Feb 18: Q is for Queen

An A-Z of bands through February suggested by Spotify when I type in each letter of the alphabet into the search...

So Spotify suggested Queen for 'Q'.

I've not really played a lot of Queen on Spotify, but it's one of the Q bands that will pop up when people search.

I certainly played a lot of it when I was younger, and I remember buying Queen 'Live Killers' album from Woolworths - a double LP, which I played a lot... 

I also bought the single for 'Bicycle Race' from the album Jazz... which I think was partly because of the design of the cover... the 'B' side was Fat Bottomed Girls.

I also remember this song coming out when I was at Primary school.

Some years ago, when I still did a lot of climbing, I was able to climb the Cioch on the Isle of Skye.

This is a dramatic spot: half way up a cliff which is hundreds of metres high.

It features in the film 'Highlander', the soundtrack to which had several songs by Queen.

Some details are here.

Of course, the iconic performance by Queen was as part of Live Aid (more on that to come when we get close to the anniversary of the event)....

All together... 'Daaay oh!"

Partial Queen Discography - AI generated.

What are your favourite Queen songs?

And would anyone have a different 'Q' band? 

Jan 19: Record Labels #1: ECM

The first of a series of posts featuring some record labels which champion music from global artists.

The record label which I perhaps have more of than any other in my collection is ECM.

ECM was founded by Manfred Eicher.

The covers of ECM music are always works of art.

This Substack article showcases some.

I have a great many ECM records in my collection. 

Here's five of my favourites, although ask me again tomorrow and I'll choose a different five:

1. 'Twelve Moons' - Jan Garbarek Group (1993)

2. Pat Metheny - 'Bright Size Life' (1976)

3. Keith Jarrett - 'Köln Concert (1975)

4. Anouar Brahem - 'Le pas du cat noir' (2002)

5. Ale Moller and Lena Willemark - 'Nordan' (1994)

Some of these will have their moment on the blog as well....

Here's the opening track from one of the albums, the wonderful 'Twelve Moons' - played live. I saw this band and this track performed live.

We also had sad news yesterday of the passing of an artist who has recorded many times with ECM: the virtuoso guitarist and pianist Ralph Towner. A real multi-instrumentalist.