Big Jim Sullivan Middle of the Road (The Early Seventies) |
Eleven tracks from my collection |
Best Songs (definitely BJS playing lead guitar) |
---|
Even though BJS was Tom Jones's guitarist in the early 1970s he still remained Britain's top session guitarist. Track 1 is Cliff Richard's "Silvery Rain" (1971). This environmental song was written by Hank Marvin. The second track is "Moon Shadow" by Cat Stevens (1971). Cat's excellent guitarist Alun Davies is prominent. BJS was also on the initial hits. Jim Ryan was the credited guitarist on Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" - a 1972 hit but BJS made a contribution. Track 4 is "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan (1972). BJS also released an album of Gilbert's songs. Labi Siffre's "Crying Laughing Loving Lying" (1972) is next. A late Tom Jones's minor hit is next. "The Young New Mexican Puppeteer" (1972) has brilliant guitar by BJS. "My Coo Ca Choo" (1973) was the first of a run of hits for Alvin Stardust. BJS was a major force in the guitar dominated Glam Rock (e.g. Marc Bolan, Sweet, David Bowie). Ex members of Bay City Rollers created the group "Pilot" whose "Magic" reached number 11 in the UK charts in 1974. The next 2 tracks are by Labi Siffre from the 1975 album "Remember My Song". BJS arranged the classic "I Got The" which has been sampled many times. The other track is "The Vulture". Both these tracks were years before their time. Chas'n'Dave and drummer Ian Wallace are on these tracks. It seemed very appropriate that the only UK classical guitar pop hit featured BJS. It was "Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto" (1976) by Manuel And The Music of the Mountains (Geoff Love). Ivor Mairants who owned a music shop in London played the solo. I don't own the copyright to the MP3s. I will remove any of them if the copyright owner objects. |