Category: Off the Beaten Tracks

AT the end of my second column about Nick Drake, he was dead from a drug overdose at the age of 26 having spent his final months in self-imposed squalor. How … Continue readingNick Drake: Now we rise

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