The Vlog

I’m Mike and after years building a vinyl collection, primarily of 60’s and 70’s albums and a few 80’s, I have decided to put them on themarket.  This is a rare opportunity to obtain classic albums from a private collection, very carefully looked after over the last 60+ years.   But, before I do I thought a bit of an explanation and history may be interesting; but to whom? I have no bloody idea but let’s just say that if you’re reading this, whoever and wherever you are, you are probably a vinyl junky of some sort.

There is simply no point in trying to describe 'The greateast rock and roll band in the world... ever...' - you either know them and love them and, therefore, want their records or you're probably a sea-slug living in an underwater cave, totally unaware of the concept of 'music'.  A little extreme perhaps?  But joking apart, if I was forced to name my most favourite band from the literally thousands in my Vinyl and CD collections, then it would have to be the mighty Stones.

Sorry but I have to admit it, I was never a great fan of Punk Rock.  Yes, I did like some of the music, particularly Magazine, The Jam, The Ramones and The Cure, but generally no.  That is not to say that I don't think Punk was absolutely necessary in order to  shake up a music industry that was getting complacent and churning out formulaic 'hits' aimed at the younger audience who had yet to develop real appreciation.... bit like today really :-)

Another example of personal bias but for me Joni is the greatest female (or indeed any gender) singer-songwriter ever.... and will never ever be bettered.

Call me an old ... (OK call me whatever you like) but the modern tranche of, particularly female, singers leaves me somewhat chilly. 
Where are the strong lyricists who can produce anything equal to Both Sides Now, This Flight Tonight, A case of You, Free Man In Paris, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Amelia.... well practically all her songs. 

This post is aimed at settling a 50 year+ old argument.... well to my mind anyways; everybody else (get it?) probably thinks it was settled years ago and falls into one of 3 camps (i.e. yes they are, no they aren't and who gives a...)

By the late 1960's I was 'into' all sorts of music including Blues.  One of my first blues albums was 'The Blues Alone' by the godfather of British blues, John Mayall.  Still a favourite album, the one exception' to the concept of 'Alone' on this album was the inclusion on a few tracks of Keef Hartley on drums.  I have always been the nerdy sort who looks at alll the details on an album; who is playing, where recorded, who produced, engineered, etc.  So when I saw the announcement of the release of Halfbreed (I think in Melody Maker), I immediately recognised the name and thought well, if John Mayall likes him he's got to be good.... and he was... in spades.

The answer is of course 'Yes'.  My old mate John introduced me to Yes a few weeks after the release of their first album; I, like he, fell in love with them and we have both followed their progress ever since, through highs and indeed lows, Yes are still one of my all time favourite bands (my passing resemblance to the awsome Mr. Wakeman not withstanding).  Having said that, I, like I think many others of my aging generation still have a preference for the first 5 albums; in my case I suppose the first 3. 

I don't really know why I am adding this post.... what can I add that hasn't already said?  I suppose only that, while I don't tend to 'idolise' anyone, if I had to pick my top 5 (or 10, or...) musical 'heroes' (note reference ho ho), then Mr. Jones easily ranks near the top (for the others you'll have to wait)(oh, OK then, Joni, The Stones)(and obviously the others posts on this site).

There can't be many artists that launched a major reccord label; OK I suppose there were if I bothered to research it more but Mike Oldfield did give a hell of a kick start to Virgin Records with what has become a seminal album of the early 70's, both lauded and heavily critisized at the time (and probably eben now), I still think it stands as one of the all time great recordings.

OK, so you've not heard of Cropredy?  A sleepy village in Oxfordshire just outside Banbury that hosts the annual Fairport Convention Cropredy Festival.

Where do I start?  I suppose with the release of Mathew & Son, a favourite single of my whole family at the time.  However, apart from liking his early singles I never really followed his progress, preferring heavier rock, R&B, etc.  Then Lady D'Arbanville was released and I was hooked, immediately purchasing the great Mona Bone Jakon. An album I still play regularly.

Outspoken, outstanding and brilliant?  So much has been writtem about one of Canada's, indeed the world's greatest singer songwriters that adding my 10 cents isn't going to change anything or anyone.

Folk, Folk rock, prog rock, blues rock or just plain old rock;  Jethro Tull have been categorised under all these 'genres' and probaby more but through it all Ian Anderson has led one of the most innovative and timeless bands in UK music history.  As I have said a few times, these
comments are purely personal but this one I do stick to.

Roy Orbison’s ‘In Dreams’ album was the very first 12 inch vinyl I ever bought.  Why?  Because I liked (and still do) his voice and his songs.  In particular at that time I really liked the singles ‘Blue Bayou’ and ‘In Dreams’, so when I first ventured into my local record shop in Brixton, South London, it was this one that caught my eye and separated me from my saved up pocket money.

For some reason I have been looking at lists of the so-called 100 or 400 or 500 or 10 top guitarists 'of all time', a claim that is a little pessimistic given there are really good musicians growing up all the time, so, let's be pedantic and just say 'To Date'.

Point is that all such lists are purely subjective with many, many critics and fans when discussing and listing 'great guitarists' tend to concentrate on the 'well of course they have to be included' artists, those of the likes of May, Van Halen, Hendrix, Page, Slash, Clapton, Knopffler, Fripp, etc., etc..