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.
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.
Who Were the Original Eagles? Tracing the Rise and Ruptures of an Iconic Rock Band
The Eagles are one of the most successful bands in the history of rock music, with over 150 million albums sold worldwide and six number one albums. Their music has had a lasting impact on the American sound, blending elements of country, folk, and rock into a unique and enduring style.
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.
From Animals to Zabriskie Point - an ever growing A-Z of Pink Floyd
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.
Unleashing Pink Floyd's 'Animals': A Timeless Classic That Still Bares Its Teeth Today
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
