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.
Dreaming of a Desert Trip 2016
One stage. Six concerts. Three nights. Desert Trip billed itself as a once in a lifetime event. Big words perhaps but with this line-up, few could argue with it.
The Best Record Shops in Felixstowe
Felixstowe is one of my favourite Suffolk towns. A place that is 'on the up' it has to offer the music lover. In this article I share details of the best record shops in Felixstowe. Dig in!
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.
Eric Clapton 2024 Concert - First Night Review, Set List & Highlights
After 20 years, I attended Eric Clapton's concert in Newcastle, enjoying a mix of new tracks and classic blues.
The Beatles Statue in Liverpool: Where It Is, What to Look For, and How to Visit
The Beatles Statue at Liverpool’s Pier Head is one of the city’s most visited music landmarks. This guide explains where to find it, the details some fans might miss, and what to know before you visit.
London Calling: A Guide to London’s Music Landmarks
England's capital city is rich in music history. From Tin Pan Alley to Battersea Power Station and the Abbey Road crossing, let's take a journey to see London's Music Landmarks.
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.
The Cows of the King's Road (and the music that flowed below them)
Look up on the King’s Road and you will spot a cow’s head set into a red brick building marked Wright’s Dairy. Long after it stopped selling milk, the building became Sound Techniques Studio, a small Chelsea recording space that played an outsized role in British music history.
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.
Where Elton John Recorded Honky Château – A Musical Escape in the French Countryside
Before the rocket launched, Elton John retreated to a quiet château near Paris. Here he recorded Honky Château, surrounded by artists like Bowie, Pink Floyd, and the Bee Gees. Explore the story of this hidden studio — and start your own musical pilgrimage.
Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill - Where is it and can you climb it?
Solsbury Hill is a real hill overlooking Bath, and it became the inspiration for Peter Gabriel’s first solo single in 1977. This piece looks at where the hill is, whether you can climb it, and what the song’s lyrics reveal about Gabriel’s decision to leave Genesis.
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