"There is more of what she told

much better left alone;

for who are we to question her

who stands amongst the stones?"

- Big Country, "The Seer"

INFLUENCES N - Z

The Fields Of The Nephilim, Nephilim. Named after the Biblical giants spawned from unholy communion between angels and humans, the Nephs are a dark, brooding and atmospheric gothic rock outfit fit to be played in the middle of the Mexican desert when you're searching for the meaning of life. (They're good on a home CD player too, mind.)

Pink Floyd, The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. This album was named after a powerful chapter in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind In The Willows  which describes Ratty and Moley's meeting with the God Pan. Other constantly-listened to Floyd albums in my collection are Meddle and Wish You Were Here. People often desribe them as 'prog-rock' but that's such an naff label for a group with such a complex, varied and original musical range. 

The Rolling Stones, At Their Satanic Majesty's Request. A storming piece of '60s psychedelic rock, the standout track for me probably being Citadel.

The Small Faces, Ogden's Nutgone Flake. I love the Small Faces but I think it's fair to say that Ogden's isn't wholly typical of them. It is however a wonderful psychedelic opera, though; the story of Happiness Stan's quest to find the other half of the Moon and Dangly. 'Nuff said. 

Tangerine Dream, Tyranny Of Beauty. German band Tangerine Dream appeared in the UFO Club in London in the '60s about the same time as Pink Floyd did, making experimental space noises with names like "The Flight & Collision Of Comas Sola" and "Birth of Liquid Plejades".  Also listen to their LPs Zeit, Force Majuere,  The Seven Letters Of Tibet., Richochet  and Tangram to get a broader sense of their various electronic styles.

The Men They Couldn't Hang (TMTCH), Silvertown. Irishey folkey stuff with  (on this album) a wild-western feel, TMTCH are a talented group of folk musicians who never seemed to get enough airtime in my opinion. Their albums Waiting For Bonaparte and How Green Is The Valley are also great, and their song "Shirt Of Blue" about the miners' strikes, is amongst my favourites.

The Waterboys, Fisherman's Blues. Mike Scott's famous musical rentition of W.B.Yeat's poem The Stolen Child still brings tears to my eyes. Their music ranges from traditional Irish folk pieces to their own brand of prog-folk with the distinctive additions of brass and piano, which we don't hear enough of in folk music.  All their albums are good, but Dream Harder  and  A Pagan Place are among my favourites.

The Who. What can I say about The Who that hasn't already been said? Other than their R&B music has got me through some difficult times, and was often the backdrop during some of my best times.  For me, My Generation, The Who Sell Out, Who's Next and Quadrophenia top the album bill, and I Can See For Miles is one of my all-time favourite tracks.