So here we go part two of my ten favourite albums.

 1972 saw this album burst onto the scene. I first remember seeing Roxy on The Old Grey Whistle Test and being totally blown away. There was this guy in feathers and make up stood in front of a huge machine with loads of knobs and jack plugs that he kept pulling out and replacing. Eno had arrived alongside a front man with a snear a quiff and a great voice that made you not want to take your eyes away from the screen. Then there was a guy looking like an old rock n roller blowing away on a rasping sax, and guitar playing from one of the coolest looking people around. Add to this solid drumming and fine bass lines and we had Roxy Music. The radio stations started to play Virginia Plain and soon they would be household names. So the band was Bryan Ferry (vocals) Brian Eno (Synths & keyboards), Andy Mackay (Saxaphones), Phil Manzanera (Guitars), Paul Thompson Drums) & Graham Simpson (Bass). Picking a track from this their debut album is difficult, everyone is a gem. bUt here we go try this one for size.
"If there is something"

 P.F.M. "Photos of ghosts" appeared a year after Roxy Music and was the first Italian Band I had ever heard. Signed to Manticore the label run by Emerson Lake & Palmer, Premiata Forneria Marconi had an instant resonance with me. They had a jazz styling overlayed with a typical prog rock sound. The first track I remember hearing was "Celebration" which sounded in part like Dutch rockers Focus. Having heard this I purchased the single and quickly followed by the album. THis would be the first of many. I was lucky to get to see the band play live at Nottingham Students Union a couple of years later on their "Chocolate Kings" tour. That too is an album I listen to a fair bit, but the rules state only one album from each band or artist. So let's Celebrate with that first song of theirs I ever heard, "Celebration".

 It mat be hard to believe that some of the greatest soul hits from the sixties and seventies were written by a couple of white guys, but Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham are responsible for such songs as, "I'm your puppet", "Sweet Inspiration", "Cry like a baby", "The dark end of the street" & "Out of left field" to name just a few. During the month of November 1998 they decided to tour the UK and Ireland plying and singing many of the hits that they had written and had been hits for numerous soul legends. This album is made up of recordings from that brief tour.Thanks to Nick Lowe for inviting them over and giving us this wonderful slice of sweet Southern Soul. "Sweet Inspiration"

 It was by complete accident that I came upon Tom Russell. When we had our shop in Sutton in Ashfield I had a customer order an album on Hightone Records and when the order arrived from "Proper" they had sent the wrong one. I looked at the cover and thought that looks interesting. That album was "Borderland". I put the disc in the player and have been hooked ever since, many albums & gigs later this is still the album that I keep returning too. Tom Russell live is well worth seeing either on his own or with a band. Tom hails from the deep south of America along the Mexican border and this album evokes the sounds of that area. The interaction between the two nations is felt throughout the album with the sound of accordion playing of Joel Guzman. Recorded in Austin Texas between 2000 & 2001 it also features some fine guitar work by Andrew Hardin who toured with Tom for many years. Here we have "When Sinatra played Juarez"

  Finally, Christy Moore "Live at the Point". Christy Moore has been around for many years and has to be one, if not the greatest Irish songwriter. This album is the one album that if I am feeling low I can put on and it makes feel better. Classed as one of folks legends, this is a true reflection of his output, serious songs and fun songs that have you singing along. By the time I get to this song "Joxer goes to Stuttgart" i'm well and truly fine. It is a song that makes you feel Irish, if only for a few moments.

I hope you have enjoyed my selections, if you have please leave a comment.