John Lees – A Major Fancy (1973)

One of the main songwriters and the lead guitarist for Barclay James Harvest.   The band released four albums on EMI’s ‘Harvest’ label (allegedly named after the band); falling sales and management issues meant for a few months they had no record contract before signing with Polydor in 1974.  But during that hiatus they were forbidden to use the band name; a couple of singles under the name ‘Bombadil’ came out and John, who had accumulated a few songs released his one and only completely solo album.  I loved it, it was a bit amateurish and a couple of tracks are little more than demo’s, but it had John’s voice and guitar now unaccompanied by the big orchestral band sound.  The band were hugely successful, especially in Germany and Europe and had a solid following in the UK.  They carried on until 1998 when the two remaining members formed their separate versions of Barclay James Harvest; by far the most prolific and creative was John, who continues with occasional concerts and a threatened new album early in 2025.

On this one solo project I particularly like the tracks – ‘Brave New World’, ‘The Devils That I Keep’ and ‘Star Bright’.

Ray LaMontagne – Trouble (2004)

A relative youngster in this series, Ray was born in 1973.  Now, I first heard of him via TV adverts for this, his debut aalbum.  Not a good start, as I automatically think it will be crap, but that month’s ‘Uncut’ had a review and gave it 4 stars, so I took a punt and bought it.  Ever on the lookout for new singer-songwriters, especially in a folky Americana style I instantly loved it.  The songs are excellent, the backing discreet mostly and that voice, sometimes scarcely more than a whisper, draws you in.  Very melancholic really; no bad thing in my books – the opening track repeats the word ‘Trouble’ six times.  I bought his next two records and was a bit disappointed, the songs were more upbeat and not quite as memorable, though still a good listen.   But – this one is am absolute treat.  Best tracks  – ‘Trouble’, ‘Hold you in My Arms’ and ‘Narrow Escape’.

Gordon Lightfoot – If You Could Read My Mind (1970)

The original title of this album was ‘Sit Down Young  Stranger’ but after the huge success of the song the record company re-released and re-labelled it.  However, it was not his first album; his fifth in fact (thanks Wikipedia) though, despite writing a handful of classics songs recorded by others he was relatively unknown.  But this album came along at exactly the right time as the singer-songwriter boom was just breaking.  The record is quite folky really – but there is an honesty and a clarity of purpose in that deep voice. The title song itself, which has remained one of my very favourites of all time, was written after a long-term love affair ended; Gordon was heartbroken and wrote this in the form of a letter/poem.  Although strangely, as the finished song, it is really uplifting and hauntingly inspiring.  Other songs on the album I love are ‘Approaching Lavender’ and ‘Poor Little Alison’ and ‘Minstrel Of The Dawn’.  Gordon went on to a long and illustrious career.  He died in 2023.

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Mark Knopfler – Golden Heart (1996)

Well, of course, Mark was the lead guitarist and singer with Dire Straits.  He had already written the soundtracks for a handful of films but decided on a solo career as Dire Straits were in almost semi-retirement and a bit past their triumphant best.  This album was indeed superb; a complete change of style – or rather styles, as it is very varied.  It feels as if Mark felt that now he had nothing to lose and could just play and write and sing whatever he fancied; a bit more folky, a bit more indie sounding – but still that great voice and guitar.   Favourite tracks of mine include the title track, ‘Darling Pretty’ and ‘Vic and Ray’, ‘Cannibals’ and‘ Rudiger’ – but this is one of those actually quite rare albums where there isn’t a poor track on it.  And with 14 tracks, several over 5 minutes long this is both great value for money, but if anything a bit too long.  I still quite like those early vinyl albums which were less than 20 minutes a side, some even coming in at 32 minutes in total – so you instantly wanted to hear it all again….whereas at 70 minutes or so you are quite exhausted and just want to hear something else. 

Carole King – Writer (1970)

Carole worked in the ‘60s as a songwriter with her husband Gerry Goffin and had many big hits as the Goffin/King team.  Divorced in the late 60’s she decided to pursue a solo career singing both new songs and a few of her co-compositions.  This album sold poorly at the time, and I only picked it up after the phenomenal success of her follow-up ‘Tapestry’, which was on every turntable at every party in the early Seventies.   Carole has a warm voice, which draws you in, and lets loose the emotion of the song.   And what a bunch of songs – a few old classics of hers – ‘Going Back’ and ‘Up On The Roof’  – but quite a few I had never heard before; best are ‘Spaceship Races’, ‘Raspberry Jam’ and ‘Eventually’.  Someone once told me to always look out for the album before the big hit…it usually is pretty good too.  And this is no exception.  Carole also took a great decision to stop releasing, what seemed less and less exciting records, in 1976.  She didn’t tour much either, relying on her great classic albums to cement her legacy. 

Paul Kennerley – White Mansions (1978)

A bit of a unique entry this one.  This record, a musical drama of the American Civil War from the Southern (losing) point of view, was written in it’s entirety by Paul Kennerley – but he doesn’t sing or play on it at all.   It featured vocals from Waylon Jennings, Steve Cash, John Dillon and Jessi Colter; these four tell the story of the enthusiasm and the sadness and misery of loss in that terrible conflict.  But on top of that it is a great album full of memorable and wonderful songs.  The whole thing is best listened to as a whole and is one of the best concept albums ever.  Hard to pick best songs as they are all so great but I especially love ‘Southern Boys’, ‘The Southland’s Bleeding’ and ‘A Union Mare and A Confederate Grey’.  It was a minor hit and is now coupled with Kennerley’s other great concept album ‘The legend Of Jesse James’ – which is, if anything, even better and features Johnny Cash and EmmyLou Harris among others.  Paul became a country music songwriter and sometime producer and worked extensively with EmmyLou – but he never wrote anything as powerful or moving as White Mansions and it’s follow-up.  These two records are among my very favourite albums of all time..

Kris Kristofferson – Me and Bobby McGee (1970)

The story goes that Kris was working as a janitor at Nashville recording studios and he discovered where Johnny Cash was staying.  Supposedly he persuaded a friend to ‘borrow’ a helicopter and Kris dropped a tape (in those days not a cassette) onto Cash’s porch.  Cash listened and liked it and helped Kris get a record deal and recorded one of his songs too.  Well, whether strictly true or not, the album was meant as a showcase for Kris’s songwriting – he didn’t expect to become a star.  But the album, the songs and the voice, were so good that it became a huge hit. Artists were indeed falling over themselves to record his songs but he was a huge success in is own right.  And no wonder; every song is great and a couple are absolute classics – ‘Me and Bobby McGee, ‘Help me Make It Through The Night’ and ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’.  I loved Kris from the get-go; of course I was always a country music fan – but Kris blurred the definitions and was pure soul and rock and roll too.  What an album.  He married and recorded with Rita Coolidge and also later formed The Highwaymen with Ricky Nelson, Waylon Jennings and old Cash himself.  Oh, by the way he was a great film actor too.  And blow me down if he didn’t up and die a few days ago just as I was listening again to his timeless songs.  

This was the breakthrough album for Billy – his first in 1970 sunk quicker than the Titanic – and rests largely on the title track – still a huge favourite worldwide.  Billy has been compared to an American Elton John, but that is unfair to both artists.  Billy certainly has an American style and had hit after hit for decades – but his songs are often deeper than this with quite subtle insights and political leanings.  He went on to huge fame, and had a great knack for coming up with instantly addictive melodies.  On this one my favourites are obviously ‘Piano Man’, but I also like ‘You’re My Home’ and ‘Somewhere Along The Line’.  Of course the album should never have made it as it has maybe the worst cover ever, an almost ghostly portrait with tired washed out eyes, not all indicative of the warm and pleasant songs on it.

Jonathon Kelly – Twice Round The Houses  (1972)

Another great singer-songwriter that history has largely forgotten.  A short career for this Irish troubadour; just a couple as a solo artist before he formed a band Jonathon kelly’s Outside – one album and another solo and he called it a day.  But the two solo albums he made with RCA are really quite amazing.  This one was very lyrical and folky, a genre he later moved away from sadly.  I saw him in ’72 at the Roundhouse and was hooked by his gentle voice and compelling songs.  I wonder where all this promise went…but maybe it was just that all his great songs were used up on these two albums and he had nothing left in the tank; he stopped performing in 1976.  I think that Gilbert O’Sullivan suffered in the same way before settling into a very middle of the road style.  But at least we have these two albums, especially this one.  There is a real charm in these songs and his tales of ‘Sligo Fair’ and ‘The Ballad of Cursed Anna’ and the lovely ‘Madeleine’.  I have realised that not all artists are destined for fame and fortune or indeed longevity, but that doesn’t make their efforts any less worthwhile.  Jonathon died in 2020.

Joe Jackson – Look Sharp (1979)

This album landed soon after punk was dying and the ‘New Wave’ was still beginning to break.  It seemed like a breath of fresh air at the time, and the songs still sound fresh today.  There are hints of punk and reggae and soul and of course, Joe’s unique voice – but as always it is the songs that make the album great….oh, and a really great cover illustration of a pair of cool white dancing shoes.  His first single from this collection was a huge hit too ‘Is She Really Going Out With Him’ and is possibly his best song too.  I loved the album – especially ‘Sunday Papers’, ‘Fools In Love’ and the title track.  For what ever reason I didn’t buy any more of his records, except a Greatest Hits selection (who knows why we follow some artists to the grave and others get by with just one purchase?)– but I still love the energy and raw sound of this one.