Jeff Harford

Long Player: Master craftsman covered all the bases

Harry Nilsson could not only write a good tune, he could pick the choicest cuts to cover. In 1971 he brought these skills to bear on Nilsson Schmilsson, a disarmingly eccentric pop-rock album...

Long Player: There's more than 15 minutes here

There are seven good reasons why it is cool to own a copy of 1967 album The Velvet Underground and Nico.

Once a polly tito, Faces brought deep joy

In the age of the single download, Jeff Harford rediscovers the album . . .

Long Player: Canny crossover by gifted guitarist

Would Latin pop superstars Shakira, Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin have reached their global audience without the benefit of some earlier spadework? No way, Jose. While Ritchie Valens made...

Long Player: Food for thought from Cat Stevens

In the age of the single download, Jeff Harford rediscovers the album . . .

Long Player: Shoot to kill - 'Metal Box' took no prisoners

Rock and roll is dead, said Johnny Rotten, in 1979. He was talking about the Sex Pistols. John Lydon's post-Pistols band Public Image Ltd (PiL) had just released second album Metal Box as three...

Long Player: A colourful, catchy, kitsch cult classic

Who knew what a narwhal was before the B-52's released Rock Lobster in 1979? Come on. Be honest.

Long Player: 'Folsom Prison' a watershed in Cash career

Johnny Cash's prison concerts are where he truly walked the line. Walked it, crossed it, and hopped provocatively from one side to the other. It was the making of him as an anti-establishment figure.