Category: Off the Beaten Tracks

I HAVE often seen it claimed that side two of In the Land of Grey and Pink by Caravan is the peak achievement in all of Seventies progressive music. I can’t disagree. … Continue readingTo Hatfield, via Caravan

THIS week, fond recollections of Bonnie Raitt and the albums she made at the beginning of her long career. Bonnie was blessed with a wonderful voice and is no slouch … Continue readingFirst Raitt

IN previous columns about Maddy Prior and June Tabor I made passing reference to the LP they made together in 1976, Silly Sisters. Since it is one of my favourite traditional folk … Continue readingMaddy and June

HEAVEN knows we’re miserable now, as Mr Morrissey almost said, so here’s a suggestion to lift the gloom. Invest four quid or so in a copy of the Blues Brothers DVD, pour yourself a … Continue readingBrothers banish the Blues

THE name Van Dyke Parks might not strike a chord with the public, but his music definitely does. As a songwriter, arranger and producer he has been involved in everything … Continue readingVan Dyke Parks and a sunny delight

PUB quiz question (for when we all start going out for a pint again): What do Frabjoy and Runcible Spoon, Crazy Elephant, Fighter Squadron and Silver Fleet have in common? … Continue readingNot in Love with 10cc

AS I mentioned in a previous column, 1974 saw Joni Mitchell celebrating her assimilation into Hollywood A-list society courtesy of her gay friend and manager David Geffen. In the early stages of … Continue readingJoni’s masterpieces – Part 3

A FEW days ago it was revealed that the greatly admired American singer-songwriter John Prine was seriously ill with coronavirus. Prine, 73, was admitted to hospital on Thursday March 26 … Continue readingPrayin’ for Prine

WHEN Free played their first gig, at a pub in South London, only two of them were old enough to order a pint. Singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke … Continue readingFree: All Right Then

FOR simple songs straight from the heart, Iris DeMent’s debut album Infamous Angel is hard to beat. Her delivery is unspoilt, unadorned, often childlike in its charm and the quality of her … Continue readingFlavour of DeMent