Latest articles by James McNair
Veteran admits he sailed close to the wind as he taught prog giants to drink – but he learned how much it means to play live with a band
Their 1979 commercial breakthrough benefits from Wilson’s finesse, while Steve Lillywhite’s original mix remains daisy-fresh
The German collective’s opening salvo remains as uncompromising as ever
The quartet’s relaxed yet enthusiastic approach means they never sound indulgent as they segue between pachyderm-impersonating dissonance and languorous ambience
Gravel-voiced bandleader plays eco-warrior, futurist and satirist on 1975 genre-crossing album wrapped in a sleeve where Roger Dean meets Marvel
Bill Nelson’s finest hours are revisited again in clamshell set, but the journey is always rewarding
Chicago’s AOR-prog veterans return in fine fettle – although the music vastly outweighs the concept on their 18th album
Despite his best intentions, their 2023 album proved to be their last – and even though it involved a series of personal and business struggles, the release found the late bandleader in good humour and ready to fight another day
A fine revamp of one of his key post-Cream milestones, including two excellent TV concerts
His band doesn’t have the pedigree of many of his collaborators, but a future Jethro Tull guitarist and a TV show musical director prove highly capable foils in three-disc set
Driven by a gritty bass riff, The Stranglers' Top 10 hit Peaches is nearly 50 years old, but it's still a must-play by today’s version of the band
Clamshell set illustrates a wondrous purple patch of symphonic prog-folk from Annie Haslam and co
Fruits of their short-lived new-millennium reunion provides nostalgia and commentary, with live tracks containing more meat and punch
Ian Anderson reflects on giving Roy Harper his movie break, aggressively defending Dee Palmer from paparazzi intrusion, losing bassist Jeffrey Hammond, planning to quit touring – and the quiet couple of weeks he spent recording Tull’s masterful 1975 album
Box set featuring their first six records is enhanced with out-takes, live tracks and solo material by Bert Jansch and John Renbourn
Former Spock’s Beard man with Chester Thompson, Phil Keaggy and Byron House offer strong virtuosic music – although preaching and genre-hopping may alienate some
Latest Jethro Tull album Curious Ruminant has Ian Anderson reflecting on his hammy stage performances of the past, working with William Shatner and Mikael Åkerfeldt, and how the band could have a back-to-basics future
Middle Earth: The Soundtrack Of London’s Legendary Psychedelic Club features David Bowie, Family Brian Auger, Denny Laine, Yardbirds, Deviants, The Who and more
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?
Spectacular live disaster hasn’t killed guitarist Jim Morris’ passion for Pictures At An Exhibition
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
Ex-Be Bop Deluxe leader’s 1981 solo release is greatly expanded to impressive effect
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
