Articles by James McNair

James McNair grew up in East Kilbride, Scotland, lived and worked in London for 30 years, and now resides in Whitley Bay, where life is less glamorous, but also cheaper and more breathable. He has written for Classic Rock, Prog, Mojo, Q, Planet Rock, The Independent, The Idler, The Times, and The Telegraph, among other outlets. His first foray into print was a review of Yum Yum Thai restaurant in Stoke Newington, and in many ways it’s been downhill ever since. His favourite Prog bands are Focus and Pavlov’s Dog and he only ever sits down to write atop a Persian rug gifted to him by a former ELP roadie.

Articles by: James McNair

“It’s not about that guy from Rush any more,” says Alex Lifeson. But with four and a half solos, it’s great to have him using those colours again on Envy Of None’s Stygian Wavz

By James McNair published 28 March 25

Envy of None’s second album Stygian Wavz proves Alex Lifeson was right to work with other artists - might it make Geddy Lee consider doing the same?

“We had to rush on to cover up this cacophony of brass players who couldn’t see what they were doing, having a go and failing miserably”: When Balaam And The Angel tried to emulate ELP, it didn’t go well

By James McNair published 5 January 25

Spectacular live disaster hasn’t killed guitarist Jim Morris’ passion for Pictures At An Exhibition

“Some thought it inspired; others heard an epic train wreck… His palette broadened, the songs lengthened, the lyrics became more personal”: The prog credentials of Sufjan Stevens’ The Age Of Adz

By James McNair published 1 January 25

After a long illness and the admission that his promise of writing an album about each State of the US had been a gimmick, he wobbled then reset with 2010 album that’s a prog-tinged curio

Bill Nelson – Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam Deluxe Box Set

“Far ahead of the 80s art-rock curve… forward-looking, new wave electronic music with trace elements of prog and glam”: Bill Nelson’s Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam Deluxe Box Set

By James McNair published 13 December 24

Ex-Be Bop Deluxe leader’s 1981 solo release is greatly expanded to impressive effect

Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson onstage in 1978

“Lemmy and I got on fine most of the time, but we had our moments. Being in Motörhead was crazy 24 hours a day”: ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian ‘Robbo’ Robertson’s wild tales of Phil Lynott, Lemmy, David Bowie and more

By James McNair published 26 October 24

Phil Lynott, Lemmy, Rush, Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins – former Thin Lizzy/Motörhead guitarist Brian Robertson crossed paths with them all and has the hangovers to prove it

“There are two experiences on offer here – jam band or practitioners of exquisitely-arranged songs”: Curved Air’s Rarities Series box set

By James McNair published 27 September 24

Six out-of-print discs span decades, with offerings for completists alongside a particularly pleasing 1972 live performance

Luke Haines – 9 1⁄2 Psychedelic Meditations On British Wrestling Of The 1970s and Early 80s

“For all its flights of fancy it’s not ironic; it finds him rooting for hard-grafting, often veteran grapplers”: The prog credentials of Luke Haines’ 9 1/2 Psychedelic Meditations On British Wrestling

By James McNair published 8 September 24

The former Auteurs mastermind went further off-piste than ever with his 2011 album, which only runs to 30 minutes but delivers a real experience

“A showcase for wondrous mandolin and banjo… and the majesty and clarity of Maddy Prior’s voice”: Steeleye Span’s 50th anniversary edition of Now We Are Six

By James McNair published 2 August 24

“A showcase for mandolin, banjo and Maddy Prior”: Steeleye Span’s Now We Are Six, 2024 edition

"I can't believe all these people are buying a single about death!": Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, Lindisfarne's Lady Eleanor was written during an overnight shift in a psychiatric ward

By James McNair published 25 July 24

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, Lindisfarne's Lady Eleanor was written in a psychiatric ward

"I knew we were going nowhere fast and I had to get out": Triumph were on the cusp of superstardom – then they let it all go

By James McNair published 17 July 24

By the end of the 70s Triumph were living up to their name. Then came the falling-out, the split, and 20 years of toxicity before they shared a stage again

Steve Hackett – Feedback '86 and Till We Have Faces

“With one eye on MTV and another on film soundtracks, big choruses with star-turn assists are go”: Steve Hackett’s Feedback ’86 and Till We Have Faces vinyl remasters

By James McNair published 30 May 24

Steve Hackett’s Feedback ’86 and Till We Have Faces vinyl remasters share some DNA

"People chucked pesetas at us, bottles, you name it": How Gun survived Spanish crowds, an X-rated video and that "strange cookie" from INXS, then hit the bullseye again

By James McNair published 13 May 24

Gun's debut album Taking On The World was a killer, and with new album Hombres their aim is once again true

“A salve against, or a product of, seasonal affective disorder during the Norwegian winter… light years away from later works”: White Willow’s Ex Tenebris puts their roots on display

By James McNair published 1 May 24

Remaster of their 1997 second album – which began life as a Jacob Holm-Lupo solo work – includes vinyl edition for the first time

"Somebody has to be the kind of songwriter who doesn’t give a shit if he gets called pretentious." Ian Anderson on the inspiration behind Jethro Tull's RökFlöte

By James McNair published 21 April 24

After a gap of more than 20 years, Jethro Tull returned with their second album of new material this decade. RökFlöte finds the band exploring Norse mythology with a harder edge than last year’s The Zealot Gene

The exterior of Marshall's Fish & Chip Shop in Tynemouth

Hey Joe, where you going with my cod & chips? Unravelling the truth behind Jimi Hendrix's historic visit to a fish & chip shop in the north of England

By James McNair published 3 April 24

In March 1967, Jimi Hendrix played a club show in Newcastle before venturing to the seaside for fish & chips, perhaps a pickled egg. Or did he?

“I’d never attempted to write a whole record on my own. I wasn’t feeling confident. I was concerned I might end up with a load of outtakes and waste the money”: How Steve Hackett made Voyage Of The Acolyte

By James McNair published 28 March 24

Missing his pal Peter Gabriel and sensing more change in the air with Genesis, the guitarist overcame his confidence issues to become the first member to release a solo album

“Dizzyingly diverse, full of invention and humanity… if only more bands were willing to take such risks”: Elbow’s Audio Vertigo

By James McNair published 22 March 24

Guy Garvey and his band of brothers dream harder, ensuring their 10th LP is special

“I’m doing that thing that many may find tasteless but hopefully at least some may find thrilling… it’s not about control – it’s pure animal!” Why Steve Hackett ramped up the guitar attack on The Circus And The Nightwhale

By James McNair published 15 March 24

On his 30th solo album, he decided to address a wide range of personal issues he’d wanted to tackle for years – taking in influence from The Hero With A Thousand Faces, The Odyssey and Pinocchio

“There was an amazing synergy. The longest single session was 72 hours. We fed the engineer speed pills… we’d scramble to write lyrics then pluck vocal harmonies out of the air”: How Nektar’s ambition and effort gave the world Remember The Future

By James McNair published 5 March 24

The Bluebird character was invented at the same time by different creatives, a technical issue nearly killed off the recorded musical energy – and drugs fuelled almost every aspect of the production. But the resulting environment-themed epic was worth all the hard graft

An illustration of Thin Lizzy alongside the words "How The West Was Won"

"People in Dublin thought we'd made it and were living like kings. Little did they know": Thin Lizzy and the struggle of Vagabonds Of The Western World

By James McNair published 28 February 24

It was on Thin Lizzy's third album, Vagabonds Of The Western World, that "you really get to hear Phil the poet", says drummer Brian Downey

“It was reportedly a very taxing LP to make… but even today the beautiful mysteries remain intact”: Midlake’s The Trials of Van Occupanther is conceptual, esoteric and more prog than indie

By James McNair published 31 December 23

Inspired by Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, the 2006 album weaves a dream around a calculating hermit

“The esteem in which his talent was held is reflected… Yet some of the most fascinating tracks here are by his pre-fame 60s bands”: Greg Lake’s Magical box set

By James McNair published 29 November 23

7-disc compilation celebrates his solo endeavours in style

“I said, ‘Really? You don’t practise any more?’ He said, ‘One day I just sort of realised I could play.’ I’m wondering if I’ll get to that level… we’re about to find out!” Pat Metheny just wants to understand music

By James McNair published 22 November 23

Multi-faceted pioneer hasn’t played guitar for six months - but he’ll be up and working by 5am every day

"My voice will go at some point, but until then I’m about customer service and rock'n'roll": the oddball story of Rush's "little brother band" Max Webster

By James McNair published 31 October 23

One of rock’s true enigmas, Max Webster never quite took off outside their native Canada. Years after it all came to a sad ending, their legacy lives on through frontman Kim Mitchell

"The curtain across the control room went back and there was Rick with his dick in a wine glass going, 'Coq au vin, anyone?'." David Paton's life in music

By James McNair published 28 October 23

Pilot bassist and The Alan Parsons Project member reminisces about working with Kate Bush, Rick Wakeman’s unusual ice-breakers, and that time onebof his songs was used to advertise a diabetes drug.

James McNair

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