Now playing …
Released 47 years ago today, completing what I regard as the greatest successive three album run ever.
Animals captures a cohesive (soon to be divided) Floyd at their musical peak and lyricist Roger Waters at his most vicious and direct.
Timeless and relevant.
Tonight’s listening …
Ahead of Macca’s headlining performance at Glastonbury tomorrow, without a shadow of a doubt the greatest Greatest Hits collection ever.
Beatles haters need not reply.
“ Confusion will be my epitaph
As I crawl, a cracked and broken path
If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh
But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying … ”
Undoubtedly one of the most important recordings of my generation.
Last up tonight …
50 years ago yesterday one of the most enduring albums in the history of prog rock was released.
I wonder if those five 23 year olds realised that their music would still be revered half a century later.
Now playing …
A very strong candidate for my favourite album. Ever.
My favourite bit? The lyrics to Los Endos, which echo those that conclude Supper’s Ready and provide the perfect bridge between the two line-ups.
Eight perfect tracks (waits for all those RA+B haters…)
Now playing …
So sad to hear about Alan White. He played drums and percussion on my favourite track of all time - the most perfect song ever recorded IMHO - and for that he’ll always be remembered …
Rest easy fella and thanks for the music 🎶 🎵
#awaken
Happy 50th birthday to quite simply the greatest album ever recorded.
I first heard it a few days after it’s release at a friend’s house, played on his father’s hifi with speakers filling the cavities between the chimney breast.
Time came on and I was hooked …
Now playing …
47 years ago today Genesis released what I believe to their finest album.
Confronted with the loss of their charismatic frontman and consequently written off by the music press, the remaining members responded by producing an enduring and endearing masterpiece.
Now playing …
Arguably my favourite album of all time.
Easily the band’s greatest achievement, given the circumstances and enormous pressure under which it was recorded.
The songwriting, the musicianship, Colin Elgie’s artwork and Phil’s vocals are all completely flawless.
Now playing … my favourite Yes album.
Upbeat throughout, the return of Rick Wakeman and … Awaken, for me quite simply the best track ever recorded. By anyone. Ever.
An absolute dream and for me their last venture into greatness.
Last up tonight …
Released 48 years ago today.
Imagine having to follow Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England and The Lamb: minus your charismatic lead singer.
This is why I regard this as the band’s greatest achievement.
Pre-dinner tunes.
My favourite live album of all time and one on which for me (perhaps somewhat controversially if you prefer the PG era) every track is the definitive version.
Firth of Firth, Supper’s Ready and The Cinema Show showcase a band at their peak.
Tonight’s listening … one of my most precious possessions.
Released 45 years ago today and for me, quite simply the best live recording ever released: nothing gets remotely close.
My only criticism is that it could and should have been a triple album.
Just watched the short documentary for the forthcoming, and final Beatles single Now and Then with a lump in my throat.
IMHO the most important band of my generation
I’m sure I’ll get a fair few replies (as usual) stating how grossly overrated they were. Don’t waste your time.
Last up tonight …
52 years old today and for me, their best* with Gabriel at the helm. The average age of the band at the time was a ridiculously young 21.
* cue replies saying I’m wrong and it was in fact Selling England By The Pound.
Happy 72nd birthday to
@itspetergabriel
The albums he made with Genesis - and indeed his early solo albums - were amongst the best that progressive rock has.
Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and early ‘70s Genesis tour manager Richard Macphail photographed recently at the O2 Arena in London.
- photo courtesy of Maggie Cole.
Now playing …
Still reeling from the departure of Steve Hackett and their strange - and for me, musically fatal - decision not to replace him with another innovative guitarist, this was an album I didn’t want to like.
But I did.
Now playing …
Every track an absolute gem (all killers, no fillers) with the distinctive and very different songwriting and singing of Hodgson and Davies combining to make this (for me, anyway) one of the very best albums of the ‘70s.
Now playing …
A favourite since the day I first heard it, still reeling from the departure of Steve Hackett.
For me, pretty much every track on here is the definitive version, not least the phenomenal Cinema Show.
An 11/10 album if ever I’ve heard one.
Now playing …
IMHO the best live album ever.
One of the few albums I remember buying. I recall it was released on a Friday, which meant a rush home from work to get to my local record shop, Miltons in Bristol.
I arrived too late and had to wait until Saturday morning. Gutted.