by a human being” – Rolling Stone 1975 end-of-year poll “Anybody who got off on The […]
Déjà vu was the first album featuring David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young. It was released in March 1970, receiving enormous attention and and achieving massive success. Fans, critics, other musicians… everybody loved it. The singles did well, the LP sold around the world, and even today Déjà vu is the most […]
On 28th June 1969 the self-titled album by Crosby, Stills & Nash entered the US charts. It reached #6 and stayed around for an impressive 100 weeks. Two singles were released—Nash’s jaunty ‘Marrakesh Express’ and Stills’ extended ‘Suite: Judy Blue Eyes’—both reaching the Top 30. So much for the data. What makes this album so […]
When The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars was released on 16 June 1972 Bowie’s small but loyal London fan base were immediately enthusiastic. The colourful theatricality, the fizzing energy, the entire glam “look” of the band were simply transporting. Soon ever-expanding concert audiences in the UK and the USA […]
I’ve been dabbling in Bluesky (as mentioned previously). Thought it would be fun to share a selection of recent posts as they give an insight into what my ears have been seduced by in the listening room. As always, love to hear responses to any of these. * When some Matthew Sweet vinyl re-issues appeared […]
The gateway single for the success of T Rex and their most acclaimed album Electric Warrior was “Hot Love”. It topped the UK charts and gave Marc Bolan the formula he’d been seeking. Simple boogie rhythms, some cheeky teenage poetry and an infectious chorus you could sing along to. In fact, you were compelled to […]
Despite rock and roll having been around for half-a-dozen decades, inter-generational collaborations have been far from common. Sure, a young gun will be invited onto the stage at a celebration for some venerable rocker, or an odd couple (say, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett) will put out an LP, but generally the invisible borders between […]
It is easy to forget how many great songs R.E.M. wrote. Forty years on from their formation and a full decade after the band called it a day, the band’s legacy as one of the most successful indie bands of all time is assured. That legacy is in full view on In Time 1988-2003: The […]
vinylconnection.com.au 