LP Playlist | Here’s XTC, The Who, T.Rex and others in one hour of essential listening
LP Playlist #068. We’re still here.
Intro
A little later than planned because I’ve been working on improvements for LP. I’ll share more information on that soon. It’s an exciting new era, built on the foundations you’re used to. For now, here’s what I’ve been listening to lately; I hope some of these tracks hit home for you too. LP returns on Tuesday with another essay about a full album. Before then, I’m the guest of Andres :
THIS SUNDAY Writer extraordinaire Ian Paul Sharp visits my Vinyl Room to talk about three new wave gems worth crossing the pond for. You can’t miss it.
LP Playlist Listening Guide #068
Devin Townshend - Enter the City [2026] from The Moth
This dramatic track serves as a short sample from Devin Townsend’s major new concept album The Moth. The album is a double (or limited triple CD) that has been some years in preparation. If this short taster represents the journey The Moth will take us on, hold on to your hats.
T. Rex - Thunderwing [1972 ] from The Slider (The Visconti Master)
Sometimes T.Rex B sides were better than the hit single. This first appeared on the B side of Metal Guru (with another song, Lady) and was a bonus track when The Slider was reissued. Marc Bolan at his peak, before it all faded. I used to buy many T.Rex records. Their classics are more generally appreciated now than they were then.
CCS - Tap Turns on the Water [1971] from Whole Lotta Love
Alexis Korner’s Collective Consciousness Society as they were not really referred to in 1971. Korner was a blues guitarist who had a number of hits with a session musician big band, including a version of Whole Lotta Love as the theme for the BBC chart music show Top of the Pops. I have clear memories of the CCS singles but never bought any for some reason. When streaming began and I opened a Spotify account, I did a search expecting no CCS to be present. When I found it I began to realise what a big deal streaming was going to be (for better or worse).
The Who - Pinball Wizard [2026] from Live at The Eden Project 25/07/23
This is The Who in orchestral mode, at the amazing Eden Project in Cornwall. Use of an orchestra is a long way from their roots in the early sixties, but who is doing the same work as they were producing sixty years ago? The orchestra isn’t an affectation, it is a real addition to The Who’s sound. It will be interesting to hear how the dynamics of the Eden Project (a reclaimed china clay quarry, now a space dedicated to positive action for the planet.)
Peter Gabriel - What Lies Ahead (Bright-Side Mix) [2026] from o/i
The latest of the new batch of Gabriel tracks (the Dark-Side Mix is out now, too). This is a short orchestral track about inventors and invention. Multiple listens reveal another beautiful Gabriel melody.
Foy Vance - I Think I Preferred the Question [2025] from The Wake
Irish singer-songwriter who is signed to Ed Sheeran’s Gingerbread label and also has the backing of Elton John (I saw him live, supporting Elton John in the rain at Woburn Abbey and he was great). This is a track from his strong new album. Well, strong once you’ve got past the cover.
Labi Siffre - (Something Inside) So Strong [1988] from So Strong
John Lennon - Gimme Some Truth [1971] from Imagine
Latin Quarter - America for Beginners [1985] from Modern Times Plus
XTC - Here Comes President Kill Again [1989] from Oranges and Lemons
The Jam - Little Boy Soldiers [1979] from Setting Sons
The message across these five tracks is clear in the current global situation. I was reminded of the great Labi Siffre song when he was a guest in BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room (listen here). So Strong is about inner strength, of course, and it’s a masterpiece. John Lennon’s call for truth dates from 1971 but needs to be heeded ever more. As sometimes is true, Lennon remembers to attach a great piece of songwriting to his message. Latin Quarter’s song was a response to the election of Ronald Reagan. Behind the uncompromising message is a subtle, melting melody that is both sad and strangely uplifting. Much of XTC’s music is maturing wonderfully well. Oranges and Lemons was their nod to psychodelia (explored more deeply in the Dukes of Stratosphear albums) and covered the protest songs that emerged from that musical era. Finally, The Jam - after writing about them recently I realised I’d never listened to the Setting Sons album. It’s brilliant, as is the arrangement of Little Boy Soldiers.
Bruce Springsteen - A Rainy Night in Soho [2026] from 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan
It was St. Patrick’s Day recently, and this new Springsteen cover was issued to mark the occasion as well as being a preview of the Shane MacGowan tribute album out later this year. Stories of MacGowan’s drinking sometimes overshadowed his songwriting and it’s time to redress the balance.
The Pogues - Fiesta [1988] from If I Should Fall From Grace with God
If you’re feeling depressed after the protest sequence a couple of songs ago, have a musical riot with The Pogues, when whatever Shane was doing in his spare time he was contributing to this classic album.
Camel - Freefall (Live at The Marquee Club 30/10/1974) [1974] from The Live Recordings 1974-77
To close, let’s come down a notch or two (and no more) with Camel. I reviewed the stand-alone version of this gig recently for The Progressive Aspect. High energy Camel.
Which of these tracks landed for you? LP Playlist returns on Thursday 2nd April.
I want my XTC! ;-) Great choice. Great, criminally underappreciated album, with some of their absolutely best songs (the Beatles-inspired The Loving, Poor Skeleton Steps Out, Scarecrow People, Miniature Sun and, of course, Mayor of Simpleton). Always felt that O&L and Nonsuch never got the appreciation they so richly deserve. [N.B. I have always felt that the voice on President Kill sounds a lot like Jerry Garcia. Next time you listen to it, keep that in mind.)
BTW, what is your favorite XTC album? Mine is a toss-up between the full-length version of English Settlement, and Mummer.
Thank for keeping XTC in "the news!" :-)
This is a very enjoyable set, but what I like most is that it feels sequenced with real intent rather than simply gathered together. There is a clear movement through it, and that political run in the middle gives the whole playlist its backbone without overwhelming the musical pleasure of the piece. I also like the way your personal listening history keeps surfacing in small, unobtrusive ways. That gives the post warmth and authority at the same time. The result is a playlist that feels thoughtful, lived-in, and genuinely worth following.