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25 Favourite CDs
A Parcel of Steeleye Span: Their First Five Chrysalis Albums 1972-1975A Parcel of Steeleye Span: Their First Five Chrysalis Albums 1972-1975 by Steeleye Span
Buy new: £11.98
5 great, classic Steeleye albums beautifully remastered. Folk-Rock at it's very best.
Liege & LiefLiege & Lief by Fairport Convention
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £8.75
Fairport's finest moment, finally in good sound.
Solid AirSolid Air by John Martyn
Buy new: £8.58 / Used from: £8.95
The great late John Martyn. Great songwriting, wonderful production and an instantly recognisable performance style.
Mock TudorMock Tudor by Richard Thompson
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.43
Top-drawer songwriting and brilliant singing and guitar playing. One of the great singer/songwriters.
RumoursRumours by Fleetwood Mac
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £8.89
Faultless pop/rock masterpiece from consistently brilliant musicians.
HeydaysHeydays by Tim Hart
Buy new: £5.68 / Used from: £4.90
Collects together 3 LPs of beautifully sung folk songs featuring Steeleye Span members Tim Hart and Maddy Prior.
Tales Of Mystery And Imagination (2CD)Tales Of Mystery And Imagination (2CD) by The Alan Parsons Project
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £18.50
Dark, chilling and exciting. Finally on CD in quality sound, this is APP's finest hour.
Song To A SeagullSong To A Seagull by Joni Mitchell
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.95
Not her best well known album, but an excellent collection of finely crafted songs with some beautifully intimate singing.
TownesTownes by Steve Earle
Buy new: £8.78 / Used from: £13.58
An eloquent and loving tribute to Townes van Zandt. One of 2009's best records.
Achtung BabyAchtung Baby by U2
Buy new: £5.68 / Used from: £1.00
Everyone talks about Joshua Tree, but this is a harder edged and more industrial sounding U2 with some cracking songwriting.
Best of BowieBest of Bowie by David Bowie
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £3.56
Not usually a fan of compilations, but this is well planned and well mastered. Bowie's brilliance is in strong evidence.
From The WitchwoodFrom The Witchwood by Strawbs
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.49
My favourite Strawbs album. Brilliantly textured arrangements and some of Cousin's very finest songwriting.
Everyone Is Everybody ElseEveryone Is Everybody Else by Barclay James Harvest
Buy new: £6.18 / Used from: £4.50
The album that introduced BJH to Polydor and re-launched them with a leaner sound. Great songwriting by both Lees and Holroyd.
A Day at the RacesA Day at the Races by Queen
Buy new: £10.78 / Used from: £5.00
To me this is the real sound of Queen. Powerful and original rock music.
A Night at the OperaA Night at the Opera by Queen
Buy new: £10.78 / Used from: £7.99
Very much a companion to 'A Day At The Races' and equally as impressive. Fabulous.
ExercisesExercises by Nazareth
Buy used from: £9.97
Massively under-rated second album from the Scottish rockers. 'I Will Not Be Led' is one of my favourite songs.
Home Before DarkHome Before Dark by Neil Diamond
Buy new: £7.08 / Used from: £0.01
A true artist and a superb twilight years album.
American III: Solitary ManAmerican III: Solitary Man by Johnny Cash
Buy new: £8.79 / Used from: £5.18
Listening to this album is like having the great man performing just for you. Perfection.
Over: Remastered & ExpandedOver: Remastered & Expanded by Peter Hammill
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £6.39
Bitter, twisted, anguished, reflective and brilliant.
The BendsThe Bends by Radiohead
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.35
Better than 'OK Computer', this is a collection of great songs without any of the excess baggage.
The CollectionThe Collection by Simon & Garfunkel
Buy new: £13.98 / Used from: £11.24
These albums are so consistently great that it is impossible to single one out. Buy the box!
In the Land of Grey and PinkIn the Land of Grey and Pink by Caravan
Buy new: £6.48 / Used from: £4.43
My favourite Caravan album. Very distinctive and hugely enjoyable.
The AlbumsThe Albums by Abba
Buy new: £30.28 / Used from: £17.99
For catchy pop songs Abba still set the standard. The early albums are the best.
Crosby Stills & NashCrosby Stills & Nash by Crosby Stills and Nash
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £3.40
3 incredible musicians at their peak.
Harvest (Remastered CD)Harvest (Remastered CD) by Neil Young
Buy new: £6.98
Finally available in a properly remastered release, and well worth the wait.