I Plan To Stay A Believer

One of the greatest live albums, no scratch that, one of the greatest albums of them all, Curtis Mayfield's "Curtis/Live!" has more soul than a pair of clown shoes. The great man's beautiful voice and unique guitar style (he tuned his guitar to the black piano keys, giving him an open F-sharp tuning -- F#, A#, C#, F#, A#, F#) are perfectly matched to the best songs of his solo years and his time with the Impressions. Just listen to 'People Get Ready' here and if you don't instantly get religion then you are destined to be damned forever. I also strongly recommend you get you hand on the "Curtis" album. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" gets all the praise and while that's a fantastic album, "Curtis" is just as strong if soul with a message is your bag.

Many thanks to the great JR HeatWarp, straight outta Austin, Texas.

The Darlings Of Wapping Wharf Launderette

It would take a big stick to beat the Small Faces, check out this great BBC documentary narrated by Billy Bragg. It had me reaching for my Ogden's.

More O' The Man

Hats off to Pessi, here's another great Van Morrison album, "Beautiful Vision".
It contains at least three example's of Van's godlike genius in "She Gives Me Religion", "Celtic Ray" and the title track, the rest of it's not to be sneezed at either. Here's a photo of Van yesterday, as delighted as ever to have his picture taken.

Bowie

An acoustic version of "Dead Man Walking", originally from Bowie's "Earthling" album. Further proof, if it were needed, that Bowie is still writing great songs. Rumour has it that there's a new album this year, although the heart attack has apparently put an end to touring. Go and buy the DVD of the Reality tour that was recorded here in Dublin, I was there and it was top. I'm only sure of this because I bought the DVD of course. After the gig, we repaired to a local ale house where I detailed to the Coff each song I thought was great, only to have him answer "he didn't play that one Carty, what gig were you at?", this was the result of being in an advanced state of refreshment before Bowie even took the stage.

The Two Davids

Great lost classic from the 80's, kindly provided by our friend tilted2oneside

Philo

Another of the greatest Irish singles, here's the god-like Phil Lynott with "Old Town". It's unfortunate that this is interupted by Niall Stokes and Bob Geldof but it's the best video of it I could find and it does contain one of the great moments in rock, when Philo goes "OLA!" with the fist aloft. Hurrah!

The Blades

Here's one of my nominations for the greatest Irish single. Paul Cleary & The Blades from the mid eighties. An absolute classic.