I followed this band from the ashes of Free, mainly for Paul Rogers voice, but equally for Mick Ralphs guitar, together they formed a formidable rock double act, to my mind the equal of Jagger and Richards and dare I say Waters and Gilmour! In my opinion Paul Rogers is the best rock singer ever and his many imitators over the years seem to prove it. This, their second album is more musical than their hard rock debut album and favourite tracks are: Weep No More, Shooting Star, Anna, Wild Fire Woman and Call on Me.

Although a compilation album (i.e. Best of) This double album is included here because it contains my number 4 favourite song of all time Still in Love with You, which featured on their 1974 album Nightlife. Or should I say my favourite version of the song, although the previous version included Gary Moore, it sounds a little unpolished in comparison. They really were a great live band (although most of this album is overdubbed) and all of their pre 1978 single releases are here, The boys are back in Town, Don't Believe a Word and an amazing rendition of Cowboy Song.

To me this is the pinnacle of their career and perhaps the last album they enjoyed working on together. Everything that came after this was musically inferior. The album is based around Roger Water’s obsession (or perhaps guilt) with former band member Syd Barrett, and the lyrics contain barely-veiled attacks on the music business. Every track on this album is a masterpiece. Favourites are Welcome to the Machine, Have a Cigar, Shine on You Crazy Diamonds and well Wish You Were Here really!

I came across this band a couple of years ago after seeing them on a Sunday Morning politics show. I loved their sound and was lucky enough to see them live at Wembley Arena, courtesy of my old friend Steve Connor. An Audience With the Pope, Grounds for Divorce and One Day Like This are phenomenal.

This was their second album and the one that really did it for me. The blend of country and western and hillbilly rock, really worked, mixed with electric guitars and banjos. Don Henley has one of the best ballad voices in the business, which is featured so well on Tequila Sunrise, Saturday Night and Doolin Dalton.