Many of you will know my passion
for Marc Bolan and T. Rex, therefore there is no point in picking out
favourite songs by Marc Bolan, as they would automatically dominate my
choice. Therefore below, in no particular order, are some of my favourite
albums by other artists that I have admired over the years for no other
reason other than I just enjoy their music.
To be non-biased about the whole
situation, I have chosen only one album per artist/band. There are so
many other albums that I love, but I'd fill another ten pages at least!
Anyway, you can delve into my
own personal musical tastes, some of which, other than people who know
me well, maybe somewhat surprising....
DEEP PURPLE
- MACHINE HEAD (1972)
The absolute definitive heavy rock album of the 1970's. Every single track
a classic, my favourite being 'Highway Star', followed by 'Pictures of
Home'. I have great memories of this album being played day after day
in the school bus while living in Germany. Ritchie Blackmore remains one
of the world's most influential guitarists, while Gillan's vocals remain
unparalleled to this day.
PINK FLOYD
- WISH YOU WERE HERE (1975)
In terms of' popularity, 'Dark Side of the Moon' would be the obvious
choice. I've always preferred 'Wish You Were Here for the beautiful guitar
playing of Dave Gilmour, especially on 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' parts
1 & 2. An album best heard alone sitting comfortably between a good set
of HiFi speakers with the volume high!
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
- LIFE THRU A LENS (1997)
The only ones who haven't yet collapsed when reading this, are the people
who haven't actually heard this wonderful CD. I think Robbie has been
extremely fortunate in finding an excellent cohort in Guy Chambers. Although
he appears to be branching out into the modernist cabaret scene, this
album needs to be heard.
STATUS QUO
- HELLO! (1973)
I will always have a place for the Quo for all time. They were the first
band I ever saw 'live'. They were supporting T. Rex in Germany on 1 Feb
1972. I was knocked out by their hard rocking act, and rushed out to buy
'Dog of Two Head' with my pocket money the next week. 'Hello!' is worth
the money for 'Forty-Five Hundred Times' alone. Parfitt and Rossi, truly
a great rock'n'roll songwriting duo. Sadly, I think Quo died a little
when Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan left, but the legacy they leave behind
is one to embrace and enjoy - what memories...
QUEEN -
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (1974)
I could've chosen any Queen album, with the exception of perhaps 'Hot
Space', or 'Flash Gordon'. This album epitomises Queen in their true hey-day
of pomp-rock. Forgetting the idiotic thoughts of late concerning a reformation
without Freddie, the remaining members Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger
Taylor are without doubt the most intelligent bunch of musicians to have
become superstars. I first saw Queen at their free summer Hyde Park concert
in the early 70's and was knocked out by their ability and showmanship.
This album reflects the brilliance of four extremely talented individuals.
BOB DYLAN
- HARD RAIN (1976)
I adore this album by one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century.
Rough and ready, sounding completely unrehearsed and REAL! The choice
of tracks are spot on containing great versions of 'Stuck Inside of Mobile',
'Idiot Wind' and 'I Threw It All Away'. Mick Ronson also makes a special
appearance too, making the actual feel of the album even more exhilarating.
There are very few live albums that are believable, with so many overdubs
added at a later stage that the listener is unable to hear what was actually
live at the time. 'Hard Rain' is totally live, warts and all, and I for
one love every minute of it. The first time I saw Dylan was in 1978 at
Earls Court. He was one of the most mesmerising performers I have ever
seen in my life, and the only one I know who actually writes new tunes
specifically for live concerts!
FLAMING
MUSSOLINI'S - 'WATCHING THE FILM' (1986)
This is an album that I just keep on referring to again and again. Commercial
pop rock with quality. This band never really made it big time, but I
would've put money on it that they would've. There are so many tracks
on here such as 'My Cleopatra', 'Swallow Glass', 'Masuka Dan' (name dropping
T.Rex in the lyrics), that it's difficult to pick out all the high-lights.
Very Bowie influenced, with touches of Bolan thrown in for good measure.
EMERSON,
LAKE AND PALMER - 'BRAIN SALAD SURGERY' (1973)
Although I was never a fan of progressive rock (Yes, Genesis), I did fall
for ELP in a big way. I saw the band in their heyday when Keith Emerson
was still disagreeing with his Hammond organ and thrusting daggers in
appropriate places within the black and white notes. Karn Evil 9 is just
awesome. Well produced and beautifully played. I played my vinyl version
to death - thank god for the advent of CDs, and well done to Rhino records
for producing a great package with the bonus of 'The making of Brain Salad
Surgery' - Superb!
LED ZEPPELIN
- HOUSES OF THE HOLY (1973)
This is my fave Led Zep album of all. I remember when it was first released,
so many people were saying that it wasn't as good as Led Zep IV, but I
always preferred it. I love every track from 'The Song Remains The Same'
to 'The Ocean'. 'No Quarter' remains one of the most compelling and eerie
songs on record. The last time I saw Led Zep was when I attended both
Knebworth shows in 1979 - I also took along my little cassette recorder
and taped both concerts too.
F MACHINE
- 'HERE COMES THE 21ST CENTURY' (1989)
A little known album containing some great tracks. I came across a vinyl
copy years ago. It wasn't until I saw one being advertised on e-bay that
I managed to get a CD copy from the States. A blend of punk rock, hard
rock, and Foetus. A slightly disturbing album lyrically, but one that
captures the imagination. I don't really know much about the band/artist,
but I do know that this is one cracking album of songs.
MARILYN
MANSON - MECHANICAL ANIMALS (1998)
When I first heard this album I thought that rock had really returned.
Fantastic songs and lyrical imagery that I hadn't heard combined since
Bolan's Slider album. Obviously time has moved on and lyrically the actual
content is a lot stronger and harsher than in Bolan's time, but there
is definitely something spiritual that binds this Manson era with Bolan.
I cannot believe how people can still be taken in by image alone. Marilyn
Manson is truly an intelligent man who is manipulating the press no end,
and in turn the public once again fall for it. I have full admiration
for someone who can basically take parts of Alice Cooper, David Bowie,
Marc Bolan, amongst others, and reinvent a whole persona that once again
can separate the generation gap. After all, wasn't that the point of rock'n'roll?
MOTT THE
HOOPLE - LIVE (1974)
The second of my fave live albums of all time. When I toured with Ian
Hunter years later (with T.Rextasy) I asked him to sign a couple of albums
for me. He did, but conveniently missed signing the live album, for personal
reasons. The sound of an era hits you when listening to this. It reflects
the time, the period, the fashion, the style. It captures the essence
of' what a real down to earth rock'n'roll band was all about in the 1970's
with half recorded in England, and half recorded in the USA.
ZODIAC MINDWARP
- HOODLUM THUNDER (1991)
I first heard of' 'Zodiac Mindwarp' when I came across a single called
Prime Mover (another song that name-drops T.Rex). This album features
a track called 'Feed My Frankenstein', which Alice Cooper later recorded.
This is rock at it's dirtiest. Never quite made it to the big time, but
this album is what you might call a 'best kept secret'. Great songs with
a guilty edge.
ALICE COOPER
- BILLION DOLLAR BABIES (1973)
This is Alice at his peak. Such an underrated lyricst of our time. He
also had easily the best record sleeves throughout the 1970s, with Billion
Dollar Babies taking first place. The tracks never falter, with maybe
the exception of the tongue-in-cheek 'Mary-Ann' which I never liked. Debauchery
Rock made Alice a sensation on stage and off. This album is so representative
of the time, every rock fan should own a copy. Bolan attended the sessions,
but no matter what anyone says, he is not on the album according to the
producer, engineer, and Michael Bruce (the original guitarist). I'm sure
Alice would've also got Marc to sing on the track 'Billion Dollar Babies',
rather than Donovan, if the opportunity had arisen!
BE-BOP DELUXE
- SUNBURST FINISH (1976)
Bill Nelson's guitar work has always blown me away. This band seems to
be forgotten in the vast universe of rock, but check this album out if
you get a chance. Touching on the avant-guard, Nelson combines his unique
blend of songwriting with his Hendrix influences. Beautifully written
compositions like 'Crying To The Sky', and 'Heavenly Homes' should not
go unheard.
WHITESNAKE
- SLIDE IT IN (1984)
When Coverdale quit Deep Purple in 1976, I always thought the guy would
do more. Whitesnake was the vehicle on which he truly showed off his brand
of Snake Rock. I did enjoy the Coverdale/Sykes collaboration the most,
although I have followed most of what the Snakes have done. 'Slide It
In' remains my favourite Coverdale album, slightly politically incorrect
by today's standards, but I love it.
OZZY OSBOURNE
- NO MORE TEARS (1991)
This is a fantastic hard rock album with some of Ozzy's best tracks ever.
'Mr Tinkertrain', 'No More Tears', 'I Don't Want To Change The World'
are absolute gems. Zakk Wylde compliments Ozzy's vocals well and the structure
of the songs is first class. When I met Ozzy backstage at Wembley Arena
in the 1980's, he was a pretty shy chap who spoke quietly to me before
signing my programme. I know Ozzy still has a reputation of 'the wild
man of rock', but I found him an amicable guy with a lot of humour and
intelligence.
DAVID BOWIE
- ALADDIN SANE (1973)
My favourite Bowie period of all. Along with all the Bolan releases, this
album epitomises what I loved through the age of glam. Although he was
going through a hard time himself, the fans loved it, and I was one of
them. 'Watch That Man', 'Drive In Saturday', 'Jean Genie' et al, was a
collection of classics. 'The Prettiest Star' guitar parts were of course
ripped off note-for-note from the original. Bowie had asked Mick Ronson
to play near to exactly what Marc Bolan had played on the original recording
of the song, which he did of course. I met Bowie in Japan while my band
T.Rextasy was on tour. He was pretty cool and we chatted for a while and
had a photo or two taken together as well.
SHERYL CROW
- SHERYL CROW (1996)
A really great songwriter touching on a modern, female Bob Dylan. This
CD was one of this first I had bought in a long time by a female artist.
(I think Kate Bush was probably a previous one, but that was years ago).
The album is stacked with well crafted numbers with intelligently written
lyrics such as 'If It Makes You Happy', 'Hard To Make A Stand', and 'Free
Man'. There are not too many female solo acts that I like too much. I
don't really know why that is, but I think Sheryl Crow is definitely one
that will last the distance.