This week’s album-length playlist with music from artists including Paul McCartney & Wings, Procul Harum and The Who

The Gems album playlist—new and classic tracks, with listening notes, curated by Ian Sharp of LP

Welcome to Gems. Each week I curate a playlist of classics and new tracks. In keeping with the ethos of LP, each playlist is 40–45 minutes long - think of it as the equivalent of a sampler album from the 1970s.

Best listened to actively - enjoy a seven-day free trial to LP to read my Active Listening Manifesto - and, of course, you’ll continue to receive Gems, Glimpses and more with your free subscription. Thank you for your support either way.

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Each Gems playlist includes listening notes (below), giving the source, release date, and something notable about the song or artist.

There have been several notable reissues recently, including albums newly available on vinyl, and half-speed mastered LPs from The Who. There’s some great new music, so dive in. 

Gems. Albums, not algorithms.

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Side 1 (21 mins)

Kyros Showtime (from Mannequin, 2024)

Progressive rock with a large helping of electronica; verging towards the type of introductions ELP or Todd Rundgren’s Utopia lavished us with in the 70s. Yet this has a contemporary feel too, all adding up to a joyous sample of a great album.  

Paul McCartney & Wings Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (underdubbed) (from Band on the Run 50th Anniversary Edition, 2024)

More about the underdubbed version of the album in my Glimpse post next week. I chose this track for the playlist as a clear example of the difference post-Lagos studio work made.

Jim Capaldi Love’s Got a Hold on Me (feat. George Harrison) (from The Outside Years, 2024)

Capaldi was co-founder, with Steve Winwood, of the great band Traffic. This is one of 35 bonus tracks released in the new 4CD boxed set, unmistakably featuring George Harrison. 

Elliot Smith Alphabet Town (from Elliot Smith, 1995)

This early album has been reissued on vinyl, giving an excuse for Elliot Smith to make his debut in Gems. Smith plays everything on this track from an album that contributed to his reputation for doom and depression. Lovely use of harmonica and acoustic guitar, with trademark laid-back vocals.

Procul Harum Shine on Brightly (from Shine on Brightly, 1968)

Another recent vinyl reissue. Too many people only know Procul Harum for A Whiter Shade of Pale. While that is a classic single, the band led by Gary Brooker were far more than that. Lyrically not as optimistic as the title suggests, and a classic Brooker melody and vocal performance. 

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Side 2 (24 mins) 

John Leventhal That’s All I Know About Arkansas (feat. Rosanne Cash) (from Rumble Strip, 2023)

Rosanne Cash’s husband has been in the music industry for 45 years, so it’s about time for his debut solo album. These are songs that didn’t find a home in projects working with other musicians. The album is mostly instrumental, but Cash wrote this song and is the lead vocalist. As well as being a great-sounding recording, there’s a beautiful guitar solo. It would have been a crime for these songs to remain locked in an archive.

Paramore Burning Down The House (single, from Stop Making Sense tribute album, 2024)

The forthcoming tribute album is designed to introduce a new generation of fans to Talking Heads music, and when the full album is announced it will include Miley Cyrus, Lorde, The National and more. To kick off the releases, the Brit-nominated band do a fine job of destroying the house. It’s not a patch on actual Talking Heads, but that would be asking a bit much. Different is good, though.

England Paraffinalea (feat. Robert Webb) (from Garden Shed [7-track bonus version], 2015) 

One of those bands people either love … or just don’t. This single from 1977 is an example of why they have that effect on people - it’s an enjoyable proggy listen without being distinctive enough to be up there with the greats. The parent album is being promoted again with a new ‘featuring Robert Webb’ credit, apparently the result of now-settled legal action.

Shadows on Mercury The Flood (from Worlds Apart EP, 2024)

I noticed this praise on social media. Often I listen to such recommendations and discover the music isn’t for me. Not this time. If, as with me, melodic prog is your thing, every track on Worlds Apart is worth your attention. The Flood features strong, melodic guitar solos on a prog power ballad.  

Exit Eden Kayleigh (from Femme Fatales, out now)

German specialists in covering rock classics. The first rule of recording a cover is to make it distinct from the original - otherwise, there’s very little point. The rule is observed here, which you’ll notice if you were reminded of Marillion’s original in my Glimpse of Misplaced Childhood a couple of weeks ago. There’s less prog and more rock in this version and to my ears, it works as an alternative.

The Who In a Hand or a Face (from The Who By Numbers, 1975)

Reissued on vinyl cut at half-speed. By Numbers was The Who beginning to descend from their peak, but is still a great rock record, inspired by the personal demons Pete Townshend was fighting at the time. This track closes The Who’s album, and also closes Gems #19, with a full-on Townshend riff assault and a suitably angry-sounding performance from Daltrey. 

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Video Gem of the Week - Meer

I included Meer way back in Gems #2. Their album Playing House continues to grow on me, and there’s a new album in the works. Here’s a sublime taste of Meer live, demonstrating their melodic approach and excellent use of strings.

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With a new version of Paul McCartney & Wings Band on the Run, celebrating the album’s 50th anniversary, I’m writing about the ‘underdubbed’ mix in the next Glimpse post. Look out for it early next week.

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