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2nd October 2026
Album of the Week: T. REX 1974 - 1977 ( Demon ) Marc Bolan was born Marc Field on September 30th , 1947 in London and as a teenager made a living as a male model . His first three records , on the Decca label , all failed to chart, when released in 1965/66 . He then joined London psychedelic group John’s Children ( opening for my old band The Move on occasions ). But the three records he made with them also failed to chart. However in 1968 things began to change when Marc teamed up with Steve Peregrine-Took, naming themselves after the prehistoric monster Tyannasaurus Rex and Marc’s career finally took off, charting with three , albeit minor, hits in 1968/69. Then in 1970 superstardom came to Marc Bolan when he formed a new band , naming it T. Rex and over the next five years he wrote and recorded an astonishing run of huge hits including four number ones - Hot Love , Get It On , Telegram Sam and Metal Guru plus four of his songs that made number two - Ride A White Swan , Jeepster , Children Of The Revolution and Solid Gold Easy Action. Tragically , on September 16th 1977 , shortly before what would have been his 30th birthday , Marc Bolan was killed in a car crash . Pressed on classic black vinyl, all of the tracks on this double album were recorded between 1974 and 1977 in Los Angeles , London , Paris and Munich . There are 24 tracks in all , previously unreleased recordings of studio takes and works in progress . A real collector’s item this one . Little known facts department - Marc Bolan played guitar on ELO’s 1974 hit single Ma Ma Ma Belle and even got up on stage with us one time at a gig near London . Marc was a lovely , gentle soul . Music Book of the Week: Bob Seger On Track by John Van der Kiste ( Sonicbond publishing ) £16:99p Bob Seger began his career during the 1960’s , fronting various bands in the Michigan area . He was a local hero who took almost a decade to break through to a national American audience . The in concert Live Bullet followed by the single and album Night Moves in 1976 established him as a major attraction at home and internationally . Further single successes came with Hollywood Nights and We’ve Got Tonight and hit albums included Stranger In Town, Against The Wind and The Distance , touring with his backing group The Silver Bullet Band. This book examines every album track and single from his lengthy career . Nostalgic Review of the Week: From Sunday Mercury, December 2005 Bev Bevan’s Top 10 Albums of the Year . I Delbert McClinton Cost Of Living ( New West ) Delbert first came to fame playing harmonica on Bruce Chanel’s Hey Baby in 1962 . He has developed into one of the best country rockers in the business. 2 Bonnie Raitt Souls Alike ( Capitol ) Simply the best girl singer around and this is another fine album . She knows how to pick great songs too like I Will Not Be Broken, Deep Water and The Bed I Made . Bonnie is playing Birmingham in April . Don’t miss it . 3. Robert Plant Night Rearranger ( Sanctuary ) My good friend Robert is back with his finest solo album so far . Brilliantly backed by his new band Strange Sensation, there’s heavy rock , psychedelia, folk and some Arab influences too . 4. Iommi Fused ( Sanctuary ) I worked with Tony Iommi in Black Sabbath in the mid 80’s and he remains one of my closest friends. The godfather of heavy metal is as always in fine guitar playing form and is ably assisted on vocals by Glenn Hughes . 5. Rodney Crowell The Outsider ( Colombia ) Crowell has been on the American country scene since the 70’s and written many fine songs . His lyrics are incisive on the likes of Beautiful Despair and Ignorance Is The Enemy. 6. Paul Anka Rock Swings ( Globe ) Anka has been around since the 50’s , scoring many hits . He also co-wrote My Way . This is a set of rock classics like Jump and Smells Like Teen Spirit given a swing backing . 7. Michael Buble It’s Time ( Reprise ) Another well produced album that makes for perfect dinner party music with fine arrangements of I’ve Got You Under My Skin , Feeling Good and Save The Last Dance For Me . 8. Eric Heatherly The Lower East Side Of Life (Universal ) Fine guitar playing and some good songs too with cutting lyrics on Judging Beauty , Dark Days and the deliciously titled Who Needs Enemies With A Family Like You ? 9. Jessi Alexander Honeysuckle Sweet ( Colombia ) The title track is the best on this CD by new young country singer songwriter Jessi Alexander with her debut album , recorded in Nashville . 10. Alison Kraus Lonely Runs Both Ways ( Rounder ) Splendidly backed by her band Union Station this is another fine album by Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Alison Kraus . |
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25th September 2026
Album of the Week: Billy Fury The Decca A’s and B’s - 1959 - 1966 ( Beat Goes On ) Billy Fury was born Ronald Wycherley on April 1, 1941. In 1958 he was signed by impresario Larry Parnes , who changed his name to Billy Fury and secured him a deal with Decca Records . He became arguably Britain’s best ever rock and roll singer, with a great stage presence . My old band The Move supported Billy Fury at The Royal Aquarium Theatre in Great Yarmouth on Sunday August 27th , 1967. We were due to do a run of shows there with him, but we were sacked for being too loud for Billy’s fans ! This superb double CD collection has on it a massive 62 tracks, including his top twenty hit singles Maybe Tomorrow, Collette , That’s Love , A Thousand Stars , Halfway To Paradise, Jealousy , I’d Never Find Another You ,Last Night Was Made For Love , Once Upon A Dream , Like I’ve Never Been Gone , When Will You Say I Love You, In Summer , Somebody Else’s Girl , Do You Really Love Me Too , I Will , It’s Only Make Believe , I’m Lost Without You and In Thoughts Of You . A hero of mine , I only met him that one time in Great Yarmouth and he came across as a great guy . Troubled by heart problems all of his life, he died of heart failure on January 28th , 1983 aged just 42 . Music Book of the Week: The Beatles 1967 - 1970 & Beyond On Track by Alberto Bravin & Andrew Wild ( Sonicbond publishing £16:99p ) As The Beatles abandoned touring and turned the studio into a creative laboratory, they began an era of of boundless invention - Sgt Pepper , Magical Mystery Tour , The White Album , Abbey Road and Let It Be - albums that reshaped popular music. This book explores how psychedelia, avant garde , Eastern philosophy and cultural upheaval collided with fame , business tensions and four increasingly distinct personalities. Sharp and incitefull the book reveals not just how The Beatles ended , but how they became immortal . It was an honour for me when my first band Denny Laine and the Diplomats opened for The Beatles at the Old Hill Plaza on July 7th , 1963 . Nostalgic Review of the Week: ( Sunday Mercury December 28th , 2003 ) Bev Bevan’s albums of the year 1 Emmy Lou Harris / Stumble Into Grace ( Nonesuch ) . I gave her show a great review when she performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall this year. I’ve loved her records since she began in the 70’s and still do . 2 Michael Buble / Michael Buble (WEA) . The young Canadian has so much potential that it’s frightening. He’s already won an army of admirers who love his jazz swing. Could he be the next Sinatra ? I think so . 3 Michael McDonald/ Motown (UMTV) . I’ve loved Michael’s voice ever since his days with The Doobie Brothers. I saw his concert at the Symphony Hall too . 4 Stereophonics/ You Gotta Go There To Come Back (V2), One of the best live bands in the world. Oh , and yes , my great grandfather was Welsh so maybe it runs in the blood . 5 The Darkness/ Permission To Land (Atlantic). Although Justin’s voice does get irritating at times there’s no doubt that this band, tongue in cheek or not , has been a breath of fresh air. 6. Annie Lennox/ Bare ( RCA ) Although not as good as her previous solo album Medusa , this is still nice stuff. Following the tragic death of Dusty Springfield a few years ago , Annie must rate as Britain’s finest female vocalist . 7. Robert Palmer / Drive (UMTV) What a shock Roberts’s death was. His last studio album saw him returning to his blues roots and this set proves there’s another fine singer for that Heavenly choir . 8. Barb Jungr/Waterloo Sunset (Linn) An excellent mix of songs ranges from The Kinks title track to Dylan’s Like A Rolling Stone , all performed in jazzy, folky and funky style. Imagine a cross between Peggy Lee and Nina Simone. 9. Buddy Miller/Midnight And Lonesome ( Hightone ) The solo album from the guitarist in Emmy Lou’s Spyboy backing band is very country with great songs ranging from Percy Mayfield to Jesse Winchester. 10. Pink / Try This ( La Face ) The follow up to the multi million selling Missundazstood is rockier , trashier and totally in your face. Like a female Billy Idol but with even more attitude. |
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