A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
THIS week another of British rock music’s true originals, Kevin Ayers. Along with Syd Barrett, Kevin was one of the first to sing in an English accent rather than pretend … Continue readingWe need to talk about Kevin Ayers
WHEN considering subjects for this column, the usual yardstick is the more obscure the better. However this week I’m making an exception for the mighty Bob Dylan. And in particular … Continue readingBob Dylan’s finest hours?
IF EVER a group got off to a bad start, that group would be Brinsley Schwarz. While still unknown to the British press and public, in April 1970 they were … Continue readingSurrender to the Brinsleys
IT must have been in December 1975, two years after its release, that I declared: ‘If I hear that bloody Slade Christmas record again I will kill somebody.’ Since then … Continue readingA Christmas selection box (guaranteed Slade-free)
WHEN, in September, I wrote a tribute to the incomparable Sandy Denny, I somehow managed not to mention that during her early days with Fairport Convention the band contained another … Continue readingMatthews Country
SOME time ago I gained possession of an unofficial double CD featuring the all-female Canadian folk group the Be Good Tanyas, recorded live in the early Noughties. The patter between … Continue readingWhen infant teachers cry: The Be Good Tanyas
LOUNGE lizard, crooner, multi-millionaire and self-made toff, Bryan Ferry CBE is one of the pillars of the popular music Establishment. Just the sort of character ridiculed by Roxy Music when … Continue readingThe Lives of Bryan
To those who aver that country music is just a bunch of tired clichés, I would venture a two-word riposte: Lyle Lovett. And a two-word song title, God Will, from … Continue readingTo know it is to Lovett
One incident which the multi-millionaire Police star Andy Summers for some reason omits to mention in his 2007 memoir One Train Later is the night Kevin Coyne shamed him into … Continue readingRealm of the Coyne
IF a band’s success were judged solely by critical acclaim, Big Star would be up there with the musical giants. The reviewers loved them, placing their three official albums among … Continue readingTwinkle twinkle Big Star