Sometimes I feel like I haven't lived at all. Where was I when all those 70's bands were in their heyday? Sitting in my bedroom listening to Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel probably.
Anyway months ago I booked tickets to see June Tabor and Oysterband who played here in Sevenoaks Stag Theatre last night.
What a revelation. June Tabor, now 71 has the most beautiful voice. I'm not sure if I am in love with her or just want to be her.
Oysterband were great and reminded me somewhat (especially during some of the fiddle playing) of early Cockney Rebel.
Here's a YouTube clip of them playing Joy Division's "Love will tear us apart".

Dulce Pontes - Your Love, theme to Once Upon a Time In The West, just incredible tune, heart achingly breakingly beautiful tune, from the always brilliant Ennio Morricone, simply stunning!

Listening to at the Moment - right now? "Mr SOFT" by Steve, coming from the new Dutch DVD 2018.
Steve, thank you for producing this gorgeous DVD and the wonderful concert (I know it was in 2018 but I could not join the audience then).
The more I enjoy the Songs now!

Another genius in my opinion, still going strong, Ray Dorset. Great performace, reminds me of Steve's 'Songs from the Shed'.

My current (Walkman) playlist; by song / performer:

1. (I Believe) Love's A Prima Donna / Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

I thought it was better than merely 41 in the UK chart (though the album did slightly better). Harley, for me, was still on a roll...I liked the tempo 141-144 bpm. Cockney Rebel still edgy and, in your face...


2. 5AM / Katy B

Whilst many of my CDs have gone to animal charities, the album 'Little Red', on which is this track, will be kept. She seemed to have only a short time in the limelight (but maybe I'm thinking of 'The charts' which also seemed 'more alive' at that time), but this one is a keeper. Strong voice, strong melody, enough said.


3. A Woman In Winter / Skids

Sash downloaded this for me, because I'd watched and listened to the BBC's Rock Goes To College (1981) with the Skids. Marvellous.


4. Action / Sweet

In December 2023 my 74 year old brother (Andy Scott, lead Sweet guitarist and vocalist was the same age then - and we were standing on a direct line with him, about halfway back) and I saw and heard today's Sweet, in the Fylde, at Lytham's Lowther Pavilion (the same venue that would be amongst the last for Steve Harley with The Acoustic Band, in 2023).

When they played this song, I really was into it and became animate with my movements - at each chorus. I was just slightly behind my bro, between him and some prat who, just before the song started, jabbed my brother in the back with two of his fingers (apparently for getting in his and his partners view). His partner actually tried to mediate. My brother turned round and spoke to him (he wasn't intimidated). Thankfully, nothing came of it, and it only put a tiny 'downer' on the night.

Another great song written by the band, in 1975 and packed with melodious adrenalin. The 'newer' members of Sweet, are very strong. We both enjoyed the set, very much. I find myself editing this at nearly 04:15 in the morning, partly due to the over 25 degree Celsius temperature in the room...time to get back to sleep, Tara for now...


5. All I Want Is You / Roxy Music

One of my favourite singles. 1974. The first full year I was into their music (and presentation). Manic guitar by Phil Manzanera, but delivered in quite simple parts. Black keys, flats, feature fairly strongly, with major chord F in the intro and every fourth bar of the first two (and the fourth) verses, then major chord G on the second bar of the third or link verse. The main chords are Bb, Ab, Eb and Cm. Db also features in the guitar solo/instrumental bridge. No chorus.

John Wetton, one of my five all time favourite bass players was with them then. In 1999, I worked on a contract, where one of the staff knew him. Further, the clients had sold one of their horses to Lucy and Bryan Ferry, some time before. That was a great six month involvement for me because I advocated my first (construction) adjudication on behalf of the clients. During that time, we saw Bryan Ferry at Oxford...


6. All Of My Heart / ABC

I'm not a huge fan, but they did two cracking singles and this was the best. Fry is a great vocalist and style wise, I take the view that he had one eye on Bowie and the other on Ferry...


7. Allentown / Billy Joel

Sash was a big fan, in the late 80"s particularly and in '87, we drove up to Birmingham NEC to see and hear him. This is still my favourite track of his. Working class America in a steel/coal town.


8. Alone / Big Country

A great rocker. Stuart's introspective lyrics (I felt, rightly or wrongly). I love this band.


9. Another Time Another Place / Bryan Ferry

Much to my surprise, I'm not really enjoying this one on my playlist, so at the next charge, I'll remove it from my stick. I have the album on vinyl, anyway.


10. Beauty Queen / Roxy Music

I've loved this one over the years, but I've played it 'to death' and again, next time I have to charge the Walkman, I'll remove it. With the other songs near and around it that will remain, I think The juxtapositions will then work better too.

What I loved about the song was Bryan's (at times) slightly manic vocal (firing well above the octave, with vibrato) and Brian Eno's treatment of the track, which he achieved (I once read) with the unusual application of sticky tape, besides his (or Andy Mackay's) synthesiser. Eno also had "a massive', reel to reel tape recorder...
Again, although I'll be taking it off my stick, I have the album, 'For Your Pleasure (1973), on vinyl (since 1975, but I bought it after 'The Human Menagerie Of Cockney Rebel (1973) by Cockney Rebel - they were both hugely exciting albums, for me).


11. Big Girls Cry / Sia

Haunting/melodic vocal. Mysterious star. Feeling - she had to be a musician songwriter vocalist. Hip and established. She's very talented.


12. Blackwater / Rain Tree Crow

Serious, melodious, stylish, deep and I was sad that, at the end of the one album, with his former Japan bandmates (excluding Rob Dean, who had left a decade before), David Sylvian thought their collective musical relationship was over. For me, a class act...


13. Can't Set Rules About Love / Adam Ant

Instinctive / unconscious / natural / nice video


14. Chance / Big Country

Down / Up / On a roll / Guitar virtuosity / Reminds me a little of 'Country Life' by Roxy Music, in an intangible way...


15. Close Action / Big Country

My favourite, I think, from The Crossing'. It's the chorus...


16. Could It Happen To Me? / Roxy Music

My favourite ballad on 'Siren'. It's the piano and the words, maybe a bit slushy in places, but I love it. Melody and the arrangement.


17. Day For Night / Bryan Ferry

Straightaway, a North African vibe, with American production. Emotional. Funk.


18. December '63 / The Four Seasons

This band were born to play and sing. Northern Soulsters and Italian/American 60's/70's pop and ballads. My earliest 'proper' disco memory (early 1976, Scamps, North Promenade, Blackpool). The beautiful stranger that fell into my arms. We spoke and were both shy and awkward.


19. Desperate But Not Serious / Adam Ant

Part autobiographical? Whatever, in a word, hook-y


20. Down In The Park / Tubeway Army

I love the music on this one, the lyrics are at times a bit dark. We've seen/heard him live (once), in 1997, I think, Oxford - I thought I was being outrageous going in my (1980) handmade leather trousers - but compared to the average fan at that time, and gig, far from it...We both enjoyed it though...


21. Dynamite / Sigrid

For me her most mature brilliant melody yet. The top line leaps up over that octave and she sings it well. Not my usual thing but this is a very good song.


22. Electricity / OMD

McCluskey's bass line is brilliant but no less is Humphrey's keyboard (in each case between top line lyrics). Together these are the USP for the single. The top line itself is ordinary (opinion). I can't think of another pop-song with these attributes and I love it ('ice skating', remember?)


23. Electricity / Suede

Universal. Every thought and action we ever have or make is subject to countless action potentials, a slightly increased positive charge...life itself. "...It's bigger than the universe..." (Brett Anderson, 1999)


24. EPitome / Jem H

This is my own backing track put together on my 4/5 track Yamaha keyboard. On my preceding laptop, I had AIR software, and it was fun experimenting with that. I'll come back to it again and add my chord progressions - I haven't got a separate note of these, so I can't at the moment, it's off my Yamaha and on my stick and my current laptop (that has no music production software on it).

I'm an (older) amateur that is not ready to commit to YouTube (I might after we move and get a couple more pieces of hardware). Speaking of YouTube, I've recently got into 'David Bennett Music Theory' uploads. He is obviously a proper musician and a highly articulate young person in one. On the back of watching four or five of his chord progression posts, I'm going to re-examine all the ones I've come up with myself (since 2010).


25. Everything / Neneh Cherry

Urban Earth Mother. Jazz - Pop - Rap. I think Don Cherry et al, are referenced in the lyrics.

Swedish/British/African/American/Spanish/cosmopolitan - influences. Beautiful and (we) won't forget meeting her and spending the whole gig (1996) near her.


26. Everything Will Flow / Suede

Flowing string filled melody with an obvious octave shift that Brett's vocal easily manages. Like another track on the album, that is named as such, this also reminds me of India and the tigers of Ranthambhore or those happily (for the sake of the tigers) more separated from people, in the Sundarbans (I may need to come back to the spelling of these). Wonderful track.


27. Fall In Love With Me / Japan

Primal. Rock. Glam. Pretty universal in the world of homo sapiens.


28. Fox On The Run / Sweet

I was so glad that this band, all members hugely talented musicians and vocalists, started writing their own songs, like this gem. I've read recently that David Bowie was initially a bit intimidated by members of Mott The Hoople - it has been said he thought they were bikers. Well fourteen year old me reacted in a similar way to Sweet - but whatever, they, Bowie and Mott, were all class acts and right up there.


29. Friend Or Foe / Adam Ant

Odball melody that works, warrior stance on relationships, a little feudal perhaps, great trumpet.


30. Get It On / T Rex

I've referred to my history behind acquiring this, my first ever single elsewhere herein, so all I'll say in addition on this - Visconti's production on this is close or at perfection and I believe myself that this single represented the birth of the rock we call GLAM!


31. Gotta Be A Sin / Adam Ant

Simply, my favourite of his tracks, at the moment. More grown up and less commercial maybe, but plenty of twists and melody.


32. Happy For You / Dua Lipa

My favourite of her tracks so far.


33. Hollywood / Madonna

Just love it. Groove. Dance. The goal for some. Relevant. Social media before social media. Ambition. Material.



34. Honaloochie Boogie / Mott The Hoople

This is my favourite single of theirs. At the time, 1973, there was as much rock n'roll in the charts, as there was pop. Ian Hunter managed to make the transition with his own writing, following Mott's success the year before, with 'All The Young Dudes' (famously gifted to the band by Bowie).


35. Hurry On Boys / Skids

A close and creative group. Arty. Folk sensibility. Rock. Punk. Boys will be boys (a Roxy sentiment, a Roxy style, a Clan style, natural warriors, raise the standard!) A fabulous British band with European and New World vision...They had the balls to eat The Strangler's sandwiches and drink their beer!


36. I Want It That Way / Backstreet Boys

OK, this isn't my obvious choice. Pardon the pun, but these boys are 'street' with superb voices and in this case, a superb melody with considerable octave progression. For me they are the best of their genre.


37. It's So Easy / Jem H

It's occurred to me recently that, I may have unconsciously named this backing track from Steve's harmony line (on the 'Love's A Prima Donna' record, 1976, and the track, 'Love Compared (With You'). [This next sentence is an edit] Actually, I now have doubt that the phrase is on 'Love's...' but I think it may be on the live album, 'Face to Face', from 1976/1977 live performance.

[This next sentence is also a further addition] Or, Harley's 'Sweet Dreams' and the final line "It's so easy this is really no test". However, at the time, I consciously named it whilst thinking how (relatively) easy chord progressions were to put together. However, getting a top line lyric, the tempo(s) right and the structure of the songs, are something else!

Anyway, the chord progression for my own original track (tempo 92bpm) is as follows;

G - Gsus4 - F × 4 (i.e. repeated four times)

Lyrics come in here;
Am. - C - G - F. × 4

G. - Gsus4 - F × 4

More lyrics;
Am - C - G - F × 4

G. - Gsus4 - F × 4

Then outro;
Gsus4. - F(9) - G - Am

Jem H (2020's)


38. Judy Teen / Cockney Rebel

At last, the UK commercial breakthrough for Cockney Rebel. This one will be permanently on my playlist. Steve in Biba and bowler. I haven't ever looked up the chord progression he used for the song, but I will. I'm now unsure about whether the distinctive riff was recorded with mandolin or plucked violin strings! Live, I'm sure I've seen the latter.

Yeah, Harley used various combinations of major chords A, D and E in the intro and verses, ditto with the chorus but with the addition of F sharp minor or F#m - this is a chord I've used on a few of my own amateur backing tracks. Now that I think about it, most of the song does seem like major chords. Steve's vocal was clear and strong. Good contrast between the plucked verses and the smooth chorus.


39. Just What I Needed / The Cars

Quintessential pop rock. A relationship. Life.


40. Lay Your Love On Me / Roachford

My second favourite track from the album 'A Permanent Shade Of Blue', which I was constantly playing at the time of my weekday stint in South Wales, based at Baglan in Port Talbot, between 1992-1994 (that is, listening at the latter end of my mostly happy time there). Andrew Roachford is, for me, a 'rocking soul-man' and a master musician and singer. I must try and get to witness a live show before he retires - if he does!? It's a groove thing


41. Learning To Fly / Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

This is one of my four favourite singles from him and his brilliant band. He was one of my favourite US artists too - I think its fair to say that the British caught on to him early. This is one of the songs I would have liked Steve to cover with Cockney Rebel.

The video the band delivered with the song also tells the story visually, to accompany the great lyrics.


42. Lost Patrol / Big Country

Also from 'The Crossing' (1983). Sash liked this one and reminded me of it, and on the stick it went.


43. Masquerade / Skids

Quintessential Skids, for me, just brilliant, 'Holy to the high...'!


44. Mirror Freak / Cockney Rebel

Up to the point that I started listening to this song, in January 1975, Bryan Ferry was my undisputed popular music and style icon and influencer. This track was different, and equally persuasive, subversive, capturing the gang glam culture of the early 1970's perfectly. Lyrically hot, with sophisticated violin, endorphin inducing bass, drums and keys. An alternative style and did I borrow from it? On top of all that, it was, as Steve later informed his crowd, inspired by the Electric Warrior, Marc Bolan, the composer of 'Get It On' in '71.


45. My Only Vice / Cockney Rebel

I love the original album version of this track, above all other versions I have ever heard. Cockney Rebel's uniqueness are revealed (sounds like nothing else). Electric. guitar wasn't needed. Of it's time and the hedonistic 1970's, but still sounds fresh today.


46. Nightingale / Roxy Music

I've realised why 'Siren' (1975), is my favourite album by Roxy Music. Apart from strong melodies throughout, the tracks are divided into ballads and rockers, with a bit of disco and punk thrown in, for good measure. The production and message, are clear.


47. Once Bitten Twice Shy / Ian Hunter (with Mick Ronson!)

An early adventure for Mr Ian Hunter (glam's elder and king rocker), when he had left Mott The Hoople. My favourite guitar solo on any record, Mick Ronson seems to make his guitar cry tears of joy. Although it made UK Top 20 in 1975, in my view, it should have gone higher.


48. Only To Be With You / Roachford

My favourite single by Roachford. Just a boy in love...good rock...great melody.


49. Ripoff / Ian Hunter and The Rant Band

Ian still had it (in 2001, and beyond). Although Ian, I think, wrote this about another aspect of governmental policy, for me in 2026 this is just as relevant to the English water industry and the power utilities. Andy Burnham recognises this, I hope he can do something to get these essentials back, for ordinary people and eco systems as a whole...



50. Saturday Night / Suede

My earliest memory of this one, is walking around Piccadilly in a state of natural high...in 1996. At that time, they were in their re-ascendency, with their first album after Bernard Butler left (whom I admire as a musician and songwriter too).


51. Scoundrel Days / A-Ha

Sash downloaded this for me, after we saw and heard a TV special on them, in around 2021, I think. It was their live version then, that sold it to me. My favourite Norwegian band.


52 Ships In The Night / Be-Bop Deluxe

I bought this single in 1976, when I used to watch and listen to live bands in Jenks Bar (just around the corner from Scamps), in Blackpool. Top 10 at the time, I think, but if not, definitely top 20.


53. Some Kind Of Fool / Japan

Japan's equivalent, for me at least, of Cockney Rebel's 'Sebastian'. Brilliant.


54. Soul Love / David Bowie & The Spiders From Mars

Cool. One of my favourite four tracks from Ziggy...A pointer to 'where' David was 'going' in 1974/1975. Soul was back in a big way...


55. Sovereign Light Cafe / Keane

Moving. Nostalgia, but with a lust for life. A not dissimilar vibe to 'Somewhere Only We Know'. In my view, Tom Chaplin, has the best male voice in rock/pop.


56. Space Invader / The National

An interesting band and they played this track to perfection on 'Later with Jools Holland' (BBC), a while back.


57. Strange Town / The Jam

My favourite of theirs. I never tire of listening to it. I also relate to it (from back in '84).


58. Sweet Dreams / Cockney Rebel

Quintessential Cockney Rebel, short but very sweet. I never tire of listening to it. It's exciting and full of life. I'm amazed I've not yet looked into it's musical formality, but I will. If I had a band, we'd cover it, no doubt.


59. The Night / Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

A Northern Soul hit, as far as the UK was concerned.


60. The One I Love / Big Country

I only bought this track this year on download and it's my favourite of theirs simply for the way it makes me feel. The big one of roller coaster rock, brilliant playing with joyful lyrics.


61. The Other Side of Life / Japan

Spiritual. Life and death. For me, reminds of Cockney Rebel's 'Death Trip', in an intangible way.


62. The Spirit Of Radio / Rush

Fine pop-rock.


63. The Tears Of A Clown / Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

1970, I think. Ahead of it's time. A massively class act. This will stay on my stick indefinitely.


64. The Way I Feel / Keane

I just liked this one straight away (emotional and battling), watching and listening to The Isle of Wight TV coverage.


65. Time To Say Goodbye / Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli

Sheila's song (a family thing...)


66. Trustfall / Pink

I had to have it, following Pink at the BBC, a few years back...


67. Umbrella Man / The Searchers

Can't remember how I got into this, but the arrangement reminds me a lot of some of Steve Harley's work...great melody...


68. Viva Next / Jem H

I'm not happy with this track, so next time I'm on the Yamaha, I'll remove it.


69. Waves / Mr Probz

This track will remain on my 'mobile' playlist indefinitely, because of for me, it's vocal power and melody and ethereal vibe. It's the nearest I get to the 'Ibiza' scene. Nostalgia for love lost or unrequited love. The music is a total hook.


70. What Goes On / Bryan Ferry

I thought, angry Mr Ferry (bearded, gaunt, out in LA). Loved the embroidered jacket with black jeans or cords and cowboy boots. The year after Jerry Hall left him (for Mick Jagger). I thought the album, 'The Bride Stripped Bare' (1978), was brilliant. But, like Steve's 'Hobo With A Grin' (also 1978), sales were disappointing.


71. Whirlwind / Roxy Music

A Ferry/ Manzanera classic rock, very demonstrative. Jerry Hall (as Siren, on the album cover). Photographed on the stunning North Wales coast.


72. Who Knew / Pink

My absolute favourite of hers. She seems to combine strength and vulnerability in the lyric, but what a great song.


73. Who's That Girl / Madonna

I've always liked this one, very much.


74. Wide Awake / Katy Perry

Ellie's song (a family thing...)


75. Wonderful / Adam Ant

Adam is smitten.


76. Wonderland / Big Country

Celebratory. Happy.


77. Working For The Yankee Dollar / Skids

Although I started going to gigs (late) in 1980 I.e. comfortably before they split up, I never saw/heard the Skids live and I regret that - no venues were obvious to me though (unless I've forgotten seeing tour dates, in Sounds, NME oe Melody Maker).. They were exciting with boundless energy, great musicians.

I love the drum/synth introduction, the lyrics. Stuart Adamson was involved with two great bands. Richard Jobson was.some frontman too...


78. Ziggy Stardust / David Bowie & The Spiders From Mars

Bowie's most successful persona. Ronno was a gifted arranger. Woodmansey and Bolder made a superlative rhythm section. From the middle album of the glam trilogy (between Hunky Dory and Alladin Sane), this track will remain on my playlist for the foreseeable.


(My own comments are being added three at a time, [not quite] randomly selected. I've started adding these on the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, 2026). All the best. X

---

On Later with Jools Holland (BBC TWO), 31/05/26:

HOLLY HUMBERSTONE
To Love Somebody
Cruel World

I think Jools said her new album, CRUEL WORLD, is currently (May 2026) No.4 in the UK. In my view she gets better and better...Next downloads, they will be included (probably the whole album)...

"And how could I not fall madly, madly, madly in love with the Ziggy Stardust album? Of course I did. Because Mick Ronson was all over it. He was everywhere. Mick was really gifted..."

Steve Harley (2017)

Source: 'David Bowie Rainbow Man 1967-1980' by Jerome Soligny (2023) Monoray p241