Latest articles by James McNair
“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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
“Darkly beautiful, Floydian in nature… a wonderful listen if the stock of Prozac holds out”: Bruce Soord’s Luminescence
The Pineapple Thief leader’s third solo album feels autumnal and meditative
“There was misinformation from fans and members. There was resentment and vindictiveness: people saying this new album isn’t the real Strawbs”: Dave Cousins on his band’s civil war
Latest album The Magic Of It All has a complex history - and although he’s retired from live performance, band leader insists it’s not a swansong
“We hired a real coffin, and the funeral-home people were like: You will look after it, won’t you?" Pat Travers on serenading a corpse, Thin Lizzy, and making peace with the past
With more than 30 studio albums to his name, Canadian guitarist Pat Travers really should be more widely known. But, he says, our destiny is not something we have control over
Pat Travers: six songs you need to know
He's Pat Travers. He almost joined Thin Lizzy. He was loved by Dimebag Darrell. And if you don't know his music, these six songs are a good place to start
"David Bowie said, 'That was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.’” Magna Carta and friends in high places
Chris Simpson of 70s folky proggers Magna Carta recalls 50 years of making music. “I look back and think: how did it all happen?” he says...
A day in the life of Christine McVie was a very nice day indeed
In 2004, the late Christine McVie told us about her quiet life away from Fleetwood Mac: "I watch Law & Order almost every night, and I like Homicide: Life On The Street"
King's X - Three Sides Of One: "There’s still plenty of imagination in the tank."
Not yet ratedVeteran art-rock trio’s first studio album in 14 years.
