If Leonard Cohen's songs are poems set to music then Ralph McTell's are stories. He tells them like your favourite uncle did as you sat on his knee as a kid. There's a warmth in his voice and a chuckle in his eyes as he lets the story slowly unfold. In Streets of London, though, there's a…Read more Streets of London
1960s
Albatross
Back in the sixties, when I was just a lad, every once in a while there would be a musical interlude to liven up the school assembly. One of these stands out like a beacon in the fading fog of my memory. One of the boys in my year was an accomplished pianist - his name was…Read more Albatross
John Renbourn
I turned on the radio yesterday at the very end of Lauren Laverne's morning show on BBC 6 Music. The strains of folk guitar came over the airwaves. "That's nice", I thought, "and not Lauren's usual material". Crossing the hall on my way to make a cup of tea it struck me that it sounded like John Renbourn.…Read more John Renbourn
For 1000 Mothers
It's Mother's Day today and the obvious choice for the next track of the week is For a Thousand Mothers from Jethro Tull's 1969 album, Stand Up. It's a rip-roaring, defiant song in which flautist and vocalist Ian Anderson calls out to his mother (and father). "You had no faith in me", he says bitterly, "but…Read more For 1000 Mothers
King Crimson
They say, if you invent a better mousetrap the world will beat a path to your door. I think there is some truth in that, but it has to be a much better mousetrap. Fortunately, there are a few examples of products that are so desirable that they hardly need to be promoted at all: the Morgan sports car, the…Read more King Crimson
Magic Is Afoot
One morning earlier in the week there was a knock on the door. I was up but not yet dressed. Opening the door I was greeted by a woman carrying a bundle of small, glossy brochures. It was cold outside and a stiff breeze ruffled my dressing gown. I feared I was about to be…Read more Magic Is Afoot
The Trees Grow High
Last week a post appeared on my Facebook timeline saying something about Guardian Music's playlist. I don't read The Guardian, wasn't aware of 'Guardian Music' and don't normally follow playlists but its one-sentence content mentioned The Trees They Do Grow High, a traditional folk song that I know from Pentangle's Light Flight - Anthology album. According to…Read more The Trees Grow High
Hey, Joe!
One of my Christmas presents was a DVD of the Woodstock Festival of 1969. Watching the first hour or so brought back happy memories of my adolescent days so I'm going to start my music blog with a real blast from the past, Hey Joe, by the incomparable Jimi Hendrix. (Image from http://rockstarwallpapers10.net. Used without permission.)
Crotchety Man 