FAQs

What's the best Can album to get?
Well, I'd start with Ege Bamyasi. If this fires your imagination then proceed to work through my ranking here.

What's the greatest Krautrock album of all time?
My favourite evs is Tago Mago by Can. The answer to the above question still holds as I think Ege Bamyasi is an easier listen to start with.

What is your actual favourite album of all time?
Usually a difficult question to answer as there are obviously 100s and tastes change over time and new discoveries continue, but nevertheless my favourite for many many years now has been Astral Weeks by Van Morrison.

Where would you start with Black Sabbath?
Many people say Paranoid (the album) but personally I think their best album, and the one most characteristic of their unique sound, is Master of Reality.

I can guess, but Ozzy or Ronnie?
Definitely Ozzy.

Who would you most like to see live but haven't had the chance to date?
I have a bucket list and have ticked off a few significant ones recently including Kraftwerk and Nick Cave but top of the list now is Tom Waits. Unfortunately he rarely tours and I imagine the tickets would be near impossible to secure.

What do you think of the Cocteau Twins?
I really like them. They had a unique sound and produced a run of fine albums in the 80s and 90s.

...And Ed Sheeran?
That's a bit random but anyway, I don't get him. I understand he is really popular across all ages (from the kids to the grannies) but personally does nothing for me.

So no Ed Sheeran's forthcoming in the blog?
The blog selection is taken from my own collection so is nearly all stuff I personally like. Occasionally I will take a chance on something, or will purchase a knock off at a charity shop, or receive a gift, or promotional copy album.

What's the best Led Zep album?
I think to be fair, and at the risk of over familiarity, it is actually IV although most of them are pretty excellent.

But if you could only get 3?
Gosh, that's tough. The best albums aren't always the ones I end up playing the most. For example I play Houses Of The Holy more often than I but wouldn't say it's the better album. With a push becoming a shove I'd go for II, IV and then sneak in the double Physical Graffiti.

Ones to avoid?
Presence is ok, as is In Through The Out Door although they had changed their style by then. Coda isn't really a proper Zep album so avoid that one.

Top 3 tracks from Led Zep?
Rain Song, When The Levee Breaks, and Black Dog.

Jimmy Page or David Gilmour?
Ooh, that's tough too. They are both different with their own unique sound. Technically Gilmour but for feel and swing probably Page (when he was on song - his swing could be on the verge of sloppy though, certainly live).

But generally, your favourite guitarist?
Well if you are talking electric I'm partial to Rory Gallagher, Robert Fripp, Tony Iommi, Andy Latimer, Jerry Garcia, Uli Roth, Alex Lifeson, John McLaughlin, and Neil Young of course. For acoustic Tommy Emmanuel is out of this world and trumps all of the above.

Most overrated guitarist?
I've never got Eric Clapton for some reason.

You're a big Neil Young fan. Which album first got you into him?
The first one I ever heard was Reactor closely followed by Live Rust and then After The Goldrush, and, perhaps oddly, Hawks and Doves. But Reactor hooked me. The basic riffing just sounded so heavy and unusual.

Ones to avoid from the Grungefather?
Goodness, many. Up until the early 2000s I committed to every album from Young which saw me through some testing times that really tried the fans' patience. Despite trying to keep the faith I eventually had to admit that most of his 80s albums were poor including Life, Landing On Water, Old Ways and of course the universally derided Everybody's Rockin'. We didn't know it at the time but Trans was actually relatively decent in comparison to what followed. A lot of his later albums appear to have been put together carelessly with questionable production, by numbers jamming, and throwaway lyrics - the prolific Young does not worry about quality over quantity but there is always a gem round the corner and he never disappoints live.

What about his most underrated album?
I really like some of his 90s rock albums like Mirror Ball and Ragged Glory. The above mentioned Hawks and Doves is excellent too. From more recently I quite like Greendale too and Living With War has its moments. From the classic early 70s period Young was mistaken to delay the CD release of the superb Time Fades Away live album.

Most overrated?
Freedom is a bit disjointed but it signalled a return to form after the 80s doldrums. Similarly Sleeps With Angels is a bit all over the place and I don't like that tinny piano.

U2 or not?
Not for me. I don't know why. They seem to be one of those marmite bands for whatever reason.Why is that? I don't know. I'm sure Joshua Tree objectively is a decent album.