Top tracks from our wonderful supporters - edition #1 - Ian Southall

Our new regular feature explores the music tastes of our friends, colleagues and supporters. Let’s see what floats Ian's boat.

Greetings

We asked Ian to pick ten of his favourite songs plus one of ours. Naturally, Ian being Ian, picked 11 and two.

Music is our life and we are really interested in the songs you love, so if you fancy contributing, just mail us!

Much love

Suzy & Simon

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Ian’s top tunes

Well guys, how do you pick 10 top songs? Let’s face it, you can’t - there’s just way too many and the more I started to think, the more came out of the ether.

So I’ve gone for a selection that has stood the test of time and that I never get sick of playing. It came relatively quickly to mind, with just a few tweaks to add variety. These are in no particular order.

The Bells of Berlin // Lone Star

Off the album, Firing on All Six. Little did Kenny Driscoll know when he wrote this that it would be 12 years before his lyrics came true.

This song hit me both musically and lyrically as it spoke of hope for the future and the powerful vocal really felt emotional.

I never get tired of hearing it. Great percussion too which really punched thru.

Stevie // Pat Travers

This song got me from the off and written about his hell-raisin’ kid brother which didn’t register at the time as it was, as is most songs with me, the musical hook.

Pat had an impressive lineup behind him on this song, Brian Robertson (ex Thin Lizzy) putting in some harmony lead and rhythm, Glen Hughes on backing vocal and Nico McBrain—who went on to join Iron Maiden—on drums.

This is another song that laid the foundation for my future love of the Blues.

Miracle // Above and Beyond (Acoustic)

My lad, who loves music as much as me, is into a whole different genre. But he also knows exactly what I like and he dragged me along to a gig at the Royal Albert by a 90s dance act called “Above and Beyond” who were doing an acoustic show.

I didn’t take much convincing as he prepped me by sitting me through their previous “Porchester Hall” acoustic set on YouTube.

When Annie Drury got up and sang Miracle I just fell head over heels in love with both her vocal and the song – very different for me, but my boy knew me better than I know myself, clearly!

Lonely Man // Status Quo

As a spotty 17-year-old with an acoustic banging out boogie rhythm with a cassette mic shoved inside and therefore badly amplified to get distortion - Mum wouldn’t let me have an electric!!

I spent hours playing along to the early Quo albums, but this one has stood the test of time with me as it’s miles away from their usual 12-bar three-chord menu. I love songs that build and build; this is a fine example.

Losing It // Rush

I was captivated by the violin in this lesser know song from the Rush stable.

I’m assuming it was penned by Neil Peart as he was responsible for most of the lyrics and this song summed up the reality of great talent “Sadder still to watch it die than never to have known it”.

The music really conveys the emotion for me.

Tarot Woman // Rainbow

The opening track on the groundbreaking “Rising” album just totally floored me as I first played it on my Mum and Dads’ music centre at full blast (they were out – but the neighbours weren’t tee hee)

The pure joy when you first put vinyl on the turntable having NEVER heard it before was just so special, I’m sure we can all remember in our teens getting totally lost in the music and this just takes me back to that moment every time.

If Only I Could // Sydney Youngblood

And now for something completely different. The bass groove was the first thing that got me and then that lovely acoustic guitar solo which really gave the tune a gorgeous twist. Uplifting lyrically too.

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Ripples // Genesis

Off Trick of the Tail, another song that instantly transports me back to a time when I was besotted with a member of the fairer sex, but felt I was losing her and this song just got to me and summed up my feelings at the time.

I look back fondly now, as the parting turned out to be inevitable. Anyway, I love the song; you just can’t help visualising the lyrics—and yeah, she had blue eyes!!

Purple Rain // Prince

The whole album is a masterpiece, I almost chose When Doves Cry because the percussion was so unique, but those opening ethereal chords on Purple Rain written by Wendy Melvoin are just gorgeous.

Mind you, the best live version I’ve witnessed brought a group of us literally to tears It was at Linton festival and it was covered by Ainsley Lister.

It was a balmy Sunday afternoon and as he played, stood in the middle of the audience on straw bales, you could hear a pin drop. We were emotional wrecks (copious amounts of good ale may have had a bearing mind!)

Talking to the Buddha // The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Another Linton live classic and now a staunch favourite is from this eclectic band of musicians who are just wonderful. It’s the first time I’ve seen a lead guitarist pick up a Mando and play it with a slide! Joziah’s vocal is almost ‘Dylan-like’ but better IMO. If you get a chance to catch ‘em live, do it.

I’m gonna cheat now and finish with an 11^th choice: well, amps go up to 11 don’t they?

Sunchyme // Dario G

Obviously based on Lights in a Northern Town by Dream Academy – this version  is just so uplifting… always came on the radio and made me jump out of bed, raring to go: mind you, there are songs that make me jump into...

I’ll get my coat.

And finally, two from Suzy and Simon…

Preacher Of Love (Live) // Starlite & Campbell

I first heard Starlite Campbell play at Linton Festival some years ago and immediately fell under their spell… and the groove!!

I hadn’t heard anything like this for a long time, the perfect tempo, retro sound and tight rhythm.. just when I thought it couldn’t get any better they hit me with Preacher. That was it!!! I needed to know more. I was up to their merch stand pdq to shake their hands and the rest is history!

Blow Them All To Pieces // Starlite & Campbell

Their latest album, Starlite.One, is definitely different bringing synths into play which, as you can tell by my other choices, sits very well with me.

I own the album on vinyl and my favourite track has to be Blow Them All To Pieces…

When we saw them in Ross-on-Wye last year Hugo’s bass drum skin split. While he was changing it Simon grabbed his acoustic guitar and played this song whilst wandering around the crowd pausing in various spots including our table… it’s as if he knew I love it.

It was a beautiful moment that will stay with me forever.