Steve Harley – Hobo With A Grin (1976)

Steve was, of course, Cockney Rebel – who he dropped after a few albums to go solo.   But this was also a change of direction in many ways; gone were some of the histrionics and innovative sounds of his former band.  This was a more conventional album, no longer the glam-rocker, but a softer sounding singer-songwriter.  The songs are still excellent, of course – though not as instant (best is The Waves).  This is one of those albums that takes a bit longer to appreciate.   Steve took a break after one more album for a few years, and returned; sometimes as a solo artist, sometimes using the Cockney Rebel moniker.  A mixed second life really, still a large following form the Seventies.  I saw him back in the Seventies and again a few times in the two thousands – always a brilliant show.  Sadly, he passed away earlier this year – same age as me too. 

Gallagher and Lyle – Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle (1972)

Born out of the reasonably successful band McGuiness Flint, Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle decided to try their luck as a duo; they were the songwriting force behind the band – and had written for Mary Hopkins and others.  This first album was a very gentle ‘folk’ sounding record, produced by Glynn Johns who recorded their next three as well, it is gentle and lyrical and incredibly beautiful.  They have never denied their Scottish roots and until later in their very successful career allowed those Scottish accents to ring clear.  It is doubtful if a record like this could ever get released nowadays – no obvious singles and it’s just too quiet….which is, of course, why I loved them.  1972 was an incredible year, and I was buying albums every week; mostly far heavier than this, but somehow this has survived in my record collection where many of the others have faded from my memory.  Best tracks – opener ‘Mrs Canatelli’,  A Coat For The Spring’ and ‘Desiderata’ – but really every song is great.  A very underrated duo.

Steve Hackett – Voyage Of The Acolyte (1975)

Steve was the lead guitarist in Genesis.   A year after Peter left and Phil took up vocal duties the band were having a quiet spell, and Steve had built up quite a bit of music which for whatever reason were not considered Genesis songs. He was especially frustrated by the constant touring and the stresses of Petes last album with them ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’.   Steve remained in the band for two more albums but eventually left to continue as a highly successful solo artist.  He had never sung solo before and shared vocal duties with Phil and Sally Oldfield, but he wrote all the songs himself.  A loose concept emerged as he named all the songs from Tarot cards (a familiar Genesis theme) though what many of them are about I really have no idea….in a strange way the music is so incredible that the words being sung just drift in and out of your mind.  The album sounds slightly like the early Genesis stuff but with a bit more edge, especially on ‘Tower Struck Down’, but the songs are varied, as is Steve’s playing from accoustic to hard rocking, and my favourites are ‘Shadow of The Heirophant’ and ‘Ace Of Wands’.  Although not really a concept album I like to listen to the whole thing from start to finish as it hangs together really well, and is easily as good as anything Genesis did in the Seventies.  Steve has gone on to be a real favourite of mine and I am still buying his albums occasionally; a true original and one of the very best guitarists.

George Harrisson – All Things Must Pass (1970)

What can you say about George – the quiet, and actually quite awkward one (he walked out of the Let It Be sessions).  He was also a great guitarist and though slow to get started an excellent, and towards the end an equal, songwriter.   George was actually the first Beatle to release solo albums, two electronic efforts came out in the late 60s; they were not very good really.  The Beatles split in late 1969 when John eventually told the others but it was kept a secret until Paul announced the end a year later.  By then they were all embarking on solo careers.  Who would have guessed that the first to achieve number one records would be George with this, a triple album (although one disc was called Apple Jam and is pretty poor).  The album and single ‘My Sweet Lord’ went to number one everywhere.  Frustrated by only  being allowed two compositions on Beatles albums he had a stockpile of songs (the title track was a Beatles reject) and spent a few months recording them with Phil Spector brilliantly, with layers of sound, which actually worked this time.  My favourite songs are ‘I’d have You Anytime’, ‘isn’t it A Pity’ and ‘Wah-Wah’.  George went on to have a mixed solo career and died far too soon.

Carol Grimes – Carol Grimes (1977)

Continuing the series of almost total unknowns (but should have been knowns), Carol started off with a couple of rock bands – Delivery and Uncle Dog.  This is actually her second solo album – but who is counting.  I saw this lady with the incredible voice in 1977 in a pub in Finchley with Joybells.  And she blew me away.  What a voice and what a delivery -delicate and wistful one moment and loud and strident when she needed to be.  For me this was my introduction, though I have gone back and found her early albums.   And have sought out her very hard to find albums over the years; not usually on Amazon, mostly on e-bay where a small cohort of fans keep her flame burning.  Actually, I got chatting with her on her website, recounting where I had seen her and she kindly sent (to France) 4 rare albums and her autobiography.  What a great person; she has mostly moved into Jazz and Blues over the years and has played Ronnie Scott’s a couple of times.  This album features a few standards and some of her own.  Best are ‘Number One (In My Heart), ‘My Baby Specializes’ and ‘Dynamite’.  This was always a favourite record of Joy and mine. 

Goldfrapp – Felt Mountain (1990)

Formed in 1999, this duo consists of singer Alison Goldfrapp and keyboard and multi-instrumentist Will Gregory.  They play electronica and this album in particular was incredibly distinctive – nothing sounds anything like it.  After this debut they veered into synth-pop and a combination of folk and electronica – but Felt Mountain was in a league of it’s own, very cinematic and with swooping chords – I loved it.  I saw her live about 12 years ago and she put on a very glamourous show with changes of costume and dancers – but I was there for the music.  I have tried over the years to keep in touch with the best of ‘new’ music, and this was brilliant; you gotta keep an open ear.  Best on this debut are ‘Lovely Head’, ‘Human’ and ‘Utopia’.

David Gray – Lost Songs 89-93 (released 2000)

After the phenomenal success of ‘White Ladder’ (1999) David’s record company released a compilation of his first three albums which had sold poorly and were more or less unavailable, or hard to find.   And this album ‘ain’t half bad; the songs are almost as strong in themselves as his later big hits, but the production is pretty basic and very piano led.  David has one of those voices that sound so familiar and comforting and yet are distinctive enough to keep you interested; a sort of yearning and deep sadness seems to pervade many of them – and yet they can also be quite uplifting.  Recognised now as a major talent and still selling his quite sporadic albums, he has established himself.  But these songs are from a time when he was struggling to break through – it was only when White Ladder was accompanied by a modern, almost dance music production that he became successful.  Best on this are ‘Flame Turns Blue’, ‘january rain’ and ‘A Clean Pair Of Eyes’.

Golden Earring – Moontan (1973)

Well another album that I, like almost everyone in the country, thought was their first – was actually their ninth.  A Dutch band who stormed the UK in 1973 touring this album and hit single Radar Love.  I saw them live at Hammersmith Odeon with Joy and was blown away.  What a band, great songs and a four-piece with a big sound.  They were a real rock band, but with memorable songs and a unique sound.  The album went to Number One in the charts, but they never reached those dizzy heights again – but did keep the same four players and released many albums over the years until 2021 when guitarist and main songwriter George Kooymans was diagnosed with a serious illness.  But back in the day they were a short-lived but much loved phenomenon; this album was constantly on my record deck.  Best songs – ‘Radar Love’, ‘Vanilla Queen’ and ‘Are You receiving Me’.  Playing this has brought back so many memories of those heady early Seventies.

Phillip Goodhand-Tait – Rehearsal (1970)

Phillip was a minor singer-songwriter, most people haven’t heard of him, but he is a particular favourite of mine.  His voice is reminiscent of Rod but a bit quieter; who knows why some voices appeal and become instantly recognisable while others may be perfectly competent and yet we fail to make a connection with them.  Anyway, Phil is one artist I have followed throughout his career and sought out his albums, and still look out for them.  In the early 60’s he was lead singer in  a rock and roll band – The Stormsville Shakers – they never made it.  But he wrote a few songs for ‘The Love Affair’ which became minor hits.  He was picked up by DJM records and given the time and space to develop his own style (an unknown Elton was also on the label).  This first effort is pretty good and shows his variety of songwriting.  Best tracks are ‘Heaven help Belinda’, ‘Gone Are The Songs Of Yesteryear’ and ‘Jeannie’.  

Neil Finn – Try Whistling This (1998)

Having been a member of Split Enz and Crowded House and recording two albums with brother Tim, Neil decided on a solo career for a while, interspersed with reconvening Crowded House and a few other collaborative ventures.  So, as Neil was widely recognised as a great singer and songwriter expectations were high when he released  this first solo effort almost 25 years after first joining brother Tim in Split Enz.  And there is no denying that this and the few solo albums Neil has recorded are pretty good, but there is this niggling feeling that he is still trying to prove something.  Personally I think he works better within a band, but I still like this album.  A modern production and some heavy dance beats on a couple of songs add very little to what one loves about Neil; his way with unique melodies and that yearning and expressive voice.  Favourite songs on this ‘She Will Have Her Way’, ‘Addicted’ and ‘Sinner’.