Music was my first love…
This is the soundtrack to a life well travelled — classic albums, deep cuts, backstories, playlists and concert memories that deserve a place on your turntable or in your headphones.
You’ll find first-hand reviews of landmark albums, reflections on unforgettable live shows, and playlists to match a mood, a moment, or a destination. Some of the records here are well known. Others might just surprise you.
Deciphering Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting: The Meaning Behind the Song
Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting is more than a song about strange machines on a hillside. We look at the book that inspired the song, and the location of that famous music video.
What Makes a Classic Album? The Four Essential Ingredients
What makes an album stand the test of time? A true classic isn't just about sales or hits—it’s about the experience. In this article, I explore the four key ingredients that I believe define a classic album: the perfect length, vocal variety, tempo shifts, and a cohesive theme. From Rumours to Dark Side of the Moon, discover what makes these records unforgettable.
What Does Hotel California Really Mean? Unlocking the Eagles’ Dark Allegory
Hotel California isn’t just a song—it’s the overture to an album that unravels the excesses, illusions, and ultimate disillusionment of rock stardom. By starting at The Last Resort and working backwards, we see how the Eagles crafted a thematic journey akin to a rock opera, where the title track sets the stage for the rise and fall that follows.
Eagles Band Members: Original, Classic & Current Line-Ups
A clear, chronological look at the Eagles band members, from the original line-up to later additions. Who sang what, who joined when, and how the band evolved.
Hard Times are Over
In November 1980, John Lennon and Yoko Ono released Double Fantasy, their collaborative album that would tragically become John’s last. Its closing track, “Hard Times Are Over,” feels particularly poignant—a hopeful message at the end of a turbulent decade. Let's take a look and listen this heartbreaking final song.
Pink Floyd Members: An A–Z Guide to the Band, Albums, and Landmarks
I set myself the challenge of making an A-Z of Pink Floyd and it's wider universe. From Animals to Zabriskie, this is an ever growing list of Floyd. There will be key figures I miss, albums I overlook and so much more I could add! Let's call this an ever growing A-Z of Pink Floyd and see where we get to!
The wrecking crew - the greatest band you've never heard of.
Some of the greatest songs of the Sixties and Seventies were played by the Wrecking Crew. You'll know the songs, but not the band - until now.
From The Rolling Stones to Radiohead: The South of France’s Hidden Music History
The South of France, with its appealing climate and tax benefits, has been a hotspot for artists to record classic albums. Iconic records like "Exile on Main Street" by The Rolling Stones and "The Wall" by Pink Floyd were created in residential studios like Villa Nellcôte and Super Bear. Other notable artists such as Queen, Kate Bush, Radiohead, and Wham! also found inspiration in this region, producing hits and embracing the picturesque locations. While properties like the Chateau d'Herouville revive music history, fans speculate about other possible recordings made in the area.
Pink Floyd’s Animals Review: Meaning, Music, and the 2018 Remix
45 years later and Pink Floyd's Animals has lost none of it's bite and relevance. We look at the album, the songs and the iconic album cover location
Dark Side of the Moon Redux Album Review - Roger Achieves the Unthinkable
Roger Waters returns to the world of Dark Side with a 2023 reimagining that feels closer, quieter and more personal than expected. The familiar themes are still here, but the Redux album shifts the focus towards age, memory and the stories behind the music. It is not a replica of the original. It is a companion piece that rewards a patient listen.
Exploring Tumbleweed Connection, Elton John’s Americana Experiment
Released in 1970, Elton John's 'Tumbleweed Connection' is a seminal album that has stood the test of time. With its blend of country, rock, and folk influences, the album showcases John's talent for storytelling and his ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Happiness is Easy
Happiness Is Easy by Talk Talk isn’t as straightforward as its title suggests. With haunting melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, the song explores themes of war, religion, and innocence—wrapped in the atmospheric brilliance of The Colour of Spring. But is Mark Hollis being ironic, or is there something deeper beneath the surface? Let’s take a closer listen