Marc's TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2012

Hi,

Over the last 12 months, I've enjoyed a stream of fantastic albums that have proved 2012 has not been shy of delivering some excellent music.  I hope you enjoy my Top 10 and if you discover you have not got one of these records in your collection you may feel inspired to take a listen !! 

Best Wishes
Marc x

1 MARILLION Sounds That Can't Be Made
  
2 JOSS STONE The Soul Sessions Vol 2

3 MARK EITZEL Don't Be A Stranger

4 CHRISTIAAN WEBB A Man Possessed

5 JASON LYTLE Dept. Of Disappearance

6 RUSH Clockwork Angels

7 HUGH CORNWELL Totem & Taboo

8 SMOKE FAIRIES Blood Speaks

9 SCOTT WALKER Bisch Bosch

10 ELTON JOHN vs PNAU Good Morning To The Night

HUGH CORNWELL ~ TAVISTOCK WHARF ~ 20/10/2012

A busy week climaxed last night at the Tavistock Wharf, where I crossed the moors to see Hugh Cornwell perform the entirety of his new album Totem And Taboo and The Stranglers classic 1977 masterpiece "No More Heroes" with keyboards courtesy of bass man Steve Fishman.  Hugh, Steve and powerhouse drummer Chris Bell dutifully delivered both albums to the Wharf like an incendiary bomb exploding, pummelling out new numbers I Want One Of Those and A Street Called Carroll where Hugh's guitar beautifully runs alongside Steve's rumbling bass lines that then bleed into No More Heroes which tonight is executed in it's original album sequence "I Feel Like A Wog" setting the frantic pace and highlights for me being "Bring On The Nubiles", "Peasant in the Big Shitty" and the moody "School Mam" with encores "Strange Little Girl" and Hooverdam barnstormer "Going To The City" wrapping up proceedings.  10/10

"STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN" - JOHN PAUL JONES

I am looking forward to hearing the legendary John Paul Jones collaboration with Norwegian outfit Supersilent.  The Led Zeppelin bass supremo is stepping out with the avant-improv artists in November in the UK and I hope to catch them at Arnolfini in Bristol on November 17th

                                       Marc with John Paul on the "Stairway"

SMOKE FAIRIES @ ACOUSTICA FESTIVAL ~ 15/09/12

Smoke Fairies headlined the Acoustica Festival at Exeter Phoenix on Saturday and brought once again their beguiling brand of ethereal, swampy guitar pop to Devon kick starting their major Blood Speaks UK and European tour and if this gig is anything to go by, audiences will be utterly entranced by Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies entwined, angelic voices and raw, bluesy guitars airing tracks from the new album Blood Speaks which sustains the class of the debut Through Low Light And Trees but just adds a few Bloody Mary's to the mix and at this gig very cogent and sublime.

 

 

                                                         "The Three Of Us"

 

HUGH CORNWELL ~ TOTEM AND TABOO

Hugh Cornwell ~ Totem And Taboo

Hugh's new album "Totem And Taboo" through PledgeMusic (http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/hughcornwell) arrived in my post yesterday and last night I listened to the whole CD with a chilled bottle of Pouilly Fume. 

Totem And Taboo kicks off in fine style with a drum intro reminiscent of Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging" and from the off the production courtesy of the legendary Steve Albini ushers in a solid mix of Hugh's electric guitars, rumbling Stranglers~esque bass from Steve Fisherman and the busy drums of Chris Bell.

The album reminds me of The Who in places especially on "Stuck In Daily Mail Land" which echoes "Substitute" but the main highlight of this album is Hugh's brilliant guitar runs and soloing, especially on the moody "A Street Called Carroll" and the nine minute 36 second epic Film noir of "In The Dead Of Night" ~ all swampy guitars and Hugh's distinctive vocals.

Totem And Taboo is yet another fine outing from Hugh Cornwell which sustains the high quality of 2008's "Hooverdam" and will please many Stranglers fans who might have strayed from Hugh's solo career. 

Metro

I really was fond of the Metro club in Oxford Street, London

it got demolished pretty much after I saw The Webb Brothers do a gig there back in October 2005

always sad to see music venues close down. 

anyway the photograph below of me was taken in the Metro bar before The Webb Brothers gig.  There was talk of a concept album entitled Music From The God Helmet in the pipeline but unfortunately this never saw the light of day.

THE BLOCKHEADS ~ JAZZ CAFE ~ 24/02/12

The Blockheads first London gig of 2012 at the Jazz Cafe, Camden kicked off in fine style with "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" it's familiar riff that lights the blue touch paper to a set that tonight mixes "A Little Knowledge" and "George The Human Pigeon" from 2008's "Staring Down The Barrel" with Blockheads staples "Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 3)" "Sweet Gene Vincent" and "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" and throws in the fantastic "Dance Little Rude Boy" from the underrated 2002 "Ten More Turnips From The Tip" album.

A packed crowd at the Jazz Cafe laps up this most revered of British bands whose musicianship is second to none and is so honed and slick after 35 years in the business.  This was a better gig for me than Ronnie Scott's back in November last year and as always the sound mix is spot on exemplifying the sheer musicality of The Blockheads.

After the show, the evening took a turn in the park ~ Lee Harris, The Blockhead's Manager very kindly allowed me into the VIP backstage area of the Jazz Cafe after I explained I came up from Exeter to see the gig and armed with Chaz Jankel records promptly ushered me in to meet Chaz and also present was John Turnbull.  A brilliant chat with Chaz who autographed  "Looking At You" and "Chazablanca", "Lord Upminster" and "Do It Yourself", China Soul's excellent single "Cold" (which Chaz co-wrote and produced) and Robbie Williams "Reality Killed The Video Star" which Chaz contributed "Do You Mind" which in my opinion is the Number One single Robbie Williams never released.

An absolutely wonderful time.